These space-savers make laundry day a breeze.
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Whether you're looking for the best stackable washer and dryer for small spaces or a pair of heavy-duty machines that can handle all of the laundry produced by a large family, we've found picks that will get the job done well. There are great stackable options that save space while still packing a powerful cleaning punch. Many of them have also improved their venting systems so that they don't incur any mold build-up. Some newer models also communicate with each other to automatically select the ideal drying cycle for the clothes you've just washed.
The Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab has been testing washing machines and dryers for decades to ensure that they perform well and offer tangible results. To test washing machines, we wash pre-stained strips of fabric to test how well each model cleans. For their dryer counterparts, we weigh our test load of clothes, wash them and then time how long it takes the dryer to return the load to its original weight, ensuring all the moisture has been removed. We also scope out features like specialty wash cycles, smart connectivity, intuitive control panels and the load size that each machine is capable of handling.
Below, you will find stackable washers and dryers that have been thoroughly tested and vetted by the GH Cleaning Lab. If the washing machine and dryer are sold separately, the price we've listed is the total for both machines. We also explain how we tested these machines and note some important features to keep in mind when you're shopping for washers and dryers.
This washer has lots of convenient features, and we love that it is capable of washing large loads of laundry. You can pre-load detergent and the washer will dispense the proper amount for up to 20 washes. It also uses AI technology through the machine's Smart Dial to remember your favorite wash cycles, and it tailors the wash time to the level of soil detected in your laundry.
While it can be controlled through Samsung's app, all of the functions, as well as the dryer, can also be controlled from the dial on the washer."It’s large with a 5.0 cu. ft. capacity and when you stack it with the dryer, you can control the dryer from the washer, so there’s no need to stretch to reach the dryer controls," says Carolyn Forté, Executive Director of the Home Care and Cleaning Lab. "Plus, if one fails and needs to be replaced, you don’t have to replace both like you have to do with stacked single-unit laundry centers."
As for the Samsung Smart Dial Dryer, its 7.5 cu. ft. capacity is large enough to hold comforters or other bulky items. It's also completely compatible with the app. We also like the steam sanitize feature if you want to give your clothes a quick refresh without fully washing them.
This sleek washer and dryer set from GE comes at a great price for two full-size, fully-featured machines. It offers the unique option to wash and dry in the washing machine. While this only applies to smaller loads or single pieces of clothing, it does mean you could be drying two loads of laundry at the same time. Dry your delicates in the washing machine and let the 7.8-cu.-ft.-capacity dryer handle the large loads and bulky items. All of these functions and cycles can be chosen with the easy-to-use app that comes with the machine, which also allows for voice control on Amazon Alexa, Android, Google, Sonos and iOS smart home devices.
The washing machine's detergent dispenser holds up to 32 loads worth of detergent in the bulk dispenser so you don't have to worry about refilling it constantly. It also automatically dispenses the correct amounts of detergent, fabric softener, bleach and water based on the cycle that you choose. The washer has a fresh air venting cycle to dry the drum interior and door gasket to prevent water and mold buildup, which should eliminate any musty smell that can develop in front-loading machines. Plus, moisture-prone areas like the gasket, dispenser drawer and hose are treated with Microban to also eliminate bacteria growth and control odors. The dryer can be linked to the washer so it knows and selects the correct cycle for the load coming its way.
In addition to the efficiency and effectiveness of the wash cycles, reviewers love the visibility provided by the drum light, as well as the door steam option.
At around just 23 inches wide, this machine is perfect for anyone living in a smaller space who needs a compact-but-effective washer and dryer. Our Cleaning Lab tests also found that it was incredibly effective, removing stains and whitening cotton swatches in under an hour. Despite its small size, it still offers lots of convenient features like self-dispensing detergent and SoftSteam, which will allow you to steam your clothing inside the machine. The brand tested this product by keeping it going constantly for more than 10,000 hours to make sure it could hold up to use for years to come.
While the machines are compact, the drum of the washer is still large enough to hold 2.26 cubic feet of laundry, while the drum of the matching dryer can hold up to 4.2 cubic feet — roomy enough to accommodate average loads for smaller families. The machine also has cycles tailored to synthetic and outdoor fabrics. As for the dryer, it has a honeycomb structure that, according to the brand, is more gentle on clothing and helps the laundry to dry more uniformly.
The LG WashTower is an all-in-one unit that includes both the washer and dryer, so you don't need to make two separate purchases. LG makes it easy to start and select cycles on both the washer and the dryer thanks to a control panel that is conveniently located right between the two. After choosing your wash cycle, the machine's AI technology will determine the exact amount of water and time needed to fully clean a load of laundry based on its weight. This technology works via the control panel on the machine through an app that you can download on your phone and connect to via Wi-Fi. This also allows you to start wash cycles on your way home or operate the machine from a different room. The AI also pre-selects the matching dryer cycle to most efficiently dry the load it just washed.
You can also monitor the laundry's status in the wash cycle through the accompanying app, which is intuitive and easy to use. The pros in the GH Cleaning Lab also noted that after two years of use, the machine was still working seamlessly and it was completely odor-free. Both the washer and dryer offer steam functions, which is particularly great for more delicate items that need a quick refresher.
While this option lacks some of the more premium features such as an accompanying app and tons of wash cycles, it is still an incredibly effective set to consider. Not only does it have the unique quality of a top-loading washer, but it also has 11 different wash cycles and sensors that determine the load size so the machine knows how much water to add. And while it doesn't show you information on an app, it does have lights that let you see the cycle's progress while it's washing. Forté says, "Normally, you can’t stack a top-loading washer, so if someone prefers a top loader and has limited space, this is an option." The one major downside is that if one machine breaks, you will have to replace both since they are fully attached, and if one of the machines needs maintenance as they will both have to be removed.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab regularly tests washers and dryers to make sure they're best suited to serve you. We base our tests on industry standards set by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM). In our most recent washing machine tests, we washed pre-stained white fabric strips, each with six different stains. This allowed us to see how each machine dealt with different types of stains based on how well they cleaned each square. We used these strips in all of the different cycles on each of the machines. From there, we allowed each strip to air-dry and then took measurements of the stained areas to see how effective the machines were at removing stains.
To test how gentle the cycles are, we washed cotton swatches with five pre-cut holes in them to see how much fraying occurred in the wash. We also assessed tangling of the load and made sure to test the intuitiveness of each machine, as well as each control panel's ease of use. Finally, we verify with manufacturer’s data that any machine with a sanitizing cycle is able to kill bacteria.
For testing dryers, we install each one (provided it's a separate appliance from the washer) in a climatology chamber on a special platform balance so that we can ensure uniform temperature, humidity and venting conditions. This helps us measure how long a wet load of laundry takes to get back to its lighter, dry weight. Based on AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers) protocols, we attach strips that measure temperature to individual pieces of laundry to confirm that the temperatures inside the dryer don't reach fabric-damaging levels.
From there, we test how quickly the machines dry the items, how well they remove wrinkles, and we confirm that there was no twisting or tangling. We also check for wrinkles after steam and refresh cycles to make sure they worked as well as they say they do.
✔️ Overall size: If you are stacking your appliances, you probably have size constraints to deal with, so this is crucial. If the stack doesn’t fit in your space, nothing else matters. For each machine, account for 6 extra inches at the back to accommodate venting hoses and materials.
✔️ Capacity: Select the largest capacity washer and dryer that will fit into the overall space you have. This allows you to wash and dry loads of larger sizes.
✔️ Cycles and settings: Since newer models are offering tons of high-end features, Forté suggests prioritizing the specific wash cycles and options that you'll actually use. For example, if you have a lot of delicate items, make sure that the machine has a well-reviewed gentle cycle. If you have kids or a larger family and you need lots of power quickly, prioritize machines with power wash features and larger drums.
✔️ Warranty and availability of service: Most washing machines and dryers offer a one- to two-year full warranty on all parts and labor, and some offer longer warranties on certain parts like the drums or transmission. It also pays to check what kind of authorized service is available in your area for any brand you are considering, should something go wrong. If there are no authorized service centers for the brand in your area, consider another brand that can be serviced more easily. You can find this out by calling the manufacturer’s customer service line.
After conducting GH Cleaning Lab tests, Forté reiterates that there are typically very few differences between front-loading and top-loading washing machines. And while some (not all!) front-loading washing machines may have an edge, Forté urges folks to realize that "more aggressive washing action is not always better as it can be more damaging to fabrics. Gentleness is something we also evaluate at GH, and in our opinion, the best washers offer the best combination of good cleaning and gentle fabric care. They can be either top or front-loading.”
The only downsides are in regard to convenience, not functionality. "The controls on the dryer may now be difficult or impossible for short people to reach," explains Forté. "Also, when stacked, the appliances are heavy to move if they can be moved at all." Forté says this can also make the washer and dryer more difficult to service.
Carolyn Forté has been testing washers, dryers and other laundry room essentials, like laundry detergents and stain removers, for more than 40 years in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Products Lab. She often consults with the appliance industry, especially washing machine manufacturers, about appliance testing protocols and consumer laundry habits, researches and writes our laundry how-tos and personally tests or oversees all of the testing done for all of the Cleaning Lab's product guides.
Brittany Loggins has tested hundreds of tech, home and beauty products over the course of her eight years as a journalist. She’s currently a full-time freelance journalist who contributes to GQ, Architectural Digest and The New York Times. Before moving into freelance, Brittany was a staff writer at TODAY.com and CBS News. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in consumer journalism from the University of Georgia.
Brittany Loggins is a New York-based journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The Cut and Architectural Digest.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
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