We test washer dryers using a 3.5kg load because our research shows this is about the average amount most people wash in one go, whatever the size of their machine.
We use a normal, cold wash. If there isn’t such a cycle, we use the closest approximation.
Lifetime score
Our overall score is comprised of test performance (how well the appliance works), predicted reliability (how likely models from the brand are to remain free of faults) and brand satisfaction (how likely owners of the brand are to be very satisfied).
Test performance
Our washer dryers test is based on our washing machines and clothes dryers tests, and includes:
Washing performance
Drying performance.
Washing performance
This test is based on the Standard AS/NZS 2040:1998. We test each machine on its standard cotton wash cycle with cold water (about 20°C). We use a standardised load of cotton bed sheets, small towels, and pillowcases.
We test using a 3.5kg load (dry weight – it gets a lot heavier when wet) at a 90% moisture level. This is about the average amount a New Zealand consumer washes at one time.
We complete two identical wash cycles for each machine and average the results.
Our washing performance test includes the following.
Dirt removal
Specially prepared swatches of fabric, pre-stained with a specific amount of dirt, are attached to a standard wash-set of linen garments and put through the wash cycle. These swatches are the same as those used for international Standards tests.
After the wash, we remove the swatches and analyse them with a spectrophotometer. This machine detects the amount of light reflected from the swatch, which we use to calculate how much dirt has been removed. In simple terms, the whiter the swatch, the more dirt has been removed.
Rinsing
We add a special marker chemical to the wash and take a water sample at the end of the final cycle. The amount of this chemical left in the rinse water determines how well the machine has rinsed out dirt and removed detergent.
Gentleness
To check how gentle a machine is on your washing, we attach swatches of an easily frayed fabric to the test load. We measure the swatches before and after the wash. The less fraying there is, the gentler the machine and the higher its gentleness score.
Spin performance
We weigh the load of washing before and after the wash. The closer the final weight is to the original 3.5kg dry weight, the more water has been removed in the spin cycle and the higher the spin performance score. We use a machine’s maximum spin speed for this test.
Water efficiency
We measure how much water is used when washing our 3.5kg test load. A higher water efficiency score indicates less water use and a more water efficient machine.
Drying performance
This test is based on an Australia New Zealand Standard. We complete two identical drying cycles for each machine and average the results. Our drying performance score includes:
Drying time efficiency
We use the washer dryer's Auto setting to dry our 3.5kg test load and record how long it takes to finish. If it fails to dry the load to less than 6% moisture content, we apply a penalty to the score. We apply an additional penalty if the machine doesn’t have reverse tumbling, as your washing is more likely to tangle into a damp lump without this feature.
Drying energy efficiency
We record how much energy is used when drying our test load. A higher score indicates less energy use and a more energy efficient machine.
Other
Running costs
We calculate annual running costs for washing and drying, separately, based on the energy used (kWh) per load and the current price of electricity. The annual running cost for washing is based on one standard cold wash of 3.5kg per day for a year. The drying cost is based on 100 loads of 3.5kg per year.
Noise
We also record the maximum noise level a washer dryer makes during its spin cycle – measured 1m away from the machine and 1m from the ground.
Predicted reliability
It’s reasonable to expect a new appliance to remain fault-free for at least the first five years. Our predicted reliability won’t tell you whether the washing machine in your laundry will spring a leak tomorrow, but it does show which brands make models that are less likely to fail.
Brand satisfaction
Satisfaction is important – no appliance should be a source of buyer regret. Appliances with very satisfied owners are more likely to get cleaned regularly and maintained well. Their owners are also more likely to seek repair for faults than look for a quick replacement.
Survey data
In our regular reliability and satisfaction surveys, consumers tell us about faults that have left an appliance they own unusable or mean they’ve had to change how they use it. We also ask them how satisfied they are with the appliance. We use this data to produce our predicted reliability and owner satisfaction scores.
We use a statistical test to rate the relative performance of each brand. Compared to data we have for all products (of the same type) in the survey, we rate each brand with highest, high, average, low or lowest reliability and satisfaction.
You can compare the rating of different brands for the same product type (for example, the reliability rating for Bosch and Samsung washer dryers), but you can’t compare the results for different product types (for example, satisfaction of Fisher & Paykel washer dryers and Miele clothes dryers).
We analyse brands that get at least 30 responses in our survey. That means there are some brands we don’t have enough data to appropriately rate. For those brands, we assume they have average reliability and satisfaction.
Our data is based on responses from 407 owners of washer dryers in our 2026 survey. Our next survey for washer dryers will be in 2028.
