Washing Machine & Dryer Sets

How to Shop for a Washer Dryer Combination

Few things are as satisfying as pulling a warm towel or blanket out of the dryer -- unless it's finally washing your favorite item of clothing to wear on a special day. If you're a laundromat or laundry center regular looking to upgrade your laundry experience, then you've probably daydreamed more than once about owning your own washing machine and electric dryer. Maybe you're worried about having enough room in your home or apartment for two large laundry appliances.

In which case, a washer dryer combo may be the answer you're looking for. They're useful, compact, and still deliver the fluffy, warm, timed laundry bliss we yearn for, in the comfort of your own home.

What is a Washer Dryer Combo?

A washer dryer combo comes in several different forms but is essentially always some combined version of both a washer and a dryer unit. Washer dryer combos are one unit that combines the functionality of both. It switches between being a washer or being a dryer. It's sometimes also referred to as a "washer and dryer in one" or an "all-in-one washer." They are almost always a front load washer layout and not a top load washer layout.

Washer dryer combos are usually the size of one compact washer unit and are useful for small living spaces as they are space-saving appliances. They don't require a laundry room and are easily portable. This is in part because they don't require ventilation as they use a ventless drying system.

A ventless drying system often relies on condensation drying, which is a technique that uses the water from the clothes and the cool steel of the washing tub to dry clothes. The water in the clothes meets the steel, condensing to liquid and falling to the bottom where it's collected. While this may take longer than traditional flow-through air vent systems, ventless dryers are much gentler on your clothes, allowing them to last longer.

Some washer dryer combos are small and utilitarian enough to hook up to an apartment sink, making them just the right size for small, simple laundry loads. These may rely on spin drying for the drying process, and so you should also consider hanging your clothes to completely dry after being washed.

When shopping for a washer dryer combo, you should consider the laundry needs and demands of your household. This will help determine the kind of washer dryer combo that you need. For example, if more than one person needs to do laundry in your household, then a small unit that hooks up to your sink may be less desirable than a standalone unit with greater functionality.

Finding the best possible washer dryer combo all comes down to knowing how often you need to do laundry, how big your loads are and what you need from a unit. Then you can begin browsing and price comparing.

What to Consider When Buying a Washer Dryer Combo

One washer dryer combo can work just as well for your laundry needs as a large standalone set of appliances, provided you use it correctly. It's important to note that washer dryer combos should be used with smaller loads, meaning you should not always fill your combination washer to capacity. Instead, it's recommended for washing that you leave a third of the drum empty and for dryer cycles you leave half empty.

Different washer dryer combos will have different settings for the various cycles. This may range from your standard "whites only" and "colors" and "delicates" to a simple on and off button. The time for a washer dryer to do its job will vary depending on the unit and the setting. In some cases, units generally complete wash cycles within 30 minutes, and the drying cycle can take anywhere from 45 to 180 minutes. Again, it will depend very much on the type of load you are washing.

You will also need to consider what method you'll use to install your combo washer dryer in your home. You can install them almost anywhere you have electricity and running water, whether that's the kitchen, bathroom, pantry, or master bedroom. There's no need for a vent, so enclosed storage is possible. If you want to store your washer dryer combo until you're ready to use it, you can purchase an adapter kit for your kitchen sink to hook up to your unit.

Washer dryer combos can range anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. At Sam's Club, we offer a much easier window to navigate when making a purchasing decision, with our washer dryer combos priced between $899 and $1,099 before tax.

In Which Sizes are Washer Dryer Combos Sold?

The goal of a washer dryer combo is to be compact and portable, so their common dimensions are not very large. You can buy a washer dryer combo that is the same size as a full-size washer unit, or you can buy a much more compact model with the ability to fit in small storage spaces.

Sizes range but are not excluded to the following:

• Washer dryer combos are generally between 20 and 27 inches.
• Load capacity is between 1.5 and 3 cubic feet.
• The smallest washer dryer combo available at Sam's Club is the Galaxy GX4000CV at 22 inches, with a load capacity of 1.6 cubic feet.

What Brands of Washer Dryer Combos Does Sam's Club Sell?

Sam's Club currently offers a variety of high-quality washer dryer combo units from Galaxy and The Laundry Pod, which are alternatives to brands like Whirlpool or LG. The brands we have are:

• Galaxy
• The Laundry Pod
• LG Signature
• Haier
• Samsung

FAQ - Washer Dryer Combos

How long do the cycles on a washer dryer combo take?

In general, washing one load takes about thirty minutes, and drying one load can take between 45 and 180 minutes depending on the capacity of the load.

How do you remove lint from a washer dryer combo?

Some combo units don't have a lint filter or lint trap because the link is essentially removed during the wash and dry cycles. Some smaller units can experience lint back up because of this and you can call a technician to remove the lint for you. You should consult your user manual for your washer dryer combo to see how best to remove lint from your unit.

Where are washer dryer combos most commonly installed?

Most all-in-one washers are installed in kitchens, as that's the area of the house with the easiest access to both water and electricity. However, you can install your combo washer and dryer anywhere in the house that has both running water and electricity.

Is it possible for me to only wash or only dry a load?

Most washer dryer combos have separate timers and settings for both the washing cycle and the drying cycle. All you have to do is ensure the setting for wash is off if you want to only use the dryer function. Additionally, if you want to only use the washing function, then check that the dryer timer is set to off.

Does Sam's Club deliver and install washer dryer combos?

Sam's Club offers home delivery and basic installation to our members in certain zip codes. Check your home address to see if you're eligible.