Should You Buy the LG WashCombo All-in-One WM6998HBA?

The LG WM6998HBA is the latest advancement in combo washers and dryers.

Now, you can put your dirty clothes into one unit, go to bed, and wake up to clean and dry clothes.

Amazing.

But does it work?

In this article, you will learn about all the features of the LG all-in-one washer and dryer, the WM6998HBA.

Then, you will see the performance results of four different laundry loads, including whites, colors, bed sheets, and a king-size comforter.

You will also learn about a few important issues, including one serious problem nobody seems to discuss.

I will also compare the WM6998HBA with its main rival, the GE Profile UltraFast combo washer and dryer.

But first, a warning about combo washers and dryers.

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Problems With Combination Washers and Dryers

I never thought we would sell a combination washer and dryer at Yale.

We normally don’t recommend combo washers and dryers, especially for families or those who do laundry frequently, because they can't effectively remove the lint.

Over time, the lint will seize the machine for an expensive and impossible service call.

Like this unit with a 2.4-star rating on the brand's own site.

It's ironic because, for years, brands, bloggers, and reviewers all thought we were crazy and exaggerating the issue.

Now, the new combo washers and dryers have made special provisions for lint. LG has theirs on the top of the machine:

Meanwhile, the GE Profile UltraFast has theirs on the face or front of the machine:

Later in the article, we’ll share whether the filter really works.

Another problem is that combo washers and dryers are limited. Let me explain.

You probably would appreciate having a combo washer and dryer because you can do your laundry before bed.

I get it.

However, opting for an all-in-one machine will put you at a disadvantage if you want to do multiple loads compared to having separate washer and dryer units.

As an example, the average wash cycle is 35-50 minutes.

After that cycle, you can reload the washer. You cannot do that in any combo.

You must wait for the 2-4-hour drying cycle to finish.

LG Washers 2005-2024

LG is a Korean conglomerate with a focus on appliances. Their best product is laundry.

Without question, especially in the last 15 years, their washers have been excellent.

For once, Consumer Reports and our reliability stats show LG as the most reliable washer you can buy.

Except their combo washers have been disappointing, like every other brand.

They did improve the WM6998HBA.

LG WashCombo All-in-One WM6998HBA Review

Best Features of the LG WM6998HBA

The following are the best features:

Combination Washer and Dryer

The WM6998HBA is a washer-dryer combo, meaning you will never have to transfer your clothes from a washer to a dryer.

Pop your dirty clothes in, and they will finish clean and dry. You don't have to rewash a load you forgot to place in your dryer.

Ventless

The unit is ventless and operates on 120 volts of power, meaning you can place this anywhere with a standard outlet, water source, and drain.

You'll never have to worry about cleaning your dryer vent again.

The drying system uses a heat pump instead of using elements.

Difference Between Vented and Heat Pump Dryers

Heat pumps heat the air with a compressor through an air exchanger with an evaporator, removing the moisture.

It is a closed-loop system and doesn't continuously draw air and expel heated air like your vented dryer, nor does it project heat back into the room like condenser types.

So, the WM6998HBA is far more efficient and will save you $150-$175 a year based on Boston's 2023 utility rates.

Heat Pumps Disadvantages

The downside is heat pump dryers take longer to dry, as you will see in our tests.

Heat pumps were invented in 1856 and used extensively in HVAC systems in the 1970s.

But they are newer in dryers. Electrolux first manufactured a heat pump in 1997 but on smaller dryers.

Miele was the first manufacturer of all heat pumps in 2019, but again in smaller sizes.

The GE Profile UltraFast and LG WashTower, featuring heat pump dryers, marked the debut of the first larger heat pump dryers, with both models launching just last year.

Read More: The Pros & Cons of Heat Pump Dryers

Capacity and Cycles

The WM6998HBA is a larger front load machine at five cubic feet with 30 wash cycles and 18 wash options.

You can also customize your own cycles on their intuitive app.

The time remaining is tracked on your phone, and you will receive a push notification when the cycle is finished.

This machine has an AI DD (artificial intelligence direct drive motor) that washes using sensors by weight and fabric type. AI DD was first deployed in their award-winning WashTower in 2020.

Side Note: You can now buy the LG WashTower with a ventless heat pump dryer.

Automatic Dispenser

Other notable features include their 31-load dispenser, which dispenses the exact amount of detergent needed at the right time.

Long-time readers will probably be tired of reading this.

People tend to put way too much detergent in their laundry. That excess soap seeps into the machine for an expensive future service call.

Auto dispensers solve this issue by automatically dispensing the precise amount of detergent at the prime moment.

TurboWash360

Their TurboWash360 cycle turns any wash cycle into 30 minutes using five high-pressure sprays. I didn't list this as a feature, but TurboWash360 works.

Reliability

LG's best feature is its reliability.

LG washers are the most reliable appliances sold at Yale based on 37,000 service calls completed by our service department last year.

That's real service calls, not opinions, lab results, or surveys.

An LG washer is the most reliable appliance we have sold over the last five years.

LG WM6998HBA Wash & Dry Tests

Now, let’s see how the LG all-in-one combo washer and dryer performs and how the lint is captured.

We stained the clothes with chocolate milk to test its washing performance.

For four towels and 6 XL men's shirts, the machine showed 3 hours and 25 minutes but finished in 2 hours and 51 minutes.

For king-sized sheets and blankets, it showed 2 hours and 2 minutes and finished a bit later at 2 hours and 8 minutes.

For whites, including 8 men's shirts, four towels, and 8 men's large T-shirts, it showed 2 hours 50 minutes and completed in 2 hours and 48 minutes.

For a comforter, the cycle was completed in 2 hours and 1 minute, while it indicated 2 hours and 12 minutes.

LG WM6998HBA Washer/ Dryer Combo Performance Results

We tested the same laundry in a separate washer and dryer.

GE 650 Series Separate Washer & Dryer Performance Results

So, the combo takes a longer time, and you can reload after the shorter wash cycle.

Overall Performance Results

Well, it worked. The stains were removed from the clothes.

The bedding was not dried thoroughly, but then again, bedding is never dried completely in any dryer.

Think about it. How many times do you dry your comforter at home? My guess is you add another 20-25 minutes.

The machine did a nice job removing the lint -  at least for now.

If you want to learn more about heat pump technology, then subscribe to the blog; we will compare the Profile to Miele, Bosch, Beko, and the LG WashTower in future articles as well as how to and how not to. Over 100,000 subscribers have read and trusted a Yale Guide.

LG WM6998HBA Problems

1. Longer Wash & Dry Times Than the GE Profile UltraFast

Many have remarked that the LG is much more streamlined than its competitor, the GE Profile UltraFast.

That's true, but it’s not either.

The GE Profile Ultrafast has a larger heat pump dryer than LG’s combo machine.

LG also adds a resistance heater, but the GE Profile still performed better, at least in our tests.

I am not telling you to buy a GE.

LG has better cycles, a better track record of reliability, and is typically $300-$500 less expensive.

The lint trap works, although it is not ADA compliant, being on the top instead of the front of the unit

2. No Track Record

GE and LG don't have a track record, so how does it trap lint after 400 loads compared to the four we did?

This is a legitimate concern. 

3. Warranty

The heat pump is only warranted for one year, so after year one, you are on your own versus five for the GE.

4. Depth

The WM6998 requires another 4 inches of depth, making its depth almost 38 inches.

So, you have to measure your space to ensure it can accommodate the LG WashCombo.

5. Service

The Profile is also easier to disassemble for service, and their App can pinpoint the issues better than LG.

Over the last few years, LG has invested in service, but service is a big investment in recruiting and training.

I know this better than most. I started service at Yale 35 years ago. Now, we have 35 techs logging 37,000 just in the Boston area.

Launching a nationwide program will require thousands of techs, multiple warehouses, and managers.

Kudos to them for at least starting when most offer none (like Samsung).

However, in the short term, service will be a problem.

Read More: The GE Profile UltraFast Combo vs. the LG WashTower

Should You Buy the LG WashCombo All-in-One WM6998HBA?: Key Takeaways

First, kudos to LG for thinking differently. I think combos are what people want as they make doing laundry easier.

First, if you have just 120 volts, this unit is an amazing alternative.

In addition, the WM6998HBA has great features, cycles, smart functionality, and a decent price.

LG washers and dryers are typically excellent. Their AI DD works, and the addition of an automatic dispenser will take the guesswork out of measuring your detergent.

However, the depth could be an issue. The warranty could be better as well.

Like the UltraFast, effective lint removal over time remains to be seen.

Lastly, any combo will take time, so consider that as well if you have lots of laundry regularly.

Overall, you should consider this unit but be wary of the issues.

Additional Resources

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