Best Matching Washer & Dryer Sets
CR's tests help you choose a winning laundry pair
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Like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, a matching washer and dryer set may look spectacular togetherābut that doesnāt mean they make a great couple. How does a water-guzzling washer end up with a high-performance Energy Star certified dryer? How does a stain-removing front-loader pair up with a fabric-frying dryer that rumbles like a freight train?
You could play matchmaker when shopping for new laundry machines, but itās hard to know if Washer A and Dryer B are a match made in heaven. Thatās why manufacturers market appliances in pairs that are similar in appearance, price, and compatibility.
That compatibility can range from an ability to stack the two machines using a specialized hardware kit to machines that sync up with each other to optimize performance. āPairs come in a variety of styles,ā says Mark Allwood, CR senior market analyst. āMost pairs have similar cycles, so if the washer has a casual or wool setting, the dryer will, too. But brands like GE, LG, and Samsung make smart washers, some with artificial intelligence. Those pairs are next level, working in tandem, where the dryer can automatically detect your wash cycle and adjust accordingly.ā
There are fewer dryer models on the market, but youāll find that some match up with multiple washing machines. So CR recommends shopping for your washer first, then finding a compatible dryer.
Best Front-Load Washer and Dryer Sets
The front-loaders here deliver top-notch cleaning, and the dryers are impressive at their job, too. Youāll hear these machines working, but none make loud, sustained noise. Most of the washers are gentle on fabric and water- and energy-efficient, often earning them Green Choice status, CRās designation for the most eco-friendly machines. Wash times in our tests are based on the normal wash/heavy-soil setting, generally ranging between 65 and 120 minutes long. A bonus with front-loaders: They extract more water than other washers, trimming dryer time and saving energy.