6 Best Stackable Washers and Dryers to Save Space (2024)

This latest Samsung washer is a larger, updated version of a previous model we've tested, with many of the same smart features and top-notch performance that helped it earn a spot on our guide to the best washers.

During our tests, we found the app to be user-friendly, allowing for remote control of the washer, including starting and stopping washes, scheduling cycles and receiving alerts when the cycle is finished.

Perhaps most surprisingly, after just a few uses, the washer learned our favorite wash cycle settings, eliminating the need for programming. It also detects the soil level on clothes and automatically adjusts wash settings for proper cleaning. On top of its impressive cleaning ability, the washer was also quiet during operation.

Our testers also noted that the matching dryer offers flexible installation options, allowing for stacking or side-by-side placement. For a stacked configuration, a convenient feature lets you control the dryer directly from the washer's control panel, eliminating the need to stretch in order to reach the dryer’s high control panel. The stacking kit is sold separately.

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This sleek washer and dryer set from GE comes at a great price for two full-size, fully-featured machines. The washing machine holds up to 32 loads worth of detergent so you don't have to worry about refilling it constantly, and it also automatically dispenses the correct amounts for each cycle.

The washer has a fresh air venting cycle to dry the drum interior and door gasket to prevent water and mold buildup, which should eliminate any musty smell that can develop in front-loading machines. Plus, moisture-prone areas like the gasket, dispenser drawer and hose are treated with Microban to also eliminate bacteria growth and control odors.

All of these functions and cycles can be chosen with the easy-to-use app that comes with the machine, which also allows for voice control on Amazon Alexa, Android, Google, Sonos and iOS smart home devices.

In addition to the efficiency and effectiveness of the wash cycles, reviewers loved the visibility provided by the drum light, as well as the door steam option. The dryer can be linked to the washer so it knows and selects the correct cycle for the load coming its way.

It offers the unique option to wash and dry in the washing machine. This one-step wash and dry cycle is eight hours long and is designed to be run overnight for small loads or single pieces of clothing.

On the downside, some reviewers reported that the washer is loud.

LG's WashTower pioneered the modernized laundry center. Its innovative design combines a washer with either a gas or electric dryer in a single unit (with the dryer stacked on top). Better yet, it's 3.5 inches shorter than a traditional stacked washer-dryer pair, so you can conveniently tuck it away in a closet.

The Cleaning Lab was particularly impressed by the appliance’s user-friendly design including its luxurious-looking exterior and tempered-glass doors. The conveniently placed center control panel for both the washer and dryer eliminated the need for excessive stretching to reach the dryer’s controls, especially for our petite testers. It was also easy to load and unload.

Special features like the steam option were a welcome bonus, allowing for quick refreshes of lightly worn garments, but most impressive were its speedy yet effective cleaning cycles with excellent stain removal. The appliance uses AI to automatically select water temperature, wash motions and drying temperature for each load to help save energy and reduce laundry times.

It’s also worth noting that even after two years of use, our test machine continues to function flawlessly and has remained odor-free. And while the machines can be separated for repairs, you can not fully replace one or the other.

At around just 23 inches wide, this combo unit is perfect for anyone living in a smaller space who needs a compact washer and dryer. Our Cleaning Lab tests also found that it was incredibly effective, removing stains and whitening cotton swatches in under an hour. Despite its small size, it offers many convenient features like self-dispensing detergent and SoftSteam, which will allow you to steam your clothing inside the machine.

The brand tested this product by keeping it going constantly for more than 10,000 hours to make sure it could hold up to use for years to come.

The drum of the washer is surprisingly large at 2.26 cubic feet, while the drum of the matching dryer is 4.2 cubic feet — roomy enough to accommodate average loads for smaller families. The washing machine also has cycles tailored to synthetic and outdoor fabrics. As for the dryer, it has a honeycomb structure that, according to the brand, is more gentle on clothing and helps the laundry to dry more uniformly.

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For those who prefer the speed, loading ease and cleaning power of a traditional top-load washer, but lack the space for separate units, GE offers a unique laundry center solution. The GE Unitized Spacemaker combines the benefits of a top loader, including a built-in agitator for tough stains, with the space-saving design of a washer and dryer stacked in one single unit.

While this option lacks some of the more premium features, such as an accompanying app and delay start, it's a set at a great value. Not only does it have the unique quality of a top-loading washer, but it also has 11 different wash cycles and sensors that determine the load size so the machine knows how much water to add. And while it doesn't show you information on an app, it does have lights that let you see the cycle's progress while it's washing.

The GE also boasts the largest capacity we’ve come across in a traditional laundry center. It measures in at 3.8 cubic feet or 35% larger than the competition, making it spacious enough for bedding. The appliances’ biggest downfall is that if one machine breaks, you will have to replace both since they are fully attached. Also, some reviewers reported that it's noisy.

Electrolux’s Smartboost washing machine aced our stain removal test because it mixes the detergent with water before it enters the tub for better penetration and stain removal. The washer also has a steam mode for sanitizing clothes and lifting dirt out of fabrics. You'll also find convenient features like a reversible door, interior light and 15-minute speed cycle.

Another perk? Electrolux solved the annoying problem of laundry packs that don’t fully dissolve with its innovative Adaptive Dispenser. This means there’s no need to toss packs directly into the tub since the washer has a dedicated chamber for them. As the water hits the chamber, the pack opens, flushing the detergent into your load.

Our biggest complaint is its longer wash cycles — some are as long as two hours. It’s also worth mentioning that the Electrolux lacks Wi-Fi connectivity so there’s no way to remotely monitor cycles.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab regularly tests washers and dryers to make sure they're best suited to serve you. We base our tests on industry standards set by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM).

In our most recent washing machine tests, we washed pre-stained white fabric strips, each with six different stains. This allowed us to see how each machine dealt with different types of stains based on how well they cleaned each square. We used these strips in several cycles on each of the machines. From there, we allowed each strip to air-dry and then took measurements of the stained areas to see how effective the machines were at removing stains.

To test how gentle the cycles are, we washed cotton swatches with five pre-cut holes in them to see how much fraying occurred in the wash. We also assessed tangling of the load and made sure to test the intuitiveness of each machine, as well as each control panel's ease of use. Finally, we verify with manufacturer’s data that any machine with a sanitizing cycle is able to kill bacteria.

For testing dryers, we install each one (provided it's a separate appliance from the washer) in a climatology chamber on a special platform balance so that we can ensure uniform temperature, humidity and venting conditions. This helps us measure how long a wet load of laundry takes to get back to its lighter, dry weight. Based on AHAM protocols, we attach strips that measure temperature to individual pieces of laundry to confirm that the temperatures inside the dryer don't reach fabric-damaging levels.

From there, we test how quickly the machines dry the items, how well they remove wrinkles and we confirm that there was no twisting or tangling. We also check for wrinkles after steam and refresh cycles to make sure they worked as well as they say they do.

✔️ Overall size: If you are stacking your appliances, you probably have size constraints to deal with, so this is crucial. If the stack doesn’t fit in your space, nothing else matters. For each machine, account for 6 extra inches at the back to accommodate venting hoses and materials.

✔️ Capacity: Select the largest capacity washer and dryer that will fit into the overall space you have. This allows you to wash and dry loads of larger sizes.

✔️ Cycles and settings: Since newer models are offering tons of high-end features, Forté suggested prioritizing the specific wash cycles and options that you'll actually use. For example, if you have a lot of delicate items, make sure that the machine has a well-reviewed gentle cycle. If you have kids or a large family and you need a lot of power quickly, prioritize machines with power-wash features and large drums.

✔️ Warranty and availability of service: Most washing machines and dryers offer a one- to two-year full warranty on all parts and labor, and some offer longer warranties on certain parts like the drums or transmission. It also pays to check what kind of authorized service is available in your area for any brand you are considering should something go wrong. If there are no authorized service centers for the brand in your area, consider another brand that can be serviced more easily. You can find this out by calling the manufacturer’s customer service line.

The only downsides are in regard to convenience, not functionality. "The controls on the dryer may now be difficult or impossible for short people to reach," explained Forté. "Also, when stacked, the appliances are heavy to move if they can be moved at all." Forté said this can also make the washer and dryer more difficult to service.

You should also ensure you have enough vertical space for a stacked set. "If you have low ceilings or cabinets above where you keep your washer and dryer, stackable units may not fit," said Forté.

Brandon Carte, a contributing commerce editor at Good Housekeeping co-wrote this guide. He has over a decade of experience testing and researching products, from washing machines, to home goods, consumer tech, dishwashers and skincare. He urges people to remember to clean the dryer's lint trap after each laundry load and clean the dryer vent annually, since it's a major fire hazard.

Brittany Loggins has tested hundreds of tech, home and beauty products over the course of her eight years as a journalist. She’s currently a full-time freelance journalist who contributes to GQ, Architectural Digest and The New York Times. Before moving into freelance, Brittany was a staff writer at TODAY.com and CBS News. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in consumer journalism from the University of Georgia.

Carolyn Forté has been testing washers, dryers and other laundry room essentials, like laundry detergents and stain removers, for more than 40 years as the Executive Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. She often consults with the appliance industry, especially washing machine manufacturers, about appliance testing protocols and consumer laundry habits, researches and writes our laundry how-tos and personally tests or oversees all of the testing done for all of the Cleaning Lab's product guides.