You know what’s not fun? Going to the laundromat. Quite often in a city condo, apartment or brownstones style buildings, space is at a premium, and there just isn’t enough room for full size laundry. As washers and dryers keep getting bigger and bigger every year, there remains the option of compact laundry.
Also, compact laundry with compressors have become popular with builders because they do not have to poke holes in brick for vents.
They have also become popular with homeowners as well. You can place this type of laundry anywhere with water, a drain and 220 volt power. Many people are moving the laundry to the bedroom level instead of walking downstairs to the basement.
In this article, we'll review condensation drying and compare the best condensation laundry options available. Each of these sets offers great performance. Ultimately, how you do laundry will decide which pair is best for you.
Compact Condenser Washer and Dryers
Typically, these machines are roughly 24” wide x 24” deep and more often than not, installed stacked on top of each other. In years past, there was the option of venting outside or having a ventless option.
Due to recent fire codes, a majority of manufacturers focus solely on condensation style or ventless dryers in the U.S. Instead of venting the moisture and heat outside, they condense the moisture either into a water box in the machine or out a tube that drains into the washer waste pipe.
Heat however is expelled through the front rather than being vented outside, so your laundry room will be warmer.
Let's look at the three best brands.
Best Compact Condenser Dryers and Washers
Electrolux EIFLS20QSW and EIED20QSW Pair - $1,898
Electrolux is the one of the largest manufacturers of appliances in the world. Until recently, their compact laundry wasn’t available in the United States. Now, it’s one of the best selling. They offer steam in their washer, which these other sets do not.
Steam is great for sanitation/sterilization (kid’s clothes, bibs, bed sheets) but it’s also great for stains. The steam helps relax the fibers so that the detergent is better able to penetrate the stain.
EIFLS20QSW Washer Features
- Steam Wash
- washer features the benefit of steam for more efficient stain removal
- Large Capacity
- 2.4 Cubic Feet - largest capacity
- Fast Wash Cycle
- Quickly wash a small, lightly soiled load in 22 minutes
- 1400 RPM
- Fast spin speed removes more water for less drying time
EIED20QSW Dryer Features
- Ventless Model
- Reverse Tumble
- Gentle Dry
- Stainless Steel Tub
They also have a great pedestal with a hidden collapsible bin. Watch this video:
Bosch WAT28402UC and WTG86402UC pair - $2,520
Bosch has been producing appliances for nearly 70 years. It’s what most people are familiar with in this compact segment. Most of their products are produced in North Carolina except for compact laundry, which is made in Europe.
Bosch stopped manufacturing vented dryers completely for the U.S market.They offer 3 levels of laundry but we’ll look at the 800 series.
WAT28402UC Washer Features
- AquaStop Technology
- 24/7 leak protection prevents water damage
- Sanitize Cycle
- Heats water to 170°F killing bacteria
- Speed Perfect
- 40% faster washing time
- Anti Vibration Circular Side walls
- Keeps noise to minimum
- 2.2 Cubic Feet capacity
WTG86402UC Dryer Features
- Sensitive Drying System
- The Sensitive Drying System uses warm mild air to gently dry laundry in the same time as comparable vented dryers
- Space Saving
- Bosch washer plugs into dryer for space savings and flexible installation
- Energy Star Rated
Miele W3038 and T8023C pair - $3,498
Miele has been making electric washing machines since 1911. There are very few, if any, companies with as much experience in this segment of the appliance industry, than Miele. Their main focus on laundry is fabric care.
If you’re going to spend money on fine quality clothing, you want to make sure your washer and dryer will not shred your silks and other fine washables. Their perforated HoneyComb drum allows clothes to glide on water without touching the drum, so it is more gentle.
The other hallmark of a Miele is integrated manufacturing. Instead of outsourcing, Miele manufactures almost every part and all their controls in their German factory.
Of course, Miele is almost double the price of other very good brands.
W3038 Washer Features
- Miele Honeycomb Drum
- Automatic load recognition
- AutoClean
- MasterCare
- 2.02 Cubic Feet Capacity
T8023C Dryer Features
- Intelligent drum reversal
- Integrated condensate drain hose
- PerfectDry
- HoneyComb Drum
- Reduces fabric wear
Comparison
If you buy expensive higher end clothing and you want it to last years, the Miele is second to none in clothing care. The HoneyComb drum insure the clothes don’t even touch the drum during the wash.
If you have young children, the Electrolux set is a great option. The ability to do really quick loads or sanitize/sterilize their bibs/clothing after it's been soiled is great. The steam option is going to help power out those grass and juice stains.
Electrolux sells more of the compact laundry in Europe, so this may be a very good set to to consider.
Bosch has a history and is generally considered reliable. Since we service what we sell, reliability is important to us as it is to you. However, Bosch seems a bit high compared to the Electrolux.
All three sets are excellent options but ultimately it’s how you do laundry that that will help you decide which pair is best for you.
Additional Resources
Want to learn more about Compact Laundry? Get the Yale Compact Laundry Buying Guide with all the different brands, features, a look at new technology like heat pumps and much more. Well over 150,000 people have read a Yale Guide.
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