Best Washer Dryers UK: 6 Practical Picks
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When there’s no room for a separate tumble dryer, a washer dryer can help you keep on top of the laundry without an airer taking over the house. Having both jobs in one machine is convenient, though you’ll usually need a smaller load to wash and dry everything in one go.
We’ve compared six of the best washer dryers in the UK, looking at capacity, dimensions, programme times and everyday features. Whether you’re washing for one or working through the family laundry basket, we’ll help you find an option that suits your space and routine.
Our top pick
Samsung Series 6 WD90DG6B85BEU1
Its 9kg wash and 6kg dry capacities are a practical middle ground, with automatic dosing and SmartThings as useful extras. Choose the Beko if drying larger loads matters more, or the Hoover if cabinet depth is your main constraint.
Our top 6 picks
A 9kg/6kg all-rounder with automatic dosing and SmartThings controls.
The largest drying capacity here, with an 8kg dry load.
The stated cabinet depth is about 48cm, useful when space is tight.
A generous 11kg/7kg machine with a separate steam-refresh programme.
A graphite-finish 8kg/5kg alternative with a 1,400rpm spin.
A 9kg/6kg alternative with a stated 55cm cabinet depth.
Best Washer Dryers UK at a glance
| Washer dryer | Best for | Wash / dry capacity | Fit / features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Series 6 WD90DG6B85BEU1 | Best overall | 9kg wash / 6kg dry | 1,400rpm; H85 × W60 × D60cm body (63.3cm including protrusions) |
| Beko EnergySpin BM5D512845UW | Best for larger dry loads | 12kg wash / 8kg dry | 1,400rpm; Beko lists H84.9 × W60 × D65cm |
| Hoover Pro Wash&Dry Series 3 8kg/5kg | Best shallow-cabinet option | 8kg wash / 5kg dry | Listed cabinet depth about 48cm |
| AEG 7000 ProSteam LWR7314L4B | Best for steam refresh | 11kg wash / 7kg dry | 1,400rpm; AEG lists H84.7 × W59.7 × D66cm max |
| Samsung Series 5 WD80TA046BX/EU | Best graphite option | 8kg wash / 5kg dry | 1,400rpm; listed H85 × W60 × D60cm |
| Hisense 3S WD3S9043BW3 9kg/6kg | Best 9kg/6kg alternative | 9kg wash / 6kg dry | 1,400rpm; listed H84.5 × W59.5 × D55cm |
On a phone, swipe the table sideways to compare every column.
A closer look at each washer dryer
Best overall
1. Samsung Series 6 WD90DG6B85BEU1
9kg wash, 6kg dry; 1,400rpm; H85 × W60 × D60cm body. The capacities suit a typical household, and automatic dosing and connected controls are useful extras if you want them. Samsung lists 63.3cm depth including protruding parts, so allow more room than the 60cm body figure.
Choose it ifYou want a balanced wash/dry capacity and would use the automatic dosing or connected controls.
Skip it ifYou want a simple, lower-cost machine without app features.
Best for larger dry loads
2. Beko EnergySpin BM5D512845UW
12kg wash, 8kg dry; 1,400rpm; Beko lists H84.9 × W60 × D65cm. The 8kg drying limit gives a large household more room to keep a wash-and-dry load together. Allow extra space for the door, hoses and connections, and check the full installation drawing before choosing it for a tight space.
Choose it ifYou regularly wash and dry larger loads and have room for a deeper cabinet.
Skip it ifYour appliance space is shallow or your typical loads are small.
Best shallow-cabinet option
3. Hoover Pro Wash&Dry Series 3 8kg/5kg
8kg wash and 5kg dry; listed cabinet depth about 48cm. The listed cabinet is shallower than most models here, which can help in a narrow utility room. Allow extra space for the door, hoses and connections rather than treating the cabinet measurement as the complete installed depth.
Choose it ifYour worktop or walkway makes front-to-back depth critical.
Skip it ifA 5kg drying load is too restrictive for your normal laundry routine.
Best for steam refresh
4. AEG 7000 ProSteam LWR7314L4B
11kg wash, 7kg dry; 1,400rpm; listed H84.7 × W59.7 × D66cm maximum. AEG’s steam-refresh programme is useful for suitable clothes that need freshening rather than a full wash. The 7kg dry load is generous, but the maximum stated depth is 66cm, so measure carefully before ordering.
Choose it ifYou would use steam refresh and need a larger drying load.
Skip it ifYou need a shallow machine or only wash small loads.
Best graphite option
5. Samsung Series 5 WD80TA046BX/EU
8kg wash and 5kg dry; 1,400rpm; listed H85 × W60 × D60cm. This graphite Samsung offers a smaller 8kg/5kg split than the lead Series 6 pick. It is a sensible option if that capacity suits you and the darker finish works better in your room, but check the full installed depth.
Choose it ifYou prefer a graphite finish and an 8kg wash/5kg dry capacity is enough.
Skip it ifYou need more than 5kg of drying capacity or a shallow fit.
Best 9kg/6kg alternative
6. Hisense 3S WD3S9043BW3 9kg/6kg
9kg wash, 6kg dry; 1,400rpm; listed H84.5 × W59.5 × D55cm. The wash and dry capacities cover a useful middle ground without an especially deep listed cabinet. The 6kg drying limit still matters, and mixed loads may need removing or splitting after washing.
Choose it ifYou want a 9kg wash/6kg dry split and a shorter stated cabinet than the AEG.
Skip it ifYou expect every full 9kg wash to pass straight into one drying cycle.
Wash capacity and dry capacity are different
A combination machine might be sold as 9kg/6kg: the first figure is the maximum wash load and the second is the maximum drying load for the relevant programmes. If you wash 9kg, you cannot usually press dry and walk away; part of that load must come out first.
Think about the loads you actually combine. A household that line-dries most clothes and machine-dries towels may manage a smaller dry capacity easily. A home relying on the machine for every load will feel the capacity mismatch much more often.
Measure the full installed depth
Freestanding appliances are usually close to 60cm wide, but depth varies. The quoted cabinet figure may exclude the curved door, control knob, hoses and the clearance needed behind the machine. Measure the recess, skirting, worktop overhang and route through doors before ordering.
Do not force hoses into a tight bend to make the front sit flush. Water inlet, waste and plug positions must remain accessible and comply with the installation instructions. A shallow cabinet can help, but only the manufacturer’s dimensional drawing gives the full picture.
Energy labels need careful reading
A washer dryer can carry separate information for wash-only and combined wash-and-dry operation. Compare the label for the cycle you will use, including energy, water and duration per rated cycle; do not assume an efficient wash-only rating describes drying performance.
Your routine matters too. Using a higher spin speed before drying can remove more water mechanically, while repeatedly drying tiny loads wastes capacity. Eco cycles can be long because they trade time for lower energy and water use under the test conditions.
Programmes, sensors and app controls
Useful programmes are the ones you will actually select: cotton, synthetics, wool or delicate care, a properly limited quick cycle and a wash-and-dry programme that suits a modest load. A long menu is not automatically better if the everyday cycles are awkward to reach.
Sensor drying aims to stop at a selected dryness level, but fabric mix and load arrangement affect results. Connected controls can show status or add cycles on some models; they should be a bonus after capacity, fit and core controls are right.
Installation and ventilation practicalities
A washer dryer needs the same stable, level floor and sound plumbing connections as a washing machine. It does not require an external tumble-dryer vent, but it does need the clearances, electrical supply and drain arrangement stated by the manufacturer.
Check whether the intended position gives the door enough room to open and allows the filter, detergent drawer and emergency drain to be reached. If the machine sits behind a cupboard door, it must be a model and enclosure designed for integrated use—not a freestanding machine boxed in for appearance.
When two separate appliances are better
A separate washing machine and tumble dryer let one load dry while the next washes, and each appliance can offer its full rated capacity. That is usually the stronger setup for a large household with space, especially through wet winter weeks.
The combination wins when floor space is the hard constraint or drying is occasional. It can also avoid moving wet laundry between appliances. Be realistic about total cycle time: a wash-and-dry sequence can occupy the machine for several hours.
Plan maintenance access
Leave a route to clean the pump filter, detergent drawer, door seal and any lint-management parts described in the manual. Run the prescribed cleaning cycle and check pockets before every wash; coins and small objects are remarkably good at finding pumps.
Keep the door and drawer aired when safe to do so, wipe moisture from the seal and use the correct detergent dose. Excess detergent can create residue and poor rinsing, while neglected lint after drying can transfer back to the next wash.
Plan the wider laundry setup
The appliance or airer is only one part of a workable room. These related Love Renovate guides help with drying, storage, layout and the next connected decision.
- best washing machines — compare separate wash capacity and spin performance if your room can take two appliances.
- best tumble dryers — compare heat-pump, condenser and vented drying when a separate appliance is practical.
- dehumidifiers for drying laundry — manage the moisture released when laundry dries inside.
- utility room ideas — plan appliance positions, storage, worktops and circulation space.
How we narrowed the shortlist
We compared the wash-to-dry capacity gap, stated cabinet depth, maximum spin, programme design and controls. Published specifications informed the shortlist; we have not used these machines hands-on, so confirm the exact model suffix and installation sheet before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
What does 9kg/6kg mean on a washer dryer?
It means the relevant programme can wash up to 9kg but dry up to 6kg. A maximum wash load normally needs reducing before drying.
Do washer dryers need a vent?
Most modern condenser washer dryers do not need an external vent, but they still need correct plumbing, drainage, electrical supply and installation clearances.
Can a washer dryer dry a full wash load?
Usually not at maximum wash capacity. Compare the two ratings and plan to remove part of a full load or wash a smaller load from the start.
Are washer dryers less efficient than separate appliances?
Combined-cycle labels can show higher energy and water use than wash-only operation. Compare current labels and your likely routine rather than relying on a general rule.
How deep is a washer dryer?
Cabinet depths vary, and the door, hoses and rear clearance add to the installed size. Use the exact dimensional drawing for the model.
Is a 1400rpm spin useful in a washer dryer?
A faster appropriate spin can leave less water for the drying phase, but always choose a programme and spin speed suitable for the fabric.
Our verdict
Samsung Series 6 WD90DG6B85BEU1 is our best all-round choice for a 9kg wash and 6kg dry load. The Beko has the largest drying capacity here; the Hoover suits a shorter cabinet. Check the exact installation drawing and programme limits before ordering.
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Published: September 28, 2026
