Washer dryer? Are they worth it?

[Liveyourbestlife123]

Hi all, just as the above really. I am soon to move into a small rental property and space is limited. The will be myself and my two children. What are your experiences of a washar dryer? Are they worth the extra money? are there particular brands you would avoid? Would you just not bother and stick with an airer and a standard washing machine? Thanks in advance for your opinions.

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MNHQ

We have recently downsized, so I needed a washer/dryer, we brought Bosch, very expensive machine, but worth it, so quiet. Impressed with it so far.

I have a Miele and it’s awful - has broken down regularly (at least once per year, sometimes more) and it takes Miele ages to repair. I once had to wait over a month!

I had a Siemens washer dryer for a while & I did really like it, caveat being... we were only a young couple then & didn't do much washing, so the convenience factor of being able to put a small load of clothes in dirty at the end of the day & have them come out clean & dry 4hrs later/in the morning with 0 interaction was nice.

It broke in the end.

Now with a 1yr old I wouldn't be without separate washer/driers.

I think washer dryers generally get a bad rap. It's true that they can be unreliable, but I never had any issue with my old indesit one, and it you only have space for one appliance, they are a necessary compromise. Accommodating the drying gubbins in the unit means the capacity is usually lower, and the drying cycles are longer because they are usually underpowered, but if that's your only choice, I say better to have at least some drying capability available.

If you have the space for 2 separate appliances (which I do now), I would never choose one, but there is something really, really lovely about putting your dirty towels in the washing machine, and having them come out clean dry and fluffy without needing to do anything else.

Mine have been great. Had a hotpoint for around 10 years and this Zanussi one for about the same so far that I got second hand for 150! I only put half a load in so just take out anything nylon or big heavy things and these go on an airer near radiator or sunny window.
Fab for doing all the smalls.
Great for the winter - not used in the spring/summer. Just make sure you don't over dry.

Yep. If you’ve only room for one I think it’s worth it.
It doesn’t make the washing part any worse than a standalone washer.
Yes, you can only really fit 1/2 of load in dryer (but 1/2 of load has items not suitable for tumbling anyway) & I find you need to shake out in between wash/dryly avoid creasing.
But for 1/3 of the year + towels I find it essential. I’d have airers out all the time thru that 1/3 of year otherwise.
Our is a Hoover & still running well 8 years since we bought it so far. No issues.

The Appliance Depot has a good breakdown here: https://www.theappliancedepot.co.uk/content/article/are-washer-dryers-worth-the-investment

I had one years ago but couldn't wait to get rid of it. I'm sure they've moved on a bit since then as DS has had one for 10 years and wouldn't be without it.