3/5
Best Full-Size Energy-Efficient Washer and Dryer Set
Samsung WF50A8600AV 27-Inch Washer and DVE50A8600V Dryer
This smart dial washer and dryer from Samsung is just an overall solid, well-performing combo. Not only do they win our pick for best full-size energy-efficient washer and dryer, but they’re also stackable, meaning you can do more efficient laundry in less space. Add the 27-inch-wide pedestal with drawer for extra height and storage and the set becomes Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant—and overall easier to deal with for those with bad backs.
A spacious 5.0-cubic-foot washer drum is appreciated for households with heavy laundry needs or lazy laundry habits that entail throwing it all in. Both machines feature an AI-Powered Smart Dial, which learns and recommends your favorite washing and drying cycles, and allows for customization. Need to stack the machines? No problem. Thanks to the machines’ MultiControl technology, you can operate your dryer right from your washer.
Features
- 5.0-cubic-foot washer drum and 7.4 cubic-foot dryer drum
- AI smart dial learns and recommends wash preferences
- 28-minute speed wash and 30-minute speed dry
- Wi-Fi enabled
- Steam cycle
- Stackable (operate dryer right from washer when the units are stacked)
- Vent sensor with cleaning alert and lint filter indicator
- Proprietary drum pattern to protect fabrics and extract water more quickly
- Antimicrobial treated high-touch areas and drum
- ADA-compliant risers (sold separately)
Pros
- Large wash drum
- Energy Star-certified at Energy Star Most Efficient level
- Good cleaning power with quiet operation
- Super speed settings for washing and drying quickly
- Smart dial and smart sensors for improved laundry efficiency
- One-year warranty for parts and labor, 20-year warranty for digital inverter motor
Cons
- Pricier than other models
- Dryer is not a heat pump
Psst! Confused about an LG vs. Samsung washer? It all comes down to the features.
4/5
Best Top-Loading Energy-Efficient Washer and Dryer Set
LG WT7400CW 27-Inch Washer and LG DLE7400WE Dryer
By nature, top-loading washers are not as efficient as front-loaders, but they do offer some perks, like being able to plop the last-minute sock in after the cycle has started. This LG smart top-load washer ranks the top of Energy Star’s list for its category. It also comes with a lot of extras, like a large-capacity drum, smart technology and a reasonable price tag.
The Energy Star-certified smart gas dryer features a 7.3-cubic-foot drum with eight dry cycles and five temperature settings. What else could you need?
Features
- 5.5-cubic-foot washer drum and 7.3-cubic-foot dryer drum
- 950 RPM wash spin
- Eight wash and dry cycles
- Turbo-wash setting for speed loads and deep-fill option
- Five temperature settings
- Wi-Fi enabled with smart pairing between washer and dryer
- Compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
- ThinQ smart app sends alerts about usage, maintenance and early diagnosis
Pros
- Top-loading washer with extra-large capacity
- Lots of smart features
- Energy Star-certified
- Turbo-wash setting with cold-wash technology for energy savings
- One-year warranty parts and labor, 10-year warranty on direct drive motor
Cons
- Doesn’t meet Energy Star’s “Most Efficient” rating
- Dryer is not a heat pump
- Some customers find the controls aren’t intuitive
5/5
Best Portable Energy-Efficient Washer and Dryer Set
Magic Chef Compact Portable Washer and Electric Dryer
Portable washers and dryers are smart picks for small living spaces, as they can be stowed away in a closet when not in use. Magic Chef’s minis combine a versatile balance of portability, usability and features, with a somewhat-roomy 2 cubic feet of washer space. Both units also plug into standard 120-volt outlets, and the compact, portable washer connects to the faucet via a quick-connect hose system.
The electric dryer is not Energy Star-certified, but has an eco-mode for sensor drying. But consider using a clothes line when you can, as that is the most sustainable option of all.
Features
- 2.0-cubic-foot washer drum and 2.6-cubic-foot dryer drum
- Compatible with 120-volt outlets
- Top-loading washer with soft-close, transparent lid
- Multiple settings and modes
- Electronic LCD display panel on washer
- Quick connector kit
- Inlets for both hot and cold water with water pump filter
- Dryer has eco-mode, dry sensing and air-dry (no heat) options
- Washer has two caster wheels
- Dryer can be wall-mounted
Pros
- Portable washer on wheels with 48.4-pound dryer
- Compact and easy to store
- Lots of features for a portable machine
- Washer is Energy Star-certified
- One-year warranty
Cons
- Dryer isn’t Energy Star-certified
- Dryer isn’t on wheels (but you can store it on a dolly)
What to Look for When Buying an Energy-Efficient Washer and Dryer Set
“The first thing you need to consider when shopping for any appliance is how big is the space you have for the appliance,” says Ron Shimek, president of Mr. Appliance. “Then you can look for the best appliance that fits into your space and fits your needs.”
To find models with the highest efficiency, look for Energy Star or Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) certifications, keeping in mind there are several levels of efficiency designations:
- “Energy Star” meets minimum requirements of the federal program, equivalent to CEE Tier 1
- “Save More Energy Star” is the next step up in efficiency, equivalent to CEE Tiers 2, 3 and 4
- “Energy Star Most Efficient” is the highest efficiency, equivalent to CEE Advanced Tier
You can filter search the Energy Star site for certified washer and dryer models. The yellow Energy Guide label can also help you understand how much energy an appliance will use in a year. Currently, washing machines have this label, but dryers do not.
Also, Carter suggests paying attention to water usage per cycle and spin speed, as faster speeds leave your clothes less damp, saving more energy. “Here’s my philosophy: Keep it simple. The fancier the machine, the more there is to break,” he says.
Finally, check in-depth product reviews. “You will sometimes encounter a narrative that more efficient products offer worse user experiences,” says Joe Vukovich, staff attorney for the NRDC’s Climate & Clean Energy Program. “This is false, and more efficient products often have very high ratings. But it is always possible that any one product might be better or worse.”
How We Found the Most Energy-Efficient Washer and Dryer Sets
To help you find the most energy-efficient washer and dryer sets, we chose our picks after researching dozens of models, checking their energy efficiency standards, and gathering recommendations from a breadth of experts including those who:
- Help set national energy efficiency standards
- Work as appliance repair technicians
- Manufacture energy efficient models
- Retail energy efficient models
FAQ
Are Energy Star appliances worth the extra money?
Generally yes, but it does depend on how much you use the product, explains Vukovich. “To take an extreme hypothetical: If you buy a more efficient Energy Star washer, but only do one load of clothes a year, it will not pay for itself. But if you have a fairly typical laundry use pattern, it will generally pay for itself.”
Over the lifetime of a product, Energy Star states that washers can save about $550 in energy costs, and if all Americans switched to Energy Star-certified dryers, we would save more than $1.5 billion each year in utility costs. In addition, we would also prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to more than two million vehicles.
“If your goal is to cut down your monthly expenses and reduce your environmental impact on the planet, then yes, Energy Star appliances are well worth the extra money up front,” says Shimek.
What is the difference between Energy Star and energy-efficient?
Energy-efficient is a broad term that denotes a product is more efficient than some other models on the market, whereas Energy Star is a government certification that verifies products perform at a certain high standard of energy efficiency, based off of a number of criteria.
“So, when you see energy-efficient, it basically means the appliance is better than the older guzzlers in terms of energy use,” says Carter. “Just because something is energy-efficient doesn’t mean it’s Energy Star-certified.”
Pros and Cons of Heat Pump Dryers
Heat pump dryers, sometimes called ventless dryers (though not all ventless use heat pump technology), account for about 60% of the market in Europe, but they’re just starting to catch on in the United States.
“Because heat pumps are moving heat, not creating it, they are much more efficient than other technologies,” says Vukovich. “All heat pump clothes dryers are certified as Energy Star Most Efficient.”
Pros
- Most energy-efficient type of dryer
- Easy to install, because they don’t require venting
- No vents to clean out and maintain
- Lower operating temperature, which is gentler on clothes
- Rebates available through the Inflation Reduction Act and some local municipalities, states and power companies
Cons
- Usually takes longer to dry clothes, but combining them with a high-RPM washer will reduce drying time
- Usually have smaller capacities
“Originally you’d see heat pump dryers in places like multi-family homes, where it wasn’t easy to vent to the outside,” says Justin Reinke, vice president of marketing at Beko Home Appliances. “But as people have realized the benefit of these dryers, they’re now put in places where you could have a normal, vented dryer.”
Other Energy-Efficient Tips
Having energy-efficient appliances is a solid first step toward sustainability, but whatever you have, you can always make it more efficient by using optimal cycles, temperatures and other energy efficiency tricks.
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