The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (2024)

The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (1)

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A washer-dryer combo unit is a laundry-doer's dream. It performs the functionality of both machines while occupying the space of only one. At the end of the wash cycle, the machine automatically goes into drying mode without you having to transfer the wet load. But most traditional combo models have had small capacities and took a long time to run, until now.

LG and GE are industry leaders when it comes to making high-performing laundry appliances. In fact, the two brands account for many of our favorite washing machines and best clothes dryers. Their newest offerings are large, fully-featured combination washer and dryer models incorporating the newest smart and energy-saving technologies so, naturally, we wanted to test them.

Last year, GE released its innovative washer-dryer combo — the GE Profile UltraFast Combo Washer & Dryer — which we liked so much, we gave it a . More recently, LG launched its own combination unit, the LG WashCombo All-in-One. Curious to see how they stacked up, we put them both through rigorous performance and ease-of-use testing in our , judging them each on features, washing and drying performance, design, ease-of-use and more to determine their strong suits and shortcomings.

Best Overall

GE Profile UltraFast Combo Washer & Dryer

The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (7)

The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (8)

Pros
  • The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (9)Great cleaning and moisture removal
  • The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (10)Easy-to-navigate controls
  • The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (11)Offers bulk detergent and fabric softener dispensing
  • The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (12)Microban treated internal parts
Cons
  • The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (13)Normal cycle is a bit aggressive
  • The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (14)Taller than a traditional front-load washer or dryer

GE was first to come to market last year with its Profile UltraFast Combo which looks like none other we've ever tested. Its overall size is what you notice first. It's larger than most traditional and compact laundry appliances, but it offers so many great performance and convenience benefits that we've named it our Best Overall pick. Here's how it scored in our Lab assessments:

✔️ Washing: We were impressed with GE Profile's cleaning abilities and its stain-removing prowess. It achieved a very good to excellent cleaning score, effectively lifting over 90% of the tough soils from our test stain swatches. Its normal cycle was a bit more aggressive on our swatches than other machines we have tested, though we don't expect that you'd end up with damaged clothing as a result. The UltraFast Combo also excelled at spinning and removing moisture, meaning the load zips through the dry cycle a bit faster.

✔️ Drying: When it comes to drying performance, the GE Profile is a clear winner. It dried our overly-wet test loads faster than the LG unit and at a low, safe temperature for good fabric care. And since it does such a great job of extracting moisture from fabrics, medium loads that go straight from washing to drying are done in two hours, as claimed.

✔️ Standout Features: The GE Profile includes all the usual cycles and options, plus it offers Adaptive SmartDispense bulk dispensing. It holds 32 ounces of liquid laundry detergent and 32 ounces of fabric softener, and through the app, you can scan the barcode of the detergent or softener to ensure it doses per the directions. Though the UltraFast Combo offers fewer cycles than the LG, through a recent software update, a pet hair removal option (that we are testing now) can be downloaded to remove pesky pet hair before the wash cycle starts. There are also other specialty cycles in the app, like swimwear or jeans. The door gasket, dispenser and drainage system are treated with Microban, an ingredient that controls bacteria growth and odors.

✔️ Ease of Use: The control panel of the GE is front and center and super easy to navigate. A circular, center screen displays information like the selected cycle and estimated time remaining. It also serves as the menu where downloaded cycles are displayed. In our opinion, the many individual buttons and clear labels make it easier to use at the expense of some added visual clutter. We also found the wide-mouthed dispensers easy to fill, and the lint filter and drum opening were comfortable to access.

Overall dimensions47" (h) x 28" (w) x 32" (d)
Capacity4.8 cubic feet
Requires ventingNo
Energy cost$19/year
WarrantyOne-year: full parts and labor, five-years: heat pump system; 10-years: motor

The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (15)

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Best Value

LG WashCombo All-In-One Electric Washer Dryer

The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (16)

The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (17)

Pros
  • The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (18)Sleek design and comes in two colors
  • The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (19)Uses AI to select optimum cycles
  • The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (20)Inexpensive to run
  • The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (21)Offers steam in washer and dryer
Cons
  • The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (22)Dry cycle takes a bit longer
  • The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (23)Controls require patience to navigate

LG is no stranger to the combo washer and dryer trend. It, like GE, has made small compact units for years, but now LG is also offering its larger, more fully featured combo model, the All-in-One WashCombo. And because it comes in two colors, sells at about $2000 and costs around $13 per year to run, we think it's a great value. Here's what we discovered when testing it:

✔️ Washing: Also a great cleaner and stain remover, the LG achieved an over 90% stain removal score in our wash testing. As far as gentleness goes, we found it only barely gentler than the GE, but also not as gentle as other non-combo models we've tested. Where the LG stumbled was in our water retention test. The WashCombo left the loads 6% wetter than the GE after the spin cycle.

✔️ Drying: The LG's gentle dryer temperature, while a good thing for fabric care, also made the LG WashCombo take an extra 30 minutes to dry our standard test load. It’s worth noting that our test laundry load is damper than either of these machines left the loads at the end of their wash cycles, so your actual drying cycles will likely be a little faster than reported here. Though it took longer, the laundry from the LG still emerged perfectly dry.

✔️ Standout features: The LG comes with all the basic cycles and a handful of unique choices like cycles for washing kids' clothing, dresses and removing sweat stains. Its standout feature is the AI Wash + Dry cycle which uses built-in sensors to detect load size, soil level and fabric texture to automatically select the right settings for the most effective washing and drying. Both machines share some helpful extras like remote start through a smartphone app, delayed start, self-cleaning cycles and wash cycles for active wear.

✔️ Ease of use: The centerpiece of the LG WashCombo’s control panel is a digital dial with a small, rectangular screen in its center. The machine’s various wash and dry cycles can be viewed on the screen by turning the dial. It also has touch pads for adding extra options to a cycle, like steam or an extra rinse. While the dial concept is not too complicated, we did find it more difficult to get used to than the GE Profile’s dedicated buttons. We wish there were a way to make all of the cycles visible at once rather than having to toggle through them one by one. On the bright side, this machine’s pared-down controls make for a sleek, clean design, though its lower profile did mean more bending.

Overall dimensions29" (w) x 33" (d) x 42" (h)
Capacity5.0 cubic feet
Requires ventingNo
Energy cost$13
WarrantyOne year: full parts and labor; three-years: drum; 10-years; direct drive motor

The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (24)

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How we test combo washers and dryers

The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (25)

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test washer-dryer combo units based on industry standards established by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM). For washing performance assessments, we place pre-stained fabric strips into each load. Once washed and dried, we measure the reflectance of each of the six stains with a chromo-meter or spectrophotometer and calculate an overall soil removal index for the cycle. We also examine gentleness by washing cotton swatches with pre-cut holes and evaluating fraying levels to gauge fabric damage.

When evaluating drying capabilities, we use identically dampened loads of laundry and track how long the dryer cycle takes to finish. We measure the remaining moisture in the load to calculate how long it would take different units to dry the test load to a standard level of dryness. We also affix temperature strips to items in the load to make sure drying happens without excessive heat that could damage fabrics. Factors like water and energy usage, ease of loading, the quality of the control panel and door operation are also considered in our evaluations.

Which combo washer and dryer is better?

The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (26)

The answer ultimately depends on your priorities. Both the LG WashCombo and the GE Profile UltraFast Combo offer high-performance laundry care without taking up as much space as a traditional set. While the LG has a greater number of built-in cycles, the GE Profile supplements its repertoire with downloadable options. Both machines had excellent cleaning performance and offer app connectivity and lots of extras, but the GE Profile wins out in its spin cycle’s ability to remove moisture.

When it comes to drying, the GE unit dries a bit faster, but neither machine was super speedy, especially with larger loads. The LG remains a strong contender with its slightly smaller overall size and sleek design, which could be a deciding factor if the unit will be placed somewhere highly visible, such as the kitchen or where space is tight.

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Who should consider a combo washer and dryer?

The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (27)

Washer-dryer combos may be a good choice in households with limited space where separate units may not fit. Or, by swapping out two appliances for one, you could even turn the extra space you gain into a storage cabinet or air-drying space. And because they work with energy-efficient heat pumps that don't need to be vented outdoors to dry clothing, these combo units use less energy than a traditional vented dryer model, though they likely take longer to dry.

Washer-dryer combos are best suited for those seeking efficiency in their laundry routine. These units offer the convenience of washing and drying without the need to transfer the load between machines, so it's easy to squeeze a load in on a busy weeknight instead of waiting until the weekend to tackle it all. Keep in mind that while the manufacturers claim you can wash and dry a load in two hours or less, that depends on the size and weight of your load and the cycle you choose. Larger, heavier loads will take longer, even on a normal wash and dry setting.

With a traditional washer and dryer setup, one load can be washed while another dries, so if you need to do multiple loads of laundry, it will probably take longer with a combo unit. If you prefer super-capacity machines, a combination unit probably isn’t right for you, though you could get two and place them side-by-side.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (28)

Noah Pinsonnault works as a product reviews analyst in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab where he helps design and perform tests on various product categories. In preparing this article, he performed detailed testing, including analyzing dozens of stain swatches and counting hundreds of frayed threads, to determine the strengths and weaknesses of each combination unit.

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More washer and dryer guides

The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (29)

If you want to see other washer and dryer styles on the market before you decide on a combo unit, we've compiled our top-tested guides here for easy access.

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  • The Best Top-Loading Washing Machines
  • The Best Stackable Washers and Dryers
  • The Best Smart Washers and Dryers
  • The Best Portable Washing Machines

The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (30)

Noah Pinsonnault

Home Care & Cleaning Reviews Analyst

Noah works as a product reviews analyst in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab where he helps design and perform tests on various product categories. He draws on scientific expertise garnered during his time as an environmental researcher, where he managed environmental monitoring equipment, analyzed water samples in a lab and developed protocols for restoration projects. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental science from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

The Best Washer and Dryer Combos, Tested by Laundry Experts (2024)
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