A washer dryer can be a real investment and can make a massive difference to your cleaning routine and clothes washing experience.
It’s incredibly important to do your research and figure out which washer dryer is the perfect one for you and your household’s needs.
Here’s a list of our top five washer dryers that might help you to narrow down the type of product that you are looking for and give you all the information you will need to assist in this crucial decision!
Best Washer Dryers in the UK
1. Haier HWD100-B14979S Freestanding Washer Dryer
Washing capacity: 10 kg
Drying capacity: 6 kg
Washing energy rating: A
Drying energy rating: D
The Haier HWD100-B14979S Freestanding Washer Dryer is an excellent choice for almost every household, but especially for those with a larger household, as it has the capacity to complete a 10 kg wash and a 6 kg dry load.
This machine has two stand-out unique features. The first of these is the I-Refresh, which uses micro-vapour technology to remove wrinkles from delicate fabrics.
The second special feature is the Special Allergy setting, which is designed for those with sensitive skin and uses additional rinses and hotter temperatures to eliminate 99.9% of irritants, including dust and pollen.
The washer dryer is nearly silent and doesn’t have a belt, which means that the motor is directly attached to the drum.
This means that noise and vibration are drastically reduced, and there is a much lower consumption of water and energy, allowing it to have an A-rated energy efficiency label.
This beautiful machine comes in graphite, which gives it a sleek and modern look. It has an anti-bacterial treatment (ABT) that destroys 99.8% of bacteria during the wash cycle.
There is also the handy feature that allows the machine to clean itself. The Dual Spray cleaning system automatically eradicates the dirt and fluff from the gasket and window after each cycle.
2. John Lewis & Partners JLWD1614 Freestanding Washer Dryer
Washing capacity: 8 kg
Drying capacity: 4 kg
Washing energy rating: C
Drying energy rating: C
The John Lewis & Partners JLWD1614 Freestanding Washer Dryer is a little smaller than our last option and is able to do an 8 kg wash cycle and a 4 kg dry load. It also comes with a three-year guarantee.
This machine has 15 different cycle programmes and works efficiently to get your clothes washed and dried in a speedy fashion, which may mean it’s slightly louder than other similar products.
With this machine, there’s an incredibly convenient option to run a 1 kg load that will have your clothes both washed and dried within an hour on your busiest day, so they will be nice and warm when you put them on before you have to head out the door.
There is also a time delay option on this machine, which means that you can ensure the cycle will run just before you are home and ready to take the clothes out and prevent them from those inevitable creases that appear when you forget that you’ve set a cycle to go.
3. Zanussi Z816WT85BI Integrated Washer Dryer
Washing capacity: 8 kg
Drying capacity: 4 kg
Washing energy rating: A
Drying energy rating: E
The Zanussi Z816WT85BI Integrated Washer Dryer is another smaller option, which can run an 8 kg wash and a 4 kg dry, making it perfect for a small to medium-sized household.
This clever machine has sensors inside the drum that will weigh the load and automatically adjust the settings accordingly to ensure that the cycle only uses the right amount of time and water. This is a great way to save on water and energy!
It also has a Sensor Drying option that uses sensors to monitor moisture levels and end the cycle when the clothes reach the level of dryness that you select before the cycle.
The machine also has an inverter motor that provides high spin speeds for less energy, as well as a quieter overall cycle.
In addition, it has a handy self-rinse option that will make sure that the machine stays nice and clean and in tip-top working order.
4. Samsung Series 5 Ecobubble WD80TA046BE/EU Washer Dryer
Washing capacity: 8 kg
Drying capacity: 5 kg
Washing energy rating: B
Drying energy rating: E
Samsung’s Series 5 Ecobubble WD80TA046BE/EU Washer Dryer is able to run an 8 kg wash cycle and a 5 kg dry cycle. This machine is one of the most affordable on the list so far, coming in at under £600.
It can be bought in both white and graphite and it has an impressively sleek and modern style.
It also has an effective anti-allergy programme, which comes in very handy over those summer months when the hay fever strikes.
A unique feature of this machine is the ecobubble technology that is designed to mix air, water and detergent to generate bubbles and ensure a faster wash cycle while running at lower temperatures and still producing the same results.
This machine also has the capacity to complete a full wash and dry in just under an hour, to ensure that you can have at least 1 kg of clean and dry clothes in the event of a wardrobe emergency.
It also has a Drum Clean feature that will run a hot water and high-speed spin cycle to keep the drum clean and fresh before the next load.
5. Beko RecycledTub™ WDER7440421W Washer Dryer
Washing capacity: 7 kg
Drying capacity: 4 kg
Washing energy rating: A
Drying energy rating: D
The final option on our list is also the most affordable and is under £350! It can run a 7 kg wash cycle and a 4 kg dry cycle, which makes it great for a small to medium-sized household.
It has a useful anti-allergy setting that utilises a slightly longer cycle to ensure that any pollen and leftover detergent are fully rinsed from the clothes and there is nothing left to create a reaction in those with sensitive skin.
This machine also has a unique and incredibly beneficial feature in the form of an app, which allows users to both monitor and control the wash cycles from their phones, thus ensuring that you are aware the moment that your cycle ends, and you can grab the clothes before they crease.
Beko also uses recycled plastic bottles to create their washer and dryer tubs, which makes this machine the most environmentally friendly option on the list.
How to Choose the Best Washer Dryer for You
It’s a very personal decision to pick a washer dryer, especially when it involves spending large amounts of money on a product. It’s imperative to ensure that you know what you want in a washer dryer before you make the choice.
Here are a few additional aspects to consider to assist you in hopefully shortening the list down to the one perfect option for you.
Are you environmentally conscious?
The most environmentally friendly option on the list also happens to be the least expensive. The Beko RecycledTub™ WDER7440421W Washer Dryer is made using recycled plastic bottles, which is an incredibly unique and special feature.
Do you have a specific price point?
All of the washer dryers on our list are under £800, but two excellent options come in at less than £600. These could be the options to look at if you’re hoping to invest in a reliable machine without breaking the bank.
The two more affordable options are the Samsung Series 5 Ecobubble WD80TA046BE/EU Washer Dryer and the Beko RecycledTub™ WDER7440421W Washer Dryer.
The Samsung machine has a nifty ecobubble feature that ensures speedy but efficient cycles and the Beko machine has a handy app that allows you to control the cycles from your phone, so both are excellent options!
Owning a Washer Dryer vs. Separate Appliances
There are pros and cons to both owning a washer dryer and owning separate appliances. Which option is best for you really comes down to your personal needs and how you will use the appliance(s).
Purchase price
Buying a washer dryer combo will usually be cheaper than buying a separate washing machine and dryer.
We looked at the prices of different appliances on AO.com and found that the average price of each appliance was as follows (at the time of writing):
- Washing machine: £544
- Tumble dryer: £512
- Washer dryer: £646
This means that buying a washer dryer would save you £410 in upfront costs on average. However, this doesn’t always mean that a washer dryer is a better deal.
Capacity
Washer dryers offer the same kind of washing capacity as washing machines, but their drying capacity is limited. This is because clothes need more space to dry in the drum than to be washed.
When researching washer dryers on the market in the UK, we found models with washing capacities ranging from 6 to 12 kg, which is comparable to what you’d get in a standalone washing machine.
However, drying capacities ranged from just 4 kg to 7 kg, which is much less than the 10 kg and above capacities of some tumble dryers.
This means that if you want to do large loads of laundry and tumble dry everything, owning two separate appliances is better.
Space
One of the most obvious advantages of a washer dryer combo is that it saves space.
The standard dimensions of a washer dryer combo are 85 cm high and 60 cm wide. Almost all washer dryers have the same height, but the depth can range quite a lot, from around 50 to 65 cm.
The standard dimensions of a washing machine are 85 cm high, 60 cm wide and 50-60 cm deep. A tumble dryer usually measures 85 cm high by 60 cm wide and 60 cm deep.
This means that a washer dryer combo will fit in the same space as a regular washing machine or tumble dryer. Bear in mind though that occasionally washer dryers are a bit deeper (up to 65 cm deep).
Owning two separate appliances will mean you’ll need twice the space, so there are clear benefits to owning a combo if you have limited space to work with.
Running costs
While washer dryer combos are cheaper to buy, they can be more expensive to run as they usually aren’t as energy efficient as separate machines.
Washer dryer combos have two energy efficiency ratings: one for washing and one for drying. The drying energy efficiency rating will be displayed more prominently, but if you look at the specifications you should be able to find the washing rating as well.
Washer dryers usually have an energy efficiency rating of D or E for drying and A or B for washing.
The average condenser tumble dryer has an energy efficiency rating of B, meaning it will dry clothes more efficiently than a washer dryer combo.
Most standalone washing machines have energy efficiency ratings of A or B, so they are comparable to washer dryers in this respect.
Drying clothes with a washer dryer will cost you more than using a standalone tumble dryer as they are less energy efficient and have a smaller capacity, so you might need to do more loads.
Summary
To summarise, washer dryers are good if you:
- Don’t need to wash and dry big loads of laundry.
- Want to save money on the up-front costs of buying appliances.
- Don’t have much room.
Separate appliances are better if you:
- Want to wash and dry bigger loads.
- Want to save money on running costs.
- Have space for two appliances.
Washer Dryer FAQs
How do washer dryers get rid of the water after the wash?
After the wash cycle is over, the inbuilt condenser inside the machine will cool the hot and humid air that is still lingering in the machine, which will produce water that will exit the machine down the drain.
Why is drying capacity less than washing capacity?
Washing clothes doesn’t require as much space as drying clothes. This is because in order to dry, clothes need plenty of space for airflow.
Since washer dryers use a single drum for both washing and drying, this means that you can’t dry as much as you can wash in them.
If you use a washer dryer, you will probably need to air dry some of your clothes instead of machine drying all of them. This might not be such as bad idea, as many clothes aren’t suitable for tumble drying.
Do washer dryers actually work?
Yes, washer dryers do work. However, they have a reputation for breaking down more easily than separate appliances.
According to Repair Aid, washer dryer combos have a 20% chance of needing repairing after five years, compared to just 12% for separate appliances.
Replacing a washer dryer would also be more expensive than replacing one of either a washing machine or tumble dryer, so this is worth bearing in mind.
Do washer dryers use a lot of electricity? Are they more or less efficient than separate appliances?
Washer dryers use about the same amount of energy for washing as standalone washing machines. However, they are less energy efficient than tumble dryers when it comes to drying.
When you factor in the fact that washer dryers have smaller capacities, they can use substantially more electricity as you need to do more loads to wash and dry the same amount of laundry.
Do washer dryers need to be vented?
Almost all washer dryers use condenser technology, so they don’t need to be vented. Instead, moisture from clothes is collected in a water reservoir that needs to be emptied regularly.
Can you get a washer dryer with a heat pump?
The only washer dryer combo with heat pump technology we could find on the market is the AEG L9WEC169R 9000 SensiDry.
The heat pump drying technology makes it a cheaper and more efficient appliance to run than a regular washer dryer combo. However, it is expensive to buy up front.
What size is a standard washer dryer combo?
The standard washer dryer combo measures 85 cm high and 60 cm wide. The depth can vary from roughly 50 to 65 cm.
Washer dryers are the same size as washing machines, and will fit in the same spaces. However, you should make sure you check the dimensions of the model you’re buying to ensure it will fit your space.
Conclusion
Every product on this list is an outstanding investment and would make an excellent addition to any household, but there is one machine that stands out above the others as our number one option.
Our top choice for a washer dryer in the UK is the Haier HWD100-B14979S Freestanding Washer Dryer. This product has a high load capacity and is perfect for both a small and larger household.
The Haier machine also has the capacity to remove wrinkles from delicate items and can remove allergens from your clothing so that people with allergies and sensitive skin will not be affected by their freshly washed laundry.
It’s also incredibly quiet and uses a smaller amount of water and energy than many of the other options on our list. Overall, it is an excellent choice of washer dryer and would benefit most families.
In The Wash is your guide to the best laundry and cleaning products, tips and tricks. Our mission is to solve the UK’s cleaning and laundry dilemmas!
