Buying Guide Washer Dryers

Freestanding washer dryers are very popular, as they can be slotted into any suitable space in your kitchen or utility room. This makes them practical and flexible to your home design.

They stand free of kitchen units as a visible, integral feature of your room. They also come with a wide variety of drum sizes and colour options – see below.

Freestanding models are easy to install and take with you if you move.

Built-in or integrated washer dryers are great if you have a fitted kitchen and don’t want to ruin its streamlined look.

They have a flat front so a kitchen cupboard door can attach to it, blending in with your other units. If you’ve previously had an integrated model, it’s best to replace it with another integrated appliance.

As they’re secured into kitchen units snugly and have a door to muffle noises, built in washer dryers tend to be quieter than freestanding ones. However, they can be tricky to install, so you might want to have someone do it for you. This usually means you’ll need to pay a small installation fee.

As with washing machines, the vast majority of washer dryers are now cold fill only.

This means that they take in cold water and heat it themselves, rather than using hot water from your boiler.

These machines are cheaper to manufacture and tend to be more efficient than hot fill models. Plus, if you use biological detergent, the wash starting with cold water will give you a better result; enzymes work best at lower temperatures.

White goods nowadays don’t have to be white, although it’s still the most popular colour for a washer dryer.

Although they’re hard to come by, it’s also possible to find silver, grey and black models.

Washer dryers are a great option if you’re low on floor space – after all, you’ll only have to find room for one machine. They can also cost a lot less than buying two separate appliances.

However, another option is to buy a stacking kit for your washing machine and tumble dryer – so you can place one on top of the other. If you have the height available, they won’t take up any more floor space than a washer dryer.

Buying two separate appliances also means that you’re likely to have a higher drying capacity, although you won’t be able to wash and dry in one go – you’ll need to transfer the wash between the two machines.

If you’re interested in purchasing your appliances separately, take a look at our Washing Machines and Tumble Dryer buying guides.

The capacity of a washer dryer is usually given as weight in kilogrammes, representing the amount of dry clothing you can fit into the drum.

You should never cram in clothing that fills the machine. For a wash cycle, it should be around 75% full, but less for drying – clothes dry better and don’t crease as much when they have room to move around.

This means that washer dryers have two different capacities listed – one for washing and one for drying.

A larger drum can work out cheaper for electricity and water usage, as you’ll do fewer washes. However, if you buy a machine with too high a capacity, you could end up wasting money and energy by underfilling it.

Most washer dryers are around the same height – 85 cm. This means that they’ll comfortably fit under most kitchen worktops.

Integrated washer dryers tend to be a bit shorter, around 82 cm in height. However, as they’re designed to be built into your kitchen, you’re unlikely to get many benefits from this.

Standard appliances are about 60 cm wide. Washer dryers are no different, usually measuring somewhere between 59.5 cm and 60 cm in width.

Kitchens are often designed to take appliances of this size, so if you have free space under your surfaces, it’s likely a washer dryer will fit.

Washer dryer sizes vary most in terms of depth.

Often, this is linked to capacity – a larger drum size can mean a deeper appliance. Likewise, styling – such as a curvy design – can make the machine deeper than expected. Washer dryers range from around 50 cm to 65 cm deep.

Bear in mind that having more space behind your washer dryer can make installing it more manageable. If you have a galley kitchen or small utility room, you’ll also want to make sure it doesn’t stick out too far. And, you should allow enough space for the hoses which are connected to the back of the appliance, and for the door to be opened comfortably.

More space behind your washer dryer can make installing it more manageable.

Electronic and digital displays use LEDs, LCDs or indicator lights to show you all the necessary information clearly. This can include your current cycle stage, temperature settings and the time remaining countdown.

The controls themselves will be buttons, touch screens, or dials which let you alter cycles to suit your laundry’s precise needs.

A delay start timer is great for tailoring when your wash begins. Simply load up, choose your programme, and set the timer, so your laundry finishes at a time convenient for you. Some models allow you to choose when the programme finishes instead, with an ‘end time’ function like Samsung’s Delay End.

If you have small children, a child lock will ensure that they can’t change any wash settings or open the door during a cycle. And, some child locks prevent the door from being closed and trapping valuable items.

You can even save your wash settings for future convenience if you buy a machine with a memory button. If you’re looking to create a smart home, why not buy a washer dryer controlled by your phone, using an app like Samsung Smart Washer/Dryer? This can let you monitor and manage your wash, or even diagnose problems.

The controls themselves will be buttons, touch screens or dials which let you alter cycles to suit your laundry’s precise needs.

Looking to save energy so you can reduce bills and help the environment? There are several functions to check out from a range of brands.

Across all models, you’re likely to find a standby mode. This helps to reduce your energy bills by turning off the machine automatically after a period of no activity.

There are also special washing features on the market, like Samsung’s Ecobubble™, which allows you to wash laundry at lower temperatures and reduce your energy bills. Bosch’s ActiveWater adjusts water consumption, while Zanussi’s AutoSense adjusts the time and energy.

Some Beko models have Direct Air Cool technology, which uses air rather than water to cool the condenser. Or, Samsung washer dryers with Fuzzy Logic not only temperature, wash time, spin speed and more.

Choose a machine with adjustable feet to keep it level with your kitchen worktops.

Some washer dryers can wobble during a vigorous spin or drying cycle. This may result in noise as the appliance vibrates against your units, or even damage the exterior. An out of balance spin control feature reduces this by sensing when the machine isn’t spinning efficiently.

If you’re worried about a noisy wash and dry cycle keeping you up at night, be sure to look out for a quiet motor, such as Bosch’s EcoSilence Drive, Blomberg’s Optima Inverter Motor, or other digital inverter motors. These reduce wear and tear, so the appliance lasts longer.

And, they are often more energy-efficient, with many using magnets instead of motor brushes to create less noise and work for themselves.

Some brands such as Zanussi have Gentle Care Drums with special pattern designs on the inside to ensure that delicate clothes don’t get snagged. Bosch has a VarioDrum system which washes all clothing types gently and intensively, thanks to even water distribution, preventing damage, stretches and creases.

You can also find washer dryers which tailor temperature and drum motion to different fabrics, so you can wash everything from sportswear to delicates at once.

Forgotten to put something in your wash? Use features like Samsung’s AddWash or Reload by Bosch to add, or even remove, your items – to make sure you have all of your clothes when you need them.

A wide porthole and double door hinges let the door lie almost flat. This makes loading up your machine easier and prevents the door from shutting on you.

Sometimes it can be hard to judge the amount of detergent you need. A foam control feature can help remove excess foam by altering the wash, dry, and spin cycles accordingly. Or, you could try a washer dryer with an intelligent load indicator, to make sure you don’t overload it with clothes or detergent.

Technology like Hotpoint’s Direct Injection pre-mixes your softener, detergent – or both – in water effectively before they enter the drum. So, they are fully activated and dissolved when they reach your clothes.

The range of washing programmes available with your washer dryer will vary, depending on the model and brand.

Many machines have around 16 different modes to choose from, and most have some or all of the following:

Variable Time and Temperature Settings

These let you customise a wash programme to suit your laundry, save energy, or kill germs.

Different Spin Speeds

The more times the drum spins per minute in the wash, the quicker the drying. You can increase the speed to suit heavy towels or lower it for your delicates. It’s worth checking the capabilities before you buy, so you can get a model that does what you need when you need it.

Quick Wash

This programme lets you wash small loads in as little as 15 minutes – ideal if you’re in a rush.

Woollens

Wool clothing can sometimes become damaged and shrink in the wash. A woollen programme prevents this from happening by using a low temperature and little drum rotation.

Synthetic

This suits synthetic fabrics such as polyester/cotton blend, nylon, and polyester, and is often about 50-60°C. Cottons: A cycle provided to give extra care to your cottons.

Handwash/Delicates/Silk

Some washer dryers offer gentle wash programmes, while others have individual programmes for separate clothing types. They’re designed to deal with items such as underwear, embellished and beaded clothing, or delicate fabrics like silk and cashmere so they don’t snag, matt, shrink or bobble.

Sportswear

This programme takes care of all your microfibre sportswear. It’s tough on sweat marks, odours, and mud. Some models have trainer washing modes too.

Jeans

A programme tailored to wash jeans and denim items. This ensures the colour doesn’t run, and that your clothing doesn’t shrink or fade.

Easy Iron

Perfect for when you’re washing shirts or other items that wrinkle frequently. An easy-iron programme often lowers the spin speed or shortens the spin cycle to help prevent creasing.

Eco-Mode

This function can make other programmes more energy efficient.

Freshen Up

If you’ve got clothes that aren’t dirty but could do with freshening up, this programme is ideal. It gives them a quick rinse to get rid of any odours, ensuring you can wear them again in half the time.

Extra Rinse/Anti-allergy

An extra rinse programme is helpful if someone in your family has sensitive skin or allergies, removing as many detergent and irritant particles as possible. It’s also handy if you’re washing lots of towels which absorb some of the detergent.

Pre-Wash

For items that are heavily soiled or stained, a pre-wash programme starts the cleaning process before the standard cycle even begins.

Baby Wash

Designed to tackle tough stains such as fruit juice, yoghurt, baby food, mud, grease, vomit, and dribble, leaving your baby’s clothes fresh and super soft. It can also include multiple rinses to get rid of any excess detergent.

Cleaning Cycle

This programme helps to keep the drum in top condition by flushing out any detergent or fabric softener residue, removing odours and killing germs.

Steam

Look out for appliances which use steam in their programmes. For example, LG’s Steam Refresh cleans your clothes quickly without wrinkles, and their Steam Softener makes your load feel extra soft.

There are generally fewer drying options, but you’ll still have plenty of choices.

Most washer dryers accommodate different fabrics such as cotton and synthetics as they do for the wash.

You can also find wash through dry programmes, which let you wash and dry in one continuous cycle to save precious time. But, make sure everything in your load is suitable for both programmes first. A final cool tumble turns off the heating element during the last ten minutes, so fabrics go back to room temperature, reducing creases. And, you can usually enjoy quick options for when you need items in a hurry.

Sensor Drying is one of the more recent additions to modern washer dryers.

Most brands have their version, such as Hotpoint’s Set & Forget. Sensors in the drum are used to monitor moisture and temperature levels, so the machine can turn off the programme when your clothes are dry. This saves energy while avoiding shrinking and damage.

Sensor washer dryers often have numerous drying levels, including damp dry, iron dry, hanger dry and ready to wear. Iron dry clothes are left slightly damp to make ironing easier, while ready-to-wear clothes will be dry enough to put on right away.

Usually, it’s difficult to see a washer dryer in action before you buy. This may be difficult if you want to review an appliance’s noise levels.

So, how do you find out? Often, manufacturers provide the decibel (dB) level of the appliance in the specification or on the energy label. These numbers can be difficult to understand but allow you to compare one model with another.

Another way to find a quiet washer dryer is to look at independent reviews. Comments from people who have already purchased the model can be very valuable.

Similarly, companies like Which? test many aspects of appliances, including noise.

Most washer dryers emit somewhere between 45 dB and 80 dB of noise – the spin cycle being the highest level, then drying, then washing. Anything emitting below 50 dB for the wash cycle can be regarded as a quiet model. However, no model is silent, except when it’s turned off.

While it’s true that appliances with lower decibel ratings are quieter, there’s a little more to consider.

Manufacturers test these appliances in ‘ideal conditions’. Chances are your kitchen, utility room or wherever else you place your washer dryer is less than ideal. It will probably sound noisier than it would in a lab.

How loud something seems will also depend on your hearing and the pitch of the sound, rather than just the volume in decibels. Your mood and what you’re doing at the time might also make a difference.

The machine will also be noisier at some points of the washing and drying cycles compared to others – the spin is the usual culprit. Sound levels are subjective, which is why real-life reviews are probably a better measure of the noise an appliance produces.

Another way to find a quiet washer dryer is by looking at its features. Some models are even designed to make less noise.

Machines with inverter motors tend to be quieter. This is because many of them don’t have brushes, which means less friction is generated when the motor is running. And, less friction means less sound.

Manufacturers are also beginning to look at anti-vibration in laundry appliances, such as Samsung’s Vibration Reduction Technology, so it’s worth keeping an eye open for this.

You can also consider the range of anti-vibration footpads and mats on the market. These cushion your appliance and absorb vibrations, reducing noise.

With a washer dryer, you need to be aware of more than just the energy consumption. They usually use water during drying, as well as in the washing process.

Although these are less common as things stand, heat-pump washer dryers are the most efficient models.

Simply put, they reuse the hot air used in the drying process rather than releasing it into the atmosphere.

Investing in an efficient washer dryer is a great idea, but there are lots you can do to help out your pockets and carbon footprint too.

Washing clothes in cooler water is a brilliant way of reducing energy consumption. Most washer dryers will let you alter the temperature setting on wash programmes, so try a lower one. Normally, you only need higher temperatures for getting rid of stubborn stains and marks, or to clean baby clothes, bedding, and towels hygienically.

Increasing the spin speed will extract more water from your clothes and reduce drying time. Additionally, using high efficiency, low-suds detergent in the wash will save on rinsing. You could also try drying similar items together, like towels or sheets.

On warmer days you could let your laundry air dry, rather than using your washer dryer. As drying cycles use the most energy, cutting them out occasionally makes quite a difference.

Or, why not set your machine to wash while you sleep? Electricity can be cheaper at night-time, and many washer dryers have a timer you can use to set your cycle in advance.

Moisture sensors can also be useful for saving energy. These detect the level of moisture in your clothes and then shut off the cycle when they’re dry.

Washer dryers tend to be slightly more expensive than individual washing machines or tumble dryers, which makes sense – you’re getting two appliances in one.

However, buying a combi model is usually significantly cheaper than buying the two machines separately.

Basic models are fairly inexpensive at around £300, while cutting-edge alternatives cost over £1,000. Modern appliances – especially those from big brands – are usually reliable, so purchasing something cheaper can be good value if you only have basic needs. Keep an eye out for a good warranty just in case something does go wrong. A longer warranty can also demonstrate the manufacturer’s faith in the appliance.

If you’re after more than just the basics and want the latest features, you’ll need a larger budget.

So, what can you expect in a more expensive model? In general, you’re likely to find:

• A larger washing and/or drying capacity
• More programme options
• Sensor drying
• A bigger, clearer display
• Improved energy and water efficiency
• A two, three or five-year warranty
• The latest technology

Many other factors affect prices, such as the place of manufacture and the appliance’s aesthetic appeal. You can also expect to pay more for a well-known and respected brand.

If you aren’t in a rush for a washer dryer, it’s worth waiting for sales to come around, such as on Black Friday or after Christmas.

Manufacturers and retailers run promotions throughout the year too, so it’s worth doing your research.

The purchasing price isn’t the only cost to bear in mind – running costs can mount up too. A more expensive but more efficient model could end up saving you money in the long run. For more information, see the Energy Efficiency section of this buying guide.

Installation, delivery, and recycling costs are also points to factor into your purchasing decision.

Unlike shops, websites are not constrained by physical premises, so going online gives you the widest choice. This is especially important when looking at large items like washer dryers. Most websites allow you to filter appliances by many aspects, such as size, capacity, colour, and type, which helps you find what you’re after more quickly.

Most websites provide reviews from customers that have already purchased a product, which can be extremely useful. There are also sites dedicated to reviewing products, such as Which? that offer a wealth of information.

When it comes to washer dryers, reviews can give you more information about cycle times, noise levels and features.

Product descriptions are often featured online. These are normally written in a way that is easy to understand and can help explain key features – especially ones that brands have named themselves, such as Samsung Bubble Soak or Zanussi AutoSense.

You can sometimes find cheaper products online. Also, you’ll get a clear idea of shipping, delivery, and installation costs before making a purchase.

While measurements are given frequently online, seeing a washer dryer in the shop is a better way of telling whether it’s big enough to suit your needs.

If your appliance’s appearance is important to you, seeing it in person is a must. Colours can be altered on computer monitors, and they don’t give you the full impact of the design. To see whether your prospective washer dryer appeals to you, find it in a local showroom.

Seeing a washer dryer in-store lets you interact with it. Open the door, turn the dials and get an idea of how easy the appliance would be to use every day.