Compact laundry has become very popular in Boston. You can now place laundry anywhere including in a tight closet or kitchen due to its 24-inch width and depth. All you need is water and electricity.
This niche is dominated by the European manufacturers unlike full-size laundry. Instead of Maytag, Whirlpool, and LG, Bosch, Miele, Asko, and Electrolux are the most popular brands in this market. These machines can be stacked or placed side-by-side.
In this article, we will look at the electrical requirements, vented and ventless drying, both Bosch and Electrolux, and then compare the two at the end.
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If you are looking to replace your compact washer and dryer, pay close attention to the electrical outlets behind your machine.
You will still need a 220-volt outlet, and in some cases, a 110 volt as well. In most closet installations, you will probably need to add the 220-volt line.
Condensation drying turns the heat and steam into water. The water either drains out the back of the dryer or is drained into a removable reservoir.
These dryers are popular with builders in Boston who do not want the added costs of drilling holes for vents.
You can now place a washer / dryer anywhere there is water and electricity without worrying about venting to the outside.
So, laundry can be moved effectively from your basement to your bedroom with water, electricity, and a condenser dryer.
Some manufacturers make an all-in-one condensation dryer unit. It is in your best interest to buy the washer and dryer separate. The dryer is more powerful at 220 volts compared to 110 volts (except for the newer heat pump Miele) for the combination unit.
We also see far less service on the separate pieces than the combination units.
These units should only be considered in an extreme situation like a boat or other small spaces.
Based in Sweden, Electrolux is one of the largest appliance companies worldwide. In the U.S. market, Electrolux is well-known for full-size laundry.
They have recently entered the U.S. compact laundry market. So far, their machines have been very popular in terms of features and aesthetics.
However, the machines are built in separate factories with the washers made in Italy and the dryers produced in Poland.
To be transparent, we no longer sell Electrolux products.
Required Cutout Dimensions
Stacked
Side-By-Side
Electrical Requirements
You must have both 220-volt plug for the dryer and 110-volt plug for the washer.
Features
Bosch is a well-known appliance brand in the U.S. and international markets. Although Bosch is well-known for manufacturing dishwashers, they have been manufacturing compact laundry for many years.
They make 3 models: Ascenta, Axxis, and Axxis Plus. The Axxis and Axxis Plus are the most widely sold.
Required Cutout Dimensions
Stacked
Side-By-Side
Electrical Requirements
Bosch washers plug into the dryer which plug into the wall. You need a 220V plug.
Features
Required Cutout Dimensions
Stacked
Side-By-Side
Electrical Requirements
Bosch washers plug into the dryer which plug into the wall. You need a 240V plug.
Features
Which Should you Buy?
They are both good choices and similar in many ways with condenser dryers.
Bosch is on our most reliable appliance brands list.
Electrolux is the only compact washer with steam in a ventless application. Miele and Samsung now have steam in different types of their compact washers.
Steam can be used to smooth wrinkles, refresh clothes or power out stains.
Bosch has the speed cycle and a pedigree of manufacturing compact laundry in one place
Their better (and more expensive) Axxis Plus has Wi-Fi connectivity so you can set your laundry from an app on your phone.
You can also wash and dry a small load in 30 minutes and set the actual degrees instead of the default temperatures of Hot, Warm, or Cold.
These machines allow you to wash by stain type like oil, wine, or grass. The machine will then initiate the right was cycle.
Electrolux has the steam and a better price. Bosch is faster with more intuitive cycles.
So, it depends on what you value.
Additional Resources
Get the Yale Compact Laundry Buying Guide with features, specs and inside tips to all the brands, to dimensions and explanations of every washer and dryer type are included. Over 135,000 people have read a Yale Guide.
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