Stacked units vs. all in one washer dryer

[frustrated guy]

Advice sought.

I have to replace an all in one washer dryer unit in a rental condo. Last time I did it, I bought a used (repaired) all in one unit. It didn't last very many years.

Now I understand that stacked units are available. Could I please hear some opinions of which set is better; stacked or all in one?

Thank you for your opinions and wisdom.

Frustrated Guy

 

[Jake]

I've never worked on any all in one washer/dryer combo units, so I really have no clue how reliable they are.

Maybe other members that own those can chime in here.

I've always worked on stacked units-->Maytag and Whirlpool are the most reliable.

Jake

 

[Dan O.]

I've never worked on any all in one washer/dryer combo units

I think he might be referring to a laundry center (pictured below) rather than a combo washer/dryer.




If the OP is hoping he might be able to just replace the washer section or the dryer section of a stacked unit in the future if they failed, that is not always the case. The washer and dryer have to be matching units and from the same manufacturer. Finding a matching replacement for just one of those components is not always possible into the future. You may be no further ahead.


JFYI

 

[frustrated guy]

Thanks fellows. I am the OP and I was indeed trying to compare the "laundry center" to stacked units. Thank you for pointing out that replacing one later might be a challenge. My thinking is "what do I buy that will last longest, have the largest capacity, and be most cost effective in the long haul?"

Thanks!

 

[Dan O.]

I'm afraid I do not know the reliability of any newer units. You can check with Consumers Reports. Generally I recommend Whirlpool appliances under any of their brand names (see the following link).

LINK > Appliance411: Who makes what?

If you wanted any hope of replacing individual stacked components separately down the road, go with the most popular brand name and models.


One other thing, if you buy a stacking washer/dryer set, the washer will be a front-load model. Those are usually more complicated to service so if you like to attempt repairs yourself, a laundry center might be easier to maintain.

JMO

Dan O.

 

[frustrated guy]

Thanks and "book em Danno!" The JMO from any of you is all I can ask. I see the value in buying top brands if you think you want to replace a piece later.

The "laundry center" does have a nice layout with the top load washer. I hope I'm not too lazy here but are we talking about an appreciable load size difference between laundry center and stacked?

I'll see you on the other thread where I have more, repeated, same old stuff news about bad thermostats.

FrusGy

 

[Dan O.]

There are different capacity laundry centers as well as front-load washers. From a quick look at the Whirlpool web site, it shows 1.6 cu.ft. or 3.5 cu.ft. laundry center washer capacity and 4.2 cu.ft. and 5.0 cu.ft. front load washers, 2.3 cu.ft. 24" compact front load washer. Look around for yourself.

Dan O.

 

[frustrated guy]

Good advice; thanks.
FrusGy

 

[frustrated guy]

I was reading the reviews on this Whirlpool combo unit and they scared me!

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=DChcSEwj9z67ozpLsAhUTPq0GHYiWAgoYABAMGgJwdg&sig=AOD64_0ivZny_eYAI-YnFPW1iGYtc72bEA&ctype=5&q=&ved=0ahUKEwiC26jozpLsAhUJvZ4KHbqhASIQww8ItAQ&adurl=

 

[Jake]

It's got 4.4 stars out of 5.0 stars.

There's much more good reviews than bad, now if there were much more bad reviews than good, then I would be alarmed.

Jake

 

[Dan O.]

By the numbers:

175 5-star rating
66 4-star rating
15 3-star rating
10 2-star rating
12 1-star rating

To me that looks like an 86% 4-5 star rating. That's pretty damn good IMO!

You want to make things better, don't build it into a closet and make it so it can be easily serviced when it has to. Follow the installation instructions.

Try to buy from a dealer that services what they sell rather than trying to save a couple of bucks buying at a big-box retailer.

Don't expect any appliance to be absolutely trouble free. They all break down sometime, even under warranty! That's why they provide a warranty.

Dan O.

 

[frustrated guy]

Thank you Dan O.

I was reading the one-star ratings and it seemed that many arrived d.o.a. and replacement parts were on long back order. I guess that risk could be mitigated if buying from a dealer and not from a big box store.

Frusgy

 

[Dan O.]

I was reading the one-star ratings

Every product will have some bad reviews. If they don't, look for fraud in the rating system.

DOA is Ok (besides being inconvenient) as it is often just a loose connection or wire off, etc. from transportation. As I said, that's why they give a warranty.

JMO