Is the All-In-One Washer Dryer a Pain to Maintain?

APP Expert / Tuesday October 11, 2022


Woman's hand on the dial of a All-In-One Washer Dryer

The all-in-one washer dryer sounds like a dream come true. But does it live up to the hype?

There’s no doubt that the washer dryer combo offers great convenience and takes up less space in your home. Yet, there are a few downsides that you should know about before purchasing this machine.  

Let’s take a closer look at the all-in-one washer dryer and what you can expect in terms of cost, performance and maintenance.

Pros of the All-In-One Washer Dryer

To start, there’s a lot that the all-in-one washer dryer gets right. Here are some of its top features below.

  • Washer performance: The washer function in an all-in-one is comparable to a regular machine, so you can get clean clothes every time. 
  • Energy consumption: The energy consumption for washer/dryer functions is on par with standard machines, which means you won’t pay more for your electricity bill.
  • Saving space: If your home is on the smaller side, you can save space by having one appliance in your laundry room instead of two separate ones.
  • Saving money: You may save some money by purchasing an all-in-one over two separate machines, though this will depend on the brand.
  • Auto-run dryer: You don’t have to manually load your dryer. Instead, you can choose a combined wash and dry cycle, so that it automatically starts drying. 
  • Multiple functions: If you prefer, you can use the washer and dryer functions independently. 

Cons of the All-In-One Washer Dryer

At the same time, the all-in-one washer dryer doesn’t have star performance in some areas. Keep in mind these disadvantages as you consider washer dryer combos.

  • Reliability and maintenance: All-in-ones don’t have the same level of reliability as standard machines, and customers report that these machines require more frequent maintenance.
  • Dryer performance: The dryer function may not perform as well as a standard machine. In particular, it has about half the capacity as the washer, so if you do a wash load you may need to run the dryer twice to dry all your clothes.
  • Longer run time: You may spend more time washing and drying because the cycles are longer due to the machine being ventless (though newer models have shorter cycles!). Also, if you have multiple cycles to run, you can’t do them simultaneously.
  • Water consumption: Your water bill may go up, as the all-in-one dryer typically uses more water than a standard machine. However, to avoid this issue, you can buy a heat-pump combo machine that doesn’t rely on water to dry.

Maintenance Needs for the All-In-One Washer Dryer

One of the biggest issues with the all-in-one washer dryer is the potential for more maintenance. At the end of the day, is the washer dryer combo a pain to maintain?

The answer: yes and no. 

First of all, customers report that all-in-one machines more frequently run into issues. In fact, according to the New York Times, over 70% of customers who purchased washer dryer combos faced repair needs within the first year. 

In addition, washer-dryers have different repair requirements than standard machines. All-in-ones are a bit more complex mechanically and you’ll need to purchase replacement parts specific to your model. Overall, parts may cost slightly more than standard models, but luckily you can get affordable options on AppliancePartsPros.com. 

That said, the repair issues that come up with all-in-ones aren’t usually that intensive, which means you’ll be able to service your own machine as long as you can troubleshoot and determine what’s wrong with it. See more guides about washer and dryer repairs on AppliancePartsPros.com to get started!

Ready to get your all-in-one washer dryer in tip-top shape? Browse for replacement parts that you require to fix your machine on AppliancePartsPros.com.

Choosing Between All-In-One vs. Standard Machines

So, which is best: an all-in-one washer dryer or separate standard machines?

This will depend largely on your needs. To help you out, see the best-case scenarios below to try to determine what may be right for you. 

All-in-one washer dryer Separate standard machines
  • You have limited space in your home. 
  • Your family is small, so you don’t have much weekly laundry to do.
  • You’re willing to wait longer for the laundry to be finished.
  • Your initial purchase budget is lower and buying one unit may save you some money.
  • You have a big family or large-scale laundry requirements.
  • You need to be able to wash and dry cycles at the same time to cut down on laundry time.
  • You’re concerned about increasing your water bill with an all-in-one and prefer to select energy-efficient units. 

Ultimately, you know what’s best for your family, home size, and laundry requirements, so think carefully about what your needs are. Remember that you can purchase all-in-one washer dryers in a variety of locations, including Home Depot, Sears, Amazon, Best Buy, Costco, Lowes, Walmart and more. Check out your favorite brand’s website to get a sense of what’s available and go in-person to the store if you want to see what the machines look like before purchasing. 

Maintain Your All-In-One Washer Dryer

Whichever washer dryer you choose, you’ll have to maintain and repair it over time to ensure top performance. While all-in-ones may have less reliability than other models, you can fix any issues yourself by checking out our guides and buying genuine replacement parts in our catalog. 

What’s more, you can prolong the lifespan of your machine by doing a yearly maintenance regime that includes:

  • Not loading it with more than 2/3 of the capacity. 
  • Checking that the machine is level.
  • Cleaning out filters and hoses at least once a year. 
  • Deep cleaning the washing machine once a year with the “Clean Cycle” option.
  • Using the guides on our blog to troubleshoot any strange noises, smells, leaks or problems. 

At AppliancePartsPros.com, we have all the parts you need to make key repairs to your washer and dryer appliances, so be sure to browse and shop for whatever you require! 

All-in-One Washer Dryer FAQs

Does the all-in-one washer dryer really work?

Yes, all-in-one washer dryers really work. The washer function is generally considered to be equivalent to a standard machine, while the dryer function may have less optimal performance. Typically, drying with these types of machines takes longer, offers less capacity and uses more water – though these issues will depend on your exact model. Overall, all-in-ones are great options for smaller families who don’t have significant laundry requirements and don’t mind a longer wait time. 

How long does drying take for an all-in-one washer dryer?

The length of the drying cycle for an all-in-one washer dryer varies widely. In the past, these cycles took between 3-5 hours, as these dryers typically used a water-based system that takes longer. However, newer all-in-one models have reduced this timing to as low as 1.5 hours by utilizing a heat-pump system, so be sure to check the specific machines you’re considering for details. 

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