Washer-dryer combo or separate washing machine and dryer?

You want to wash and dry your laundry, but you are not sure how to set things up. Do you go for a washer-dryer combo that does both in a single appliance? Or a separate washing machine and dryer side by side? It is a question a lot of people ask themselves, especially when space is tight. In this blog we line up the pros and cons of a washer-dryer combo and help you decide what suits you best.

What exactly is a washer-dryer combo?

A washer-dryer combo is a single appliance that both washes and dries. You load your laundry, choose a programme and take it out dry. There is no need to move the laundry into a separate dryer yourself. A separate setup, on the other hand, consists of two appliances: a washing machine and a dryer that you place next to or on top of each other.

So is a washer-dryer combo any good? That mostly depends on your situation: how much space you have, how often you do laundry and what matters to you. For some people it is the perfect solution, for others not quite. That is why we walk you through the pros and cons below.

The advantages of a washer-dryer combo

The biggest advantage is space. Because washing and drying happen in one appliance, you need only half the room. Handy if you have a small utility room, an apartment or a compact bathroom.

A washer-dryer combo is also nicely low-effort. You do not have to shift your wet laundry into a separate dryer: you simply start the appliance and take it out dry. And because you only buy one appliance, the purchase price is often lower than a separate set from the same brand.

The disadvantages of a washer-dryer combo

Where there are advantages, there are drawbacks too, and it helps to know them before you decide. The pros and cons of a washer-dryer combo mostly come down to capacity, time and energy use.

The main drawback is drying capacity. A combo often washes more than it can dry in one go. Wash a full load and you sometimes have to dry it in two batches. A complete wash-and-dry cycle also takes longer: expect around four to six hours, whereas separate appliances are usually done sooner.

On top of that, a washer-dryer combo generally uses more energy than separate appliances, certainly compared with a modern heat pump dryer. And because washing and drying sit in the same machine, a breakdown means everything grinds to a halt. With a separate set you can often keep using one of the two.

Separate washing machine and dryer: the advantages

Choose a separate washing machine and dryer and you get a few clear upsides. You can wash and dry at the same time, which is handy if you do a lot of laundry, for example in a family. Separate dryers, and heat pump dryers in particular, tend to be more economical and often give slightly better drying results.

Two separate appliances usually last longer as well. And if something does break, you only replace the washing machine or the dryer, rather than the whole appliance. The downside: you need more room and you have to move the laundry across yourself.

Which choice suits you?

The best choice depends on your situation. Short on space, not doing laundry every day and value convenience? Then a washer-dryer combo is often a great fit. If you live in a small space but still want machine drying, this is frequently the answer.

Do a lot of laundry, have plenty of room and want to dry as efficiently as possible? Then a separate washing machine and dryer are usually the smarter choice. You dry larger loads in one go, often more economically, and your appliances last longer.

At Homie you rent either one, hassle-free

At Homie you can rent both a washer-dryer combo and a separate washing machine and dryer on a subscription. You pay a fixed amount per month, and delivery, installation and repairs are all included. You do the washing, we take care of the rest. Explore our white goods and start your subscription today.