When determining just what features you want in a washer/dryer combo, it is best to know the difference in the types of machines. Technically a washer dryer combo only refers to the single section machine that both washes and dries clothes in the same drum. The term is often misapplied to the stackable washer/dryer sets which are two machines made small and built in a vertical tower configuration yet still provide the near the capacity of traditional stand-alone machines. A laundry center refers to the combinations that are built into a single cabinet but have separate drums for washing and drying. Check out Washerdryercombocenter.com for complete details on the devices.

While some stackable combinations require outside ventilation, the true washer/dryer combos do not. They are made wit ha two drum system which sends the hot air back into the machine to have the moisture re-condensed and drained from the machine through the drain hose. While safer than heat-drying units, the condensation dryers take as much as twice the time to thoroughly dry clothes.

It is standard for a combination washer/dryer to be front loading. This makes the unit more accessible. Load capacity for the smaller combo machines is usually only about 2/3 to 1/2 that of a full sized stand alone washing machine. Rather than use a simple timer for determining run times, washer/dryer combos are equipped with various sensors to measure water and suds levels as well as temperature and dryness of clothes. It is the sensors that determine when a cycle is finished and shut off the machine automatically.

Of course, the best feature of any of these machines is the small size that can let them be installed in closets, under cabinets or wherever else you can fit them. While some are permanently fixed in place, some are designed with wheels so the unit can be moved around to where it is most convenient to run a load through.