GE Profile UltraFast vs. LG WashCombo vs. Samsung Bespoke AI Combo Washers & Dryers

You’re probably wondering the same thing we hear every week in our showrooms: “Do these all-in-one washer-dryer combos actually work?”

For years, the honest answer was no. Older models couldn’t remove lint effectively, maintenance was a hassle, and drying cycles dragged on.

But 2025 is different.

Heat-pump technology, smarter sensors, and better filter designs have changed the game.

GE Profile and LG now make combos you can actually live with.

And while we don’t sell or service Samsung, we bought a brand-new unit to test side by side so you can see how it compares.

So, do they work?

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• How GE Profile, LG, and (for context) Samsung performed on identical test loads.
• Why upkeep and filter care matter more than spec sheets.
• What reliability looks like from 33,000+ Yale service calls last year.
• Who each machine is really for, and who should stick with a separate washer and dryer.

📽️Prefer a video rundown? Prefer a video rundown? Watch the video below for a quick look at how LG, Samsung, and GE Profile combo washer-dryers handle bedding, mixed colors, and whites.

We also cover reliability insights and when a traditional washer and dryer may be a better fit for larger households.

Combo Washer-Dryers Before 2023

If you bought a combo before 2023, you were probably frustrated:

• Lint traps were inaccessible. You couldn’t clean them, and over time lint buildup could seize the machine.
• Drying was painfully slow. Heavy loads like bedding or towels almost always came out damp.
• Maintenance was constant. One machine trying to do two jobs meant more breakdowns and service calls.

That’s why for years we never recommended them in Boston brownstones, Cape rentals, or really anywhere else.

How Do the New Combos Work?

All three machines, GE Profile, LG, and Samsung, work on the same principle: a heat-pump dryer built into a front-load washer.

Think of it as the opposite of your refrigerator. In a fridge, the compressor and evaporator pull heat out to keep food cold.

In a combo, the compressor and heat exchanger push warm air in, then pull out the moisture and drain it away.

Because they’re ventless, you don’t lose heated air to the outside as with a traditional dryer. The air is recycled, making the system more efficient and gentler on fabrics.

Benefits of a Combo Washer-Dryer

• 110-volt design. Built for standard outlets. Older 110-volt dryers couldn’t dry; these can.
• Ventless freedom. Any room with water and a drain can become a laundry room.
• True wash-to-dry convenience. Load dirty clothes, press start, and return to a finished load. Ideal if you start laundry before bed or before work.
• For tight spaces, rentals, or city homes without 240 volts or venting, these machines are absolutely worth considering.

Downsides of a Combo Washer-Dryer

• Longer cycles. Expect about twice the time (or more) compared to a separate washer and dryer.
• Filter upkeep is critical. You must clean it after every cycle. Skip it, and you’ll face the same problems as older combos.
• Service is more complicated. These are closer to a refrigerator with a drum attached. Before buying, confirm who can service it in your area.

🛠️Maintenance tip: If dry times creep up, clean the primary filter and the condenser screen (LG includes one). A 60-second filter routine keeps performance steady.

Size & Fit: Specs at a Glance

Before you fall in love with features, make sure it fits.

Here’s how LG, GE, and Samsung compare on capacity and footprint. Pay attention to depth, including real world clearance.

Note: Depth values reflect practical clearance where noted. Always measure your doorway and path to the laundry space.

Fit Takeaways

• The cubic footage is similar across all three, but depth is the real issue. LG and Samsung both approach 37″ once you account for clearance.
• GE is the easiest option in tight installs because it sits flush at 32″.

👉 Tight space? Cape condo? Boston brownstone? Download our 2025 Washer & Dryer Buying Guide for real-life fit diagrams and install tips.

Performance (Real Test Results)

1. Testing notes: Our first GE floor model shipped with outdated software and didn’t heat; a tech update resolved it. We repeated all GE tests on a new unit after updating. Findings above reflect the updated unit.

Performance Takeaways

• Cycle times for clothes are similar, but bedding differs significantly: GE 2 hr 08 min vs Samsung 6 hr 10 min.
• LG is fastest on everyday laundry.
• GE is best at bulky bedding (after a software update; confirm your unit is current).
• Samsung is the slowest overall, especially on bedding.

Performance Summary (Our Lab Notes)

LG WM6998HBA Performance Summary

• Fully dried lighter loads (sheets, whites, towels) and ran quietly with minimal lint.
• Comforters and heavy blankets sometimes needed extra drying. Shortest cycles overall.

GE Profile PFQ97HSPVDS Performance Summary

• Our initial floor model didn’t heat; a software update fixed it, and we retested on a new unit.
• Post-update, GE handled sheets, towels, and blankets well. Comforters were “mostly dry,” but we did see more lint than LG.

Samsung WD53DBA900HZA1 Performance Summary

• Consistently the longest cycles, especially for bedding.
• Comforters/blankets often finished slightly damp, even after 4+ hours. Towels dried fully. Touchscreen felt laggy and frustrating.

What this means for you:

• Fast daily loads → LG.
• Frequent bedding → GE (post-update).
• Time-sensitive homes should skip Samsung.

User Experience & Upkeep (From Testing)

• Cycle feel: LG was the smoothest day-to-day; GE settled in once updated; Samsung’s touchscreen slowed basic tasks.
• Lint reality: LG produced minimal lint; GE produced more lint on some items—clean the filter after every cycle to keep dry times consistent.
• Heavy items: All combos left slight damp spots on comforters/blankets at times. Splitting loads or a short timed-dry pass usually finished them.

Reliability (Yale Appliance Service Data)

Why this is surprising:

• The average first-year service rate across all appliances is 9.5%.
• These combos, washer and dryer in one, came in well below that.

They are nearly identical to the rate of a normal front-load washer.

How we measure it: we divide the number of service calls within the first year by the number of units sold.

Samsung not included, as Yale does not sell or service Samsung combos.

🔍Read more: Are Combo Washers and Dryers Reliable?

👉 Reliability surprises many people. Download our 2025 Washer & Dryer Buying Guide for brand-by-brand service data from 33,000+ service calls.

Who Are These Actually Good For?

If you live in a Boston brownstone, a Cape rental, or anywhere without a 240-volt outlet or venting, a combo can be a game changer.

• Just plug it into a standard outlet, connect water and a drain, and you’re set.
• If you wash bedding every week, the GE PFQ97 is the fastest and flattest fit.
• It handles bulky loads better than the others, and its 32″ depth makes it the best bet for tight installs.
• If you want the best daily driver for clothes, towels, and kids’ laundry, LG is your winner. It’s fast, efficient, and its ezLintFilter makes upkeep less of a chore.
• If you run back-to-back loads or laundry for a big family, skip the combo. You’ll cut your laundry time in half with a traditional separate washer and dryer.

One thing to know no matter which you pick: these machines work only if you clean the filter after every cycle. That’s the new normal with heat-pump combos.

Who Should Buy What?

Quick Comparison (1-Minute Read)

Drying performance: LG and updated GE handled light/medium loads well. Comforters were the toughest across all three; Samsung struggled most.

Cycle time: LG shortest overall → GE → Samsung (often 4+ hours).

User Experience: LG smooth/simple; GE fine post-update but produced more lint on some loads; Samsung’s touchscreen was laggy.

Bottom line:

• Fast daily loads → LG
• Frequent bedding → GE (updated)
• Extra time/patience → Samsung

👉 Not sure if a combo will work for your laundry room? Give us a call, and we’ll help you figure it out before you buy the wrong thing.

Additional Resources

Download our Yale Washer and Dryer Buying Guide with all the features, terms, and brands of laundry. Over 1 million people have already found answers in a Yale guide.

Related Articles:

• Are Combo Washers and Dryers Reliable?
• GE Profile vs. LG vs. Samsung Combo Washers and Dryers
• GE Profile UltraFast Combo Washer and Dryer: 2024 Review
• Should You Buy the LG WashCombo All-in-One WM6998HBA?
• Samsung Bespoke AI Combo Washer-Dryer WD53DBA900HZA1: 2024 Review