To find out how using a washer-dryer compares to a separate washing machine and tumble dryer setup, we've compared the prices of each and analysed Which? test data to calculate how much they cost to run, as well as how effectively and efficiently they will wash and dry your laundry.
Is it cheaper to buy a washer-dryer or a washing machine and tumble dryer?
It sounds like a no-brainer that buying two appliances will cost you more than buying one, but actually that's not always true.
At the time of writing, it's cheaper to buy a washer-dryer than a washing machine and tumble dryer, whether you want a Best Buy or you're expanding your search to include all of the models we've tested.
However, when we've run this pricing analysis in the past, it has at times been cheaper to buy two good standalone models than one washer-dryer – and, even when more expensive, the window has been much narrower.
That's because:
In short, buying a washer-dryer may well be cheaper, but don't necessarily assume that's the case. We'd advise checking our reviews and prices at the time you're ready to buy.
And consider energy and water costs – as well as how much space you have in your home – before deciding.
Do washer-dryers use more energy than washing machines and tumble dryers?
Yes. Based on the new energy price per unit of 27.35p per kWh (from October 2023), a heat-pump tumble dryer will cost you £57 a year to run, on average, and a washing machine will cost you £65 a year, on average. So the two combined will cost you almost £122 a year in running costs.
The average washer-dryer will cost you £76 on average for washing costs, and £155 in energy costs for drying – so £231, on average – which is nearly £109 more.
That's based on running the 40ºC cottons program four times a week for a year (for washing machines and washer-dryers) and running the cottons cupboard-dry program on a tumble dryer three times a week for a year.
Clearly, your costs will be higher if you wash or dry your laundry more often than that.
If you decide to go for a washing machine and tumble dryer combo, we strongly recommend getting a heat-pump tumble dryer.
Condenser tumble dryers use significantly more energy. You'll be spending, on average, just under £140 a year in running costs in the scenario we described above, compared to the £57 we calculated for a heat pump.
Do washer-dryers use more water than washing machines and tumble dryers?
On average, a washing machine uses 11.29 litres of water per kilogram of cottons, whereas a washer-dryer uses 12 litres.
That might not sound like a big difference. But if you're washing 5kg of cottons four times a week, for example, you'd be using 738 litres more water across the year with a washer-dryer. Water shortages in recent years have brought home how much that matters.
You might be surprised to know that washer-dryers also use water for drying clothes – 7.5 litres per kilogram of cottons. The cold water is used to help the condensation process that cools the air and condenses the water vapour from your wet laundry to dry it.
So drying 5kg of cottons three times a week (an average-use scenario, according to our research), you'd be using 5,850 litres of water across the year.
As with energy, you'll have to scale that up if you're washing and drying more often, or down if it's much less.
Do washer-dryers wash well?
Good washer-dryers are pretty much on a par with good washing machines when it comes to cleaning.
Both generally handle stained synthetics well but can struggle with heavily stained cottons.
They usually take three to four hours for a cottons wash, and one-and-a-half to two hours for a synthetics wash.
Do washer-dryers dry well?
For drying, it's a different story. Washer-dryers are often nowhere near as good as tumble dryers.
Almost all washer-dryers have sensor-driven automatic drying programs. But these often aren't very accurate. In other words, they overestimate or underestimate how long they need to dry your washing for. This isn't ideal if the clothes you were hoping to wear are still sopping wet or have shrunk to no longer fit you.
Washer-dryers also have a smaller capacity for drying than washing. This means that if you fill your machine to capacity each time you do a wash, you'll have to take some of it back out before drying.
One small advantage of a washer-dryer is that the water that's extracted from your clothes in the course of drying will be drained away automatically. You won't have to empty it out yourself, as you would with a heat-pump or condenser tumble dryer.
Which? washing machine and washer-dryer reviews
We test washing machines, washer-dryers and tumble dryers regularly across the year.
Which? verdict: are washer-dryers any good?
Most washer-dryers do a poor job of drying compared with dedicated tumble dryers.
Go for a separate washing machine and tumble dryer if you have the budget and the space at home.
As we said before, there are more washing machines and tumble dryers on the market than washer-dryers, so as a bonus you can be choosier when it comes to colour or extra features. Go for a washer-dryer and you're stuck with a more limited pool of models to pick from.
If you've reviewed the options and decided that a washer-dryer is the most suitable option for you, make sure it's one of the best. Best Buy washer-dryers do a much better job of washing and drying clothes than others.
If you don't have room for a tumble dryer, but don't want to buy a washer-dryer, you'll of course need somewhere to hang your wet washing.
The best place to hang it is outdoors, as this reduces the chances of moisture build-up and mould inside your home.
Whether you buy a washing machine and tumble dryer or a washer-dryer, you'll save on water and energy if you choose an efficient appliance.
It can be hard to find appliances that are effective but don't use much energy or water – some are frugal with one or both of these, but simply don't clean that well.
Model prices correct as of 25 August 2023. Energy costs were updated on 25 August 2023 in line with the new energy price cap announcement for October 2023.source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/washer-dryer-vs-washing-machine-and-tumble-dryer-which-is-better-aeTuQ8Q80eSc