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Oct 16, 2024

LG WashCombo review: A washer and a dryer in one, but Is it worth it? - CBS News

By Jason R. Rich Edited By Leslie Gornstein Updated on: April 3, 2024 / 1:02 PM EDT / Essentials CBS Essentials is created independently of the CBS News editorial staff. We may receive commissions

By Jason R. Rich

Edited By Leslie Gornstein

Updated on: April 3, 2024 / 1:02 PM EDT / Essentials

CBS Essentials is created independently of the CBS News editorial staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.

Washers and dryers take up a lot of space, especially if you're living in a small apartment. And if you have a separate washer and dryer (and who doesn't?) you need to manually transfer your clothes into the dryer. Now, a few appliance companies -- including LG, Whirlpool, GE and Equator -- are starting to combine washers and dryers into a single machine. But are they any good?

LG calls its electric washer and dryer combo the WashCombo. It offers a 5 cu. ft. capacity and takes up the same space as just a typical washing machine. The WashCombo was released in January 2024. LG delivered a WashCombo in black steel to my home and arranged for it to be professionally installed so that I could take this intriguing new machine for a spin -- pun intended.

For two weeks, I put this washer/dryer combo through its paces. After using the WashCombo to wash clothes, towels and bulky bedding, I discovered it can be a decent laundry solution for some -- but not for everyone. If you're ready to buy (say hello to more space in your kitchen!) a handy buy button is below. Or keep reading to learn how the LG WashCombo performed during my testing.

For additional advice on choosing a washer and dryer, be sure to check out our coverage of the five best washing machines for 2024 and the eight best electric dryers for 2024.

Capacity: 5 cu. ft. | Smart functionality: Yes (LG ThinQ) | Key features: Washing machine and ventless dryer in one unit | Dimensions: 27 x 39 x 33 1/8 inches | Displays: LCD dial and control panel touchscreens | Color options: Black steel or graphite steel | Power source: Electric | Model #: WM6998HBA

The new LG WashCombo is a full-featured washing machine and ventless electric dryer bundled into a single unit. The WashCombo relies on a quiet inverter heat pump and direct drive motor to perform a complete wash and dry cycle -- without having to transfer your laundry between separate appliances.

WashCombo uses AI-based technology to detect fabric texture, soil level and load size to automatically select the right functions, temperatures and amount of liquid detergent. It's also designed for a standard 120v outlet, with no special in-home electrical wiring required.

The TL:DR: After reading the appliance's manual and doing just one laundry load, it was clear that this washer/dryer combo does what it's meant to do, but not at the speed LG promotes. For someone living alone or a couple with just average laundering needs, the WashCombo is a solid option -- able to keep up with demand and save you some space. But for a larger family, I'd recommend sticking with a large-capacity washer (at least 5.5 cu.ft.) and a separate, larger-capacity (at least 9 cu. ft) dryer to keep up with everyone's dirty laundry and maintain energy efficiency.

The LG WashCombo was delivered in a large box that required two men to carry upstairs, unpack and install. The process took about 20 minutes from the time it was taken off the delivery truck.

The detergent dispenser drawer holds enough liquid for up to 30 loads. The washer determines how much to use during each cycle. Or, you have the option of using detergent pods and tossing one into the machine when you load it with laundry.

One thing that sets the LG WashCombo apart from traditional washers and dryers is that it has two separate filters that need to be cleaned. The top filter is a basic lint filter, while the one located in the lower-left corner of the appliance is a water inlet filter that catches loose items like buttons or coins. If not cleaned regularly, the entire WashCombo could easily clog.

Owners will also need to maintain the rubber door seal using a liquid chlorine bleach mixture and make sure no dirt, lint or anything else is caught within the rubber folds of the seal. The manual also recommends wiping down the door seal, the inside of the washer door and the door's inner glass between uses. The door must be left slightly open when it's not in use to prevent mold buildup. Overall, that makes this a higher-maintenance model compared with traditional machines.

To begin using the WashCombo, press the power button for about two seconds, until the control touchscreen lights up. Rotate the dial and choose the desired cycle setting. The most commonly used option is for a wash and a dry.

To the right of the controller is a second touchscreen. It shows temperature, spin and soil settings and gives you access to additional cleaning options. For my first time using the WashCombo, I inserted five pairs of Levi's jeans, selected the main option and pressed start. At this point, the machine started to spin slightly as the internal sensors did their calculations.

Within about 30 seconds, the display on the control dial informed me that the complete wash and dry cycle would take two hours and 19 minutes, which is not the two hours LG promotes for this appliance. The wash cycle was completed about 30 minutes later.

At this point, the WashCombo switched automatically to dryer mode and the timer continued to count down.

After the cycles were completed, the six pairs of jeans were clean and about 98% dry.

Next, I loaded up the WashCombo with a load of six bath towels. This time, I set the machine to the towels option, and it said the wash cycle would take 47 minutes. It wound up taking 55.

But this is where things started to really get off schedule. The display then told me that the dryer cycle would then take two hours and 10 minutes more. When the machine beeped saying it was done, two of the towels were over-dried and crunchy, and four of them were still very wet. I turned the machine back on and set it to "dry only." This time, the sensors said it would take another two hours and eight minutes to fully dry the towels -- which already had been in the dryer for more than two hours. Ultimately, the entire process of washing and drying a load of just six towels took upwards of five hours and 18 minutes. This extended schedule repeated when I attempted to launder bulky bedding.

As I continued using the appliance, I realized it would probably be smart to invest in LG's 27-inch pedestal storage drawer ($250) to raise the front-loading appliance door and prevent having to bend down. I suggest purchasing this accessory when you get the WashCombo, so you can have it installed at the same time. Otherwise, you'll need at least two people to lift the 246-pound WashCombo to install the pedestal later.

While not included with the WashCombo, I also strongly recommend putting an optional anti-vibration and noise-dampening pad under the appliance. This can be purchased from Amazon for under $25. Especially during the drying cycle, the WashCombo shakes a lot -- which at times, could be felt throughout my entire home.

Despite multiple attempts, I couldn't come up with a laundry load that the appliance could handle in the two hours that LG promotes. With heavier and bulkier laundry loads, the complete process took anywhere from 2.5 hours to more than five hours. By comparison, my previous washer took 40 minutes for a standard wash cycle, while the accompanying gas dryer took about 50 minutes for a complete drying cycle.

If you're not counting on the WashCombo to complete a full wash and dry cycle in just two hours, then this appliance works just fine, and, for the most part, does what it's supposed to do. Yes, the WashCombo saves space. And yes, it does eliminate the need to manually move loads from the washer to a separate dryer.

Even when on sale, the price of the LG WashCombo is about the same as a premium washer and dryer set, so you're not saving money by purchasing just one appliance. What you're paying for is the convenience of not having to manually move your laundry from the washer to the dryer, for the added space you might get in your home, and for the "smart" functionality built in.

The washing functionality is great. I was underwhelmed, however, by the drying capabilities. Only a few times was I able to load it up with laundry, have it complete the wash and dry cycle, and end up with my clothes being fully dry. And when it worked without a hitch, it was never within the two-hour time frame promoted by LG.

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Jason R. Rich (www.JasonRich.com) is an internationally recognized consumer technology expert with more than 30 years' writing experience. He's also an accomplished author and photographer. Two of his most recently published books, "iPhone 16 Pro Max Digital Photography" ($19.99) and The Remote Worker's Handbook: How to Effectively Work From Anywhere" ($24.99, Entrepreneur Books) are now available from Amazon and wherever books are sold.