Washing machine & tumble dryer or a washer dryer?

[yellowchairs]

We're moving house and up until now we'be been using a washing machine in a rented accommodation with no dryer.

Pros and cons about separate washing machine / dryer or washer dryer combo?

Which make do you use? Pros and cons?

Very grateful for any input

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MNHQ

100% separate.

Never had a washer-dryer that's been any good.

Washer dryer takes up less space.

Separate machines:
Wash quicker
Dry quicker
Wash better
Dry better
Can have both running at once

(Can you tell I like my separate machines? I had a washer dryer for over 10 years)

Also when separate, you can have a load washing and a load drying.

All of this 👌

If you have space for seperate dryer, then 100% do it. We have brand new kitchen with washer/dryer and its just not as good. Dryer takes about 3 hours and things still seem a little damp.

Single washer dryer
Pros - only takes up the same amount of space in the kitchen as a washing machine
Cons - Capacity tends to be smaller

Separate washer and dryer
Pros - you can have a wash on whilst drying another
Cons - takes up double the space of a washer dryer

I have a washer dryer (it came with the property), whilst it's good, the capacity is way too small for a family of 4. It's properly better for a single person.

Seperates.

never met a washer/drier I liked.

Definitely separates. Had two washer dryers which both were rubbish at drying so we never used as a dryer. New (pretty cheap) separate dryer is 100 times better!

Separate always best if space available.

• washer dryers can't dry a full load
• if one breaks you can still use the other

Oh thanks all, looks like separate is the way to go... now the next question is, which make is good? Anything to look out for, obviously energy rating would be one of the deciding factors.

I genuinely consider the time I bought a separate tumble dryer to be when I became a proper adult.

Don't go for integrated as they are normally smaller capacity than standard ones.

Never had a washer dryer that did what it was supposed to do. If you have space, go for separate appliances.

As to which brand, I have a Miele dryer. I love it. 12+ years old now and it did me through the years of 2 small DC. But I also have (long story - 2 houses) an Electra dryer which was less than £300. I have only had it for 2 years but in regular use and ease of use and results are same as Miele, which was £900 all that time ago.
Miele engineer told me not to bother with a Miele washer as he says they all wash the same.

And my Siemens washer is 12 years old and still looks like new and is totally fine

I always rave about my Bosch series 6 washer dryer. Very expensive but omg it washes and dries to perfection. Genuinely. The only thing it doesn’t do is put the clothes away itself.

I have Miele - both are heading towards their 18th birthdays! Love Miele and when they eventually die or I feel the need to update I will have Miele again.

Miele or Bosch if within budget. Budget brand- Beko

If you're stuck on space you can stack your dryer above the washing machine. We've done that, and it's great.

I've had two washer dryers and neither lasted past their guarantee and both needed repairs. My repair man said don't get another, they are not good at either washing or drying. I've managed without ever since. But I accept that I am lucky to have space to hang washing out indoors and out. I use a clothes horse or my banisters mostly now to dry clothes.

100% separate

Yep agree to go separate- we got a washer dryer 2 years ago and have had repairs 3 times already and it's rubbish at drying! Would never buy one again!

Separate washing machine and tumble dryer if you possibly can. Then you have much more capacity in the tumble dryer ( combined washer dryers often only take a small load for tumbling ) and also you can be tumbling previous wash while you are washing second load.

This. In my experience, they can make things very hot but not actually dry.

Miele if you can afford and justify it. Bosch or Siemens (same group, different skin - see also neff) for defi ire. Beko if cost is an issue.

Aeg are great until they break. Get the John Lewis equivalent which has a longer warranty, if you must.

A new heat pump dryer is cheaper to run than a straight condenser dryer but it doesn't stay that way. My condenser dryer gets heavy use and I physically wore out some components, resulting in the belt snapping. The repair technician said he would always choose condenser over heat pump because they dry faster and last longer.