The best washer-dryers of 2024 for a two-in-one solution to laundry

A washer-dryer seems the perfect space-saving solution to buying separate washing machines and tumble dryers and is usually more affordable. But finding the best washer-dryer is harder than it may at first seem. You don’t want to get stuck with a sub-par combo which could run up high electricity costs and leave clothes damp after the drying cycle (if this is the case, you may want to buy a cheap-to-run heated clothes airer).

“A good washer-dryer is a convenient space saving machine that allows you to wash and dry laundry in one go,” says Carly Pearson, head of buying for household electricals at Argos. Washer-dryers, sometimes known as wash and dry washing machines, can cost anywhere from £350 to more than £2,000 but for most people, you’ll still be making a saving compared to buying separate machines.

The two main types of washer-dryers are freestanding and integrated, which are fairly self-explanatory, but you can read more about what to look for in a washer-dryer in the FAQ section below. Freestanding washer-dryers tend to be more popular, which is why I’ve focussed on them in this article. I’ve also asked experts for advice and their own recommendations of specific washer-dryers. If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at our top five:

The best washer-dryers of 2024, at a glance

How does a washer-dryer work?

“Washer-dryers are very similar to washing machines when it comes to the actual washing part of a cycle,” explains Pearson. “You add your detergent, which is directed to the drum at the beginning or throughout a cycle via the dispenser drawer.”

The cycle runs the same as a washing machine, with water being heated and released into the central drum which spins, alternating speeds for a thorough clean. Washer-dryers then transition to the drying cycle. “During this phase, the drum heats up, spins the clothes and evaporates the water either through a condenser or a vented dryer system,” explains Gwil Snook, washer-dryer expert at AO.

Note that the twin functions mean a washer-dryer takes two energy ratings. “Washer dryers combine two energy-intensive functions: washing and drying, using more energy than standalone washing machines,” says Snook. “This makes it challenging for washer-dryers to achieve the same efficiency ratings as standalone washing machines or standalone tumble dryers.”

The average energy rating for a washer-dryer, Snook says, is D. “However, washer-dryers have another energy rating for washing. For example a D rated washer-dryer can have an A energy rating for washing and is as energy efficient as the equivalent washing machine,” he explains. Below, I’ve listed the overall energy rating for each washer-dryer so you can gauge its energy consumption as a whole unit.

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How we chose the best washer-dryers

To help you decide which washer-dryer to purchase, I asked the advice of experienced buyers Carly Pearson of Argos and Gwil Snook of AO. They advised me on the best washer-dryers of 2024 based on factors like energy efficiency, drum size, washing and drying capacity, ease of the control panel, spin speeds and how well they expel water.

Meanwhile, my colleague Emily Peck is working through the best at home, testing them on a variety of loads including bedding, towels and sports clothes, seeing how they fare against each other at erasing stains while being gentle with the clothes. Here is what I found, starting with the experts’ top pick…