LG WM3431HW

We found the best review at the website of technology consultant Joe Hutsko, who doesn't normally review laundry equipment but provides the most detailed look at the LG WM3431HW. We also found about 50 owner reviews at Epinions.com and about 15 at Amazon.com; these are especially useful because some rate the LG WM3431HW for long-term use. We also found a brief review from Good Housekeeping magazine.

If you're short on space and can't install a vent system, reviews suggest the LG WM3431HW washer/dryer combo, which washes and dries laundry in the same tub. In the dryer function, a condenser sends water out a hose into a sink or floor drain rather than forcing steam through a vent. The front-loading LG WM3431HW runs on standard 110/120-volt outlets. While most reviews are positive, the most frequent complaints are that drying is a long, slow process and that the machine has severe vibrations. The first problem is unavoidable -- the capacity is 2.44 cubic feet, and the unit can only dry about half as much as it washes, meaning you'll have to dry a full load in two lots. There are electronic controls, environmentally friendly automatic water-level settings, an extra-hot sanitary wash cycle and a one-year warranty (some owner reviews note breakdowns). If you can install a vent and have access to a 220/240-volt outlet, reviews say that stacked laundry centers like the Frigidaire GLEH1642F (*est. $880) are much better.