A washer dryer seems like the perfect space-saving solution to buying separate washing machines And tumble dryers and is usually more affordable. But finding the best washer dryer combo is harder than it first seems. You don't want to be stuck with a substandard combo that can run up electricity bills and leave clothes damp after the drying cycle (if this is the case, you're better off buying a cheap one heated drying rack).
“A good washer dryer is a convenient space-saving machine that allows you to wash and dry your laundry in one go,” says Carly Pearson, head of purchasing for home electrical appliances at ArgosWasher dryers, sometimes called washer dryers, can cost between £350 and over £2,000, but for most people you'll still make a saving compared to buying separate machines.
The two main types of washer dryers are freestanding and integrated. These are pretty self-explanatory, but you can read more about what to look for in a washer dryer in the Frequently Asked Questions section below. Freestanding washer dryers are generally more popular, so I focused on them in this article. I also asked experts for advice and their own recommendations of specific dryers. If you're in a hurry, here's a quick look at our top five:
The best washer dryers of 2024, at a glance
How does a washer dryer work?
“Tumble dryers are very similar to washing machines when it comes to the actual washing portion of a cycle,” Pearson explains. “You add your detergent, which is dispensed into the drum through the dispenser drawer at the beginning or during a cycle.”
The cycle is similar to a washing machine, with water heated and released into the central drum, which rotates at alternating speeds to ensure a thorough clean. Tumble dryers then switch to the drying cycle. “During this phase, the drum heats up, spins the clothes and evaporates the water through a condenser or a vented dryer system,” explains Gwil Snook, tumble dryer expert at TO THE.
Keep in mind that dual functions mean that a washer dryer combo has two energy labels. “Washer dryers combine two energy-intensive functions: washing and drying, and they use more energy than standalone washers,” says Snook. “This makes it difficult for washer dryers to achieve the same efficiency ratings as standalone washers or standalone dryers.”
The average energy rating for a washer dryer is D, Snook says. “However, washer dryers have a different energy rating for washing. For example, a washer dryer with a D rating could have an A energy rating for washing and be just as energy efficient as the equivalent washing machine,” he explains. Below, I've listed the total energy rating for each washer dryer so you can gauge its energy usage as a whole.
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How we chose the best washer dryers
To help you decide which washer dryer to buy, I asked for advice from experienced buyers Carly Pearson from Argos and Gwil Snook from AO. They advised me on the best washer dryers of 2024 based on factors including energy efficiency, drum size, washing and drying capacity, ease of use of the control panel, spin speeds and how well they drain water.
Meanwhile, my colleague Emily Peck is working on the best ones from home, testing them on a variety of loads including bedding, towels, and workout gear, and seeing how they stack up against each other at removing stains while being gentle on the clothes. Here’s what I found, starting with the experts’ top picks…
1. Samsung WD80TA046BE Ecobubble 8kg / 5kg
Best dryer overall, 10/10
We like: Thanks to ecobubble technology, clothes can be washed at colder temperatures
We don't like: the energy label is still quite low