Kenmore 9781

Laundry centers situate a standard dryer atop a conventional washing machine in one unit; the controls for both are positioned in the middle for easy reach. This design is a great solution for those without room for a full-size washer and dryer. Laundry centers come in 27-inch or 24-inch widths to fit through a standard doorway and into a closet. Most 27-inch laundry centers require a dedicated 220- or 240-volt outlet and standard venting for the dryer. If your apartment or condo only has an available 110/120-volt outlet, some 24-inch laundry centers are available, but there are drawbacks: You won't be able to wash and dry at the same time, and the dryer will be significantly less powerful, extending drying times.

Laundry centers haven't been reviewed in professional publications, so we turned to user ratings. Unfortunately, the story is very mixed for most models. We chose the Kenmore 9781, a 27-inch laundry center, for our Best Reviewed section. While this model also gets mixed owner feedback, it has more reviews than others. Reliability seems to be the main issue.

The all-electric Kenmore 9781 is a 27-inch laundry center that requires a 240-volt outlet and standard dryer venting. The extra power requirement (over simpler machines that use a 110-volt outlet) means you can wash and dry at the same time, and the dryer works more quickly. Most users are pleased with the heat produced by the dryer. It includes a moisture sensor (that measures exhausted air for humidity), which cuts down on overdrying. The washer portion is about what you'd find on a low-end standard washing machine: a regular agitator, standard set of eight wash cycles and four temperature options. There are soak and extra-rinse options for the washer, and a towels/jeans setting for the dryer. One quibble in reviews: Some find the lint filter messy to clean.