The 3 Best Washer and Dryer Combos for Small Spaces, Tested by Laundry Experts
These all-in-one machines eliminate the need for two separate appliances, and our experts found three that really stand out.
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As a reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab, I’ve run hundreds of loads of laundry in all kinds of machines, from traditional top-loaders and front-loading washers to all-in-one washer-dryer combos. These space-saving machines wash and dry clothes in the same unit, making them especially appealing for apartments, small laundry rooms, and homes without room for separate appliances.
Our top picks:
✔️ Best overall: Samsung Bespoke AI All-in-One Vented Combo
The absolute fastest and largest one we tested
✔️ Best value: LG Mega Capacity Smart Electric All-in-One Washer Dryer Combo
Energy-efficient and a sleek, streamlined design
✔️ Best ventless: GE Profile UltraFast Combo Washer & Dryer
Excellent stain removal, fast drying, and convenient detergent dispensing
To find the best washer-dryer combos, I evaluated each unit’s cleaning and drying performance, ease of use, and special features. Here are the picks that stood out, including our top performer, The Samsung Bespoke AI All-in-One Vented Combo, which is the fastest and largest we tested.
Pros
- Excelled in our cleaning performance tests
- Dries much faster than other combos we tried
- Has a no-touch lint filter
Cons
- Only has a bulk detergent dispenser
- Door is small
- Drying temperatures can a be a little high
Choose this if speed and capacity are your top priorities
This Samsung model laundered our test loads faster than any other unit and it has the largest capacity of any combo unit we've tested.
How well it washes and dries
✔️ Washing: This unit was the fastest combo we've ever tested. Our standard cotton test load was clean after 42 minutes, and its Super Speed cycle finished a smaller load in only 28. It also aced our soil removal tests, earning a 90% score for lightening tough stains like chocolate and wine. When evaluating gentleness, we found the Samsung comparable to the other combos we've tested. At the end of a cycle, laundry was a little more damp than with other washer-dryers, but with fantastic drying performance, we think it balances out.
✔️ Drying: Thanks to its external vent, this washer-dryer is able to deliver faster drying than the other combos on our list. In our evaluation, we found that it removed a pound of water in less than 12 minutes, leaving our 8-pound load dry and ready to fold in under an hour. Set on high heat, some towels reached 170°F, which is a bit high, but still not hot enough to damage most garments.
Features that make laundry day easier
The All-in-One Vented Combo features 23 different wash programs with unique options like a Less Microfiber cycle for reducing microplastics emissions from your laundry. It also has two bulk dispensers, allowing it to hold and dispense up to 47 loads of detergent without refilling, though it lacks a standard drawer for detergent. The AI Energy Mode automatically adjusts wash settings to reduce energy use when washing and drying.
What to know about ease of use
This Samsung uses a 7-inch LCD touchscreen display rather than the dials and buttons common on other units. We found the menus easy to navigate, and we liked that the app allows you to start a load remotely and check on its status. The unique lint-trap design has a frame that scrapes the fluff out when the filter is pulled through. This way, you can clean the lint filter without actually touching it. The 5.3-cubic-foot wash drum is great for fitting oversize loads, but we do wish the door opening was a little larger.
| Dimensions | 27" (w) x 44" (h) x 35" (d) |
| Capacity | 5.3 cubic feet |
| Requires venting | Yes |
| Energy cost | $14/year |
| Warranty | One year: full parts and labor; 20 years: digital inverter motor |
Pros
- Uses AI to select optimum cycles
- Sleek design
- Inexpensive to run
- Offers steam in washer and dryer
Cons
- Controls require patience to navigate
- Dry cycle takes a bit longer
Excellent stain removal, with a few trade-offs
The LG excelled in cleaning and stain removal, achieving over a 90% stain removal score in our wash tests. In terms of gentleness, it was only slightly gentler than the GE, but not as gentle as some non-combo models we’ve tested. However, the LG stumbled in our water retention test, leaving loads 6% wetter than the GE after the spin cycle.
What to know about drying performance
The LG’s gentle dryer temperature is great for fabric care, but it also meant the machine took an extra 30 minutes to dry our standard test load. (Keep in mind that our test load starts out damper than either of these machines leaves laundry after their wash cycles, so your actual drying times at home may be a bit faster.) Despite the longer cycle, the LG still delivered perfectly dry laundry. The machine is also inexpensive to run, helping keep ongoing energy costs down.
Smart cycles that take the guesswork out of laundry
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 activewear.
What to know about ease of use
The centerpiece of the LG’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 an extra rinse. Both the washer and dryer offer steam options, too, adding versatility for different laundry needs. 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 was a way to make all of the cycles visible at once rather than having to toggle through them one by one. On the upside, this machine’s pared-down controls make for a sleek, clean design.
| Dimensions | 29" (w) x 42" (h) x 33" (d) |
| Capacity | 5.0 cubic feet |
| Requires venting? | No |
| Energy cost | $13/year |
| Warranty | One year: full parts and labor; three years: drum; 10 years: direct drive motor |
Pros
- Great cleaning and moisture removal
- Easy-to-navigate controls
- Offers bulk detergent and fabric softener dispensing
- Microban-treated internal parts
Cons
- Normal cycle is a bit aggressive
- Taller than a traditional front-load washer or dryer
Why it stands out for washing performance
This GE model is unlike any we've ever tested, and was crowned a winner in a previous Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning & Organizing Awards. It's larger than most traditional and compact laundry appliances, and we were impressed with its cleaning abilities and stain-removing prowess. It effectively lifted over 90% of the tough soils from our test stain swatches, even though its normal cycle was a bit more aggressive on our swatches than other machines we've tested. We also like that the door gasket, dispenser, and drainage system are treated with Microban, an ingredient that controls bacteria growth and odors.
Its drying performance is excellent
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.
It’s packed with smart features that simplify laundry
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, it does have a pet hair removal option that can be downloaded to remove pesky pet hair before the wash cycle starts. There are also other specialty cycles in the app, like swimwear and jeans.
What to know before buying
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. We think 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. It is, however, taller than other combos—something you'll want to keep in mind if you plan to install under a counter.
| Dimensions | 28" (w) x 47" (h) x 32" (d) |
| Capacity | 4.8 cubic feet |
| Requires venting? | No |
| Energy cost | $19/year |
| Warranty | One-year: full parts and labor; five-years: heat pump system; 10-years: motor |
How we test combo washers and dryers
At the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care & Cleaning Lab, 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 air-dried, we use a spectrophotometer to measure how much light each of the six stains reflects, which helps us determine how much soil was removed. We then calculate an overall soil removal index for the cycle. We also examine gentleness by washing cotton swatches with pre-cut holes and evaluating how much each one frays 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.
Who should consider a combo washer and dryer?
Washer-dryer combos aren't for everyone, but they can be a smart choice for households where space is too limited to fit separate units. By replacing two appliances with one, you could even repurpose the extra space for storage or an air-drying area. Plus, some combos use energy-efficient heat pumps that don’t require outdoor venting. A ventless unit can save energy compared to a traditional vented dryer—though it may take a bit longer to dry.
Washer-dryer combos are also ideal for those looking to streamline their laundry routine. These units let you wash and dry in one machine without transferring loads, making it easy to squeeze in a load on a busy weeknight instead of waiting until the weekend. While manufacturers claim you can wash and dry a load in under two hours, we've found actual times depend on load size, weight and cycle settings—larger or heavier loads can take longer, even on a standard setting.
With traditional washer and dryer setups, you can wash one load while drying another, so if you have multiple loads, a combo unit will probably take you longer. If you like running multiple loads at once, a combo unit probably isn't right for you.
The bottom line: Samsung, LG, or GE?
If you're trying to decide between the Samsung All-in-One Combo, the LG Mega Capacity Combo, and the GE Profile UltraFast Combo, the choice ultimately comes down to your priorities.
We found all three delivered excellent cleaning performance, app connectivity, and plenty of extra features, though the GE edged ahead with its spin cycle's superior ability to remove moisture.
For drying, the Samsung is the fastest by far, but the GE and LG offer more flexible placement options because they do not need to be vented to the outdoors.
The LG stands out with its slightly smaller size and sleek design, making it an ideal choice if the unit will be in a visible area, like the kitchen.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
To write this guide, Home Care & Cleaning Lab Analyst Noah Pinsonnault performed in-depth tests on each combo unit to assess their strengths and weaknesses, including analyzing dozens of stain swatches and counting hundreds of frayed threads. Pinsonnault utilizes his scientific knowledge when analyzing products in the Cleaning Lab. He has a degree in environmental science and experience as an environmental researcher.
More washer and dryer guides
If you’d like to explore other washer and dryer styles before deciding on a combo unit, check out our top-tested guides here for easy reference:
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