Best Overall
LG Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Front Load Washer and Dryer
AJ MADISON
- Both units operated very quietly and only played a sound to alert us when the cleaning cycle was done.
Both units operated very quietly and only played a sound to alert us when the cleaning cycle was done.
- We had trouble connecting with the app.
We had trouble connecting with the app.
The LG Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Front Load Washer and Dryer surpassed our expectations for several reasons. The customizable settings are very intuitive, so you won’t have much of a learning curve with this washer/dryer set. We made use of the preset cycles on the washer and noted there was a setting for every washable item.
It's also quiet. Unless we were standing right next to the washer and dryer, the noise level was minimal during a wash or dry cycle. We appreciated that both machines “sing” to you when they’re done, so you will be alerted when the machines stop.
There’s an accompanying app that can send you alerts and even help you choose the best cycles for the load. We weren’t able to get ours set up, however, so we weren’t able to give it a try ourselves.
Though there is no lint trap indicator, we were dutiful in checking it after every dryer load and found it easy to clean out. We found that the door on the washer and dryer allowed ample room for reaching in and out to add or remove laundry, even if it did feel a bit low.
We found the capacity to be more than adequate for both the washer and the dryer, though depending on the size of your dryer load, you might have to keep it on a bit longer to avoid any dampness. For this reason, we preferred to use the timer option on the dryer rather than the presets.
Still, we found that the AI-sensing technology took about half the time of our previous washer and dryer, so it was definitely a win in our books.
Product Details: Type: Front Load | Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet (washer), 7.4 cubic feet (dryer) | Size: 27 x 39 x 30.25 inches (washer), 27 x 39 x 30.13 inches (dryer) | Washing Cycles: 12 | Dry Cycles: 12 | Energy Consumption: 1300 kWh per year
- The LG Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Front Load Washer has ample room for reaching in and out to remove laundry although we did find it a bit low. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ASHLEY CRAIGER
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ASHLEY CRAIGER
Key Terms to Know
Type: Washer/dryer sets are available in several different types including stackable, front-loading, and top-loading.
- Stackable washer/dryer sets are ideal for those with limited square footage because they utilize vertical space rather then horizontal space.
- Front-loading and top-loading washer/dryers refer to where the door is located. When choosing a front-loading or top-loading washer/dryer, consider your space and which configuration would be most comfortable for your body and abilities.
Kilowatts: How much energy a washer/dryer set uses is measured in kilowatts. The lower the number, the less energy the appliance uses.
Best Front-Loading
Electrolux Smartboost Front-Load Washer and Stackable Electric Dryer
AJ MADISON
- Short wash cycles are great for parents of little ones.
Short wash cycles are great for parents of little ones.
- The gray color easily shows scratches from our laundry basket.
The gray color easily shows scratches from our laundry basket.
After our testing, we determined that the Electrolux Smartboost Front-Load Washer and Stackable Electric Dryer was the best front-loading washer/dryer set. We especially liked the intuitive settings and how the display panel keeps info like temperature, soil level, and spin speed available at a glance.
We were impressed to see that there was an oversuds protection feature on the washer and even more impressed that we didn’t need to use it, as there was no laundry detergent residue after a wash.
We felt there was a huge improvement over our older appliance in terms of dry time, thanks to the auto-sensing feature that detects wet clothes and linens to set the appropriate dry time. Only on occasion—usually for heavy towels and piles of cloth diapers—did the dryer have to be run for longer.
If you are the parent of a cloth-diaper-wearing child, know that we were impressed by how clean and fresh our diaper loads looked. There’s also a 15-minute fast wash for those unfortunate spit-up moments.
Our previous set was white, so we went with the gray option for this set. Though we liked the look of them, we noticed scratches on the tops of the machines where we had been placing our laundry basket.
You might be disappointed that there is no app or even a push button display on this machine—the dial itself has a digital screen—but we appreciated how easy the knobs were to turn to adjust the settings. We also liked that you could toggle the settings to find the most eco-friendly options for each load.
These machines aren’t exactly quiet if you’re standing nearby, but they won’t keep up the house. The washer and dryer will play a tune when the cycles are done. Like a beeping microwave, they’ll keep going until you open the door. If you don’t like it, there’s an option to turn off the chime setting.
Product Details: Type: Front load | Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet (washer), 8 cubic feet (dryer) | Size: 27 x 38 x 32 inches (washer), 27 x 38 x 32 inches (dryer) | Washing Cycles: 11 | Dry Cycles: 11 | Energy Consumption: 85 kWh per year (washer), 710 kWh per year (dryer)
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / LAURA MILLER
Best Top-Loading
Samsung Smart Top Load Washer and Smart Electric Dryer
AJ MADISON
- It’s effective and less expensive than other models.
It’s effective and less expensive than other models.
- Wash cycles tend to be longer and the washing machine was louder than some other tested picks.
Wash cycles tend to be longer and the washing machine was louder than some other tested picks.
If you prefer a top-loading appliance, the Samsung Smart Top Load Washer and Smart Electric Dryer exceeded our expectations during testing. We were impressed by how well this washer cleans clothes and linens. The settings are quite user-friendly, and the lint trap is easy to remove and clean as well.
We used this machine most often on the “normal” setting, adjusting speed and temperature according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. While other cycles might be shorter—like the Super Speed Wash that’s billed as 28 minutes—we found the regular wash cycles tended to be over an hour.
The washer and dryer are a bit loud—the whirring sound is hard to ignore, as is the “chorus” that plays when a cycle is finished. This duo is one of the best combination sets if you’re looking for a less expensive option. It comes in three different colors as well, and you can choose from an agitator or impeller for the washer.
We liked that the lid on the washer was clear so we could see the suds in action. If you’re in another room, however, this washer/dryer set connects by Wi-Fi to Samsung’s SmartThings App to alert you when a wash or dry cycle ends and you’re out of earshot.
Product Details: Type: Top load | Capacity: 5.1 cubic feet (washer), 7.4 cubic feet (dryer) | Size: 27.56 x 44.68 x 29.43 inches (washer), 27 x 44.57 x 30.25 inches (dryer) | Washing Cycles: 12 | Dry Cycles: 12 | Energy Consumption: 120 kWh per year (washer), 644 kWh per year (dryer)
- The Samsung Smart Top Load and Electric Dryer Set has user-friendly settings that were easy to use during our testing. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ASHLEY CRAIGER
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ASHLEY CRAIGER
Best Large Capacity
Samsung Smart Front-Load Washer and Stackable Gas Dryer
SAMSUNG
- It has 25 wash cycles and 19 dry cycles, which is more than other units.
It has 25 wash cycles and 19 dry cycles, which is more than other units.
- The app was challenging to set up and you aren’t able to share an account with another person in your household.
The app was challenging to set up and you aren’t able to share an account with another person in your household.
After our testing, we found that the Samsung Smart Front-Load Washer and Stackable Gas Dryer is the best large capacity washer/dryer set. It’s hard not to be impressed by the 25 wash cycles and 19 dry cycles on this Samsung set.
We tried this out at home in a laundry-laden household and quickly fell in love with the Optiwash setting, which senses the size of the load and its soil level to dispense the right amount of laundry detergent. It became our go-to cycle and we found it just as effective as the go-to “normal” cycle.
Even big loads of laundry came out clean without any damage or discoloration. The drums are larger to accommodate heavy loads, though this might result in longer dry time depending on the nature of the clothes and linens you are washing.
The dryer is effective, but with the washer being able to take on those heavier loads, you’ll likely find some damp items. But here’s some great news—all socks were accounted for during the testing period.
Where we did have a bit of frustration was setting up the app. If you share laundry duties, note that you can’t share the account—you’ll need two. Still, it might be worth the extra trouble. Aside from allowing you to check on your laundry remotely, we loved the “laundry recipe” feature on the app that quizzes you on your laundry to find the best cycles and settings.
Product Details: Type: Front load | Capacity: 5 cubic feet (washer), 7.5 cubic feet (dryer) | Size: 27 x 38.75 x 33.5 inches (washer), 27 x 38.75 x 31.31 inches (dryer) | Washing Cycles: 25 | Dry Cycles: 19 | Energy Consumption: Not listed
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / LUCY SILBERMAN
Best Stackable
Equator Advanced Appliances Electric Stacked Laundry Center with 1.6-cu ft Washer and 3.5-cu ft Dryer
LOWES
- The unit is very quiet, features intuitive settings, and has an attractive, space-saving aesthetic.
The unit is very quiet, features intuitive settings, and has an attractive, space-saving aesthetic.
- The link filter is located in the back of the dryer drum, which can be difficult for some to access.
The link filter is located in the back of the dryer drum, which can be difficult for some to access.
If you’re short on floor space, consider a stackable option like that Equator Stacked Laundry Center. We liked this unit’s settings were easy to use and the vertical design that worked well in our laundry room.
This laundry center runs so quietly that we were concerned it had malfunctioned and stopped mid-cycle. That being said, we liked that there’s a chime that signals the actual end of the wash cycle.
The washer got rid of all the suds and even excess water from the laundry. Each load emerged stain- and odor-free after just one cycle. We were impressed to see that all the laundry was dry by the end of the max cycle, no matter the size of the load.
This washer/dryer set comes with a paper version of the manual, but we loved the ease of scanning the QR code to access the digital version. Not that we needed more than a glance at it to operate the machine; the settings were quite intuitive and adjustable via touchscreen, enhancing both the unit’s ease of use as well as its aesthetic.
Though this is a stackable unit, we found this one to be short enough so that we were able to reach into the dryer drum easily—bonus points for being able to stack detergent pods on the top, too. The drawback is that while the lint filter is easy to remove/reinsert, it’s located at the back of the dryer drum, which could make it harder for some to access.
Product Details: Type: Front load | Capacity: 1.6 cubic feet (washer), 3.5 cubic feet (dryer) | Size: 22 x 61.5 x 23.5 inches | Washing Cycles: 12 | Dry Cycles: Five | Energy Consumption: 96 kWh (yearly)
- The Equator Stacked Laundry Center is easy to use, and the vertical design works well when you’re short on floor space. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ALYSSA KINGHAM
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / ALYSSA KINGHAM
Best for Pet Hair
Maytag Pet Pro Filter Top-Load and Electric Dryer
LOWE'S
- Numerous settings, including the Pet Pro feature, make it effective and efficient.
Numerous settings, including the Pet Pro feature, make it effective and efficient.
- There are no end-of-cycle alerts, plus the deep drums will make it a difficult reach for some users.
There are no end-of-cycle alerts, plus the deep drums will make it a difficult reach for some users.
Those with pets at home will love using the Maytag Pet Pro Washer and Dryer. The set features numerous settings that are effective and efficient, so you’ll be able to remove pet hair from your clothes with ease.
There are prompts right on the machine to take you through every load of laundry you wash or dry, so we didn’t need to consult the instruction manual each time. We were impressed by the variety of preset wash cycles, including heavy-duty, bulky items, towels, and most notably the Pet Pro. This setting easily pulls pet hair from clothing right into the extra-long lint trap, which we found easy to remove/reinsert.
The dryer did an outstanding job on every load we tested. We liked the variety of presets, though we stuck to the normal and towels setting mostly and found that every load came out dry. The Steam Refresh is a nice option for those who want to freshen up clothes without a full wash and dry cycle. We would have liked if there were alerts for the end of a cycle though we didn’t think this was a dealbreaker.
Overall, we liked the sleek design of the machine and its intuitive features, though we would have appreciated a chime or alert at the end of each cycle. We found it easy to load and unload this top loading washer, though vertically challenged users might want to keep a footstool handy to reach the bottom of the washer drum.
The dryer is also quite deep, but we appreciated that these machines could take on larger laundry loads with ease. We did observe that they can get noisy at times depending on the cycle, so leveling during installation is key.
Product Details: Type: Top load | Capacity: 4.7 cubic feet | Size: 27.5 x 42 x 27.5 inches | Washing Cycles: 10 | Dry Cycles: Not listed | Energy Consumption: Not listed
- The Maytag Pet Pro washer has a variety of presets that were effective and during our tests, the Pet Pro cycle easily pulled pet hair from clothing. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DERA BURRESON
Best with Steam
Whirlpool Smart Top Load Washing Machine and White Electric Dryer
AJ MADISON
- It’s got a large capacity and great features like targeted rinse and auto detergent dispenser.
It’s got a large capacity and great features like targeted rinse and auto detergent dispenser.
- Expect a learning curve with so many features, especially with the dryer.
Expect a learning curve with so many features, especially with the dryer.
For an option that uses steam technology, consider the Whirlpool Smart Top Load Washing Machine and Electric Dryer with Steam. We liked these units for their large capacity and helpful settings.
It’s worth noting that you might be a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of wash and dry options on this set from Whirlpool. Still, we never felt we had to know all the ins and outs the settings on this set, especially the dryer, which has auto sensors that register when the laundry is mostly dry. We even inadvertently tested the lint filter when we left some tissues in a pants pocket and were impressed to see how much of the fluff it picked up.
This machine had a lot of great features, but our favorite is the inner spout for targeted rinsing—a great thing for those who don’t have easy access to a utility sink in their laundry space.
We also liked the “load and go” auto dispenser, so there’s no guesswork in how much detergent is needed for each load. Another bonus is the removable agitator, which is a convenient option when you’re laundering sheets and comforters.
Aside from performance, we loved the sleek brushed steel exterior of this set, plus the controls are clearly marked and easy to use. We liked having the option of controlling the machine remotely from the app, but we also found it just as easy to do everything manually when standing in front of the machines; using the app will likely be a personal preference for you as well.
Product Details: Type: Top load | Capacity: 5.2 cubic feet (washer) 7.4 cubic feet (dryer) | Size: 42.5 x 27.25 x 27.88 inches (washer); 42.75 x 27 x 29.88 inches (dryer) | Washing Cycles: 36 | Dry Cycles: 36 | Energy Consumption: 260 kWh per year (washer)
- The Whirlpool dryer lint trap handled the unexpected tissues left in a pocket during our tests, capturing and containing the mess with ease. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DENA OGDEN
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / DENA OGDEN