If you’re living in a small apartment, condo, or tiny home, fitting both a washer and a dryer might not be feasible, especially for those without a dedicated laundry room. All-in-one washer dryers are a great solution. These combo units save significant space by eliminating the need for two machines.
Morgan LaLonde, Whirlpool laundry brand manager, notes, “We have seen a trend towards smaller laundry spaces, indicating that laundry areas are becoming more deliberately planned spaces in the home.”
“The compact design of all-in-one washer and dryers make for a flexible and convenient choice for apartments, condos, or rooms with limited space.” In addition to LaLonde, we spoke to Ken Rudolph, senior director of product management for clothes care at GE Appliances, for expert insight.
What We Researched
We researched and evaluated dozens of options on the market and assessed each model based on size, drum capacity, dryer type, and smart features to compile this list of the best all-in-one washer dryers.
Our Top Picks
Best Budget:
Best Splurge:
GE Profile - UltraFast 4.8 cu ft Large Capacity All-in-One Washer/Dryer Combo at Wayfair ($2,297)
Best Overall
LG Electronics Front-Load Washer/Dryer Combo
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Why You Should Get It
Its compact design (24 inches wide) makes it easy to fit in small spaces.
Keep in Mind
With a capacity of only 2.4 cubic feet, it may not be large enough for bulky items like duvets.
Every square foot counts when you don’t have plenty of room. A washer-dryer combo, like our top recommendation, the LG WM3555HWA, is an excellent way to shave off inches. At 24 inches wide, the front-load model is pretty compact and would be able to fit under a counter or inside a closet without issues.
There are 14 wash settings, including normal, baby wear, speed wash, sportswear, and a sanitary cycle that uses scalding hot (158F) water to kill bacteria and deep clean your clothes. The machine is equipped with anti-vibration technology to reduce noise and shaking.
Not only that, but the wash cycle features technology that uses six different motions for a more thorough clean. There is a touch screen on the unit, making it easy to monitor cycles and make adjustments.
While we would recommend this unit to anyone living in an apartment or tiny home, its 2.4 cubic feet capacity might be a problem for washing large comforters and king-sized sheets. You should be able to fit a nice amount of clothing at once and hopefully do fewer loads.
Product Details: Size: 33.5 x 24 x 22.25 | Drum Capacity: 2.4 square feet | Dryer Type: Ventless | Smart Features: Smart diagnostics
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Why You Should Get It
This machine packs in a lot of value with 16 wash cycles, including quick-wash and de-wrinkle.
Keep in Mind
The dry time is longer than other options.
Washer-dryer units are often more cost-effective than purchasing two separate machines, though they can be pricey. The Magic Chef All-in-One Ventless Washer and Dryer Combo is a wallet-friendly choice. The drum capacity is 2.7 cubic feet, which is a great size for use in apartments and small spaces.
Despite being inexpensive, the Magic Chef offers plenty of bang for your buck. It features 16 cycles, including normal, quick-wash, heavy-duty, and de-wrinkle. A self-cleaning cycle keeps your machine fresh with minimal effort.
Additionally, there are safety features that keep the door locked while the dryer is running and a child lock on the control panel. Keep in mind that it’s a small unit, so it’s not the best all-in-one washer dryer for bulkier items, and it has no smart features.
The machine is ventless and can be installed anywhere in your home, not just in a dedicated laundry room. Expect longer than average drying times due to this feature—it might be a good idea to keep your load sizes small.
Product Details: Size: 33.5 x 23.4 x 23.4 inches | Drum Capacity: 2.7 cubic feet | Dryer Type: Ventless | Smart Features: None
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Why You Should Get It
It is an energy-efficient model designed to wash and dry a full load in under two hours.
Keep in Mind
At 46 inches tall, it might be too big to fit under some countertops.
The all-in-one washer dryer combos tend to be efficient because there’s no need to move clothes around between cycles. Throw in features like the ability to control the machine from afar with the SmartHQ app, and you’ve got a unit that makes laundry day less of a chore.
The GE Profile Ultrafast is Energy Star-certified, using heat pump technology to save energy and dry loads up to 50% faster. It features a 4.8 cubic feet capacity, which is fantastic. According to Rudolph, “It’s large enough to clean a king-size comforter and a full set of bedding in a single load.”
The machine is ventless (it sends condensed steam to a drain pipe connected to the unit instead of releasing it into the air), which means you can install it in a closet or other tight space. The unit has a special lint filter system that removes lint as it dries.
Designed to be super fast, it can wash and dry a full load in about two hours. Keep in mind that although it’s the same width as a standard washer or dryer, it’s 46 inches tall (and ergonomically designed for retrieving and folding clothes on top), so it may be too high to install under a countertop.
Product Details: Size: 46.7 x 28 x 32 inches | Drum Capacity: 4.8 cubic feet | Dryer Type: Ventless | Smart Features: App connectivity
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Why You Should Get It
The drying cycles are automatically adjusted based on the size of the load (though you can also program them yourself).
Keep in Mind
It takes a long time to dry full loads.
If you’re living in a small apartment, a 2.4 cubic foot washer-dryer like the GE Front Load Washer and Electric Dryer Combo is probably the best option for you. It has 14 wash settings and five spin speeds that you can mix and match, depending on your fabric.
There are also five soil-level settings for anything from a light wash to a deep clean. The machine includes a steam wash to remove heavy-duty stains and a sanitizing cycle to rid fabrics of nasty bacteria. But you won’t be able to fit heavy comforters and king-size sheets due to the size.
It is a ventless option, so you can set it up in a small alcove or closet once the water line is connected. Like most other washer-dryer combos, it features automatic dispensers for detergent, bleach, and fabric softeners.
You don’t need to input how long you want the dry cycle, as the unit programs it automatically based on the size of your laundry load. However, you can set customized drying times if you prefer.
If you forget to add a shirt or underwear, the unit features a pause button that stops it mid-cycle. Like all ventless machines on this list, its biggest issue is the length of time it takes to dry full loads.
Product Details: Size: 33 x 23 x 25 inches | Drum Capacity: 2.4 cubic feet | Dryer Type: Ventless | Smart Features: None
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Why You Should Get It
It features Turbo Wash technology that allows it to complete a wash cycle in under 30 minutes.
Keep in Mind
The drying cycle has to be pre-set before you start washing.
The 4.5 cubic foot LG Smart Electric All-in-One Washer is one of our top picks because of its size, smart features, and Turbo Wash technology, which completes a wash cycle in less than half an hour.
The unit self-adjusts water levels and wash time according to the size of your laundry load, so if you’re running a small load, the washer-dryer will take less time and use less water. You can use the ThinQ app to control and monitor the machine from another room.
Like other LG units, it’s an excellent all-in-one washer dryer for removing allergens from your clothes thanks to a special allergen cycle, and it’s certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).
The machine features a steam clean, which is good for smoothing wrinkles and removing tough stains and odors from clothes. In addition, the washer-dryer has six wash motions to clean clothes, including one meant specifically for delicates.
There is an anti-vibration system to help the machine run more quietly. Keep in mind that the dry cycle is not automatic, so you’ll need to pre-set it to dry when you first put in your clothes.
Product Details: Size: 39 x 27 x 30.25 inches | Drum Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet | Dryer Type: Ventless | Smart Features: App connectivity, self-adjusting water levels
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Why You Should Get It
This washer dryer features settings for wool and steam wash.
Keep in Mind
It doesn’t have an app to start and monitor loads.
When it comes to efficiency and price, it’s hard to beat the Comfee Washer and Dryer. The washer-dryer combo steam washes, regular washes, and dries, and thanks to a brushless inverter motor that runs quietly, it won’t disturb your household.
The unit is also quite compact, and won’t take up a lot of space. It’s only a little pricier than our budget pick, making it one of the best washer-dryers for your pocket too. It features an overnight wash-dry cycle which cleans and dries your clothes in six hours.
The drying cycle on this unit does take longer than some of the other products we considered. But on the days when you’re in a rush and lack clean clothes, there is a quick wash option available that finishes a load in 36 minutes.
For all cycles, you can set the washer-dryer to run at the most convenient time. In addition, there is a child lock that locks the panel once the machine has started. Note that it doesn’t come with an app, so you’ll need to use it the old-fashioned way and punch in the settings on the unit.
The Comfee is almost like having a professional dry cleaner doing your laundry at home. It uses a special setting to wash wool, so it won’t shrink or become damaged in the wash. Plus, you’re able to steam wash clothes that need to be deep cleaned. If you want to add more clothes, pause it at any time.
Product Details: Size: 23 x 25 x 34 inches | Drum Capacity: 2.7 square feet | Dryer Type: Ventless | Smart Features: None
The Bottom Line
Our top recommendation for the best all-in-one washer dryer is the LG 2.4-cu ft High-Efficiency Smart Front-Load Washer/Dryer Combo. This unit features 14 wash programs and a 2.3 cubic foot size, making it ideal to do laundry in a small apartment or home.
For a budget option, we suggest checking out the Magic Chef 23.4 in. 2.7 cu. ft. White All-in-One Ventless and Washer Dryer Combo. It comes with many of the same features as a higher-priced washer-dryer combo. However, it has no smart features, so you won’t be able to use your phone to control it.
What to Know About All-In-One Washer Dryers Before Shopping
Size
All-in-one models are usually compact, designed for small spaces, and can fit under counters or inside closets. Most washer-dryers are between 24 to 27 inches wide, according to LaLonde, which is about the same width as the typical front-load washer.
In terms of height, they are also similar to standard washers and dryers, although there are taller models like the GE Profile, which is 46 inches tall.
Drum Capacity
Drum capacity for washer-dryers varies depending on the model type. You’ll typically find the best all-in-one washer dryer units range from around 2 to almost 5 cubic feet. Models with large drum capacities (4 cubic feet and up) can wash king-size bedsheets and thick comforters without issue. Smaller ones may not be able to handle bulkier items.
Dryer Type
There are two dryer types associated with all-in-one washer dryers: vented and ventless. Vented models are exactly like standard dryers and must be installed in a laundry room or another location that has a vent pipe.
“Ventless dryers operate slightly differently,” LaLonde says. Instead of pushing air out, the hot air from the drier is condensed and released through a drain hose or a water collection tank connected to the drier.
Because they release moist air internally, you can hook them up anywhere in your home, such as inside closets, in the bathroom, or underneath countertops. Just note that the dying times for ventless washer dryers are longer compared to vented units.
Smart Features
Many all-in-one washer-dryers come with a host of smart features, many of which come via a compatible app. These usually allow people to start or pause the unit from a distance, download specialty cycles, monitor laundry cycles, track water and energy usage, and use voice control with Google Home or Alexa.
Other smart features that are commonly found in all-in-one washer dryers are the ability to auto-dispense laundry detergent and softeners, automatically adjust cycles based on load size, ane learn and memorize your laundry habits.
Your Questions, Answered
How well do all-in-one washer-dryer combos work?
“The wash function works similarly to that of a conventional front load washing machine, while the dryer function is either vented or ventless,” LaLonde says.
“It’s important to note the distinction as vented all-in-one washer dryers work the same as a traditional dryer while the ventless version of these appliances instead condenses the warm air at the end of a cycle and releases it through a drain hose.”
In general, they’re just as effective as standalone or stackable washers and dryers, but they sometimes take longer to dry clothing, as is common with ventless units.
What are the cons of a washer-dryer combo?
According to Rudolph, data from GE consumer research shows that people’s general frustrations with washer-dryer combos are due to small capacity, long dry times, and lack of lint management. “You may be limited to washing/drying small loads of clothes,” LaLonde adds.
How much do all-in-one washer-dryer combos cost?
Prices of these units vary based on the brand and features. But you’ll commonly find washer-dryer combos for around $1,000 to $3,000.
Who We Are
Nor'Adila Hepburn is a freelance writer who specializes in writing in-depth buying guides for Better Homes & Gardens. To find the best all-in-one washer dryers, she researched a wide range of washer dryers, including smart, small, splurge, and budget types. She also spoke to Morgan LaLonde, Whirlpool laundry brand manager, and Ken Rudolph, senior director of product management for clothes care at GE Appliances.
