The best washer and dryer sets of 2020
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Buying a new washer and dryer can be a daunting task. Whether you've just moved into a new home, or your old set finally died, it can be hard to know where to start. Typically, you can shop around in one of two ways. Assuming you have a healthy budget, you can buy the best washer and the best dryer separately. If you're looking for a discount, you can sometimes bundle the washer and dryer together for a lower price. Buying a set has the additional benefit of getting appliances with a matching aesthetic and user experience.
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We've been testing washers and dryers in our labs for years, resulting in this list of the best washer/dryer sets. At the top of the rankings is the Electrolux EFLS627UTT washer and matching EFME627UTT dryer, which offer unquestioningly great performance. While these Electrolux models reign supreme, the other pairs on this list are also great buys, should you want something different.
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These are the best washer and dryer sets we tested, ranked in order:
1. Washer: Electrolux EFLS627UTT
The Electrolux EFLS627UTT front-load washer stands as one of the best front-load washers on the market. One reason? It is the world's first washer to have a special place for detergent pods in the drawer, allowing for even distribution of soap. However, this washer also has powerful stain removal and efficient cycles; it managed to do a solid stain-removal job in both the 46-minute-long Normal cycle and the 15-minute-long Quick cycle.
The EFLS627UTT has a stainless steel tub and is chock-full of features and options including Sanitize, Perfect Steam, StainSoak, and Extended Refresh. StainSoak reheats and recirculates the detergent so that it has more time to tackle your really tough stains. Extended Refresh is great for those who can't stick around to immediately get wet laundry into the dryer; it continues to tumble your wet laundry in the washer until you get home. Between the bevy of features and great cleaning performance, it's no surprise that the EFLS627UTT is our favorite washer.
Get the Electrolux EFLS627UTT at Appliances Connection for $1,073.10
Dryer: Electrolux EFME627UTT
The great-looking Electrolux EFME627UTT is the matching dryer for the EFLS627UTT, with simple controls and a rich selection of cycles and options. This includes Perfect Steam, which can help to relax wrinkles away, and Instant Refresh, which uses steam to bring life back into clothes that have been at the back of your closet for too long.
When it comes to drying, the EMFE627UTT is at the top of its game; on every cycle we tested, it got every test load more than 99.5% dry. Among the items that we dried was a queen-size comforter—getting it almost entirely dry in less than an hour is a truly impressive feat. While the Normal cycle runs a bit long (clocking in at about 90 minutes), it's worth the wait. Meanwhile, the Quick Dry cycle is similarly effective, and only takes a mere 15 minutes to finish. As the stackable counterpart to the stellar Electrolux EFLS627UTT washer, this dryer is another great addition to the Electrolux laundry family. The gas version of this dryer is the Electrolux EFMG627UTT.
Frequently purchased accessories: Laundry pedestal, Stacking kit
Get the Electrolux EFME627UTT at Appliances Connection for $1,073.10
2. Washer: LG WM3700HWA
We love LG front loader washing machines, and the LG WM3700HWA is one of the reasons why. In addition to its stellar cleaning performance, it's also one of the most water- and energy-efficient washers we've tested. With a dizzying array of features, including an Allergiene cycle that combats pet dander, and the Add Garments button, which allows you to easily pause the cycle and throw in more laundry, it's not surprising that we found this washer to be a people-pleaser.
Even better, the WM3700HWA has a door stop that props the door open after a cycle finishes to help the door gasket dry. This feature may seem minor, but allowing the gasket proper time to dry can prevent mold growth that results in terrible smells. One thing to consider is that the control panel isn't backlit, so to prevent eyestrain, we recommend this washer for well-lit laundry rooms rather than sparsely-lit basements. That shouldn't be a problem though, since this washer's performance and energy savings mean you'll be dying to show it off to anyone who drops by.
Get the LG WM3700HWA at Appliances Connection for $895
Dryer: LG DLEX3700W
If you want a dryer that gets your clothes 100% dry, regardless of which cycle you select, then be sure to check out the LG DLEX3700W. While this dryer runs a bit hot (temperatures max out at about 170°F; most dryers tend to stay around 150°F), it has a Speed Dry cycle that finishes in 25 minutes, as well as a clean, streamlined aesthetic. Best of all, it has steam.
With steam options and cycles like TurboSteam and Steam Fresh, it's easy to quickly refresh musty clothes that you need on short notice, or to gently relax wrinkles without needing to spend quality time with a clothes iron. Between its stellar drying performance and steam feature, the LG DLEX3700W will make laundry day a breeze.
Frequently purchased accessories: SideKick pedestal washer, laundry pedestal, stacking kit
Get the LG DLEX3700W at Appliances Connection for $995
3. Washer: Miele W1 WWH860
The Miele W1 WWH860 blows most compact washers out of the water. Not only does compact front-load washer satisfy the needs to fit in a laundry closet or tiny home, but it also has innovations that we’d normally see on a full-sized flagship model.
What really impressed us was this Miele’s versatility. For example, this model comes with TwinDos—a feature that utilizes pre-filled detergent and oxygen bleach cartridges to automatically dispense the correct amount of detergent, giving you the optimum clean. Speaking of cleaning, our lab tests show that the Normal cycle (running for 1 hour and 23 minutes) is one of the best in its class. With the Miele W1, high-tech features combined with good-old-fashioned scrubbing makes for a top-notch compact washer.
Get the Miele W1 WWH860 at Abt for $1,899
Dryer: Miele T1
When it comes to space-saving dryers, the Miele T1 tops the list. Unlike most compact dryers, the T1 can plug into any regular 120V outlet and work just fine. It doesn’t even need a vent or drain. Instead, all the excess water gets pumped into a drawer in the upper-left corner of the unit, or can be rerouted to go down the drain. While it does require you to empty it out after every cycle, it means this dryer needs no extra infrastructure to run. During testing, the T1 got laundry 99.5% dry, while keeping its internal temperature under 150°F—the point at which fabric starts to degrade.
The T1 also has steam options to eliminate wrinkles, and a system called FragranceDos that keeps your clothes smelling fresh, but not overwhelming them with scents. While it performed well overall, the menus can be tough to navigate, and cycles may take a bit longer than you expect. Even considering its faults, the Miele T1 is one helluva dryer, compact or otherwise.
Frequently purchased accessories: Storage pedestal, stacking kit with storage drawer, stacking kit, UltraColor powder detergent
Get the Miele T1 at Appliances Connection for $1,899
4. Washer: Electrolux EFLS527UTT
The Electrolux EFLS527UTT has the same general performance and features as the Electrolux EFLS627UTT washer, including the pod detergent slot. However, it shines in its own right: Its Delicates cycle is particularly gentle on your clothes, while the Heavy cycle is among the most effective stain-removing cycles we've ever tested, which is really saying something.
The EFLS527UTT also has a clever feature called StainTreat II, which allows you to select certain wash program options for especially difficult stains like blood and chocolate. Additionally, the cycle times are generally shorter than they are in the Electrolux EFLS627UTT, so if you're short on time, but you still want stellar stain removal, the Electrolux EFLS527UTT is the washer for you. Additional cycle options like Activewear Cycle, Sanitize, and Perfect Steam mean that this washer is worth every penny.
Get the Electrolux EFLS527UTT at Home Depot for $989
Dryer: Electrolux EFME527UTT
The Electrolux EFME527UTT dryer looks great, is easy to control, and includes a number of cycles and options. Like the Electrolux EFME627UTT, it has Perfect Steam, which is powered by its built-in water heater to maximize hot water temperatures for sanitizing, wrinkle removal, and odor removal. It also has the same strong drying performance: Every cycle we tested was able to remove more than 99.6% of moisture from a sopping wet laundry load, which is an astonishing feat all by itself. Its Quick Dry cycle finishes in a mere 18 minutes, though not every cycle is as speedy.
With customization options for dryer cycle, time duration, temperature, degree of dryness, this is a great dryer for those who care a lot about their clothes. Long story short, this stackable dryer is as great a dryer as the Electrolux EFLS527UTT is a washer. The gas version of this dryer is the Electrolux EFMG527UTT.
Frequently purchased accessories: Laundry pedestal, stacking kit
Get the Electrolux EMFE527UTT at Appliances Connection for $983.10
5. Washer: LG WM9000HVA
With a steam cycle, a sanitizing wash, and a large 5.2-cu.-ft. capacity, the giant LG WM9000HVA has a unique, sleek look that will class up a laundry room. Despite knowing that its 29-inch width is 2 inches wider than most other washers, we were impressed by how much this front-load washer could fit—and how well it cleaned. The Heavy cycle removed about 81% of the stains in our test, which makes it one of the highest performing washers we've ever tested when it comes to stain removal.
If you've got a lot of laundry to do, this LG will make short work of it. Since it's compatible with LG's TwinWash system, you can do two loads at once if you need to. Plus, it boasts both great form and function. LG has cleverly designed this washer to have an angled basin so that it's easier to unload it without having to bend over as much. It also has an extremely quiet operation; not only does it look like a fashion statement in your laundry room, but it won't disrupt conversation in the next room over.
Get the LG WM9000HVA at Appliances Connection for $1,795
Dryer: LG DLEX9000V
The LG DLEX9000V isn't just gorgeous—it works better than most dryers we've tested in our labs. It doesn't come cheap, but it rocks best-in-class features, including steam cycles and a massive drum. With a veritable cornucopia of wash cycle options and features, this electric dryer can easily deal with a variety of fabric types and item sizes. It has no trouble wrangling big items like comforters, and with judicious use of the steam cycles and options, it can easily get shirts wrinkle-free.
This dryer also has a small pocket storage area on top of the dryer where you can stash loose coins or other items that fall out of your laundry when you transfer it from the washer to the dryer. Even though it's a big investment, we say its performance justifies the cost. And while it can't be stacked on top of the WM9000HVA, you can buy a pedestal for extra storage. The gas version of this dryer is the Electrolux DLGX9001V.
Frequently purchased accessories: SideKick pedestal washer, laundry pedestal, stacking kit
Get the LG DLEX9000V at Appliances Connection for $1,795
6. Washer: LG WM3500CW
If you want a lot of bang for your buck, then the 4.5-cubic-foot LG WM3500CW is the front-load washer for you. Like most LG washers, you can customize each part of the cycle, from the timing, to the amount of spin, to the level of soil on your clothes. This washer did stellar in our lab tests; its stain-removal capabilities has it cleaning as well as or better than more expensive washers.
The Cold Wash feature makes it easy for you to save money on your utility bills, and if you're going to be away from home for a while, the Fresh Care feature continues to tumble your clean laundry so that it doesn't sit and get stale in the washer. Last but not least, this washer works with Google Assistant. You could, in fact, turn your washer on with a voice command. The LG WM3500CW packs great cleaning performance and neat features into a relatively small price tag.
Get the LG WM3500CW at Best Buy for $899.99
Dryer: LG DLE3500W
The LG DLE3500W is a hot, stackable dryer that gets wet laundry fully dry, thanks to its 7.4 cubic-foot size and cycle versatility.
With all the basic cycles (no steam here), you can easily customize the care of each load of wet clothes. The Speed Cycle finishes in a mere 25 minutes. Our main concern about this dryer is its tendency to run very hot, especially on the Normal cycle, which maxed out at 166°F (most dryers tend to stay at or below 150°F). While that may cause more wear-and-tear on your clothes in the long run, it’s not a day-to-day problem. In the meantime, it helps to ensure that the clothes dry well. Happily, you can use the control panel to turn down the cycle temperature, so you can still get rapid drying that won't wear out your clothes. The gas version of this dryer is the LG DLG3501W.
Frequently purchased accessories: SideKick pedestal washer, laundry pedestal, stacking kit
Get the LG DLE3500W at Appliances Connection for $799
7. Washer: Samsung WF45R6300AV
If you want a workhorse front-load washing machine that has fast cycles and is both tough on stains and gentle with delicates, look no further than the Samsung WF45R6300AV. Like most Samsung washing machines, it has a dizzying array of cycles and cycle options, but the ones that stands out the most are the Sanitize cycle, which gets hot enough to kill all sorts of germs and bacteria, and the No Spin option, which is the best and safest choice for delicate clothes like sports gear, lingerie, bathing suits, and blouses.
The WF45R6300AV is no slouch when it comes to stain removal; the Heavy and Normal cycles are among the best cycles we've ever tested in our labs, hands down. The Quick Wash cycle is effective as well, but the best part of the Quick Wash cycle is its short run time of 28 minutes. If you're a big believer in smart home gadgetry and the Internet of Things, this Bixby-enabled washer won't disappoint. You can get alerts on your phone when a cycle finishes, and download a cycle from Samsung's cycle library that matches your exact stain needs. For a washer that gets the job done right the first time and has useful extra features, be sure to check out the Samsung WF45R6300AV.
Get the Samsung WF45R6300AV at Home Depot for $988
Dryer: Samsung DVE45R6300V
The Samsung DVE45R6300V dryer doesn't joke around when it comes to getting your clothes dry—almost all of our test laundry loads for every cycle we tested (Normal, Quick, Bulky, and Delicate) came out 100% dry, which is no small feat. With this Samsung dryer, total drying is accomplished with longer cycle times (the Normal cycle takes about two hours), and hot drying temperatures. (The Quick cycle, which only takes about 30 minutes, reached a max temperature of approximately 175°F.) Dryers that get hotter than 150°F on a regular basis can expedite wear and tear on your clothes, so it might be best if you bump down the temperature setting on the control panel.
In addition to great drying performance, this dryer also has a Sanitize cycle, a Wrinkle Prevent feature that keeps tumbling your clothes until you can get them out of the dryer, tons of cycle customization settings and options, and a Heavy cycle that can get everything dry in 47 minutes. Best of all? The DVE45R6300V is Bixby-enabled, which means that if you're a fan of the Samsung smart home ecosystem, you can ask Bixby to do some of the heavy lifting for you when it comes time for laundry day. The gas version of this dryer is the Samsung DVG45R6300V.
Frequently purchased accessories: Laundry pedestal, stacking kit, smart adapter
Get the Samsung DVE45R6300V at Home Depot for $988
How We Tested
Washer Tests
Every washing machine that comes into Reviewed’s labs gets put through the same tests, which address both performance and user-friendliness. Performance tests include:
Stain removal – On a strip of AHAM-approved stains (which includes cocoa, sweat, pig’s blood, red wine, and oil), how much of each stain can this washing machine remove?
Wear and tear – During a given cycle, how hard is the mechanical action of the washing machine on your clothes?
Water retention – How much water does your washing machine spin out at the end of the cycle?
Cycle time – How long is each washing machine cycle?
The best washing machines have solid stain-removal abilities, do not damage your clothes, retain little water, and have short cycle times.
Beyond these performance tests, we also assess the usability of each washing machine, based on what we experience both during testing and more casual use. We want to answer one question: How easy is it to actually use this washing machine? This involves cumulatively assessing the control panel, door, detergent dispenser, and any smart features that are included.
Dryer Tests
Every dryer that comes into Reviewed’s labs gets put through the same tests for both performance and user-friendliness.
Performance tests include:
Drying performance – How much water does each major dryer cycle actually remove from your clothes, and how quickly can it achieve that level of dryness?
Maximum temperature – We record the maximum temperature in each dryer cycle. Some like it hot, but if dryer temperatures are too high, they could damage your clothes.
The best dryers have short cycle times, and completely dry your clothes at a temperature that is hot (140°F-150°F), but not too hot (lest your clothes be scorched or damaged).
We also assess the usability of each dryer. Our main goal is to get the answer to one question: How easy is it to actually use this dryer? This involves cumulatively assessing the control panel, door, vent, and any smart features that are included.
What You Should Know About Washer and Dryer Sets
While it's cheaper to replace just a washer or a dryer when one dies, there are definitely some advantages to buying a laundry pair. First, the products in a laundry pair are designed to work with one another. For instance, if a washing machine does a great job of removing stains from a laundry load, but has a tougher time spinning out all of the water, the dryer can be programmed to anticipate extra-wet clothes and run at temperatures hot enough to remove all of the moisture. This way, you end up with clean, dry clothes after one full laundry cycle.
On the other hand, if you pick a washer and a dryer that are unrelated to one another, you could end up with a washer that leaves clothes wet, and a dryer that doesn't know to compensate appropriately.
You should also consider buying a laundry pair if there's a chance you'll want or need to stack the washer and dryer. It can be very dangerous to do so without a stacking kit or bracket, and brackets from one brand or model may not be universally compatible.
Lastly, if aesthetics or branding matter to you, having an unmatched washer and dryer set might cause you agitation every time you peek into your laundry room.
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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
This article originally appeared on Reviewed: The best washer and dryer sets of 2020
