What Is a Washer Dryer Combo and Is It Worth It for a Sydney Apartment?
If you live in a Sydney apartment without a separate laundry, a washer-dryer combo might seem like the perfect solution. But there are real tradeoffs. Here's what you need to know before you buy.
What Is a Washer Dryer Combo?
A washer-dryer combo (also called an all-in-one washer dryer) is a single machine that both washes and dries clothes. You load the clothes, set the program, and come back to washed and dried clothes without moving anything.
They fit in the same space as a standard washing machine (60cm wide, 60cm deep, 85cm tall).
How the Drying Works
Most combo units use condensation drying — the damp air from the drum is cooled by water (using cold water from the tap), causing moisture to condense and drain away. No external venting is required.
Some premium models use a heat pump drying system (more energy efficient and gentler on fabrics).
The Advantages
- One machine, one space: Ideal for apartments where there's space for a washing machine but no room for a separate dryer
- No venting required: Uses water condensation, so it installs wherever a washing machine does
- No moving clothes between machines: Wash and dry in one cycle, hands-free
- Lower total cost than buying two separate machines
The Limitations — Important to Understand
Smaller Drying Capacity Than Washing Capacity
This is the biggest practical issue. A combo unit might wash 8kg but only dry 4–4.5kg. If you fill it to its wash capacity, you'll need to remove half the clothes before drying.
If you don't want to do this, you need to wash at half capacity, which is inefficient.
Much Longer Cycles
A combined wash and dry cycle in a combo unit typically takes 3.5–5 hours. If you do two loads a day, that's 7–10 hours of machine time. This can be a real practical constraint.
Higher Water Use for Drying
Condensation drying uses a constant flow of cold water to condense moisture. Some combo units use 20–40 litres of water per drying cycle in addition to the wash water. This matters if you're on a metered water supply.
Drying Quality
Combo units generally don't dry as effectively as a dedicated dryer. Items often come out slightly damp, particularly thick items like jeans or towels. For many apartments this is acceptable; for others it's frustrating.
Who Is a Washer Dryer Combo Best For?
- Solo or couple in a compact apartment with no room for two machines
- Households that do small to medium loads (not running multiple loads per day)
- Renters who can't install a dryer separately (e.g., no wall for venting, no space)
Who Should Buy Separate Machines Instead?
- Families doing multiple loads per day — the cycle time and capacity split will be a constant frustration
- Anyone who regularly washes full loads of heavy items (duvets, towels, work clothes)
- Anyone with the space for a separate washer and dryer (even stacked)
What Does a Combo Cost?
- Entry-level 7kg wash / 4kg dry: $900–$1,100
- Mid-range 8–9kg wash / 4.5–5kg dry: $1,200–$1,700
- Premium heat pump combo: $1,800–$2,500+
See Washer Dryer Combos at Oceania Appliances
We stock washer-dryer combos and can help you decide if they're right for your situation. We also carry compact washing machines and condenser dryers that can be stacked if space is limited. Visit us at 2/14 Centre Place, Wetherill Park — open 7 days, 10 am to 8 pm. Free delivery across Sydney.