With everything in the world getting more expensive, sticking to a monthly budget can feel impossible. So if you have recently moved into an apartment that doesn’t have washing or drying facilities and no hookups, it can be even more stressful.
If you don’t live near a laundromat, trying to get your washing done every week can be a nightmare.
Fortunately, a few decent options exist to solve this problem.
We’ve gone through the pros and cons of portable washer-dryers and compiled a list of the machines that don’t require hookups.
So regardless of your budget, we have a solution for you.
There may be affiliate links in this article. You can read more about this in my disclosure.
If your apartment doesn’t have washer or dryer hookups, you should consider buying a portable machine or outsourcing and using laundromats.
Some portable washer-dryer devices can be handy, but there are plenty of poorly designed machines out there to avoid. Consider all options.
It’s easier to buy a stand-alone, portable washer than a combo dryer. And we don’t want you to end up with an expensive, space-consuming machine you don’t enjoy using.
What Should I Look for in a Portable Washing Machine or Dryer?
If you’re new to the washing machine or dryer industry, knowing what to look out for and what to buy can be confusing.
So we’ve collated a few factors you need to consider when purchasing a new machine:
- Drum Capacity.
The drum capacity determines how many garments you can load into the machine at any one time. It is usually one of the most crucial factors people consider when buying a new laundry machine.
The larger the capacity, the better. However, portable machines often have very small drums, so you will never get quite the same utility as a standard machine.
Drum capacity still does vary in portable machines, so try to look for one that is larger.
- Spin Speed.
Again, this factor is quite easy to judge, as you want the fastest spin speed possible.
The faster the spin speed, the cleaner and less damp your clothes will be at the end of the cycle.
- Noise Level.
Some cheap washers and dryers can be pretty unbearable to listen to. If they’re poorly made, they will vibrate and shake and annoy everyone in your household.
So, if you have a small apartment, consider the noise level before purchasing. Check reviews to see what users have said.
- Drum Design.
The drum, or tub, is where the washing and drying occur. The drum can be made of plastic, porcelain, or stainless steel.
You want to opt for one made of stainless steel, as it will not wear out as fast and will give you much better value for money.
- Energy Efficiency
If you’re concerned about mounting bills, you should try to pick a device with a good energy efficiency rating. They will be cheaper to run and will be most environmentally friendly.
- Fully or Semi-automatic.
Fully-automatic machines will require a hookup to a water source, such as a faucet.
A semi-automatic machine will require you to pour water in manually and drain the machine by hand. The right choice will depend on the space and resources you have available.
What are Portable Washer and Dryer Combos?
A portable washer and dryer is one unit that allows you to clean and dry your clothes in one machine. You simply need access to a water connection, a way to drain the water out, and some electricity.
However, these machines work differently from traditional machines. Unlike conventional machines, washer-dryer combos use condensation drying.
This means that the machine spins the clothes to whisk away the water, thus eliminating the need for a dryer vent.
Portable washer-dryers are smaller than standard machines and, as such, are less powerful and have smaller load capacity.
Advantages of a Washer Dryer Combo.
- You can wash and dry clothes at home with one appliance. This saves you time heading to a laundromat and space in your home, as you only need one machine.
- You don’t need separate connections for hot and cold water.
- You don’t need a dryer vent.
- Most devices are relatively modern and, as such, don’t use much water.
- The condensation drying method is more gentle on clothes and will extend their lifespan.
- You can put the machine anywhere in the apartment because they come with a Y-connector and a faucet adaptor.
- They are portable, so you can easily take the machine with you if you move apartments. Or you can move the device around the house when you’re not using it.
Disadvantages of a Washer Dryer Combo.
- The machine will not be able to fully dry the clothes, and you will probably need to leave them somewhere to air dry for a short period of time to finish the process.
- You need access to cold water.
- It will increase your energy bills but save on laundromat fees.
- You will need to sacrifice some space in your apartment to make room for the washer-dryer, which may or may not be a big deal depending on your available space.
- You will have to wash smaller loads, and thus it will take more time to do laundry. You may also have to wait a while for the clothes to be fully cleaned and dry.
- They often need repairing and can be expensive long-term.
Is It Worthwhile to Buy a Washer-Dryer Combo?
Whether you buy one of these machines or not is really down to personal preference. These machines can be super handy if you live in a single or two-person household.
They save you from lugging your laundry around the streets. Instead, you can load the machine and have it running whilst you go to work, then come home and hang up the items on a rack or clothing line for an hour, and your clothes will be fresh and clean.
The machines are also great if you don’t love the effects of tumble dryers, as they damage the clothing fibers and wear down the garments faster.
If you like to line-dry your clothes but want to option to speed up the process, these machines might be a great option.
However, if you have big loads of laundry to do every week, the portable washer-dryer combos might not be worth your time. Commercial washing machines and dryers work much faster and can take massive loads.
As such, you might as well just save your cash and head to a laundromat or invest in a standard machine in your apartment.
Ultimately, we don’t suggest buying one of these machines unless it really is your only option. All-in-one machines are not that efficient time-wise. The washing function can work well; however, the drying function takes far too long.
Another issue that has come to light with the testing of these machines is the repair rate. Statistics show that over 70% of all-in-one machines need repairing within the first year.
This is not only expensive but just annoying for you to have to deal with every year.
Our Top Picks:
If you have decided that a hookup-less washer-dryer combo is for you, we’ve collated some of the best available options.
This handy little machine has dual functionality, washing and drying your clothes simultaneously. Its operation is straightforward, saving you power, water, and time.
The machine receives good reviews and is an excellent addition to any small space.
This convenient machine is durable and compact. It’s easy to use and has both wash and drying functions!
To Summarize
Dealing with laundry is an expensive and annoying task for anyone. But we can’t all afford a live-in maid or a dry-cleaning service to come to your house!
Portable washer-dryers can be handy, but we suggest only buying one if it’s really your best option. If you live near a laundromat or don’t mind the journey, we recommend sticking to that.
Otherwise, if you can, invest in a full-size machine. Washer-dryer combos can be expensive, time-consuming, and unreliable.
Some good machines exist, but do your research and take your time.
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
