I Tried an All-in-One Washer-Dryer for the First Time Ever, and It Honestly Surprised Me

As a cleaning editor, I regularly try to seek out smart cleaning tools and products to use in every room of the home. For laundry alone, I’ve tested dozens of detergents, stain removers, and dryer tools, and have experience with all types of machines, including going to a laundromat or shared laundry facility and using in-house washer (both top-load and front-load ones) and dryer units.

While it may appear that I’ve done it all, the one laundry solution I hadn’t tried yet was an all-in-one washer-dryer unit, so when the opportunity arose to test LG’s WashCombo, a ventless washer-dryer machine, I was intrigued. I will admit that I was skeptical about washer-dryer combo units in general. I love the idea of them — they seem so convenient for small spaces — but was worried about how well they not only clean, but also dry clothes.

I was excited to see how the LG WashCombo would perform and if it would make me a believer. Here are my honest thoughts on using an all-in-one washer-dryer unit for the first time.

LG’s WashCombo is a 5.0 cu. ft. mega capacity smart all-in-one front-load washer-dryer unit. It has a ventless design and standard 120v plug so it can be placed virtually anywhere, which makes it appealing to those who live in a condo, apartment, or townhouse, where space is limited.

This model has five jets with sprays to deliver advanced, thorough cleaning and inverter heat pump technology that enables quiet operation. Plus, it’s Energy Star-certified, making the 2024 Most Efficient List.

The LCD digital dial control displays a small selection of the cycle options available (there are more than 20!), which can be customized in the LG ThinQ app. Some common cycles include normal, bedding, or quick wash, as well as uncommon ones, like cycles dedicated to jeans, towels, and stain-related messes. The LG WashCombo also has built-in intelligence in which AI can do the work in selecting the best wash and dry cycles based on the fabric, soil level, load size, and more. 

Another smart feature is the automatic dispensers that let you fill up detergent and fabric softener (if you use it) once every 18 to 31 cycles, according to LG, and you can control how much is dispensed for your loads at any time or turn it off if you prefer using laundry powder, pods, or sheets.

• It has a ventless design and a standard 120v plug, which means you can install it almost anywhere, making it ideal for small spaces like condos or apartments.
• It features Inverter HeatPump™ technology that offers quiet operation and energy-efficient usage.
• There are 20-plus laundry cycles to choose from in the LG ThinQ app. You can even remote start it; however, this must be enabled on the device control panel first before you can start it in the app.
• It packs on the convenience with easy lint removal at the top of the machine.

Upon receiving the LG WashCombo, I admired how sleek and stylish it looked — a singular slim machine that’d function as a washer and dryer. Then, I checked out the features it touted. The LG ThinQ app is the hub to see all the cycle options, as well as some useful features — like energy monitoring, tub cleaning reminder, and previous cycles used — and fun ones too, like changing the screen design and end-of-cycle jingle.

Now that I’ve been testing the LG WashCombo for several months, I can say that it has honestly surprised me. Its washing function is just as good as, if not better than, the standalone washing machine I previously had, and its ability to wash and dry has been a timesaver. My husband especially loves this function because he frequently forgets to move wet clothes into the dryer, which means having to rewash clothes. That doesn’t happen anymore for him when it’s his turn to do the laundry.

Since introducing the LG WashCombo into my routine, I’ve become more mindful of my laundry habits. I normally spend an entire day or two dedicated to doing laundry and when I’m exhausted, I’ve been guilty of tossing everything into the washing machine at once instead of sorting or forgetting to move clothes over to the dryer. Now, I can switch around the settings to best suit my needs. If I’m washing clothes that need to be hung-dried after, I’ll select the wash only mode, and vice versa with those that need to be hand-washed. And on other days (especially at the end of a long one) I’ll hit the wash+dry option.

• It’s convenient. If you dread moving (or forget to move!) your wet clothes into the dryer, you’ll appreciate an all-in-one machine. The LG WashCombo has a wash+dry setting so you can set it once and forget about your clothes. You can also remote start it in the app (which you have to set up on the machine first) so you can wash and dry your clothes using just your phone.
• It’s got all the bells and whistles. The auto dispenser and easy-clean filter were the icing on the cake. I loved that I didn’t have to measure out detergent and/or softener every time and that the filter located on the top of the machine is designed so that you can simply push it out of the compartment and dump the lint into the trash. 
• Its washing function is just like that of a regular machine. The washing performance is the same as, if not even better than, a standalone washer. It’s a mega-capacity model so it can handle large loads and I never had to deal with any “walking” machine issues. 
• It’s made for small spaces. If there’s anyone who would benefit the most from having a washer-dryer combo, in my opinion, it’s someone who has limited space. The LG WashCombo is ventless, has a quiet operation, and takes up minimal room.

As much as the LG WashCombo delightfully surprised me, I did spot a few flaws. When utilizing the wash+dry setting for anything heavy, such as towels, bedding, or just a larger load in general, it takes about three hours or more to finish a load. That’s much longer than when I use a washer and dryer separately, but something I figure is a sacrifice you have to make when using a ventless system, where the water isn’t vented and collected and drained instead.

I did not rely on the AI feature at all. When using it, it would propose a way longer run time than if you were to use the wash+dry feature, or even wash and then dry separately. 

For the first couple of months, after the dry cycle, I noticed a slight rubber smell, which eventually went away. LG states that any rubber smell for new devices should go away after 10-20 full cycles — and it did.

Ultimately, picking out a washing machine and dryer for your home is based on your preferences and lifestyle. If you have lots of laundry due to a large household or for specific lifestyle reasons, you may want to get separate, higher-functioning machines. I would recommend a washer-dryer combo, like the LG WashCombo, for anyone who has a smaller-sized household and lives in small spaces, like a condo, townhouse, or apartment.

This LG WashCombo is available on the LG website for $1,000 off now and up until September 11, as part of the company’s Labor Day deals. You can also find this exact model at other retailers, including The Home Depot and Best Buy, which are also selling it for $1,000 off, as well as Lowe’s and Wayfair.

Buy: Ventless Washer/Dryer Combo LG WashCombo™ All-in-One 5.0 cu. ft. Mega Capacity, $1,999 (normally $2,999)

Looking for more great deals? Check out our complete Labor Day sale coverage, and be sure to sign up for our Deals & Steals newsletter for the latest sales and budget-friendly finds.