The 15 best laundry duos of the year: Consumer Reports

Matching washer and dryer sets turn a chore-filled basement into an efficient laundry room. Mismatched capacities and clashing cycle times force awkward workarounds on wash day.

Consumer Reports tested dozens of paired washers and dryers for cleaning power, drying performance and efficiency, so shoppers can outfit a laundry room with confidence.

Credit: LG

Credit: LG

The LG WM4000HWA washer and LG DLEX4000W dryer cost $1,700 as a set and both carry Energy Star certification, WiFi connectivity and a steam cycle. Consumer Reports rated the washer's cleaning performance highly and found it ran quietly with limited vibration. CR also gave LG's front-loaders strong marks for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction in member surveys, and the dryer earned praise for drying performance, low noise and convenience. The washer holds 4.5 cubic feet and adds a steam setting for tough stains, while the 7.4-cubic-foot dryer includes a moisture sensor and extended tumble to fight wrinkles.

Credit: LG

Credit: LG

LG's Signature WM9900HSA washer and DLEX9900S dryer combine for $4,198, costing more than double the top-scoring pair in Consumer Reports' ratings. CR found the washer performs well and runs efficiently, crediting built-in artificial intelligence for automatic cycle selection and a rapid wash mode that handles large loads in about half an hour. Its 5.8-cubic-foot drum measures larger than any other front-loader CR tests, though the regular cycle stretches to 120 minutes without the quick mode engaged. The dryer adds a moisture sensor, steam option and extended tumble, but it has no custom program settings or an alert for a clogged duct, so owners should monitor duct upkeep on their own.

Credit: LG

Credit: LG

The $2,200 pairing of the LG WM8900HBA washer and LG DLEX8900B dryer includes a tub made of stainless steel with a 5.2-cubic-foot capacity, wireless connectivity and automated temperature settings. Consumer Reports rated the washer's cleaning performance, energy efficiency and water efficiency as excellent, with very good results for noise, vibration and fabric gentleness. CR found the dryer performed consistently well in testing too. Both machines include a steam option and a moisture sensor, and the dryer's 9-cubic-foot drum matches the washer's larger loads without frequent reloading.

Credit: LG

Credit: LG

At $2,600 combined, the LG WM6500HWA washer and LG DLEX6500W dryer carry Energy Star certification and a reasonable price for their features. Consumer Reports found the washer's cleaning performance strong and its water and energy efficiency solid, with quiet operation and gentle handling over a 110-minute cycle. CR also rated the dryer's drying performance well and noted its moisture sensor helps prevent clothes from staying damp once a cycle finishes. The dryer runs quietly and loads easily, and member surveys show owners are highly satisfied with LG washers and dryers overall.

Credit: LG

Credit: LG

The LG WM6700HBA washer and LG DLEX6700B dryer together cost $3,250 and pack a 5-cubic-foot washer tub with a 7.4-cubic-foot dryer drum. Consumer Reports rated the washer's cleaning performance as stellar over its 120-minute cycle, while energy and water use stayed low. CR noted the washer produces moderate noise and vibration and causes more wear on fabric over time than some competing models. The dryer adds custom programs, an extended tumble cycle and a steam option, and it recognizes already-dry loads to shut off within five minutes and save energy.

Credit: LG

Credit: LG

The LG WT8600CB washer and LG DLEX8600BE dryer cost $2,710 together and mark a rare HE top-loader that excels in cleaning tests. Consumer Reports rated its washing performance highly and clocked a quick 75-minute cycle, though the washer proved relatively rough on fabric. CR gave the 5.5-cubic-foot washer excellent marks for water efficiency, and the dryer's 7.3-cubic-foot drum delivered very good drying performance while running fairly quietly. Both machines connect to WiFi and carry Energy Star certification, though the pair isn't stackable and comes only in black steel.

Credit: LG

Credit: LG

The LG WT8200CW washer and LG DLE8200W dryer combine for $1,496 and earn Consumer Reports' recommended status despite some noise and roughness on fabric. CR credited the washer with strong reliability, cleaning performance, energy efficiency and water efficiency, plus automatic detergent and bleach dispensers and an 80-minute cycle. The dryer rated near the top of CR's tests for performance, convenience and noise, with a 7.3-cubic-foot capacity and a 55-minute cycle. WiFi connectivity and a moisture sensor round out the dryer's features, giving the pair conveniences beyond basic drying.

Credit: LG

Credit: LG

The LG WT6100CW washer and LG DLE6100W dryer cost $1,500 combined because the washer's smaller 4.3-cubic-foot capacity keeps the price down. Consumer Reports found the washer easier on fabric compared with other highly regarded HE top-loaders, with top-notch cleaning, strong energy savings and outstanding water conservation. CR clocked its cycle at just 60 minutes, quicker than the bigger, higher-scoring models in the lineup, and praised its quiet, low-vibration operation. The dryer performs nearly as well but skips extras like extended tumble, a steam option and WiFi, trimming the price along with the feature list.

Credit: LG

Credit: LG

The LG WT8205CW washer and LG DLE8200W dryer together cost $1,899 and prioritize cleaning power over quiet, gentle operation. Consumer Reports rated the washer's cleaning and vibration performance highly and credited its Energy Star certification with strong energy savings and solid water conservation. CR clocked a wash cycle longer than other agitator models it tests, and the 4.8-cubic-foot washer includes automatic detergent dispensing, an extra rinse setting and wireless connectivity. The 7.3-cubic-foot dryer runs quietly and performs well, and LG's electric dryers earn an excellent reliability rating in CR's member surveys.

Credit: Best Buy

Credit: Best Buy

The Insignia NS-WMT41WA5 washer and NS-DRT70EWA5 dryer cost just $1,050 together, making this Best Buy $BBY exclusive brand's pair notably cheaper than many other sets in Consumer Reports' ratings. CR rated the washer's cleaning performance, water efficiency and fabric gentleness as solid, with middling scores for energy use and noise. Insignia earned an unfavorable owner satisfaction score in CR's member surveys, and current owners are unlikely to recommend the brand to friends and family as a result. The dryer performed well across a variety of loads, held an estimated $153 annual running cost, and came equipped with a drum sized at 7 cubic feet, a moisture sensor and custom programs.

Credit: GE Appliances

Credit: GE Appliances

The GE Profile PTW705BSTWS washer and PTD70EBSTWS dryer cost $1,555 combined and pack a 5.3-cubic-foot tub large enough for a king-size comforter. Consumer Reports rated the washer's cleaning and vibration performance as excellent and its energy efficiency as very good, though water efficiency, noise and fabric gentleness scored weaker. CR clocked the washer's cycle at 105 minutes, longer than the other recommended agitator models it tests. The 7.4-cubic-foot dryer earned near-top marks for drying performance, convenience and predicted reliability, and it includes a steam option alongside custom programs and an express dry cycle.

Credit: US Appliance

Credit: AJ Madison

The Samsung WA54CG7105AD washer and DVE55CG7100W dryer cost $1,800 together and share a large capacity suited to frequent laundry days. Consumer Reports rated the washer's cleaning performance as average but found it efficient and quiet over a 100-minute cycle. CR flagged the washer's fabric gentleness as mediocre, meaning clothes wear down faster on the normal setting, so a delicate cycle suits favorite items better. The 7.4-cubic-foot dryer handles equally large loads and earned very good ratings across drying performance, convenience and noise.

Credit: Samsung

Credit: Samsung

The Samsung WA46CG3505AW washer and DVE47CG3500W dryer cost $1,710 combined and complete a wash cycle in a brisk 65 minutes. Consumer Reports rated the washer's cleaning performance as acceptable and its energy and water efficiency as strong, though fabric gentleness landed below par. CR found the dryer performed near the top of its drying and noise tests, with satisfactory marks for convenience. Samsung's electric dryers scored just so-so for predicted reliability and drew a poor owner satisfaction rating in CR's member surveys, and that tradeoff is worth weighing against the fast cycle time.

Credit: Miele

Credit: Miele

The Miele WXI860WCS washer and TXI680WP dryer cost $3,610 together, more than any other compact pairing Consumer Reports tests. CR gave the washer its top rating for washing performance, crediting its ability to remove tough stains while remaining gentle on fabric. The washer vibrates more than many machines, which is common among compacts, though CR found some competitors perform worse in that regard. Miele's compact washers earned excellent marks for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction in CR's member surveys, and the matching dryer added a steam option, WiFi and a stainless steel drum while running quieter than many other compacts CR has tested.

Credit: Miele

Credit: Miele

The Miele WXD160WCS washer and TXD160WP dryer cost $3,100 together, which runs less than Miele's higher-end compact pairing. Consumer Reports rated the washer's cleaning performance, energy efficiency and water efficiency as excellent, and found it ran quietly despite being less gentle on fabric than its pricier sibling. CR clocked a 95-minute wash cycle on the 2.3-cubic-foot washer, which includes automatic detergent dispensing, an extra rinse setting and wireless connectivity but skips a steam option. The stackable 4.1-cubic-foot dryer delivered solid drying performance and quiet operation, though it has no stainless steel drum or steam function found on step-up models.