Best washer dryers 2024: space-saving models for your home

It is a fact of life that many parents have limited time, money and kitchen space, which is why great-value appliances like our best washer-dryer can be such a godsend. Able to do double the work at half the price, it is a two-in-one combination of a washing machine and a tumble dryer that is perfect for small houses or flats and families with time at a premium. Useful in the winter months when drying inside risks mould and damp (the best dehumidifier can help there) and able to fit in with your kitchen’s decor without having to cram two appliances in, choosing the right washer-dryer is about working smarter, not harder, and making your laundry routine work for you.

Whilst washer-dryers are admittedly not as effective as separate appliances, that does not mean you should totally write them off. If you’re interested in making the switch, deciding to invest with so much conflicting advice, reviews, and recommendations to navigate is easier said than done, and you’ll need to consider more than just the price. For example, a washer-dryer’s washing and drying capacity is rarely the same, with most models able to wash more than they can dry.

You’ll also want to think about the spin speed, how noisy it will be and the duration of an average cycle, all of which can save your sanity and indicate its effectiveness. Additionally, you’ll want to compare the energy efficiency rating; you'll find that most washer-dryers tend to be rated 'D' or 'E' on the current 'A - G' grading scale. If all of that sounds overwhelming, you needn’t worry, as we’ve done the hard work for you, so you can finally reach the bottom of your overloaded laundry basket.

To help you make an educated choice, we’ve investigated using our triple-check vetting process to collate all our research into an honest and balanced guide to the best washer-dryer. Using a combination of authentic reviews from Mumsnet users, expert opinions and verified consumer ratings, we’ve found the top 10 models that have been tested, tried and trusted to tackle any laundry pile.

Are washer dryers any good?

A washer-dryer, despite the nay-sayers, can be a smart investment for the average family, and there are several reasons why.

• Space-saving: Washer-dryers are ideal for families with limited space in their homes or flats because instead of needing to install two appliances, you’ll only need one unit, which is far easier and can also reduce the clutter of having a heated clothes airer up in your home come winter.

• Time-saving: A washer-dryer can wash and dry clothes in one cycle without the need to transfer wet clothes between appliances. This is especially helpful to families with busy weekly schedules and lots of washing to do.

• Convenient: No more worrying about whether you remembered to put your wet clothes into the tumble dryer or to have to wait for your washing machine to finish. A washer-dryer streamlines your laundry routine, helping you cross more items off your to-do list.

• Budget-friendly and cost-effective: Buying a separate washing machine and tumble dryer can cost you up to £1,000 for mid-range models, so whilst a washer-dryer’s initial outlay is expensive, you won’t need to purchase any additional appliances, and you’ll only need to worry about repairing one machine. They can be less energy efficient than separate machines though, for example, there are very few heat pump washer dryers on the market, so you will need to factor that into the cost.

However, a washer-dryer is not for everyone, and you will want to consider these before investing:

• Capacity: Washer-dryers have a much smaller capacity, particularly for drying cycles. This can be a problem for families who generate a lot of laundry as they either have to use multiple cycles to wash and dry all clothing, increasing energy consumption or hang some clothes out to dry using an alternative like an airer.

• Performance: Washer-dryers are not as effective and efficient at drying clothes as a standalone tumble dryers, leading to much longer cycles. They tend to be pretty good at washing clothes, however.

• Maintenance: Due to their two-in-one design, they can be more complex and require more frequent maintenance and repairs than the average washing machine or tumble dryer. However, many Mumsnetters report that they’ve lasted for up to 10 years without any problems.

• Life span: Again, in part, because it is two appliances in one, their lifespan is not as long as their stand-alone counterparts - meaning you may need to replace them more frequently.

In short, it all comes down to your specific budget, needs and preferences whether or not a washer-dryer is for you.

How do washer-dryers work?

The washing machine part of a washer-dryer is pretty standard. You still need to put laundry detergent and fabric conditioner in the drawer at the top of the machine, and cold water is heated up based on your programme settings and circulated in the drum.

However, the tumble dryer is a different matter altogether. Due to their smaller drum, its capacity is reduced to make it more effective, and water is pumped out via its drainage pipe rather than being emptied into a water tank.

Who are washer-dryers good for?

• People who live in flats, apartments or houses with small rooms and limited storage space.

• Busy families that are looking for a convenient, one-size-fits-all solution to their laundry woes.

• Single people or couples tend to generate less laundry and therefore don’t need the capacity of a standalone washing machine or tumble dryer.

• People with mobility issues or disabilities as a washer-dryer eliminates the need to transfer clothing between appliances, making laundry more manageable.

Why do washer-dryers have different laundry capacities for the washing and drying cycles?

A washer-dryer's drum capacity refers to the maximum weight that can be loaded into it for a single cycle. In our article, this is measured in kilograms. However, you will notice that the capacity for a wash cycle and a drying cycle are different, with a drying cycle often only allowing half of a washing load.

This is because clothes weigh more once they are wet and need more space to dry so that the air can circulate. If you overload it, its drying capabilities are much less effective. If you were to stand a washing machine and a tumble dryer side by side, you’d notice that a tumble dryer always has a larger drum for this exact reason. A wash cycle does not require the same movement of air.

What should I look for when buying a washer-dryer?

When buying a washer-dryer, you should consider the following:

• Capacity: You’ll want to think about the amount of laundry your family generates and pick a capacity that is suitable for your needs.

• Energy efficiency: Picking a washer-dryer with a good energy-efficiency rating is more important than ever with skyrocketing energy bills. Since the 2021 change to energy ratings, you’ll notice that washer-dryers ratings have dropped significantly, with the best achieving a D rating.

• Wash and dry cycles: Whether you’re a family who is always on the go from club to club or has wardrobes full of delicate, pretty dresses, you’ll want to think about the programmes and cycles on offer and whether they’ll suit your fabric needs.

• Noise level: Particularly if you have an open-plan living space, you’ll want to look for the quietest models. Make sure that you look for those with noise-reducing features such as insulation or anti-vibration motors.

• Size and installation: Before you go splashing the cash, make sure you’ve taken accurate measurements of your space, leaving around 3cm on each side. If you don’t fancy trying to install it yourself, it is worth paying a little extra to have someone do it for you.

• Brand and reliability: Trusted brands like Bosch and Miele earned that reputation for a reason by offering reliability and excellent customer service on models that are built to last. Make sure to read up on the brand you are buying from before purchasing.

• Price: Set a budget that you can afford, and remember that a premium price does not always mean better quality. Make sure you do research and compare reviews before making a decision.

How much should I pay for a washer-dryer?

Typically, a washer-dryer can cost anywhere between £400 for basic models to £2,000 for premium models. There are a lot of factors to think about when deciding how much to pay, but we’d suggest looking at its range of features and programmes, capacity and overall consumer ratings as a good indicator. Ultimately, it entirely depends on budget and personal preference.

How long should a washer-dryer last?

The average lifespan for a washer-dryer is around 10 years.

Which is the best washer dryer to buy?

We’ve awarded the Samsung Series 6 WD10T654DBH our title for the best washer-dryer. Frequently recommended by Mumsnetters and appearing on multiple product review lists, Samsung can always be trusted to create a high-quality laundry appliance. This is a perfect fit for large-sized households, packed with time-saving features and programmes, making the Samsung Series 6 the ideal all-rounder.

How we choose our recommendations

At Mumsnet, you can trust that all of our recommendations are 100% authentic, as they’re primarily informed by the real-life reviews and recommendations of parents who’ve tried and tested the products and brands we suggest.

When researching this article, we discovered that Mumsnet users had strong opinions about washer-dryers so we wanted to triple-check that every option had earned its position on our list. By scouring the Talk threads, we easily found a list of brands they’d loved and those that had failed to meet their needs.

We then looked carefully at what each washer-dryer offered and considered the features we knew families would be looking for and would appreciate, such as its effectiveness, energy efficiency, capacity and noise level. We then cross-referenced each choice with the opinions of experts and product review sites before thoroughly investigating their individual ratings and reviews from previous customers.

By using this process, we were able to recommend the top 10 washer-dryers that are loved by parents, trusted by experts and rated by customers to guarantee that our article is honest, up-to-date and informative.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice, you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.