GE WSM2420D

The GE WSM2420D (along with its counterpart that has a gas-powered dryer, the WSM2480D) has the best (and most) reviews of any 24-inch-wide laundry center we found. Compared to the 27-inch laundry centers, these units aren't very popular and reviews are few and far between. At HomeDepot.com, the electric-dryer version has a handful of owner reviews with an average rating of 4.6 (out of five) stars and the gas-dryer version has just a handful of reviews, with an average rating of four stars (out of five). Consumer Guide chooses this laundry center as a CG Budget Buy.

If you don't quite have enough space for a 27-inch laundry center, GE's Unitized Spacemaker WSM2420 takes up a bit less space. It's a basic model with a front-loading washer, which has both pros and cons. Reviewers say the older design is time-tested and reliable, and if it does break down, it's easier to repair than machines with more features. Owners say the machine is quiet and does a good job washing clothes, but the auto-dry feature (which uses a thermostat rather than a moisture sensor) isn't very accurate, and the laundry center has very limited capacity. It requires standard venting, and the electric dryer uses a 120/208 or 120/240-volt power supply. If you aren't able to provide a dryer vent, consider the LG WM3431HW all-in-one washer-dryer (*est. $1,350).