An apartment washer and dryer guide for small spaces

Apartment living can be more cost-effective than living in a house or on a large property. Yet, not all tenants are fortunate enough to find apartments that include their own washer and dryer.

If you've been looking to furnish your apartment and add a few small space appliances, you'll want to invest in a washer and dryer. The best compact models fit nearly anywhere and consume hardly any electricity.

Let's explore how to choose the best apartment washer and dryer for your space!

Choosing a Washer and Dryer for Small Spaces

Picking the best washer and dryer for your apartment can be challenging. Some apartments only have enough space for stackable washer and dryer systems. Others have virtually zero extra room for these appliances.

To choose the best possible option for you and your small living space, you'll need to consider the features of your new washer and dryer, including:

• Size
• Capacity
• Energy Efficiency
• Features
• Price

We'll review each of these essential factors to discover why they're crucial when shopping for a new washer and dryer. After all, it can be impossible to pick a product if you're unsure what you're looking for.

This brief guide can help. Naturally, you'll want to start by measuring your available space and selecting a washer and dryer that fits. Let's start with size.

Size

How much space do you have for a washer and dryer? If you haven't measured your space, now is the time to do so. It's also a great idea to check for washer and dryer compatibility.

Some apartments don't have the hardware to accept a new washer and dryer. You may be missing the proper drains and vents to install a full system. In this case, you have two options.

Firstly, you could purchase adapter kits to help your new system drain and vent. Secondly, you could choose a model that doesn't include drains or vents. That said, it's challenging to find a washing machine without a drain.

Additionally, some apartment complexes may not allow tenants to install their own washing and drying appliances. Be sure to ask your apartment management about this issue before signing a lease with them!

In any case, you'll want to write down your measurements for your space and keep them close by while browsing. If you find a washer and dryer you like, compare its size to your measurements to ensure it will fit.

Capacity

A washer and dryer's capacity is the limit of how many clothes you can fit inside. Larger models will almost always offer larger washing and drying capacities.

If you're living in a small apartment, you might not need more than 3 cubic feet of washing space. Of course, your available space and budget will help you pick a capacity that works for your needs.

Energy Efficiency

Large home appliances often make our lives far easier. However, they can also cause utility costs to skyrocket. If you're determined to keep your utility costs low, you'll want to choose an energy-efficient model.

One of the best ways to ensure your new washer and dryer are energy-efficient is to check for an energy guide or Energy Star certification. If your preferred model doesn't include these resources, it may not be efficient.

Features

What features will your new washer and dryer have? Many of the newest home appliances feature smart device compatibility that allows you to control them remotely.

Additionally, many washer and dryer systems have adjustable temperature, washing, and drying settings. These can help your clothes stay in excellent shape, no matter how often you wear them or how dirty they become.

Be sure to make a list of features you'd like to have in your next washer and dryer. Doing so can help you make short work of the browsing process and find the perfect option for your apartment.

Price

Finally, there's the matter of cost. Some washer and dryers for compact spaces are relatively budget-friendly and cost less than $500. Others cost well over $1,000.

The better option for you depends on your budget, needs, and lifestyle. If you're planning on moving out of your apartment within the next year or two, you may not want to spend too much on a new appliance.

Top Apartment Washer and Dryer Picks

Now that you know what features to focus on when choosing an apartment washer and dryer let's review some of your options.  There are thousands of models from which to choose, each with advantages and drawbacks.

But you can skip the hours-long browsing process by checking out a few of the options below. Whether you're looking for the best stackable washer and dryer, or the most budget-friendly option, there's a model for you.

Best Stackable Washer and Dryer

When it comes to small stackable washers and dryers, there are dozens of potential picks. But the best options tend to be those that are compact, efficient, and budget-friendly.

For example, the GE Unitized Spacemaker is one of the most compact stacking washer/dryer combos. It has 2.3 cubic feet of interior washing space and more than 4 cubic feet of drying area. That's plenty of room!

This stacking washer and dryer setup is barely 2ft wide and just about 6ft tall. It can fit neatly into nearly any apartment's utility closet. And though it's not Energy Star certified, it is Alexa compatible.

Additionally, this compact option comes with all the bells and whistles of most modern washer and dryer appliances. It has multiple washing and drying settings, as well as adjustable temperature settings.

This design is also available in multiple colors and capacities. If you have the space to upgrade to the slightly bulkier 3.8 cubit foot model, you may want to go ahead and grab the larger option.

Best Compact Washer and Dryer

Sometimes, the best way to save space is to forgo the two appliances and simply choose one. But if your apartment complex doesn't allow outdoor laundry hanging, you could struggle to dry your washed clothing.

Fortunately, all-in-one washer/dryer systems take up the same room as a single major appliance. The Whirlpool Cashmere All-In-One washer and dryer is a prime example.

This cube-like appliance only sits at about 33in tall and 24in wide, making it one of the most compact and capable machines available. It's WiFi-enabled, meaning that you can use your smart devices to control it.

The smart built-in touchscreen monitor eliminates the need for dozens of buttons and knobs, keeping everything looking sleek and stylish. After purchasing this device, you might never go back to other models.

In fact, this all-in-one washer and dryer is so advanced that you might find yourself inviting friends and family members over for laundry parties. Of course, if you're concerned about energy efficiency, maybe not.

Most Energy Efficient Washer and Dryer

When installing a new washer and dryer, the last thing you want is to see your utility bills spike. To keep costs low, it's a great idea to choose an energy-efficient model. However, efficiency and size can be at odds.

Some of the most energy-efficient models also tend to be quite hefty. Finding a compact option is challenging but not impossible. Take the LG Ventless All-In-One, for example.

It has a 2.3 cubic foot interior chamber for clothing, only consumes about 11 cubic feet of space. It sits at just under 34in tall and 24in wide, just like many other compact washer and dryer systems. But it's also efficient.

Think about this: If you're spending between $3 and $5 to wash your clothing each week, you're spending between $16 and $20 per month on laundry. That works out to just about $200 per year!

If you own this model, you'll spend between $11 and $20 each year to power it. That's a massive amount of savings that could be going toward other financial goals!

Best Value Compact Washer and Dryer

Not everyone enjoying apartment life has several thousands of dollars to spend on a single appliance. If you've got one eye on your dirty laundry and the other on your budget, you'll want to check out some budget picks.

However, many of the most affordable washer and dryer systems don't include dryer vents. They may also only handle a small amount of clothing at a time.

That said, best-value options could be the best fit for extremely small spaces or very tight budgets. The Costway Portable Mini Washer and Dryer is a smart option for tiny spaces and restricted budgets.

At less than $500, this compact washer and dryer system might be the most cost-effective dual system available. However, you may need to purchase a vent adapter kit for the dryer portion.

But even with additional purchases, this model is one of the most budget-friendly appliances for your apartment. It can handle up to 11lbs of clothing and wash them in as little as 20 minutes!

Enjoy a Comfortable Apartment Today

Community laundromats can be unhygienic, busy, and expensive. Having your own washer and dryer at home is not only convenient, but it could help lengthen the life of your clothing!

No matter how small of a space you're living in, there's an apartment washer and dryer option for you. Hopefully, this guide has helped inspire you to choose a model that works with your needs and budget.

Are you looking for a change of scenery? Let us help you find a new home today!

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