Our pick
A solid 24-inch washer with a reputation for reliability and helpful customer service, plus a shorter wash time, and a fast spin cycle to dry clothes more quickly.
This ventless condenser dryer matches our favorite compact washer, and also lets it piggyback off the power supply, so you’ll need only one 240-volt outlet.
Bosch is a laundry heavyweight in Europe, where this style is the norm, and the company has a reputation for making sturdy, effective, efficient machines backed by helpful customer service. The Bosch 300 Series WGA12400UC washer is one of the more affordable compact models with an accelerated wash cycle, significantly cutting cycle times. (The WGA12400UC is an updated version of the model we originally recommended, which has been discontinued.) It also has a very fast spin cycle, which pre-dries clothes so they don’t need to spend so much time drying. The WTG86403UC matching dryer is a ventless condenser model, and the washer can piggyback off its power supply, so you need only one outlet for the pair. (We originally recommended the Bosch 300 Series WTG86400UC dryer, which has been discontinued.)
Runner-up
This washer gets excellent reviews for cleaning and can plug into a regular outlet, but it seems to have more reliability problems.
This ventless condenser dryer can run off of its own power supply—no need to hook up to the washer.
The Bosch set has a couple of quirks that may not work for everyone. And in that case, we think the Electrolux ELFW4222AW washer and ELFE4222AW dryer make the next-best pair. Though the company’s reputation for reliability and service aren’t as great as Bosch’s, the washer and dryer both have a slightly larger capacity, the washer may be better at removing the toughest stains, and the installation options are more flexible. (We originally recommended the Electrolux EFLS210TIW washer and matching EFDE210TIW dryer, both of which have been discontinued.)
Upgrade pick
This compact washer is effective at lifting stains while still being gentle on fabrics, and Miele makes some of the most durable appliances around.
This ventless heat-pump model can plug into a standard 120-volt outlet and is more efficient than even condenser models.
We originally tested an earlier version of the Miele WXD160 when we evaluated it against full-size washers. We’d recommend it to anyone who’s willing to spend extra for a long-lasting washer, whether or not they need a compact machine. The WXD160 performed as well as our favorite full-size washer, the LG WM4000H, at stain removal and fabric care. And unlike the Bosch and Electrolux dryers, the TXD160 dryer (an updated version of the model we originally tested) uses a heat pump instead of a condenser, which makes it more energy-efficient and allows it to work well in all temperature and humidity conditions. We think the extra cost of these models is worth it: Miele is known for making well-built and long-lasting appliances. And unlike our other picks, both the washer and dryer can be plugged into standard 120-volt outlets.
