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Best Washer and Dryer Features to Look For

Brian Gregory

By Brian Gregory
Updated February 3, 2025

When deciding on the best washer and dryer, there are lots of features that'll make laundry gripes easier to handle. Learn how to get dog hair out of clothes, use a removable agitator washing machine for bulky loads or a steam dryer to get rid of wrinkles. We'll explain the features you need now.

Charcoal gray side-by-side washer and dryer.

Laundry Pet Hair Removal

Do you need to figure out how to remove cat hair from clothes? Or do you really want to know how to get rid of dog hair on clothes? If your furry friends are big shedders, you'll need a washer and dryer that's up to the challenge. With the push of a button, these washers release additional water and provide a deep rinse. This will activate a filter that can remove six times the amount of hair than a typical appliance.

With the dryer, pet hair is removed from clothing and pulled into an extra-large lint trap.

Automatic Load Balancing for Washers

No one enjoys a noisy washer that bangs loudly while moving across the floor. This usually happens with an unbalanced washing machine. It's when clothes, sheets and towels shift to one side of the washer during the spin cycle. If you want to know how to balance a washer, we recommend purchasing one that has automatic load balancing.

Models with automatic load balancing have a sensor that can detect an imbalance. It'll fill the drum back up with water and readjust the contents.

Washer with Removable Agitator

If you want to wash large items like blankets and comforters, a washing machine with a removable agitator is a great idea. It gives you extra room to wash bulky items. Leave the agitator in for small and medium-sized loads. This option is only available for top-load washers.

A Dryer With Steam for Tackling Wrinkles

Sweaters folded on top of black washing machine.

When you’re in a hurry is typically when you realize your clothes are full of wrinkles. If you’re not a fan of ironing (and who is?), a dryer with a steam cycle can eliminate folds and creases in no time, so you can leave the ironing board in the closet. This special cycle has the added benefit of ridding clothes of dust and allergens so you can breathe easier too. It’s one of the best washer and dryer machine features offered.

Wi-Fi Connectivity for Your Washer and Dryer

Wi-Fi-enabled washer and dryer in a laundry room.

Nothing is worse than feeling tethered to your laundry room while you’re waiting to switch out loads. Some of the best washing and drying machines, like the Flex series by Samsung, allow you to monitor load cycles remotely using a smartphone app, instead of listening for the machine to stop. Some connected models even integrate with other smart home systems.

A Washer and Dryer With Sensor Wash

Top-load washing machine with see-through lid.

Getting clean clothes with no detergent residue is all about choosing the right wash cycle. To simplify the selection process, some of the best clothes washers automatically sense the needs of each load to determine the optimal wash setting and water level.

Invest in Automatic Tumble for Your Dryer

Stainless steel washer and dryer in laundry room.

Think beyond quick dry for the best dryer features. In the real world, you can’t always be around to unload your clothes dryer as soon as it stops. To solve this problem, some models are equipped with a setting that periodically tumbles clothes to keep them fresh and wrinkle-free until you can get to them.

A Self-Cleaning Washer for Less Maintenance

Self-cleaning washer and dryer pair.

No homeowner has ever complained about having too few household chores. Some of the best washing machines include a special cleansing cycle, to keep the bin fresh and odor-free. Some self-cleaning washer models even include a built-in alert system that reminds you when it’s time to run the cycle.

For more household appliance ideas, check out our must-have guides for The Entertaining Kitchen, The Family Kitchen and The Compact Kitchen.

Washing Machine Buying Guide

Dryer Buying Guide

Laundry Closet Makeover

Appliance Installation Services

Space-Saving Options

A laundry room with oak cabinets, a white tile backsplash and a dark green stacked washer and dryer.
If you live in a condo, townhouse or have a small laundry room, deciding which washer and dryer machines are best for your space is important.


Stackable Front Load Washers and Dryers

Looking for the perfect addition to a compact laundry room? Stacked washer-dryers are the way to go. Stacked front-load washer and dryer centers save square footage, without compromising on size or features.

Stackable front-load washers and dryers come in three different sizes. The sizes range from:

  • Small units that are between 3.5 - 4 cubic feet and work well for compact spaces.
  • Medium units that are between 3.5 - 4.5 cubic feet and allow you to do more laundry in fewer loads.
  • Large units that are between 4.6 - 5.3 cubic feet for washers and 4.6 - 8 cubic feet for dryers. They're full-size stackable front-load washers and dryers that accommodate extra-large loads and are great for families.

Stackable front-load washer and dryer sets have the same features as side-by-side washer and dryer units and can include:

  • Quick-dry dryers that dry small loads or individual items fast.
  • Dryers that have wrinkle prevention care.
  • Built-in smart features that allow you to start or stop the washer or dryer from your phone.
  • A feature that can sanitize clothing to kill bacteria.
  • A super-quick wash feature that can wash a full load in less than 30 minutes.

Best RV Washer-Dryers

There are two main types of RV washer-dryer combos available, depending on your setup: built-in and portable machines.

  • Portable RV washer-dryers can be relocated if necessary.
  • Built-in RV washer-dryers are permanently installed and may be more stable.

Also, a smaller all-in-one washer-dryer combo, which is sometimes referred to as a 2-in-1 washer and dryer can launder clothes and dry them in the same bin, instead of requiring two separate machines. This model can provide a cleaning capacity closer to that of a washer-dryer you’d find in a home while maximizing space in an RV. 

If you’re considering an all-in-one washer dryer, ventless models are easier to install in RVs, as they don’t require hooking up an external vent. However, these machines often take longer to dry clothes than traditional vented models.