July 19th, 2023 | 7 min. read
Learn how to find the perfect laundry products with our Washer Buying Guide
The LG WashTower with a ventless heat pump dryer and the GE Profile UltraFast combo washer and dryer are the industry's most innovative and interesting appliances.
In this article, you will learn all about the features and problems of both machines.
Then you will see a comparison between the LG WashTower and the GE Profile UltraFast for the wash and dry times of identical loads of whites, colors, and bedding.
Read to the end to learn the biggest problem for both and how to save $700 on each with this one trick no one else will tell you about.
So, let's get started.
The GE Profile UltraFast Combo Washer & Dryer
GE Profile PFQ97HSPVDS
GE Profile™ 4.8 Cu. Ft. Carbon Graphite Front Load Washer Dryer Combo - $2,609.99
Top Features of the GE Profile UltraFast Combo Washer & Dryer
The flagship feature of the GE Profile UltraFast PFQ97HSPVDS is the capability to take your dirty clothes and deliver them back to you clean and dry.
120-Volt Heat Pump Dryer
The Ultrafast only uses 120-volt of power and is ventless, meaning you can put this combo washer and dryer anywhere with a water supply and drain.
How Heat Pump Dryers Work
The heat pump dryer is more efficient and gentler on your clothes but takes longer.
Instead of drying elements, heat pumps use compressors and heat exchangers to chamber, heat, and recycle the air.
We have articles dedicated to heat pump drying. I will leave the links below.
The wash and dry cycle took us around 2-3 hours for our tests. Later in this article, we will delve into more specific details.
Read More: What Are the Benefits of Ventless and Heat Pump Dryers?
Auto Dispensing
Next, this machine has GE’s signature features, like a 32-load automatic dispenser, which calculates the precise amount of detergent needed and dispensing it at the right time.
Mold Control
The GE Profile UltraFast combo washer and dryer has Microban surfaces in the dispenser, gasket, and hoses to reduce mold and mildew.
In a combo, the drying cycle following the wash will evaporate any residual moisture, so mold shouldn’t be an issue.
Other Features:
- 2-in-1 Washer Dryer
- Fast Airflow Drying System
- Greater Energy Savings - heat pump technology provides 50% more energy-efficient drying than with a regular dryer.
- Smart Features Powered By SmartHQ
- Adaptive SmartDispense™ Technology
- Microban® Antimicrobial Technology
- EZ Access Lint Filter System
- Large Wash Capacity
- Eco Cool™ Cycle
- GE Profile Connect +
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The LG WashTower with a Ventless Heat Pump Dryer
LG WKHC202HBA
LG Wash Tower™ Single Unit Front Load 4.5 cu. ft. Washer and 7.2 cu. ft. Heat Pump Ventless Dryer - $3,099
Top Features of the LG WashTower
The LG WashTower was the best appliance introduced in 2020.
They recently added their 220-volt heat pump model, the WKHC202HBA, to their lineup with three other vented models.
With heat pump dryers, you don't need to vent. The WashTower is 240 volts, the same as your current dryer.
LG's front-load washers excel in size, cycles, reliability, and smart connectivity.
Depth
When the WashTower was first introduced, the middle controls were beneficial instead of reaching for the dryer controls when stacked. Still, the size - specifically the depth - is also an advantage.
The WashTower is at least 1.5 to 3 inches slimmer than competitive models, making them ideal for tight closets.
AI DD
Its AI DD (Artificial Intelligent Direct Drive) programming is still one of the most sophisticated.
The washer uses sensors and 11,000 data points to calculate the cycle based on weight, clothing type, and soil level for the perfect wash.
The smart learner feature remembers your favorite cycles, and you just press a button.
Turbo360
You also have their Turbo360 technology, using five high-pressure hoses in the front to reduce cycle times to under 30 minutes.
Reliable
LG stands out with stellar front-load washer reliability.
An LG front load washer needed a mere 2.1% repair rate in the first year versus the industry average of 9.7% for appliances, based on over 33,000 service calls logged by our service team just last year.
Automatic Detergent Dispenser
LG has an auto dispenser as well. Enough for 18 loads.
Other Features:
- Ultra Large Capacity 4.5 cu. ft. Washer and 7.2 cu. ft. Dryer Single Unit Wash Tower™ Design
- Ventless Electric Heat Pump Dryer* with Sensor Dry
- ENERGY STAR® Most Efficient
- AI DD® 1.0 Advanced Washing with Fabric Sensor, TurboWash® 360°, and Steam Technology
- AAFA Certified Washer with Allergiene® Cycle
- Full Touch Electronic Center Control® Panel with LED Display and Smart Pairing
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The GE Profile UltraFast Combo vs. the LG WashTower: A Comparison
The price is similar at $2,799 for the LG WashTower and $2,609 for the GE Profile UltraFast.
You can buy both for under $2000 during promotional holidays. The article will tell you how to get that sale price later.
Capacity
The capacity is similar at 4.5 cubic feet for the LG vs. 4.8 for the Profile.
Spin Speed
The spin speed (RPM) of the washer is the same at 1300 RPM, so the clothes will have less moisture after the wash cycle.
Wi-Fi
Both can be operated from your phone with the GE SmartHQ or the LG ThinQ apps.
Read More: Smart Appliance Buying Guide
Depth
LG is the shallowest at 30.25, while the UltraFast is 32 inches, plus the door. You don't have to vent, either. After that, they are completely different.
Cycles
LGs AI DD technology is more fully featured than the Profile, yet the Ultrafast has a larger dispenser at 32 versus 15 loads for the LG.
Mold Control
The GE Profile has better mold control with Microban surfaces; the drying cycle will eliminate most moisture.
With the LG, you can use the TubClean cycle. Also, drying the gasket and leaving the door open helps as well.
120 Volt vs. 240 Volt Drying Systems
The biggest difference is GE uses 120 while LG has the traditional 240 volts, making GE Profile easier to place everywhere, while LG will be faster.
Or at least it should be.
Let's see in the comparison.
Performance Test
GE Profile UltraFast Combo Washer and Dryer Test Results
| Total Wash and Dry Time | |
| Mixed Colors | 2 hours & 51 minutes |
| Whites | 2 hours & 48 minutes |
| Bedding | 2 hours & 8 minutes |
| Comforter | 2 hours & 1 minute |
LG WashTower Test Results
| Wash Time | Dry Time | Total Time | |
| Mixed Colors | 32 minutes | 1 hour & 2 minutes | 1 hour & 34 minutes |
| Whites | 36 minutes | 1 hour & `8 minutes | 1 hour & 54 minutes |
| Bedding | 1 hour & 5 minutes | 3 hour & 20 minutes | 4 hours & 25 minutes |
| Comforter | 1 hour & 2 minutes | 2 hour & 45 minutes | 3 hours & 47 minutes |
Washing and Drying Mixed Colors
For colors, the WashTower used less time at 1:34 minutes, split at 32 minutes for Wash and 62 for the dry versus 2:51 for the combined washing and drying for the Ultrafast.
We will get to the significance of the split a bit later.
For whites, the WashTower was 36 minutes in the wash and 78 minutes to dry for 1 hour and 54 minutes versus 2 hours and 48 minutes for the UltraFast.
Washing and Drying Bedding
The bedding was strange because it was the opposite sort.
The WashTower wash was 65 minutes for the wash with a whopping 3 hours 20 minutes for the drying for 4 hours 25 minutes versus just 2 hours and 8 minutes for the UltraFast.
However, the bedding was much dryer than the mostly dry UltraFast.
Washing and Drying Comforters
The comforter was the same story.
The WashTower was 3 hours and 47 minutes combined against the UltraFast at 2 hours and 1 minute. Again, the comforter was completely dry compared to mostly dry for the UltraFast.
You would expect the 240-volt dryer to be faster, and The WashTower is on the whites and colors significantly. However, the bedding is much slower.
I called LG and haven't heard back, but it must be the sensors sensing the dry and not shutting off the machine until that certain dryness level has been reached.
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Which Is Better?
Based on washing whites and colors, the LG WashTower is the better performer. It is also faster with a shorter wash cycle.
You can have another wash started and completed while Ultrafast is still washing and drying the same load.
For bedding, the GE Profile Ultrafast is better, but you are washing more colors and whites more often.
But which one you pick has a lot to do with how you do laundry:
Buy the GE Profile UltraFast:
- If you want to wash and dry before you go to bed at night or go to the office in the morning.
- If you have a habit of forgetting and not transferring the laundry from the washer to the dryer, like me, then UltraFast is a good option.
- For the small minority of people who don't have enough power in their units, the 120 volts UltraFast is a godsend. You have full-size laundry while only using 11 amps.
If you want to wash and dry before you go to bed at night or go to the office in the morning.
Buy the LG WashTower:
- If you want to do more laundry in a shorter amount of time. The times are shorter for the total time, but you can wash at 36 minutes for whites, transfer it to the dryer, and then start another load.
- If you want less problems. Of the two, the LG WashTower is less risky because both may need service in the future.
Potential Problems
Both are innovative, and both are a bit risky.
The LG WashTower and GE Profile UltraFast, which are both new to the market, utilize large heat pump dryers, and their performance and reliability have yet to be proven.
However, heat pump technology has been around since the 1990s.
Combo Washer and Dryer Problems
Combination washer and dryers are notorious for NOT removing lint. This becomes an expensive, almost certain service call.
The GE Profile directly addresses this problem with its huge double-sided filter located next to the heat exchanger.
Although both did perform well in our tests, we have no long-term idea of reliability at this time.
How to Buy the GE Profile UltraFast and LG WashTower On Sale
While we have no idea of reliability in the long term, in the short term, you can save more than $700 on either machine.
Buy the GE Profile UltraFast and the WashTower during popular holiday sales, including Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Tax-Free holiday, and Black Friday for the best deals.
Black Friday deals extended from the spooky Halloween season all the way to the festive Christmas Eve last year.
Final Thoughts
What do you think?
Your decision ultimately comes down to whether you want the convenience of the GE Profile UltraFast or the ability to wash more in the LG WashTower.
We'd love to hear your opinion in the comments below.
Additional Resources
Download our Yale Washer Buying Guide with all the features, terms, and brands of laundry. Over 1.2 million people have already found answers in a Yale guide.
Related Articles
- GE vs. LG Front-Load Washers
- Should You Buy the LG WashTower?
- GE Profile UltraFast Combo Washer & Dryer: Test and Performance Review
- The New GE Profile UltraFast Combo Washer and Dryer PFQ97HSPVDS: Tough Questions for the Creator
- The Pros & Cons of Heat Pump Dryers
- Best Front Load Washers
- Most Reliable Front-Load Washers
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