LG WashCombo All-in-One Washer/Dryer vs. LG WashTower Stacked Washer & Dryer

The LG WashCombo WM6998HBA is LG's latest all-in-one appliance, combining a washer and a heat pump dryer in a single unit.

How does this new model compare to the popular LG WashTower WKHC202HBA, which features a stacked washer and dryer with a separate heat pump drying system?

Both models have generated a lot of hype.

In this article, you will learn all about the advantages of each machine.

Plus, we'll share our test performance results so you can see how long each cycle takes using four different loads of laundry.

However, both machines have their own set of issues.

One problem may be the undoing of one of these machines, and you must be aware of this before making your purchase.

So, let's get started.

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LG Washers & Dryers

LG is a Korean-based multinational company specializing in appliances.

Washers and dryers are their best products.

At this point, it is safe to say LG produces the best laundry.

Although I am not a fan of Consumer Reports, LG laundry is one area where our reliability reports, CR surveys, and lab tests agree.

LG manufactures the most reliable washers and dryers you can buy.

This brand ranks among the most reliable appliance brands, as determined by our service team who completed over 100,000 service calls in the past few years.

However, like other brands, their combo washer and dryer units faced similar challenges with lint removal.

Lint removal is a big problem for all-in-one washers and dryers in general.

This year's model is designed differently with the idea of capturing lint.

Now, let's compare the LG WashCombo and the LG WashTower.

LG WashCombo All-in-One Washer/Dryer vs. LG WashTower Stacked Washer & Dryer

The LG WashTower WKHC202HBA and the LG WashCombo WM6998HBA are two different machines in almost every aspect.

The LG WashCombo WM6998HBA allows you to put in your dirty clothes and have them clean and dry without transferring the load.

You have the convenience of doing your laundry before heading to bed or work and having it all taken care of.

The WashTower is more of a conventionally stacked washer and dryer.

You have advantages for separate washers and dryers as well that we will cover later in the article.

Key Features of the LG WashTower WKHC202HBA and the WashCombo WM6998HBA 

They share some features, especially with the washer.

Spin Speed

The WashTower and WashCombo have an above-average final spin speed to dry your clothes. This is especially important with a heat pump dryer.

TurboWash

Both also have the TurboWash option, which allows you to turn any cycle into 30 minutes by employing five high-pressure sprays.

Warranty

The warranty is the same: 1 year full and ten years on both motors.

In my view, this is not a disadvantage for their reliable standard washers and dryers. A better warranty on newer technology is more of a standard practice.

The GE Profile UltraFast combination washer and dryer has a five-year warranty.

LG should have considered the same on theirs.

ThinQ App and Wi-Fi Connectivity

They also use the highly rated ThinQ app to control both machines through an app on your phone.

Reliability

You should know LG is the most reliable laundry sold by Yale and one of the most reliable single appliances, based on over 37,000 service calls logged by our service department just last year.

Heat Pump Drying

As for the LG WashCombo and WashTower dryers, both use a heat pump drying system.

We have other articles that explain how heat pumps work, but here's a brief overview:

A heat pump dryer uses a compressor, rather than heating elements, to heat the air via an exchanger, while an evaporator removes moisture.

Regular dryers pull the outside air, heat it with elements (like a hair dryer), and emit the heat and moisture to the outside.

Heat pump dryers work on a "closed loop" system, recycling the air and saving energy and money.

For residents in Boston, I anticipate potential savings of approximately $150-$175 when compared to the average dryer, assuming it is used once a day.

(This estimate is based on my own electric bill).

But heat pumps dry at lower temperatures, so they have longer drying times.

Note: You would think a large heat pump dryer could pose an issue, but heat pumps were invented in 1856 and have been in HVAC units since the 1970s. However, there are other problems you will read about later.

Differences Between the LG WashTower WKHC202HBA and WashCombo WM6998HBA 

Washer Capacity

The LG WashTower WKHC202HBA has a smaller washer capacity of 4.5 cubic feet, while the WashCombo WM6998HBA has a capacity of 5 Cu. Ft.  

Wash Programs

Both units have LG's AIDD or AI Direct Drive smart controls, but the combination washer-dryer has the newest version.

With this feature, your laundry will be washed using sensors to calculate weight, soil level, and fabric type.

The WM6998HBA is AI DD 2.0 with 30 cycles and 18 options, compared to the WashTower's AI DD 1.0 with 6 cycles for both the washer and dryer.

Automatic Dispenser

LG WashCombo (Left) & WashTower (Right) Detergent Dispensers

The WashTower has a 31-load automatic dispenser, while the combo, surprisingly, does not.

People tend to place too much detergent in their front-load washers.

That excess detergent stays in the machine for an expensive future service call.

Auto dispensers prevent this problem by releasing the right amount of detergent at the right time.

I have an auto dispenser. Loading it up rather than refilling it after every wash is super convenient.

Larger Dryer Capacity

The WashTower dryer has a larger capacity, at 7.2 cubic feet, compared to 5 cubic feet for the combo.

You can fit the same amount of laundry in the washer, but there is a general feeling on the internet that larger items will dry better in a larger drum.

Clothes are spread further, so the drying process is faster.

We will see if that is true later in the article.

Lint Removal

However, the bigger difference is how they remove the lint, which is especially critical in one of these machines.

The WashTower is traditional; the washer removes some of the lint, and the dryer removes the rest with a traditional lint screen.

The combo is a bit more complicated. It has one lint screen at the top of the machine for both the washer and dryer:

We will get back to that later.

Voltage

The last main difference is the LG WashCombo WM6998HBA operates on 120 volts for the washer and dryer versus 30 amps and 220 volts for the WashTower.

Both are ventless because of the heat pump, so you can place either almost anywhere with water and a drain because you don't need to vent.

With the WashTower, you need a 30-amp line.

The higher voltage machines are typically faster, but that is not always the case. The compact Miele 110-volt heat pump is as fast as the compact Bosch 220-volt, for example.

Now, let's talk about a potential problem you may face.

Installation Differences of the LG WashTower WKHC202HBA and WashCombo WM6998HBA 

You need to read the owner's manual because both need an extra 4 inches in depth.

The WashTower is still reasonable at 34.5 inches.

The WashCombo WM6998HBA, on the other hand, needs almost 38 inches, so you need to measure your space before you buy.

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The Washing and Drying Tests of the LG WashTower WKHC202HBA and WashCombo WM6998HBA 

LG WashTower Performance Results

LG WashCombo WM6998HBA Performance Results

The results were a bit mixed.

For whites and colors, the WashTower is faster.

You can even reload the washer once it's done, as you do now. You will have to wait for the WashCombo until the drying cycle is over.

It's harder to fathom why an all-in-one washer/dryer would be faster on bedding, but bedding, especially comforters, needs extra time in any dryer.

Our tests on all the different machines vary widely.

The sensors on the WashTower will continue to dry until completely dry, which is nearly impossible for a comforter.

It's tough to dry any comforter on any machine. You usually throw that comforter in for extra time or an extra cycle.

In a timed, non-sensor dry, the WashTower would probably be faster than the combo.

Choosing Between the LG WashTower WKHC202HBA and the WashCombo WM6998HBA: Which One Should You Buy?

The safer bet is the LG WashTower stacked washer and dryer.

It is faster on the clothes you wash most often and is a more proven design, even with its new heat pump technology.

On the other hand, the WashCombo is a great idea because you never have to transfer your clothes from the washer to the dryer.

With the WashCombo all-in-one washer/dryer, you also save space compared to a conventional washer and dryer setup. 

Additionally, installation is simpler with the WashCombo's 120-volt requirement. You can easily place the WashCombo anywhere with power and a drain.

However, the biggest problem for the WashCombo is the removal of lint. This is an issue in any combo washer and dryer.

Previous models were not designed properly for removing lint, and the lint would eventually seize the machine.

This machine has a new filtering system designed to capture lint, but only time will tell whether it works.

What do you think? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. We'd love to hear from you!

Additional Resources

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