Times are tough at the moment and every penny counts, we know that; but listen, that’s no excuse for wandering around wearing clothes with the distinct odour of damp dog.
Water-churning appliances are by and large the most expensive machines in the home to run.
In fact, the average washer/dryer used in the UK eats its insatiable way through 424kWh (that’s kilowatt hours) of electricity per year, according to a report from the prestigious University of Cambridge. Naturally, this results in bigger bills and an equally sizable carbon footprint, but you can still keep your togs as fresh as a daisy without it costing the Earth by investing in a well-sourced washer dryer combination machine.
What we’re talking about here is a space-saving combined washing machine and dryer, one that is capable of laundering your specifically-sized load with all the energy efficiency of some hybrid water-powered wind-farm. Oh, and it should get clothes clean and dry in the wink of an eye too.
It’s quite the wishlist. So, what do you need to look for in the washer/dryer of your dreams? Well, basically, a thrilling threesome of price, size and power efficiency, so one that fits your both your budget and your home.
Best washer dryers 2024 at a glance
- Best for money no-object: LG SIGNATURE TWINWash - £1999, LG
- Best for larger, eco-friendly families: CDA C1981 - £599, Marks Electrical
- Best for advanced clothes cleaning tech: SAMSUNG Series 5 ecobubble WD90TA046BE/EU - £569, Currys
- Best for all family bases-covering on a budget: HOTPOINT ActiveCare NDD 8636 BDA UK 8 kg Washer Dryer - £498.97, Currys
- Best for one press washing/drying: INDESIT BDE 86436X W UK N 8 kg Washer Dryer - £399, Currys
- Best for open-plan peaceful living: Haier i-Pro Series 5 10Kg / 6Kg - £599, AO
- Best for high-end handling of any laundry: Fisher & Paykel DH9060FS1 - £995, Appliance Direct
- Best for well-heeled washer/dryer demands: Miele WTR 860 WPM - £1859, Appliance Centre
Fortunately for you, I’ve been busy comparing and contrasting some of the most wondrous washer/dryers currently available, so grab your tape measure, work out how much space you have free, and come with me as I spin through your options.
Shop the best two-in-one washer dryers below
LG SIGNATURE TWINWash
Best for: Money no-object washer/dryer desire
Key Specs
- Measurements: 60 x 57.5 x 85cm (WxDxH)
- Energy rating Washing: A
- Spin speed: 1600rpm
- Dry load: 7kg
- Wash load: 12kg
From the South Korean kings of smart stuff, the LG SIGNATURE TWINWash is a last-minute must-include in any self-respecting round-up of washer/dryers.
As you’d expect, this comes heaving with advanced tech, but before we get to that, let’s address the looks… I mean, look at it; it’s stunning. All curves and with a big black glass door complete with LCD circle control display, LG informs that the design concept is “based on a deep, yet softly moonlit sky reflecting on a calm midnight lake” and it’s not my place to comment on such things, so there you have it: a stunning moon/lake thing.
Featuring LG’s ‘Centrum System’ to keep noise to a minimum and keep the machine running for long into the future by reducing shaking stress, ‘AI DD’ can weigh the load and assess fabrics automatically and set the correct cycle, while the TWINWash name means – get this – you can multi-task your laundry, washing two different fabric types or two separate colours at the same time- the final word in washing machine convenience, right there.
Control via the LCD circle keeps things both slick and simple, while auto dosing detects and selects just the right amount of detergent and softener for each individual load, taking all the guesswork off your hands and ensuring your laundry gets the platinum lounge level of care and attention.
Wi-Fi -enabled to boot, yes, the LG SIGNATURE TWINWash can be operated via the app on your smartphone too, so even in the unlikely event of you getting bored of that circular LCD display, you can stay on top of the action at any time from anywhere.
Beautiful to behold, teched-up to the gills and, ahem, reassuringly priced if, like me, you can’t get enough of minimalism aesthetics, it’s the obvious option.
Buy now £1999.00, LG
CDA C1981
Best for: Larger, eco-friendly families
Key Specs
- Measurements: 59.5 x 46.0 x 82.5cm (WxDxH)
- Energy rating: B
- Spin speed: 1400rpm
- Dry load: 6kg
- Wash load: 8kg
Capable of coping with wash loads of up to 8kg, this capacious integrated washer/dryer from CDA is the perfect option for keeping the clothes of larger families clean, while also featuring a washing energy rating of ‘B’, making it considerably less punishing on the power.
Feature-packed too, there are 16 programmes available to deal with any laundry issues, from a light freshening up to obliterating stains so hideously and deeply ingrained in the fabric of your garments that the only other alternative would be to burn them. There’s a progress indicator to let you keep tabs on the time, an Allergy-safe function which should be self-explanatory, a 15-minute quick-wash option, variable spin speed, equally variable wash temperature, and a mighty 1400rpm spin speed to expediate the whole process.
With a child lock on the door to stop little ones trying to get inside, a tough stainless-steel drum ready to run for years, an audible end of programme signal to get your attention when out of line of sight and an LED display to keep operation simplicity itself, the CDA C1981 is an excellent option for anyone seeking a greener cleaner that pulls no punches.
Buy now £599.00, Marks Electrical
SAMSUNG Series 5 ecobubble WD90TA046BE/EU 9 kg Washer Dryer - White
Best for: Advanced clothes cleaning tech
Key Specs
- Measurements: 60 x 65 x 85cm
- Energy rating: E
- Spin speed: 1400rpm
- Dry load: 6kg
- Wash load: 9kg
Leaping up the price scale, you may think this a bit steep for a humble washer/dryer, but then this is no humble washer/dryer!
No, Samsung, whilst probably not as well-known for their white goods as they are their cutting-edge TVs, smartphones, and laptops but what they do bring to the washer/dryer party is all that lovely advanced tech experience. As such, the Series 5 ecobubble WD90TA046BE not only comes imbued with ‘Ecobubble technology’ to wash at cooler temperatures to help save cash and the environment, it also has a ‘Quick Wash’ feature that lets you wash and dry your togs in as little as 15 minutes.
Then there’s an ‘30 minute Bubble Soak’ to remove stubborn marks like grass and dinner stains (great if you’ve got kids). There’s also ‘Stay Clean’ and ‘Drum Clean’ that blasts bacteria and allergens before letting you wash the drum all nice and fresh for next time.
Easy to operate, good-looking as far as washer/dryers go and available in either generic white goods white or a rather glorious graphite finish, it may cost a bit of a chunk of change, but for long-term savings on loads and features galore, the Samsung washer/dryer ticks all the right boxes.
Buy now £569.00, Currys
HOTPOINT ActiveCare NDD 8636 BDA UK 8 kg Washer Dryer - Black
Best for: All family bases-covering on a budget
Key Specs
- Measurements: 59.5 x 54 x 85cm
- Energy rating: D
- Spin speed: 1400rpm
- Dry load: 6kg
- Wash load: 8kg
A household name synonymous with reasonably priced, durable, dependable machines since 1911, Hotpoint’swasher dryer is a non-nonsense model that comes with a raft of clever features designed to keep you and your family in fresh, clean clothes for years to come.
Whether you’ve got small kids constantly covered in paint/mud/mysterious matter, or you’re a bit of a sloppy eater yourself, nothing is a problem for the Hotpoint thanks to its anti-stain and anti-allergy programmes which attack stains of all strains leaving clothes completely clean and refreshed.
Or, if you have clothes that don’t need a proper wash just yet but are in need of a bit of reinvigoration (you know, ‘chair clothes’), then simply switch the Hotpoint to ‘Steam Refresh’ and, 20 short minutes later, your clothes will be revitalised, with creases reduced making for easier ironing.
Simple to use and with a nice big old door for ease of access, the Hotpoint may fall into the budget end of the washer/dryer mix, but it still offers a lot of cleaning bang for your buck.
Buy now £498.97, Currys
INDESIT BDE 86436X W UK N 8 kg Washer Dryer - White
Best for: One press washing/drying
Key Specs
- Measurements:85 x 59.5 x 54cm
- Energy rating: D
- Spin speed: 1400rpm
- Dry load: 6kg
- Wash load: 8kg
Let’s face it, we all like our clothes to be clean and fresh, but not everyone wants to be so involved in keeping them that they can be bothered to read a manual first.
An integrated model designed to fit slickly into your kitchen or utility room, disappearing behind a fitted cabinet door, what we’re looking at here is a model blessed with ‘Push&Go Technology’, which means if you’re too busy or simply too indifferent towards the contents of your laundry basket to put in any time or effort, you can just press and hold the Push&Go button for two-seconds and let the Indesit automatically do the rest for you in just 45-minutes.
Alongside washing and drying your clothes for you, the Indesit can also freshen-up your gear, removing unpleasant aromas like sweat, food and smoke, thanks to its ‘Antiodours’ tech. So, if your various garments are clean but a little pongy, stick them in, hit the button and get about your business with attire fit for the olfactory senses.
Add to this a ‘Woolmark’ cycle that will wash and dry any elements of your woollen wardrobe with absolute care to keep them as soft as they day you bought them, an Eco mode to keep water consumption and bills down, plus a cycle solely dedicated to your delicates and the Indesit BDE 86436X W UK N is the simplest and safest way to get all your duds clean and dry for under £500.
Buy now £399.00, Currys
Haier i-Pro Series 5 10Kg / 6Kg
Best for: Open-plan peaceful living
Key Specs
- Measurements: 60 x 53 x 85cm (WxDxH)
- Energy rating: D
- Spin speed: 1400rpm
- Dry load: 6kg
- Wash load: 10kg
Some washer/dryers can be noisy. Some can even sound like they’re wilfully trying to destroy your home when in action. And if yours is not balanced properly, there’s an excellent chance it just might try and do so. However, others are designed specifically to work as stealthily as possible, so as not to destroy the peace, particularly in open-plan abodes where unwanted noise from appliances can be tediously problematic.
Which brings us to the undeniably attractive i-Pro Series 5 from Haier, a machine that not only offers an impressive array of dedicated programs but also comes armed with Haier’s ‘Direct Motion’ motor, a patented, clever bit of washer/dryer engineering wotnot that combines enduring reliability with extra-silent operation to ensure your clobber is always at its anti-bacterial best without piercing your eardrums in the process.
So near-silent operation; but that’s not the only benefit of the Haier. Following on from the aforementioned anti-bacterial treatment, the i-Pro Series 5 also features built-in sensors that weigh your load and adjust the water accordingly, while a ‘Refresh’ cycle takes just 20-minutes to eliminate allergens, nasty niffs and cut down on creases.
Oh and – in true Columbo-style – one last thing: there’s also a Haier hOn app that lets you hook up with your smartphone to keep up-to-date with where your cycle is at and notify you when finished. Do you need an app? Well, given the quiet operation, you just might forget it’s on, so absolutely!
Buy now £599.00, AO
Fisher & Paykel DH9060FS1
Best for: high-end handling of any laundry
Key Specs
- Measurements: 60 x 67 x 85cm (WxDxH)
- Energy rating: A+++
- Dry load: 6kg
- Wash load: 9kg
Heading into the heady dream arena of luxury washer/dryers, Fisher & Paykel make some exquisite appliances that have held a reputation for excellence for absolute decades. So, what your not-inconsiderable £1700 gets you is entry into this elite club, plus a machine with a heat pump condenser at its core and an A+++ energy rating, which means you’ll be saving fistfuls of cash on electricity consumption in the long-term and if the planet could pout, it would kiss you firmly on the lips for the helping hand.
But what else does such an outlay of hard-earned offer? Well, for a start, some 23 cycles, including ‘Steam Freshen’ to quickly de-wrinkle and deodorise, ‘TangleProtect’ to reduce tangling and ensure even drying, ‘Speed’ to cut down the time of drying cycles, specific ‘Hygiene’, ‘Activewear’, ‘Wool’, ‘Silk’ and ‘Denim’ cycles and a pleasingly intuitive LCD display through which to control it all.
In other words, the Fisher & Paykel DH9060FS1 has cycles tailor-made for any materials you care to clean and dry, including even sneakers, soft toys and silk, with a nicely capacious drum to contain it all.
Make no mistake, this is no simple washer/dryer, this is a precision instrument of clothing cleansing that can cover the entire family’s needs while simultaneously caring for both the environment and your pocket.
Buy now £995.00, Appliance Direct
Miele WTR 860 WPM
Best for: Well-heeled washer/dryer demands
Key Specs
- Measurements: 63.7 x 59.6 x 85cm (WxDxH)
- Energy rating: A+++
- Spin speed: 1600rpm
- Dry load: 5kg
- Wash load: 8kg
Got plenty of money but are a bit shy on space in the old utility room to splash that cash on a separate washer and dryer? Then the Miele WTR 860 WPM is the machine for you! Costing the best part of a cool £2200, that price tag is justified by belonging to a brand that’s worldwide renowned for the exceptional quality of its appliances and their incredible longevity.
This model, the WTR 860 WPM can wash 8kg and dry 5kg loads and, what’s more, using an uninterrupted cycle, can wash and dry those aforementioned laundry loads in as little as one-hour, thus delivering the utmost convenience for the busy professional in a constant rush.
Also boasting Miele’s integrated ‘TwinDos’ detergent dispensing system like some mechanical braggard, you can reduce detergent use by up to 30 per cent using either the detergent of your choice or by getting fully onboard and utilising Miele Ultraphase 1 detergent and Ultraphase 2 detergent enhancer to guarantee your clothes are cleaned to the nth degree.
Add to this the clever ‘CapDosing’ system, which uses precisely portioned capsules releasing detergents specifically created to cleanse all different manner of materials, a Usain Bolt-aping speed wash known as ‘PowerWash 2.0’, ‘SteamCare’ to save on the ironing, drying programmes to handle anything from silk to curtains to outerwear, plus Miele@home which let’s you connect the appliance with your smartphone to control via app, and within the world of washer/dryers, there’s literally nothing the Miele can’t do.
Is it expensive? Yes, we’ve covered that. Is the ultimate iteration of the washer/dryer combo? Quite possibly.
Buy now £1859.00, Appliance Centre
Verdict
As I said in the intro, whichever washer/dryer you want will come down to a balance of price and available space, so for most people these days, the Hotpoint or the Indesit models would be the nicely sensible choice. With ample programmes and features to sort the average load quickly and conveniently, either of these options won’t break the bank but will keep you clean and dry.
However… if you can afford to push ‘practical’ out of your penthouse window, it’s the last-minute entry LG SIGNATURE TWINWash all the way. As easy on the eye as it is tough on stains, its smart washer/dryer skills see to all laundry needs while its sleek aesthetics will leave heads in a spin too.
