Washers and Dryers Buying Guide

The clothes pile up. That clunky, rattling noise reverberating from your washer and dryer grows harder to avoid. It sounds like it’s time for a laundry-room upgrade. We’re here to lighten the load—you have plenty of choices when it comes to new laundry appliances and features that match your household’s requirements.

       

Begin your search for a new washer and dryer by sorting through your needs. Washers and dryers are an investment, so think about how much use the appliance will get today and in the future. If you’re single now, your laundry needs are probably light. But if your family is going to expand, planning ahead for a laundry system with a large capacity and more high-end features (like a special cycle for delicate baby clothes) will pay off in the end.

 

If you’re debating whether to purchase both appliances at the same time, keep in mind that a laundry set is designed to work together—the capacity of a dryer is determined by the capacity of the washer, so it’s best to buy the pair if budget allows. And manufacturers often offer a rebate on sets, making your upgrade more affordable.

 

Make sure you have room for side-by-side appliances—if space is limited, opt for a space-saving model, like a stackable washer and dryer. Measure the area and consider the space around the doorframe and baseboards—those tiny few inches can make a huge difference when appliances are delivered. Take note of where your water hookup and exhaust vent for the dryer are so they align with your plans.

 

If you face an endless heap of laundry every day or have an athlete in the house, a high-capacity washer could make your life easier. If your washer and dryer don’t see regular use, choose a smaller-capacity set and save energy and water. Don’t rely on a manufacturer’s marketing terms to describe the size of the appliance (such as “extra” or “super”)—for a true comparison, analyze appliance capacities in cubic feet.

 

A good way to visualize that capacity is to picture a load of bath towels. A compact washer will hold about 7 towels (1.5 to 3 cubic feet); a standard washer’s capacity could accommodate 14 to 17 towels (about 3.1 to 4 cubic feet of space) and a very large-capacity washer could hold 24 towels (over 5 cubic feet). 

 

Whether or not you’re buying a set or purchasing a single appliance, make sure your dryer has up to twice the capacity of the washer. You may end up with a dryer that’s a little larger than you usually need, but that’s better than struggling with a wet comforter that doesn’t fit in the dryer.

 

Much has changed in the washer-and-dryer market. If you want to fill your home with smart appliances, features like a quiet cycle, steam dryers and even Wi-Fi are now available. Some newer models even have dual chambers that handle large loads and delicates simultaneously. Before you pick a machine with complex features, like the washer that can sense what type of fabric is inside, be careful what you wish for—too many bells and whistles might turn this chore into a rocket-science project. 

 

 

How it works: Tub fills with water twice (wash & rinse), agitator moves items through the water

Budget ranges: $399–$1699

• Lower initial price

• Easy to add forgotten item

• Unload from a standing position, no bending

• High water usage

• More wear and tear on clothes due to agitator

• Longer dry time as clothes retain more water after spin cycle

 

How it works: Doesn’t fill with water like a standard machine, determines how much water the load needs

Budget range: $699–$1499

• Gentle treatment of clothes

• Greater capacity

• Less water usage than standard models

• Faster spin

• Higher initial price

• HE detergent required

• Deep tubs make it harder to reach inside

 

How it works: Determines how much water is needed for a load; lifts clothes
to the top to loosen dirt and mixes detergent to create concentrated solution

Budget range: $699–$1499

• Highest potential for utility savings

• Less water usage than standard models

• Greatest capacity

• Able to stack to save space

• Higher initial price

• HE detergent required

• Pay extra for a drawer stand that raises the washer, so loading and unloading doesn't require bending

 

How it works: Heated air passes through the drum

Budget range: $399–$1499

• Costs less than gas model

• Transfers heat to surrounding rooms

• Takes longer to dry clothes

• Costs more to operate

• Requires three- or four-prong, 240-volt outlet

 

How it works: Hooks up to your natural-gas connection for heat

Budget range: $500–$1500

• Costs less to operate

• Heats faster than electric

• Dries clothes fast

• Can be converted to liquid propane

• Initial costs are more than electric

• Requires external exhaust vent

• Requires three-prong plug

 

How it works: Compact machines stack one on top of the other to save space

Budget range: $1299–$1599

• Excellent space-saver

• Smaller washing capacity

• Standard hookups needed

 

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery | Ferguson.com

Howard Payne | HowardPayne.com

Noland | 770-458-2111 

NorthPoint Kitchens | NorthPointKitchens.com