Washer dryer combo pros and cons
A washer-dryer combo is a washer and dryer in one appliance, and at first glance this seems very beneficial. As with all white goods, the washer-dryer combo has several advantages and disadvantages. Before you decide to buy a washer-dryer combination, it is wise to learn more about both sides. One disadvantage can be enough to make you decide that a washer-dryer is not for you. To get you started, this page lists the most common pros and cons of washer-dryers.
Advantages of a washer dryer combo
Some of the benefits of a washer-dryer combo are obvious, but there are also some that you might not have thought about. In this section, we’ve listed the most commonly cited benefits for you.
Washer and dryer in one
With a washer and dryer combination you no longer need to buy two separate appliances, which can save you a lot of space. You no longer have to put a washer and dryer next to or on top of each other, which leaves you with more space.
Non-stop washing and drying
Some washer-dryers have a non stop function, which washes and dries your laundry in one turn. You only need to load and turn on the appliance in the morning and when you come home in the evening everything is ready. That’s considerably less handling than if you had to take your laundry out of the washer first and then put it back in the dryer.
Just keep in mind that the non stop function does not apply to every laundry program. Sometimes you may need to remove some of your laundry from the drum before the drying program can be started.
Cheaper than 2 separate machines
You can buy a washer-dryer combi for €500, which is cheaper than two separate machines. A separate washing machine can easily cost €400 and then you do not even have a dryer.
So the purchase price is significantly lower, without having to compromise on functionality. You can wash and dry for the price of one.
Features
Many people think that a washer-dryer combination has fewer features than a separate washer and dryer, but nothing could be further from the truth. For example, a washer-dryer can also be equipped with a load sensor that adjusts the water consumption and the duration of the program according to the weight of your laundry.
There are also wash-dry combinations available that have a clothes protector drum or where you can add extra laundry during the wash. So don’t worry that a washer-dryer combination will have fewer features than a separate washer and dryer.
Connections
The disadvantage of a separate washer and dryer is that you need many different types of connections. Both appliances need to be connected to a power supply and in addition they both need to drain their water somewhere.
The big advantage of a washer-dryer combination is that it is only one appliance and therefore you need half as many connections. The water from the washing is discharged through the same hose as the drying and you also only need one connection for the power supply.
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Disadvantages of a washer dryer combo
The same applies to the disadvantages of a washer-dryer combination as to the advantages. Some of them you will have already thought of, but there are also some that are easy to overlook. Therefore, we have listed the most common disadvantages for you here.
A separate washer and dryer can be more energy efficient
If you do not always put all your laundry in the dryer as well, it may be wiser to purchase a separate washer and dryer. The energy consumption of a washer-dryer combination is relatively high, because it is one device that performs two tasks. The energy costs are therefore somewhat higher, which is not always necessary.
In some cases it can therefore be cheaper to buy a washing machine with energy label A and a heat pump dryer, because they have lower annual energy costs.
What is the best choice for you always depends on your needs in terms of washing and drying. Calculate your annual energy costs yourself by estimating how often you will use each appliance and multiply that by the number of kilowatt hours an appliance consumes per turn.
The fabric is not collected
As with a stand-alone dryer, dust is collected during the drying process. Normally it ends up in a filter, but a washer-dryer doesn’t have a filter, so it stays behind in the rubber area between the door and the drum.
So after each drying cycle you have to manually remove the dust, otherwise it will end up in your next load of laundry. It’s a small effort, but if you forget you can ruin a whole load of laundry.
A shorter lifespan
A washer-dryer combination needs to be replaced a little faster than two separate appliances. That it wears out a little faster is not surprising, because a washer-dryer combination does the work of a washer and dryer, so it is used much more often.
The duration of a program
When you put all your laundry in a washer and dryer, you finish faster than when you let it all wash and dry in the washer-dryer. A full cycle can take up to 4-5 hours with a washer and dryer, while with two separate machines it can take up to 3 hours.
