Best Stackable Washers and Dryers
These top-rated appliances offer the option of stacking them vertically or placing them side by side
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When you think of matching washer and dryer sets, you probably envision the two appliances installed side by side. But if your laundry space is no wider than a closet—or squeezed by a tight corner or poorly placed pipes—vertically stacking your washer and dryer is a space-saving option.
- Best Stackable Pairs: Front-Load Washer and Electric Dryers Front-Load Washer and Gas Dryers Compact Front-Load Washer and Dryers
- Stackables: What They Are How to Shop for Them
Best Stackable Front-Load Washer and Electric Dryer Pairs
Nearly all the best front-load washer and electric dryer pairs in our ratings come from LG, a brand that gets a top score in our reliability surveys for both types of machines. In our testing, front-loaders are especially energy- and water-efficient (typically using 10 gallons per load), and they’re gentle on fabric. That said, they have longer wash times than other types of washers and can be prone to mold and mildew.
These front-load washers pair with electric dryers, the most popular drying solution for most homes. They’re available at a wide range of prices.
We consider both of these appliances to be excellent performers. They’re also Energy Star certified, Green Choice eco-friendly, and WiFi-enabled with steam cycles. The washer (which we expect to perform similarly to the tested LG WM3900HWA) promises stellar ratings for washing performance, energy efficiency, and water efficiency. Its 4.5 cubic-foot capacity can handle larger loads, and its steam cycle can help remove tough stains from clothes. The 7.4-cubic-foot electric dryer is modeled after the LG DLEX4500B, which got high marks for drying performance and also scored well for noise and convenience. Its steam option can help dewrinkle your finest fabrics.
How they’ll fit: This white stackable duo should fit into most laundry spaces. Both machines measure a standard 39 inches tall, 27 inches wide, and 31 inches deep.
You’ll get top-notch cleaning and lots of features (like a remote app), but this duo may induce sticker shock. The most expensive pair in our ratings, at more than $4,000, it’s more than double the price of our highest-rated washer-dryer set. This pair features a minimalist design with large-capacity viewing doors—the kind you might see in a laundromat—except these appliances are stackable and come with intuitive LCD touchscreens. The front-load washer offers high performance, superior efficiency, excellent reliability, and built-in AI that auto-selects cycles, as well as a Turbo Wash setting that cleans large loads in under 30 minutes. That matters because this washer’s regular cycle time is typically a pokey 120 minutes. At 5.8 cubic feet, it’s also the largest front-loader in our ratings. The high-performing electric dryer features a moisture sensor, steam option, extended tumble, and WiFi connectivity. But it lacks custom programs and a duct blockage indicator, so it’s essential to keep close tabs on duct-cleaning maintenance.
How they’ll fit: This stackable pair requires ample space, so measure your laundry area and doorways. The washing machine is taller and wider than most front-loaders, measuring 41 inches high, 29 inches wide, and 33 inches deep. The dryer is slightly smaller at 41 inches tall, 29 inches wide, and 32 inches deep. The washer gets a middling vibration score in our tests, so hiring professionals to stack these two appliances is a good idea.
These Energy Star certified and WiFi-enabled LG machines are top-level at what they do, and like the LG WM4000HWA and DLEX4000W, they have steam cycles. The 5.2-cubic-foot washer receives excellent ratings for washing performance, energy efficiency, and water efficiency. The 9-cubic-foot electric dryer doesn’t earn any excellent marks, but it performs very well in every category, from drying performance to noise and convenience. It also features a steam option.
How they’ll fit: Like the LG Signature WM9900HSA and LG Signature DLEX9900S, this black stackable duo is bigger than our highest-rated option, LG’s WM400HWA and DLEX4000W. Both machines are 41 inches tall, 29 inches wide, and 33 inches deep.
This washer and dryer duo from LG is Energy Star qualified, has WiFi capabilities, and performs similarly to the other models we recommend in this section. The 5-cubic-foot washer earns excellent ratings for washing performance, energy efficiency, and water efficiency. The 7.4-cubic-foot electric dryer has near-top-level marks for drying performance, noise, and convenience. It also features a steam option. If you’re okay with a slightly smaller washer capacity, the 4.5 cubic-foot LG WM5500HWA washer and LG DLEX5500W dryer offer similar performance and features for a slightly lower price.
How they’ll fit: The WM6500HWA is a bit oversized, measuring 40 inches tall, 27 inches wide, and 33 inches deep. The DLEX6500W is a little more compact at 39 inches high, 27 inches wide, and 30 inches deep.
Best Stackable Front-Load Washer and Gas Dryer Pairs
The front-load washers in this section, which come from LG, pair up with gas dryers as well as electric ones. Gas dryers perform similarly to electric dryers, though they’re typically $50 to $150 more expensive and can cost less to operate where gas is cheaper than electricity.
This washer boasts excellent washing performance and is water- and energy-efficient. With a 4.5-cubic-foot capacity and a 110-minute cycle, you can rely on this model to clean consistently, even if it’s a bit rough on clothes and noticeably vibrates. If you have special clothes, try the delicate cycle with this one. CR’s top-rated gas dryer offers great performance and some nice extras at a moderate price. It scores admirably in our tests of drying performance, convenience, and noise, and offers a steam option, extended tumble, and WiFi capability. Its stainless steel drum has a 7.4-cubic-foot capacity.
How they’ll fit: Both the washer and dryer are standard 27 inches wide and 39 inches deep, but the washer is 31 inches deep compared with the dryer’s 30-inch depth.
This economically priced washer shines in water and energy efficiency, but it’s not particularly gentle on clothes, and while it’s quite quiet, you’ll notice it vibrates. It’s Energy Star certified, with a stainless drum, a 5-cubic-foot capacity, and a 95-minute cycle. The Energy Star certified gas dryer is a very good performer across the board. It’s a little pricier than its matching washer mate and lacks a stainless drum. Neither machine offers a steam option or WiFi capability.
How they’ll fit: Both machines feature a sleek white design, dialed cycles, and a touchpad panel. They’re a standard 39 inches high and 27 inches wide, but the washer is 33 inches deep and the dryer is only 30 inches deep.
Best Stackable Compact Front-Load Washer and Dryer Pairs
All of the compact washers and dryers CR tests are stackable. Compact front-loaders offer most of the same features, benefits, and performance as full-sized models but with reduced capacity and potentially increased vibration. You’ll need to dig deeper into your pockets because the best stackable compact pairs are nearly double the price of some regular-sized front-loaders.
If you’re tight on space, this pricey stackable washer and dryer pair could be a good fit. Available in white and graphite steel, they’re among the quietest compacts we’ve tested. The washer is top-rated for washing performance, meaning it effectively removes most tough stains. It vibrates like most compacts, but it’s also gentle on fabric. (We expect the Miele WXF660WCS and Miele WXR860 to perform similarly to this model, though we didn’t test them.) The Energy Star certified dryer does a solid job of drying clothes, and it’s equipped with a stainless steel drum, a moisture sensor, WiFi capability, a steam option, and an end-of-cycle signal.
How they’ll fit: The washer and dryer are 34 inches high, 24 inches wide, and 25 inches deep.
This compact washer offers excellent washing performance and energy and water efficiency. Although it’s quiet, it’s not as gentle on fabric as it could be. It has a 2.3-cubic-foot stainless drum, and its tested wash cycle is slightly shorter than most at 95 minutes. It comes with auto dispensers, an extra rinse cycle, and WiFi. The stackable matching dryer offers solid drying performance and operates quietly, although it could be more convenient to use. It has a capacity of 4.1 cubic feet and comes with a moisture sensor, an extended tumble option, and an end-of-cycle signal.
How they’ll fit: The washer and dryer are 34 inches high and 24 inches wide. The washer is 26 inches deep, while the dryer is 25 inches deep.
This compact washer and dryer set is expensive, but the appliances perform well overall. The washer earns excellent ratings for washing performance, water efficiency, and reliability, making it a long-term cost-cutter. It’s also quite energy-efficient. The downside is that it vibrates and its cycle time is long, at 90 minutes. The matching ventless dryer is extremely quiet and very good at drying clothes. Both are Energy Star certified and WiFi-enabled, allowing them to be controlled remotely via an app.
How they’ll fit: The washer measures 34 inches high, 24 inches wide, and 25 inches deep; the dryer measures an inch deeper, at 26 inches.
What Are Stackable Washers and Dryers?
Stackable washers and dryers are independent appliances that can be installed separately, side by side, or stacked using a kit provided by the manufacturer so that the dryer rests on top of the washer. They’re not to be confused with laundry centers—a single, compact space-saving tower housing both a washer and dryer—that you see in many apartment buildings and condos.
Stackable washers are almost always full-sized front-loaders, or front-load compacts that manufacturers design to work with a specific dryer. But not every washer or dryer is stackable. The lid of top-load machines (both agitator washers and HE washers), for example, typically prevents dryers from being stacked above them. Front-load washers with control panels mounted on top of the machine can’t be stacked, either. Only front-load machines with touchpad or dial control panels on the front of the washer can be stacked.
Stackable machines typically have similar cycles for optimized performance. So if the washer has a wrinkle-free or delicate cycle, the dryer will as well. Some communicate with each other as well. For example, GE and LG offer some front-loaders with intelligent stacking kits that allow you to control both wash and dry cycles from the washer control panel. This is convenient if you have trouble reaching the higher dryer controls.
“Compatibility is really important because the stack kit can only work with the compatible washer and dryer, and some features, like Dryer Control, can only work between a compatible pair,” says Chris Naber, senior director of product management for clothes care at GE Appliances. “Beyond space savings, there are no differences between stacking units and using them side by side.”
How to Shop for Stackable Washers and Dryers
CR and manufacturers recommend shopping for your preferred washer first to find one with the capacity, features, and price you’re looking for, and then choosing your preferred dryer. A washer is also a more complicated machine that does most of the heavy laundry lifting, and manufacturers typically suggest a compatible dryer for each washer. It is best to choose a washer and dryer pair from the same brand and model type.
We’ve found that buying a washer and dryer pair is a better economic option than purchasing them separately. Some washer and dryer sets include stacking hardware, while others require kits purchased at an additional cost. Stacking kits can range from $50 to $250, so consider this while buying your washer and dryer pair. In fact, factor the delivery, installation, and stacking kit costs into your purchase.
Consider This Before Buying a Stackable Washer and Dryer
You know a few things by now, like how stackable washers and dryers can be placed vertically or side by side. Here are a few more things to think about before you invest in a stackable washer-dryer pair:
- Measure your space. Determine whether stacked machines will fit through your doorways and in your laundry space, and whether electrical outlets, hot and cold water hookups, drainpipes, and vents are accessible. If you choose a gas dryer, you’ll need a gas line nearby, and that hookup may require a plumber.
- Get ready for alterations. If stacking, your dryer ductwork might need lengthening or adjusting so air flows freely through the vent to the outside. As with any dryer, don’t use foil accordion-style ducts. Some dryers may need access to a water line for steam features, so figure that out well ahead of time. You might need to reconfigure a reversible dryer door so that both the washer and dryer open in the same direction after stacking. This requires flipping the hinges to the opposite side.
- Self-installation can get complicated and even dangerous. Installing a stackable washer and dryer can be tricky. You’ll need the proper hardware to install the set correctly and prevent safety or performance problems. Plus, you’ll need a helper to lift and stabilize a heavy dryer on top of the washer. “The machines vibrate and move a bit during operation, so it’s important that you use the proper hardware to lock them together,” says Rich Handel, CR’s laundry expert. “If they aren’t compatible and able to lock together with the stacking kit from the manufacturer, the dryer could come loose and topple down, causing damage or injury.”
- You may need a pro. If the installation requires plumbing, electrical, or gas work, a professional could cost over $500. “Consult a plumber to handle the gas line setup, especially if you’re switching from a side-by-side to a stacked setup,” Handel says. “If you already have a stacked setup, an installer may be sufficient.”
- Your retailer may offer installation, but read the fine print. Special promotions may not apply to stackable machines or require the purchase of the stackable washer, dryer, and stacking kit together. (Buying just one stackable appliance may not qualify.) Factor in delivery, installation, and stacking kit costs into your overall purchase.
