I priced these just out of curiosity; 2 of the compact units would meet the budget easily. I would recommend for versatility maybe one of the compact all-in-ones and then a larger all-in-one unit (to easily handle bedding). I don't think GE or Whirlpool are the best rated machines, so they might want to consider an extended warranty on one or both. Speed Queen makes a fine FL set, but pricey and not going to give them the all-in-one convenience they desire.

The all-in-ones sound good, but vinmarks notes the flaws. We have Speed Queens, with the basic top load washer. Reliable. Anything not reliable, that might be down for repairs, would really disrupt their household.

If they do the all-in-one, they would buy 2 of them. Pricey, but capacity wise it would be workable.

You are still buying a machine that isn't been tried and true. What's the reliability rating? I will still take the very dependable machine that aren't quite so high-tech and glitzy. Reliability is #1 for me.

Cant read the consumer reports link without a subscription :(

"Cant read the consumer reports link without a subscription"

Not everything in life is free. In this case, it's ten bucks.

I will likely get Miele machines when it is time for the laundry room re-do to be tackled. Definitely going to go with teh ventless dryer.

Hint hint: you'd rather not pay $10 and do the research and instead not know anything about what you're spending a lot of money on?

“Consumer Reports” is not worth paying money. There are PLENTY of other review sites that do just as well and provide their ”reports” for free. The problem with EVERY review site is that they are subject to reviewer bias.

That is what is nice about review sites. Real end users who have had products for more than a week to a month can provide better feedback.

@luna123456: "Consumer Reports” is not worth paying money. There are PLENTY of other review sites that do just as well and provide their ”reports” for free."

Name one that purchases and tests multiple, competing appliances using batteries of tests in a controlled environment, provides its test results at modest cost, and is not funded by manufacturers or appliance dealers.

"Real end users who have had products for more than a week"

Name users who have multiple, competing appliances in their homes on which they perform tests.

Sales sites such as Home Depot, Lowes, and Best Buy contain useful comments but none claims that posted comments are unbiased (and people are more inclined to complain than praise).

Wirecutter is one example.

Yale Appliance is another (an actual service department that ranks appliamces based on reliability).

HOUZZ for most of it’s awesome members who provide feedback, reviews and information and doesn’t act as a shill for one specific company that charges for its ”reviews”.

luna123456: "Wirecutter is one example."

This is how Wirecutter "tested" refrigerators:

"We haven’t done rigorous hands-on testing of any fridges in this guide, but we have touched most models we mention here at appliance showrooms."

"Yale Appliance is another"

Yale Appliance is an appliance dealer; its reliability data are based on its service calls only for appliances it sells and only for the first year; and it does not sell refrigerators from popular brands including Whirlpool, Frigidaire, and Samsung.

"HOUZZ for most of it’s awesome members..."

Houzz doesn't test anything and comments cannot be considered unbiased sources.

I actually had a consumer reports subscription for a number of years back when I was building my house. I do agree that their testing and reporting methods are well done. My issue with them was when I tried to cancel the subscription I spent hours on multiple phone calls trying to stop the monthly billing. Not only would they continue the charge going through, they wouldn’t refund the amount paid even when I provided proof that I had requested to stop the subscription. I had to dispute through my bank to ever get it settled. So I’m not unwilling to do research, I’m just not opening that can of worms ever again.

vacaytime "So I’m not unwilling to do research, I’m just not opening that can of worms ever again."

"Years back" CR didn't even have a web presence. There's a 'Cancel' button right on the website.

They've had online access for at least 21 years. They revoke access immediately upon pressing the cancel button, regardless if time remains on the PAID subscription ... leastwise that's what happened to me.

They're a large money-beg. My dad had a subscription. I didn't renew it when he died. They continued sending email pleas for renewal for a year and a half, until I blocked the sender addresseses. I let it go on that long to see if it'd ever stop.

dadoes: "They revoke access immediately upon pressing the cancel button."

The current policy is "Your access to a [Digital or All Access] Paid Service will terminate on the next monthly anniversary of your purchase date."

"I didn't renew it when he died. They continued sending email pleas for renewal for a year and a half, until I blocked the sender addresseses. I let it go on that long to see if it'd ever stop."

Or you could have clicked "unsubscribe".

I have access to Consumer Reports through my public library for free.

wdccruise "Years back" CR didn't even have a web presence. There's a 'Cancel' button right on the website.

Consumer Reports has had an online option for decades. According to their own site, online started in 1997. I am pretty clear how to unsubscribe from a service, no need to be snarky. If you don't believe I had an issue, then just move on. There is no reason I need to produce receipts for you. The fact that I was one of the earliest online users probably explains why cancelling was so glitchy. Also, I would also only consider their opinion as a piece of my research. This forum is another piece. I like being able to hear people’s real life experience with a product. I subscribe to America’s Test Kitchen, but I would still come here and ask for user opinions on a kitchen gadget, is that ok?

I have a friend that bought the GE 2-in-1 washer/dryer combo in February or March and is on her 3rd repair.

Speed Queen full-fill top-loader.

Dream W/D might be different for every different person.

Friends were gifted hugely expensive Miele machines. They probably clean very well, but they told me with only authorized Miele repairpersons, it takes 2-3 weeks to get an authorized repair person to their house, and we live near San Diego, in a densely populated area. So I'd check on Nextdoor opinions before I'd sign up for that nonsense.

We are a VERY intensive user of our W/D set, and our back door does not allow for a front-loader. What I've come to realize over the years, is that a medium-priced, largest-available capacity, with zero dollars spent on a warranty, serves us best.

I have an excellent repair-person, and he can often come same-day or at least within a couple days at a specific time for a repair, and he is reasonable. This is ideal for us, because being without a W/D is a nightmare, with a large family/lots of pets.

I find that my additives for our hard water (usually Biz, STPP, powdered detergents) make such a huge difference, that there is almost nothing I can't get out with an Oxy pre-treatment and my additives. So, I am basically living the laundry dream with this solution! Economical, efficient machines, low cost (inevitable, apparently) repairs, high capacity, etc.

Everybody seems to swear by top loader TC5 Speed Queen washer and dryer. Classic, build with sturdy metal and suspension straps, less opportunity to go wrong, but priced very high. I have yet to ever use one but I wish I could try it out. You have to be okay with the top loading (more water, more detergent) as well as the agitator, but I've been studying this topic for months and it's one of the most reoccuring thing I see on Youtube, tiktok, Reddit, etc. Most people rave about them.