Washer Dryers - are they any good? I'm thinking of getting one but people are telling me they're rubbish?

Question

Specifically the Hotpoint WD640.

Thanks!

Space is at a premium so I don't have room for a seperate dryer.

I've just started back at work and I've got children going into school so I do need something!

Answer 1

I heard that they tend to break a lot.
I am getting one in the future because I dont have space to have both.

Answer 2

Woah! I use a washer dryer because I have no space for a clothes line and only a small kitchen. So long as you don't misuse them they should give you years of trouble free service. As for the loads, be careful, they may wash a heavier load than they will dry and remember that once the wash cycle has finished you have the added weight of the water to consider in the equation.

As for the Hotpoint WD640, I would not choose this one. I currently use a Candy CMD146. This is actually cheaper than the Hotpoint. I did have a WD640 prior to this one but found it to be unreliable and had so many breakdowns (and a flooded kitchen) that I scrapped it and bought a different model. The Candy has given me no trouble whatsoever and also has intelligent drying (a built in sensor which detects the water level in the washing and conserves power).

Hope this is of some help.

Answer 3

I had one and the dryer part only lasted for about 3 years - I could still use it as a washer.

The clothes take longer to dry than using a conventional dryer too - this makes it more expensive.

I'd never have one again. My kitchen is very small, but I've still got a seperate washer and dryer. I only use the dryer for things like towels and bedding. I try to hang stuff up outside or I have a rail in one of my upstairs rooms where I hang stuff on hangers and they generally dry overnight.

Answer 4

I think that when they break down they are a lot more expensive to fix because of being more complicated machinery. However, my daughter has a washer dryer, she has had it at least two years with no problem (Oh! tempting the gods!). She dries outside when possible so does not use drying facility all of the time. Why not have a look at the Which web site and see if they have done a survey on washer/dryers. You could always take out an extended warantee against faults although they are quite expensive.
Good luck.

Answer 5

They used to be rubbish but most modern units are quite good.
Of course there is always a compromise, you can't dry as much or as quick as a full size dryer and it costs more but it's great when you only have enough room for one appliance.

Hotpoint are a decent mid range manufacturer with good build quality and reliability, a move up with be something like an AEG or smiliar (the german stuff is very well built) but you go up on price and sometimes get less features too.

I'd go for it, a good all round buy and the service back up at hotpoint is ok too.

Stay away from anything like Ariston, basically anything cheap especially the italian appliances are generally terrible.

Answer 6

And they're correct!!!! Had a Hotpoint one (can't remember if it was a wd640), kept breaking down, after less than a year. It was fixed many times for free, but once the garantee run out, threw it away and bought separate w/s and t/d.

If you're buying a w/m spend as much as you can, you can save on the dryer cause even the cheaper ones are more durable than w/m in general.

Answer 7

Hi Wobbly

I would always say buy a seperate washing machine and tumble dryer. Washer dyers are washing machines with a drying function not a tumble dryer which people do not realise.
If you are stuck for space I would recommend you buy a seperate washing machine and tumble dryer and also buy a stacking unit so u can stack your tumble dryer on top of your washing machine safety

Washer dryers are good for people who live on their own and couples but not the best option for families.

Answer 8

Yes, Hotpoint brand washers and dryers are junk, best to choose Whirlpool washer & dryer they are very reliable have been touted as being the most reliable company when it comes to appliances, and don't buy Maytag it is junk too Good Luck !

Answer 9

We have that model in our B&B so its get use every day.

No problem for 3 years which is probably 10 years fo a normal family household..

Using the dryer is expensive though

Be careful about where the advice comes from. Our NA friends have different views to us on seperate machines and thier choice and quality of combined machines is a lot less (as they have basements/laundry rooms )

Answer 10

well ive heard lots of different views on this ... but its a case of ...

1. do you have the room to have a washing machine and seperate dryer?

2. do you actually need a dryer?

personally, if you have the room ... even in an outhouse or something to put a tumble dryer outside ... thats what i would do (in fact thats what i do do) ...

you have to look at it like this; if one or the other breaks, within the one unit, will it allow you to use the one that doesnt?

good luck with your purchase and whatever you decide to do :)

Answer 11

I have one in my rented house, I would say don't get one! The dryer is no good. Takes about three hours to get a dark wash dry. Also washing comes out really badly creased up and takes you ages to iron your clothes afterwards. Before I have a separate washing machine and dryer, that was much better if you have the room.