Are washer/dryers any good?

[chimichangaz]

I'm hopefully moving house soon and there may only be space for a washer/dryer combined rather than separate as I have now. It's only me and my 19yo son but we (he...) generate a fair amount of washing. Are there any washer/dryers which are decent or should I make space for separate appliances?

They are ineffective dryers and of course you have to wait for a load to dry. We got rid and now have neither a washer dryer or tumble dryer.

No, we've gone through a few and it takes hours and hours and HOURS to dry meaning your can't put another load of washing it until it's done

I wouldn’t have a separate drier (have had in previous homes)
It’s so unnecessary. Line in the summer. In the winter, spin then half hour dry then everything goes over the banisters or on the heated towel rail. Shirts straight on hangers where they dry until ironable. That’s a family of five, 2 of you don’t need a separate drier.

No. Better off getting either a heated airer or an airer and a dehumidifier.

No they are inefficient, useless things that take 6hrs + to dry one small load. You’re better off with a heated airer from Lakeland.

Have had a couple of washer dryers, both terrible. We don't have a dryer anymore, just manage with the line and racks. I have considered one of those heated airer things, they're supposed to be good.

we used to have one, way back when we were first married...just hopeless

Only really suitable for an emergency to dry a couple of things imo, and then not in a hurry

Any wash has to be divided into at least half, and because of the drum size it just really wallows about...there's no tumbling in a washer dryer, so it takes forever!

They're awful. They don't do either job very well, and if you put items in that can't be tumbled dried then you're not able to have it automatically go ahead while you're out. The dryer is lukewarm and takes forever, so you end up taking it out anyway, or you can't use the machine for the next load.

The dryer can only handle about 1/4 of what the washer can wash. So handy for emergencies when you need one outfit dry in a hurry, or to do all the smalls so they don't need hanging up, but not a substitute for drying a whole load. Which you are unlikely to need, so depends if it's worth paying the extra over just a washer.

I never managed to dry a load properly with one. Could you stack a washer and drier?

You can stack have a google. Washer dryers are absolutely awful and unreliable an engineer told me.

I've had two which have been good. Bosch one (although that had a software issue and has now gone back).

Just taken delivery of an AEG and it's fab.

I have an AEG washer dryer and it's terrific
It dries stuff really quickly and effectively-wouldn't dream of getting a separate dryer

I'm on my 2nd washer/dryer. The drying function does take forever.

To wash and dry a load of towels (2 big bath towels, 1 small bath towel, 2 hand towels and some flannels) takes 3 hours to wash. Then I put it on a dry setting for 90 mins, then let it cool down for at least 30 mins and then put it back on to dry for another 90 mins. So nearly 7 hours for towels. I wish I could let it dry in 1 go but it overhears and shuts itself off, hence the 30 mins to cool down.

Overheats not overhears

We got rid of ours and just replaced it with a decent washing machine. The dryer just took sooo long. No dryer now, just use line in summer and heated airer in winter.

I've always had a washer dryer as I've never lived anywhere with a large kitchen or utility room. I have a Siemens at the moment and it is excellent with separate programmes for gentle/ordinary dry and a further cupboard dry/slightly damp for ironing option. I do like the Lakeland heated airers though but I think they are better if you have a laundry/utility room as they do take up space.

Some mixed feedback on this one but it seems the issues with drying mean it's a no go for me. I'm definitely looking at stacking (would like to try and create a utility cupboard of some kind in the kitchen if poss) but if not it will be a washing machine and a heated airer.
Thanks all for the responses!

No, ours was dreadful. Can you squeeze a condenser dryer anywhere else - a bathroom or a big cupboard?

Ps ours are stacked in the utility. We just built a wooden platform for over the washing machine

I have a Hotpoint & I love it. Can do a quick wash - 15mins - then dry for anything between 30mins to 180mins. Can pause dryer too so that I can check clothes. Can hold up to 9kg washing. Wouldn't be without it.

Yes! When I had a new kitchen put in about eight years ago, the planner made a mistake which meant that I had to have a washer/dryer rather than two separate machines. Everyone said they were rubbish but I got a Bosch one and hoped for the best. It's been brilliant. It washes brilliant and thoroughly dries everything I put in even though I've never put it on its highest drying setting. I can 100% recommend. Also, that was eight years ago and it's still going strong. They might be even better now.

No they're crap. We don't have a dryer of any sorts but have stayed in self-catering accommodation with them. In my experience a separate dryer is ALWAYS better.

I like mine. Line dry during summer but the dryer is great for winter emergencies when I can't wait for things to dry on the airer (which I use next to a dehumidifier to speed up the process).
But if I had space, I'd get separate.

I have a John Lewis one. There is no room for a separate dryer, so I don't have a basis for comparison. I would say get separates if you can. Mine washes well and am happy with the dryer, but you can't wash and dry at the same time. I don't dry anything to completely dry as I like to give an airing regardless. Hayfever means line outside is not an option.