Best Washer Dryers

Are you struggling to choose between a washer dryer combo and a standalone washer and dryer? This article will help to solve your dilemma. Discover why you might need combination washer dryers and the essential features to look for when buying one. Finally, choose the most suitable combo for your household from our top five picks.

If you’re in a hurry, our recommendation for the best washer dryer combo in the UK is the HAIER i-Pro Series 7 HWD100-B14979. Select it from the table of contents below to skip to the review.

What is a washer dryer?

As the name implies, this appliance combines a washing machine and a dryer in a single cabinet. Typically, it does all the work that standalone washers and dryers do but with the advantage of reduced footprint and sometimes energy consumption.

If you’re also looking for a convenient way to do your laundry with minimal intervention on your part, a washer dryer is worth considering. You can put your dirty clothes in when retiring to bed knowing that you’ll wake up to clean, dry and ready wear for the new working day. No need to move your laundry between appliances or hang it out to air dry. That right there is the magic of combination washer dryers!

Why choose a washer dryer combo?

Washer dryer combos offer several unique features that make them a better choice than two separate units:

Space saving

If you live in a flat or a small home, chances are you won’t have space for both a washing machine and a tumble dryer. A combined washer dryer naturally takes half the space whilst doing the job of both appliances.

Convenience

You won’t need to transfer piles of wet clothes manually from one machine to the next. Simply load your dirty clothes into the unit, set a timer and come back to find clean, dry clothes. What’s more, they often come with a wide range of features allowing for specific programs to precisely match each load.

Eco friendly

Many modern washer dryer combos use only slightly more power than a single washing machine. Those that have been awarded an A or A+ rating by the Energy Saving Trust are more likely to help you reduce your overall water and power use.

Easy installation

Unlike standard tumbler dryers, most combination washer dryers do not need to be vented. Moisture from the drying process is condensed and then directed strain into the drain that is fitted to remove wastewater. This means that there is no need for extra installation or to find some where to put the large, annoying vent hose.

Pros and cons of washer dryers

Pros

• Enjoy two laundry functions in one unit
• No need to manually transport the clothes from one machine to another
• The washer and dryer functions can work independently of each other
• The costs of buying and running this appliance are often lower than having two standalone machines

Cons

• Some inefficient washer dryer machines use a lot of power especially in the drying cycle
• Load capacity for some dryers is quite limited compared to that of a standalone dryer

What should I look for when buying a washer dryer?

Not all washer dryers are built to the same standards, to ensure that you find the right one for you it’s essential to make yourself familiar with the fine details:

Safety features

Washer dryers can be supplied with several functions that will give you peace of mind if you have a house full of children or pets. Look out for door locks and child locks that prevent them from fiddling with the controls. Other useful safety features can help prevent leaks and often include an automatic overflow feature.

Multiple wash programmes

Look for a machine that incorporates numerous settings as this possibly means more functionality and diversity in the types of laundry it can handle. For example, some washer dryers come with programmes for cleaning duvets, cotton, silk and delicates.

Load capacity

A common mistake made by many washer dryer users is to either overfill or under-fill the drum. Overfilling can result in your clothes not getting s thorough clean and under-filling often leads to a waste of both water and energy. The best way to avoid this is to get a machine with a drum capacity that matches the size of your average load.

Spin speed

How fast your machine rotates determines how long your dryer takes to remove water from the laundry after a wash cycle. The best washer dryer combos come with spin speed ranges of 1000-1600 rpm. The higher, the better. On the other hand, speedier machines will often generate higher noises and consume more energy.

Other details you might want to consider include:

• A wrinkle release or refresh function to help you quickly straighten your clothes
• A moisture sensor to automatically adjust the drying time
• Steam function for effective removal of stains and wrinkles
• A Wi-Fi connection to help you control your machine remotely

Top 4 best washer-dryers in the UK

These are our picks of top four washer dryers available in the UK, based on factors such as price, energy and water efficiency, programmes, drum size and dimensions:

No 1: HAIER i-Pro Series 7 HWD100-B14979

This stunning machine from Haier blows away the competition with its large door access, 10kg capacity and A energy rating. However much laundry your family produces weekly, the large drum of the HWD100-B14979 will make short work of it.

This washer dryer is jam-packed full of high tech features to provide top-level results in record time. The direct-motion motor has been designed to work without a belt to boost efficiency and reduce noise. The drum itself features a handy internal light and an ABT antibacterial surface that prevents bacteria from growing.

There are 14 programs to choose from along with several other settings to customise the controls to get the best results for every load. Also, there are weight sensors that can detect how much washing is in the drum. This is then used to calculate precisely how much time, energy and water will be needed. There is also an i-Refresh function that uses steam to remove odours and tough stains.

You’re just not going to find a washer dryer like this anywhere else. This A-rated appliance reduces your energy consumption by up to 51% compared to a G rated model. The i-Pro HWD100-B14979 comes with a lifetime guarantee for the motor and two years for everything else.

No.2: LG V7 FWV796WTSE

The LG V7 FWV796WTSE is a spacious washer dryer that stacks plenty of features that will particularly excite those of you who are tech-savvy. For starters, it comes with SmartThinQ, a WiFi-enabled technology that enables you to control your laundry right from your smartphone. You can also use this tech to access the latest innovations and new cycle settings that LG may release in the future.

This gentle giant with 9kg wash capacity and 6kg drying capacity is roomy enough to wash and dry oversized loads like duvets and bedsheets. We also like that it packs several intelligent features that make removing stubborn stains from your laundry hassle-free. Another handy feature is the Steam + technology which gets rid of up to 99% of allergies.

Want to do some cleaning before heading to work? Stash the clothes in the drum and activate V7’s TurboWash 360 technology. This function uses an ingenious jet to spray water to the spinning clothes, cutting the cleaning time to just 39 minutes. Also, look out for the aiDD technology that auto-detects the weight and type of fabric to adjusts the settings and ensure your garments are cleaned in the perfect conditions.

Unfortunately, the V7 FWV796WTSE was only awarded an E energy rating but the wash performance received an A and spin performance achieved a B. However, overall this is an impressively advanced appliance that’s definitely going to make your life easier.

No 3: Bosch Serie 6 WDU28561GB

Finding a washer-dryer that suits the unique needs of a large household whilst ticking several other boxes like affordability and functionality can be quite challenging. That is until you meet the BOSCH Serie 6 WDU28561GB model.

The machine’s huge 10kg washing and 6kg drying capacities offer you ample room to clean even the bulkiest of loads. While its price is on the higher end, its superior features make it worth the money.

To ensure your delicate fabric is well taken care of, Bosch included 23 useful programmes including Easy-Care, Cotton, Wool/Handwash and Delicate/Silk. Another function to love is the Super Quick wash that requires only 15 minutes to clean your garments when you’re pressed for time. The EcoSilence Drive is designed to help this washer dryer operate quietly even at high spin speed and also improves its durability.

Bosch also does a great job of ensuring the WDU28561GB model remains energy efficient even with its big capacity and multiple programmes. Its innovative AutoDry feature uses special sensors inside the drum to measure moisture levels and automatically stop the drying cycle when your laundry is ready. The 3D AquaSpa wash system is another brilliant addition that improves water penetration into the clothes for faster cycles.

Bosch WDU28561GB is the ideal freestanding washer dryer for medium to large households. The range of programmes and settings is second to none so you’re guaranteed to get the results you’re hoping for.

Best washer dryer under £400: Logik L8W5D20

Logik L8W5D20 Model Specification

The LOGIK L8W5D20 is a large machine capable of washing 8kg of laundry and drying 5kg. The extra room means that you can easily fit more into each load, saving you time, money, water and electricity. It’s rated E for energy which is excellent for a budget washer/dryer and the most efficient we’ve seen for machines under £400.

This is a stylish appliance with a white finish, an easy to read LED screen and simple controls. The delay timer allows you to program it to set off up to 24 hours later, letting you take advantage of cheaper night time electricity rates or just to wait to a more appropriate time.

There are 16 preset wash programs and 3 drying settings designed to cover all eventualities and laundry needs. They include a 1-hour wash and dry that will completely launder a 5kg load in super-quick time. You also get specific settings for delicates, jeans, linen and sportswear.

At this price, you can’t expect a washer-dryer to have all the bells and whistles; however, this machine from Logik is surprisingly efficient, has more than enough helpful programs and gets the job done time after time.

Conclusion

The demand for washer dryers continues to rise in the UK, as a result, more manufacturers have spent time on improving their functionality and efficiency. The right washer dryer has the potential to be a game changer for your laundry habits can save you space, time and money. Getting a model that is the best match for your needs will result in a device that could last you for many years, so it’s well worth taking your time to make the best choice.