Laundry Centers

Best washer-dryer laundry centers

Most laundry centers come in either 27-inch or 24-inch widths. The 27-inch models are the same width as full-sized washers and dryers. Compared with today's high-end washers, laundry centers have fewer bells and whistles. While you'll find pricey standalone washers with automatic wash levels, antibacterial cycles and programmable wash cycles, laundry centers have just the essentials. Most laundry centers require standard venting and a 240-volt electrical supply, just like a normal washer and dryer. (If you only have access to a 120-volt power supply and venting isn't practical, see the section below on washer-dryer combos.)

Kenmore and Frigidaire (both made by Frigidaire) make the widest variety of laundry centers in both 27-inch and 24-inch widths. The 27-inch models are 75.5 inches high, while the 24-inch models are a few inches shorter at 71.75 inches. Like most laundry centers, the controls for both the washer and dryer are placed at eye level. The washer is top-loading, so the lid serves as a shelf when pulling clothing out of the dryer. Both sizes have models with gas or electric dryers. Experts prefer a gas dryer over an electric dryer because a gas dryer will save money in fuel costs over the long run. However, according to Consumer Reports, about 80 percent of dryers now sold are electric, and obviously, your choice depends on whether you have a gas hookup. Experts also stress the importance of a moisture sensor in the dryer, which will allow the dryer to automatically turn off when clothes are dry. The cost of the Kenmore and Frigidaire laundry centers varies not only according to wash/dry capacity, but also to the number of dryer temperatures or wash cycle options such as prewash, energy saver, stain treatment and extra rinse.

The 27-inch Kenmore Super Capacity 97922 (*Est. $950) has more features than most, including a moisture sensor in the dryer drum and an included drying rack. The washer size is 3.0 cubic feet, and the electric dryer is 5.7 cubic feet. It has 11 wash cycles and options and five dryer temperatures. This laundry center receives mixed reviews from about a dozen owners at Sears.com; most agree that it washes and dries well, but there are several complaints about the lint filter not trapping lint, and several owners report a squeaking noise during the spin cycle. Another 27-inch Super Capacity machine, the Kenmore 97912 (*Est. $950) has one fewer wash cycle and includes a moisture sensor in the dryer. Experts recommend getting a model with a moisture sensor, which saves energy.

As compared with the Super Capacity laundry centers, the Kenmore 27-inch Extra Large Capacity 97822 (*Est. $850) has a slightly smaller washer (2.7 cubic feet) and the same size electric dryer. It has nine wash cycles and options and four dryer temperatures. The dryer does not have a moisture sensor, however. Owner reviews for this Kenmore laundry center are generally good, but one owner had to replace the motor after four months, and one reports a loud clanking noise after three months. Kenmore also offers 27-inch laundry centers with gas dryers. The washing and drying features are similar to those of the electric dryer models. The Kenmore 27-inch Super Capacity Laundry Center with Gas Dryer model model 97972 (*Est. $1,000) and model 97962 (*Est. $1,000) differ in that model 97962 has one fewer wash cycle and a dryer moisture sensor. Each receives about four stars out of five in a few owner reviews at Sears.com, not really enough to draw any big conclusions.

To fit a smaller space, you can downsize to one of the 24-inch Kenmore laundry centers. The 3-inch difference in width will cut the washer size by nearly half, to 1.5 cubic feet. You'll sacrifice some features, too. The washers offer three wash cycles and options. The 3.4-cubic-foot dryer lacks a moisture sensor. The Kenmore laundry center with the most reviews is the 24-inch Kenmore 88752 with an electric dryer (*Est. $1,000). Almost 30 owner reviewers on Sears.com contribute to its low average rating. Several owners complain (sometimes dramatically) about leaks, repeated service calls to replace the springs that hold up the drum, and excessive noise. This model offers three dryer temperatures. For $50 less, you can forfeit one of them. The 24-inch Kenmore 88732 (*Est. $950) with an electric dryer, requires a 120-volt power supply instead of 240 volts. It still must be vented like a regular dryer. A handful of owners generally like this laundry center. The main complaint is that you can't wash and dry at the same time because of the reduced voltage.

Although Kenmore has the best selection, Frigidaire laundry centers are more reliable, according to owner surveys. Frigidaire also has a laundry center with a front-loading washer, which is more energy efficient than a top-loading washer. Kenmore doesn't offer a laundry center with a front-loading washer. The Frigidaire GLEH1642F (*Est. $880) has 16 wash/rinse combinations, and holds as much laundry as a normal washer and dryer. The dryer has a moisture sensor. In tests, the Frigidaire laundry center dried clothes well, but its washer fell short of a full-size washing machine. Even so, more than 45 owners posting at Sears.com give this laundry center better ratings than the Kenmore top-loading laundry centers. Owners seem happy with the Frigidaire laundry center, except for its very loud buzzer that cannot be adjusted. On Buzzillions.com and Epinions.com, the Frigidaire also receives high ratings from owners. One owner found the installation instructions inadequate and had a bad experience with customer service.

GE's Unitized Spacemaker laundry centers are available in both 27 and 24-inch sizes. The 27-inch GE WSM2780 (*Est. $1,200) and GE WSM2700 (*Est. $1,000) receive mostly positive comments at owner-review sites, although there are more complaints about durability than with Frigidaire's laundry centers. The GE WSM2420D (*Est. $1,200) has the best reviews from owners of any 24-inch model we found. At HomeDepot.com, this model receives an average of 4.6 stars in a handful of owner reviews. The gas dryer version of this laundry center, the GE WSM2480D (*Est. $1,350), is also named as a best buy at Consumer Guide (though we're unsure of the criteria used).