Who Uses Washer Dryer Combination Units?

Believe it or not, front-loading, ventless all-in-one washer dryer units have been very popular in Europe and the Far East for many years. Compact appliances like these were developed to serve the small living spaces common to those areas. More recently, folks in North America have been discovering that if you don't have an external venting source (required by conventional dryers), or access to a dedicated high voltage outlet, this can be a good solution.


Anywhere space is limited, like condos, apartments, vacation homes, might be a place where a combo unit would be handy. Someone living in a place where a laundry room is available might choose to use such a unit to gain privacy and convenience as opposed to trips to the laundry room, where the machines might be all in use or broken. A business owner might choose to have a unit in a corner somewhere if there is occasional need to do laundry on site.

Those who are happiest with these appliances are those who realize the limitations of the design. If you are expecting large capacity and quick cycles resulting in hot, dry clothes, you will be disappointed. Keep in mind that there are trade-offs for the ventless, compact units that work off standard electrical outlets.

For example, a full size standard washer can hold about 22 pounds of clothes; the bigger combo units can handle about 15 pounds for the wash cycle about about half that for the dry cycle. Depending on the cycles chosen and the kind of laundry, the wash cycle can take up to 90 minutes, and the dry cycle can take up to 180 minutes. Even at the end of the dry cycle the laundry may need to be aired for a bit to be fully dried, and some touch up with an iron may be desirable. A popular choice of unit owners is to set the laundry to start after they leave for work, and when they return the laundry is all done. Those owners most pleased with their appliances are not doing laundry for a family of 8, but just for one or two people, and they do several runs of smaller loads rather than saving everything up for a big load. This way the dry cycle is not overburdened.

Prices for combo units range from about $400 to $1500 and more. As with other products, it pays to find one made well, with good features, and and a decent reputation for service. Big names in the washer dryer combination arena are: Equator, Haier, LG, Ariston, Triton, Asko, Summit. I have seen some Maytag, GE, and Whirlpool brands items touted as "all-in-one" units, but they aren't ventless, doing both washing and drying in the same tub. Often they can be stacked, which may be what they mean by "all-in-one." The best consumer reviews are for the LG brands, about 87% of reviewers saying they would recommend to a friend. The LG brand is more well-known in the U.S. then the other brands mentioned above, with a reputation as a global manufacturer of plasma TV's, LCDs, mobile phones and computer products as well as home appliances.

Happy hunting!