Top five washer-dryers for 2021

We test every washer-dryer, from how thoroughly they'll clean your clothes and how evenly they'll dry them to how much it will cost to run.

You're ideally looking for a washer-dryer that washes as well as a washing machine and dries as well as a tumble dryer. Those that excel at in our tests become Best Buys.

We've seen big difference between the results of models we've tested, which has led to several being rated Don't Buy washer-dryers that you should avoid, and a whole host that will give you very average results.

To help you narrow down what you need, we've rounded up the best washer-dryers so you can choose one depending on what's important to you, whether it be having a large-capacity machine for a big family or a cheap model that won't break the bank.

Only logged-in Which? members can view our recommendations in the table below. If you’re not yet a member, join Which?  to get instant access to all our reviews.

Last updated: April 2021

You can also go straight to our washer-dryer reviews where you can compare these five models alongside all the others we've reviewed.

What makes Which? Best Buy washer-dryers better?

At Which?, our reviews are based on weeks of rigorous lab testing. We look at every aspect of each washer-dryer, from how well it cleans to how much energy it uses. 

We splatter cotton clothes with tough stains, such as chocolate, oil, blood and red wine, and run both the cottons and synthetics programs. We then measure to see how much light bounces off the fabric – the more, the better the machine has moved the stains. The best washer-dryers do a brilliant job of shifting stains, while with the worst machines, stains will be still visible after the wash.

We also check to see how much detergent each machine has removed in the rinsing cycle. We collect any water left and measure how alkaline it is – the higher the reading, the more detergent has been left. 

For our full list of Best Buys, head to all our washer-dryer reviews.