If you’re short on space but still want the convenience of tumble drying at home, a washer dryer can seem like the obvious solution.
One appliance washes your clothes. The same appliance dries them. You don’t need space for a separate washing machine and tumble dryer, and suitable loads can go from dirty to clean and dry without you having to move them between appliances.
So, are washer dryers actually worth it?
For many households, yes — particularly where space is limited or tumble drying is only needed some of the time.
But washer dryers also come with compromises that are important to understand before buying one.
In this guide, we’ll look at the main advantages and disadvantages of washer dryers, who they suit best and what you should consider before deciding whether one is right for your home.
What Is a Washer Dryer?
A washer dryer combines the functions of a washing machine and tumble dryer in a single appliance.
You can use it purely as a washing machine, purely for drying suitable laundry, or select a wash-and-dry programme that takes a compatible load through both processes.
From an installation point of view, that's a major advantage.
Instead of finding room for two full-sized laundry appliances, you only need one appliance space.
That's why washer dryers are particularly popular in apartments, smaller homes, kitchens without a separate utility room and anywhere else where space is at a premium.
The Biggest Advantage: You Save Space
For many people, this is the entire reason for buying one.
A standard washing machine and tumble dryer each require their own installation space. If you don't have room to place them side-by-side or stack them safely, a washer dryer provides both functions within approximately the footprint of one appliance.
And today's washer dryers don't necessarily require you to sacrifice washing capacity.
Large models can now offer washing capacities of 10kg or even 10.5kg, giving busy households plenty of room for everyday laundry.
For example, several of the larger washer dryers available at Redmond Electric offer 10.5kg washing capacities, while more compact options are available for smaller households.
If you'd like to compare specific models, take a look at our Best Washer Dryers in Ireland (2026 Buyer's Guide).
Another Big Advantage: Wash and Dry Without Moving the Laundry
There's something extremely convenient about putting laundry into one machine and taking it out clean and dry later.
With a suitable load and programme, a washer dryer can complete both stages automatically.
That can be particularly handy if you start a cycle before work, overnight or when you simply don't want to be waiting around to transfer wet clothes into another appliance.
But there is an important catch.
Washing Capacity and Drying Capacity Are Not the Same
This is probably the single most important thing to understand before buying a washer dryer.
You might see a machine advertised as:
10.5kg / 6kg
Those figures don't mean the machine has two different-sized drums.
They mean:
10.5kg = maximum washing capacity
6kg = maximum drying capacity
So although you can wash up to 10.5kg in that machine, you generally cannot wash 10.5kg and then automatically dry the entire load.
If you've filled the drum to its maximum washing capacity, you'll need to remove some laundry before drying.
If you want to put a load into the machine and have it complete the entire wash-and-dry process without intervention, you'll need to keep that load within the appropriate drying capacity.
We'll explain this in more detail in our Washer Dryer Capacity Guide: What Does 10kg/6kg Actually Mean?
Pro: You Don't Have to Buy Two Appliances
There's also the straightforward fact that you're buying one appliance rather than two.
That doesn't automatically mean a washer dryer will always be cheaper than buying separate appliances — prices vary considerably depending on the models you're comparing.
But if your alternative is purchasing both a new washing machine and a new tumble dryer, it's worth comparing the total cost rather than looking at the washer dryer's price in isolation.
You also only need to accommodate and install one machine.
Pro: You Can Still Use It as a Normal Washing Machine
Buying a washer dryer doesn't mean you have to tumble dry everything.
You can use the appliance exactly as you would a conventional washing machine and simply remove your laundry at the end of the wash.
That makes washer dryers particularly interesting in Ireland, where you might line-dry or air-dry clothes when conditions allow but want access to a dryer when you need one.
You aren't committing to using the drying function for every load.
Pro: Modern Washer Dryers Have Become Much Smarter
A modern washer dryer can be considerably more sophisticated than simply putting a washing machine and dryer into the same cabinet.
Depending on the model, you can now find features such as:
- Automatic detergent dosing
- Sensor-controlled drying
- Steam and garment-refresh programmes
- WiFi connectivity
- Smartphone control
- Automatic load detection
- Quick wash-and-dry programmes
- Specialist fabric-care cycles
For example, Bosch and Siemens offer i-DOS automatic detergent dosing on selected models, while Samsung offers technologies such as AI Energy Mode, Ecobubble and SmartThings connectivity.
Electrolux takes a different approach with technologies such as DualCare and SensiCare, which focus heavily on adapting cycles to the load and fabric.
So choosing a washer dryer is no longer simply a question of capacity. It's worth looking at which features would actually make laundry easier in your household.
Pro: Sensor Drying Can Take Away Some of the Guesswork
Older drying appliances often relied heavily on timed programmes.
Many modern washer dryers now offer sensor-controlled drying, where the machine monitors the load and determines when the required drying level has been reached.
That can make the drying process much easier to manage.
Rather than trying to guess whether your clothes need 60, 90 or 120 minutes, compatible programmes can adjust according to the condition of the laundry.
Con: You Usually Can't Dry as Much as You Can Wash
We've already touched on this, but it's important enough to count as the biggest disadvantage too.
If you routinely fill your washing machine completely and then want to tumble dry every item in that load, a washer dryer may become frustrating.
A 10.5kg/6kg machine gives you a substantial washing capacity, but only 6kg can be dried at once.
This isn't necessarily a problem if you normally wash moderate-sized loads, only tumble dry some items or use air drying alongside the machine.
But if your normal routine involves washing and tumble drying several large loads one after another, separate appliances are likely to be more practical.
Con: You Can't Wash and Dry Two Loads at the Same Time
With separate appliances, you can move your first load into the tumble dryer and immediately start another load in the washing machine.
Both appliances can then work simultaneously.
You can't do that with a washer dryer.
While the machine is drying one load, it isn't available to wash another.
For a household producing very large amounts of laundry, that difference can matter considerably.
Con: Complete Wash-and-Dry Cycles Can Take a Long Time
Washing and drying are two separate processes, even when they're happening inside the same machine.
A complete wash-and-dry programme can therefore take significantly longer than a washing-only programme.
Some machines offer 60-minute wash-and-dry programmes, but these are generally intended for small loads rather than a completely full drum.
If speed is your priority and you regularly need to process multiple large loads, two separate appliances provide more flexibility.
Con: Drying Can Be Expensive to Run
With electricity costs being a significant household expense in Ireland, it’s worth thinking about how often you actually intend to use the drying function.
Drying laundry requires considerably more energy than washing it, so regularly running long drying cycles can add to your electricity usage.
That doesn’t mean you should avoid buying a washer dryer. In fact, one of the advantages of these machines is that you don’t have to use the dryer every time you wash.
A practical approach for many Irish households is to use the appliance primarily as a washing machine and air-dry or line-dry laundry whenever possible, keeping the drying function for wet weather, towels, bedding, urgent loads or times when outdoor drying simply isn’t practical.
If energy consumption is particularly important to you, also look carefully at the energy label. Washer dryers have separate figures for washing alone and the complete wash-and-dry cycle, and the difference can be substantial.
For example, a machine may achieve an A energy rating for washing but a lower rating when washing and drying are combined.
So when comparing models, don’t just look at the washing energy rating. Consider how frequently you expect to use the dryer and check the combined wash-and-dry consumption too.
Who Should Buy a Washer Dryer?
A washer dryer makes particularly good sense if:
- You don't have room for two appliances
- You live in an apartment or smaller home
- You don't have a separate utility room
- You only tumble dry some of your laundry
- You usually wash moderate-sized loads
- You value the convenience of automatic wash-and-dry programmes
- You want access to a dryer without dedicating another appliance space to one
For these households, the compromises can be relatively minor compared with the enormous advantage of having washing and drying available from one machine.
Who Might Be Better With Separate Appliances?
Separate appliances are worth considering if:
- You have plenty of installation space
- You regularly wash very large loads
- You tumble dry most or all of your laundry
- You frequently need to process several loads in succession
- You want to wash one load while another is drying
- Maximum drying capacity is particularly important to you
In those circumstances, having a dedicated washing machine and tumble dryer can provide greater flexibility.
We'll compare the two setups in detail in our Washer Dryer vs Separate Washing Machine & Tumble Dryer: Which Should You Buy? guide.
So, Are Washer Dryers Worth It?
For the right household, yes.
The biggest reason to buy a washer dryer isn't necessarily that it's better than owning two separate appliances.
It's that it gives you both washing and tumble drying within the space of one appliance.
That's an extremely valuable advantage if your kitchen or utility area only has one appliance space.
And because you can still use a washer dryer purely for washing, it can also make sense for households that generally air-dry laundry but want a tumble dryer available for wet weather, bedding, towels or occasions when clothes need to be dried quickly.
The main limitation is capacity.
If you choose a 10.5kg/6kg washer dryer, remember that the 10.5kg figure applies to washing — not drying. If you regularly want to tumble dry completely full washing-machine loads, separate appliances may suit you better.
But if space is limited and you understand that compromise, a modern washer dryer can be an extremely practical all-in-one laundry solution.
Choosing the Right Washer Dryer
If you've decided a washer dryer makes sense for your home, don't automatically choose the machine with the biggest drum or longest feature list.
Think about:
Capacity: How much laundry do you normally wash and how much of it will you actually tumble dry?
Space: Measure carefully, particularly the appliance depth.
Automatic dosing: Would having the machine measure detergent for you genuinely be useful?
Sensor drying: Do you want the machine to automatically manage drying levels?
Steam and refresh functions: Would you use them for workwear or frequently worn garments?
Smart features: Will you actually use app connectivity, or would you rather prioritise other features?
The best washer dryer is ultimately the one that fits your space, laundry habits and household, rather than simply the model with the most impressive specification sheet.
For specific recommendations across different capacities and features, read our Best Washer Dryers in Ireland (2026 Buyer's Guide).
Shop Washer Dryers at Redmond Electric
Redmond Electric stocks a range of washer dryers from leading brands including Bosch, Siemens, Samsung, Hisense, Haier and Electrolux.
Whether you're looking for a large-capacity family machine, automatic detergent dosing, smart connectivity, specialist fabric care or a slim washer dryer for a smaller space, you can compare the available options and choose the model that best suits your home.