Washer-dryers: Compare features & prices

Side-by-side comparison

Machine type
Whether this model slots freestanding under a worktop counter or can be built in to a kitchen cabinet and hidden behind a door that matches other kitchen cabinets

Capacity wash (kg)
The number of kilos of laundry the machine can wash.

Capacity dry (kg)
The number of kilos of laundry the machine can dry.

Width (cm)
The maximum depth, including the space taken up by hoses. You need to leave some space around the washer-drier to avoid covering any vents.

Depth (cm)
The maximum depth, including the space taken up by hoses. You need to leave some space around the washer-drier to avoid covering any vents.

Spin speed (rpm)
The maximum spin speed the machine can achieve. The higer the spin, the dryer the final washing.

Washing cycle costs
We've calculated annual energy costs assuming 4 washes a week. Our unit cost for electricity is 14.5p per kWh

Drying cycle costs
We've calculated annual energy costs assuming 3 loads are dried a week. Our unit cost for electricity is 14.5p per kWh

EU energy label
The stated EU energy rating. These don't always correspond with our test findings.

Cotton (hours:mins)
The speed of a 40°C cotton wash.

Synthetics (hours:mins)
How quick a synthetic and polyester wash were.

Cotton wash
The cleanliness of a 40°C cotton wash.

Synthetics wash
How clean a synthetic and polyester wash were.

Spin drying
Rating for the time taken to spin dry a washing load.

Rinse
How well the machine rinses away detergent on the 40degreeC cotton, short and delicates programs.

All drying programs (pre-2011 tests only)
For washer-dryers tested prior to 2011: How long it took to complete preselected programs, including storage dry (where an item can be put straight in a cupboard), iron dry (best humidity for ironing) and man-made fabrics (which can be damaged by high heat or overdrying).

Cotton cupboard-dry
For washer-dryers tested since 2011: How quickly this model can dry cotton laundry (to put straight into a cupboard). Rating is based on the time taken to dry a single kilo of cottons within a full load.

Cotton iron-dry
For washer-dryers tested since 2011: How quickly this model can iron-dry cotton laundry (clothes should be left slightly damp to make them easier to iron). Rating is based on the time taken to iron-dry a single kilo of cottons within a full load. If no rating, the model over-dried the laundry.

Synthetics cupboard-dry
For washer-dryers tested since 2011: How quickly this model can dry synthetics (to put straight into a cupboard). Rating is based on the time taken to dry a single kilo of synthetics within the stated maximum load.

Evenness (drying)
Best models dry all items equally, while others leave some items damp.

Brand reliability
How reliable this brand of washer-dryer is.

Energy use
We test how much energy the machine uses doing a load of laundry on a wash and dry cycle. Machines rated 4 stars cost around £21 less to run a year than those that are rated 2 stars, based on five loads of washing and four loads of drying a week.

Ease of use
Ease of loading, programming and cleaning the lint filters.

Noise
The lowest scorers for drying were fairly loud. The motor was audible, as was the movement of air and clothes in the drum.

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