The pros and cons of buying separate or a washer dryer

For some households, admittedly, there isn't a choice - some people simply haven't got enough space to house a washing machine and a tumble dryer, soplump for a combined washer dryer, but let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

Washer Dryer

The advantages of buying a combined washer dryer are pretty obvious. First, there comes the cost factor. It's always going to work out cheaper buying a washer dryer than it will be to buy a separate washing machine and tumble dryer.

Secondly, a washer dryer takes up (literally) half the space!

Now, these two reasons might be reason enough for many people to justify a decision to plump for a washer dryer option, but how do washer dryers stack up against separates in terms of their performance?

Washer dryers don't dry as efficiently as a separate tumble dryer. They tend not to be able to dry as much on a cycle either. This means drying takes longer and adds more wear and tear to the machine.

Washer dryers tend not to be as energy efficient and there's also the frustration of having to take a full load of washing out of the machine before drying because different drum sizes are needed for the washing and drying stage.

Separate washing machine and tumble dryer

Each appliance is essentially a specialist in each field: washing laundry and tumble drying laundry. The drying is more sophisticated definitely, and more energy efficient. With two separate machines there is also the practical advantage that you can be wash one load and then wash another load at the same time as the first load is tumble drying.

If separates are so better why choose a washer dryer?

Well, as we've already said, for many people there isn't a choice - they haven't got the space for two separate machines!

To be fair, many washer dryers are very, very good and most people will be perfectly happy with the performance they get out of their machine. But, if space or cost aren't issues then - if you want the very best performance - buying separates will always be the winner.

Of course, it also depends on your situation. If you have relatively small and simple washing needs then a washer dryer will be more than adequate.

It's all about weighing up what is best for your individual needs and tastes.