Washer-Dryer Combos

Unvented washer-dryer combos use one tub but have drawbacks

In addition to stacked laundry centers, there is another class of combined washers and dryers called washer-dryer combos, which wash and dry clothes in the same tub. Consumers load their dirty laundry, make their selections and then remove the clean, dry items when the drying cycle is done. These washer-dryer combos are compact (usually 24 inches wide), and use a standard 120-volt electrical supply (gas versions are not available). They do not need to be vented, and they're attractive to those who don't have traditional washer and dryer hookups -- outside dryer vents and a 240-volt outlet. With these washer-dryer combos, water is pumped out of the drum and out of a hose, and users do need a sink, drain or tub nearby.

Although washer-dryer combos are an option for those who cannot use standard washers and dryers, there are some significant drawbacks. Capacity is much smaller than that of full-size washers, and it also takes much longer to process a load of laundry. The standard drying cycle is one hour, but many owners report that clothes take several hours to dry completely. Many users say they take out some wet laundry and dry their clothes in two batches to speed drying time. User review sites such as Epinions.com are full of owners who say drying times are long, and this is one reason why most washer-dryer combos get poorer reviews than full-size washers and dryers.

One washer-dryer combo performs better than others, according to users: the front-loading LG WM3987HW (*Est. $1,450). This model is 27 inches wide with a 4.2-cubic-foot capacity. It has nine wash/dry cycles, including a sanitary germ-killing cycle that heats water to 158 degrees Fahrenheit, and a moisture sensor, which turns off the dryer automatically when laundry is dry. The LG WM3987HW is Energy Star-certified, and it includes a delayed start timer and five water temperatures. Parts and labor are covered for one year, in addition to 10 years for the motor. The stainless-steel drum has a lifetime warranty.

The LG WM3987HW washer-dryer combo gets high marks at Buzzillions.com, which compiles owner-written user reviews from online appliance retailers. The washer-dryer combo earns a 4.3-star rating from about 50 users, most of whom say they like the variety of adjustable settings and features and the fact that it can wash a full load of laundry. The washer-dryer's energy efficiency and good washing performance are additional pluses. Like most washer-dryer combos, the LG WM3987HW gets complaints about drying times that can exceed three hours for a full load. A few users say clothes sometimes come out damp, but others say it's just high humidity from the condenser dryer and the clothes dry almost immediately with a quick shake. The unit gets similar ratings at LivingDirect.com, where about 40 reviewers give it a 4.4-star rating. Many praise the compactness and efficiency, but we also saw several reports from owners who had a hard time obtaining service from LG for their units.

The Haier HWD1000 (*Est. $700) costs half as much but gets lower reviews from owners. This unit is one of the most inexpensive washer-dryer combos available, and it's also very compact -- just less than 24 inches wide and 33.75 inches tall. The Haier HWD1000 has a 1.7-cubic-foot capacity, seven wash cycles, an electronic control panel and a one-year warranty.  A dozen reviewers at Amazon.com give the washer-dryer combo an overall rating of 2 stars out of 5. The few who like it say the Haier washer-dryer combo is easy to use and cleans very well. However, there are many reliability complaints, including broken water pumps or heating elements, and multiple reviewers complain of poor customer service. The Haier HWD1000 also gets a 2-star rating from four owners at Epinions.com, where users complain about leaks and wrinkled laundry. Note that while Haier has stopped manufacturing washer-dryer combos for the American market, the Haier HWD1000 is still widely available in stores.