Every washer dryer combo gets a score from 0 to 100% built from five factors, which maps onto the 5-point rating shown on the site (a 0% score would be 1.5 stars; a perfect score, 5). Each factor is scored against fixed reference points, not against the other products in the list, so adding a new model never moves another model’s rating. Combos are grouped by drying type, ventless and vented or convertible, and use the same scale in both groups.
| Factor | Measures | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Value | price per cubic foot of drum | 30% |
| Capacity | drum volume | 25% |
| Spin speed | maximum spin speed, which sets how much water the dryer has to remove | 15% |
| Features | sanitize cycle, steam, delay start, Wi-Fi, winterize cycle and convertible venting | 20% |
| Warranty | warranty length | 10% |
Where the numbers come from
Drum volume, load weights, spin speed, programs, power, size, features and warranty come from the maker’s spec sheet, manual, EnergyGuide label or product page, including the maker’s own copy on a retail listing. Where two of a maker’s documents disagree, the product page notes both figures, and a figure that can’t be settled is left out rather than guessed. Prices are checked at Amazon, the maker’s own store and other retailers the page links to, and the lowest price is used.
The factors
Value is the current price divided by the drum volume, in dollars per cubic foot, on a log scale, so halving the price always counts the same. $900 per cu ft scores zero and $350 per cu ft full marks.
Capacity is the drum volume the maker states: 1.5 cu ft scores zero and 2.8 cu ft full marks.
Spin speed is the maximum spin the maker states. A faster spin wrings more water out of a load, which shortens drying. 800 rpm scores zero and 1,400 rpm full marks.
Features is 25% for a sanitize cycle, 20% for steam, 15% for delay start, 15% for Wi-Fi app control, 15% for a winterize cycle and 10% for drying that switches between vented and ventless.
Warranty is the maker’s limited warranty: none scores zero and 3 years full marks. Longer coverage on single parts, such as a motor, is shown on the product page but not scored.
What isn’t scored
Wash and dry load weights, program count, size, weight, power draw, yearly energy use, Energy Star status, noise and release date are listed but not scored. Load weights and energy figures are left out of the score because makers measure them in different ways.
Missing data
If a figure isn’t published, that factor gets the neutral middle score (50) and the product page marks it as estimated. Features score neutral only when none of them is published; a feature the maker doesn’t mention otherwise counts as absent. The exception is warranty: a maker that doesn’t publish one gets no warranty counted, so that factor scores zero and is marked estimated.
Ties and discontinued models
Products are ranked by score within each group. Discontinued models stay listed but rank below every current model and can be hidden with the “Hide discontinued” filter.