Best Washer Dryer 2021 – Buyer’s Guide

Roomy and aesthetically pleasing, with plenty of extra features to keep running costs low and performance high.

Looking for something smart and roomy that will tackle big loads? This sophisticated offering from Samsung looks a lot more expensive than it is, and will wash and dry up to 6 kg. However, it’s quite a big machine, so make sure you have the space for it.

It uses ‘ecobubble’ technology, which is a jazzed up way of saying it gets really foamy and bubbly in there, and this surfeit of bubbles helps to better penetrate and remove stains. This actually has quite good results, and means you can use a lower heat setting to save energy.

It has a range of different functions, including a quick wash, a super eco wash and – our favourite – an air refresh function. For when your clothes don’t need a full wash but you just want to freshen them up, this feature uses hot air to get rid of smells and make your clothes feel nice and fresh again.

There is also a delay-start option, which is super useful if you are out for the day and want to come home to nice, freshly washed clothes. It has one quirk, and that is that it plays music at the end of a wash cycle. Annoying in the long run, potentially.

With its sleek, silver appearance, this washer dryer looks a lot more expensive that it is. You don’t have to get flash with your cash to get a good machine that will do the job well, and this is the case in point.

This Indesit model offers a lot of useful wash programmes and even a one-touch wash-dry option, which we really like as it makes things simple and saves you fiddling around with the settings. It comes with a one year guarantee – not as long as some, but still.

It is fairly quiet. Not the quietest, but by no means aggressively loud. You can vary the temperature and spin to whatever level you prefer. One tip is not to try and dry on a quick cycle, as it tends not to be as effective. Supposedly you can have an entire load washed and dried in as little as 45 minutes, but we found that not everything was completely dried in that time so patience is key.

It is very energy-efficient and will automatically calculate the level of power and water needed for your wash, saving energy and money. The Indesit Innex was our favourite budget appliance in this category, and comes from a leading name too.

Packed with features which will empty that laundry basket ASAP, this washer dryer is a reliable all-in-one, perfect for anyone who wants to save space.

An 8kg washing capacity is great for any medium households, with a usual weekly need to get through bedding/school uniforms/work uniforms and general clothing. There are plenty of specialised cycles which will help car for the clothes, too.

A delicate option will care for fragile materials, there’s an economy wash for keeping the bills down, and an intensive cycle for when the kids have been in mud, grass and eating messy foods.

Once they have been cleaned to perfection, the 6kg dryer can get them ready to iron. Sensor technology assesses how much moisture is left in them, adjusting time and intensity accordingly. You have features such as reverse spin to stop tangling, and low load capacity sensing.

The only downside was the timings, we felt. 7+ hours may be a bit extreme for a wash and dry for you, but if you usually do all of the laundry on a weekend then you can leave it to its own devices and have perfect clothes in the end. For the price (which is low for a combi washer), we think it is easy to fit your lifestyle around.

Another outstanding washer dryer here, this time from Miele. There are so many functions to mention which we love.

A CapDosing system helps you care for special products, and the CapDos capsule can be placed in the conditioner compartment, for special treatment that deals with specific loads. From wools and silks to mucky sports clothes or baby blankets, your materials get the attention they deserve.

A wash can be done in less than an hour thanks to the spray water system, which gets the water throughout the drum more efficiently than ordinary washers and machines, and gets all areas of your clothes clean.

Once the drying is all done, a final rinse function helps to remove any excess fluff so your clothes come out looking even better than when they went in. There is a delay start function which lets you programme it to start up to 24 hours in advance, and it will also give you peace of mind when it comes to things going wrong too.

If a leak is detected, the waterproof protection system will switch off the water supply and close down the machine. This could protect your home and surrounding devices from water damage, so not everything will be brought to a halt.

You will have to keep the manual handy for the first few uses to get accustomed to all of the programmes and settings, and you do pay a price for all this tech. But if you have your heart set on a combined washer dryer, then this one will do both jobs so so well.

We love a good Smeg appliance here at Appliance Reviewer, and while their fridges and small items are the standouts, they are also giving other brands a run for their money when it comes to other white goods.

There are plenty of options to care for your clothes, whether they are delicates, bedding or sweaty gym kits. A wealth of settings helps you narrow it down, and the machine will act accordingly.

Some of these are eco options, which is good if you are trying to do your bit to help the planet. There is also a quick wash option if you are in a rush, which gets items freshened up in just 15 minutes.

Talking of time, the Flexitime Option is something unique which we think should definitely be more universally available. It allows the customer to reduce the time of the cycle selected, so if you don’t have an hour and a half to spare, you can still get great results which work around your lifestyle.

The control you have doesn’t stop there either. When drying, you can pick cupboard dry, extra dry or iron dry, so your clothes come out ready for the next stage in the process, whether it be the ironing board or the back of the wardrobe. Time is also considered here too – humidity sensors calculate how long the clothes need, as opposed to you having to keep an eye on it all, so it never goes on for too long or too little.

This washer dryer is one of the best for flexibility and handiness. It is like Smeg have overheard us shouting about long timings and clothes coming out too wet or dry and answered our prayers. The stainless steel design adds the final touch, as well.

When you need the luxury of a washer and a dryer but only have the room for one, a machine that does both jobs is the key.

It is able to wash a full drum in only 28 minutes. If you need something quickly for the next morning, you aren’t going to have to delay your bedtime to get it ready. Sensor technology then detects just how much heat and drying your laundry needs, so your clothes won’t be in there longer than necessary. Plus, they won’t get damaged from excessive attention.

If you are low on space or have an open living setup, then it is likely you’re going to want something that is quiet. Nobody likes a noisy appliance in the kitchen when you’re just trying to eat dinner. Thankfully, the ProSmart Inverter motor has fewer moving parts compared to ordinary versions, so you aren’t going to be driven to despair.

Because it does both jobs, you won’t find as many programmes as you would with separate appliances. There are only three drying settings, but this is enough to get the big tasks done. Plus, the ability to choose between Cupboard Dry and Iron Dry is welcome.

Washing programmes include the Daily Quick and Xpress Super Short options we love, as well as anti-allergy, EcoSmart and Shirt Cycle. In all, everything comes out clean and dry – just as would be expected.

If you’re looking for something towards the top-end, then you really can’t go wrong with this fabulous high-performance offering from Bosch. This lovely, quiet machine comes with a two-year warranty and its brushless motor is guaranteed for 10 years.

What makes this so energy efficient is that it only ever uses the exact right amount of water and energy needed per cycle. There is no half-load function because you actually don’t need one, the machine works it all out for you, so whatever you load, it will be washed perfectly. That’s a lot of water and energy saved over time.

You can also delay the wash for up to 24 hours, to coincide with electricity off-peak times. Water comes from three areas of the drum, for faster and more efficient cleaning.

AutoDry will dry the clothes to the exact degree you want, whether you are after that crisp extra dry shirt or want to dry your towels naturally for a while to regain softness. With VarioPerfect technology, you can adjust the speed of the wash for those last-minute needs.

With this new model, there is also anti-vibration technology, so even on the fastest of spins the machine won’t be disruptive. Forgotten to put something in the wash? Just stop the cycle and you can pop it in.

A brilliant price for an appliance which can do both jobs in one, and do them so well too.

When you have loads of laundry to get through, you need a machine which can do it ASAP. This one has a 7kg drum, and also measures the size of your load to adjust times and settings accordingly. So when you have to wash a football kit, you aren’t going to be waiting as long as you would be if you were washing a full bedding set and other bits and bobs.

This clever AutoAdjust technology also helps save energy, as the right amount of water and temperature will also be applied.

There is a nice large porthole for when you want to stuff everything in at once, and the reverse drum action means that all of these clothes will eventually free themselves and become untangled throughout the wash, meaning less work for you pre-wash. A countdown clock will tell you how long is left on the wash so you can get on with other things, and it is so quiet that you barely know it is on.

The touch pad controls are responsive and keep the unit looking clean, and it is easy to get to grips with straight out of the box.

Perfect for those medium-sized households where drying the essentials is a pain, this AEG is a clever machine. There is a 8kg wash capacity and 4kg dry, so the clothes basket can be emptied and put away in just a few hours.

Dual Sense Technology will automatically choose and set the ideal programme and settings for your load, by assessing the weight and capacity. From quickly running through the gym gear or bathroom towels to washing an entire weeks-worth of dirty clothes, the water usage and temperature will all be varied without you needing to lift a finger.

There is an inverter motor, which is quieter than your standard models. So if you live open plan or like to wash when everyone is in bed/having dinner, the sound won’t disturb you.

Talking about quickly washing your gym gear; if you need to wash anything quickly, such as a shirt for work tomorrow, then the fast cycles will make it possible. You also get a choice of eight different programmes when using the dryer, so whether you have sensitive clothes or need to leave them a bit damp for easier ironing, they will come out just as you need.

Reverse action switches the direction of the drum every too often too, meaning your clothes won’t come out as a tangled mess in the end.

Washing machines and dryers are very clever pieces of kit these days, but when you think you’ve found your dream model with everything packed in, you then realise there is one big thing missing just before you go to buy it. Well, we are pretty certain that this AEG has it all.

From little extras like a childproof lock and Fuzzy Logic, to an A energy rating and low noise levels, there is plenty to keep you happy. The 7kg washing drum is ideal for medium households, and there is 4kg of drying capacity so the majority of the wash can be dried within an hour. DualSense technology does all the work for you as well. It can detect the materials and needs of the clothing in the drum and change the settings to suit.

The time saver function will be a lifesaver if you suddenly realise you have nothing to wear for the next day but want to head to bed ASAP. But don’t worry if the rest of the household are already fast asleep, because the Inverter Motor won’t only last for a lot longer than a traditional model over the years, but it is also the quietest option so minimal noise is made.

To finish it all off, there is an Anti Allergy programme, Deodorization Programme, and Duvet option. And it will even clean itself if you set the right cycle.

Perfect for those family loads, this 8kg washer dryer is great for anyone short on space but needs the luxury of both appliances.

We loved the All In One wash programme, which allows you to throw in a mixture of materials and colours, taking care of them all at once without any further fuss. Cottons, synthetics and mixed fabrics are washed at just 20° C, which helps save energy whilst still tackling stains.

If you need something a bit deeper, the All Hygiene setting is a little tougher. This will rid any allergens, which is great for hayfever sufferers. Should you be in a rush, the fastest cycle takes just 14 minutes. The others are around 30 and 44 minute cycles, and the 59 minute wash and dry cycle has clothes ready in under an hour, and also leaves them pretty crease-free.

It is nice and easy to unload and pack when needed, thanks to the extra large porthole which is situated higher up on the machine than rival models. This is perfect if you suffer from back or posture issues and find loading and unloading the washing machine one of the more difficult parts of the chore.

There is a wool programme, approved by The Woolmark Company, which can care for your jumpers when winter hits. It is rated A across all noise level marks, and the option of 15 dedicated settings gives everything else the best care and attention possible.

This integrated washer dryer has a lot of selling points. Firstly, there are plenty of settings which allow you to load up the washing machine and dry it straight away without you having to check on it all or remove and reload, as long as there isn’t too much laundry in it to dry.

Some settings also speed up the washes. Wash and Wear allows you to wash and dry up to six shirts in under 60 minutes, and the Daily Quick programme will deal with 8 kg of lightly soiled laundry in 28 minutes. A 2 kg load can be dealt with in just 14 minutes – great for the school uniforms and sweaty football kits.

A major pitfall of a lot of washer dryers is the energy ratings, but as this one is rated A, it won’t only keep your energy usage down but also your bills. It uses less water, too, so you can save on those bills as well.

There is a specially-designed inverter motor, which keeps everything quiet and also should keep it going for longer than average (depending on how well you look after it all of course). To help you load bulkier items such as bed sheets, there is an extra-large door.

If you have allergies, you will also be pleased to know that this machine has been approved by Allergy UK as actively reducing the number of pollutants on your clothes, from dust to pollen and bacteria.

Some of the cycles are a bit long for our liking, between 2 and 3 hours, and the dryer isn’t amazing, but this is commonplace with 2-in-1 washer dryers. You can tell technology has moved on when comparing it to some older models, though, which is worth the price.