Smaller spaces demand smaller appliances and as young people set up their first home and retirees downsize, compact washer and dryer sets are slowly growing in popularity. Manufacturers took note and in recent years some stackable laundry appliances have become more stylish and have larger door openings for easier access. Faster cycles and specialty options were added, with prices for a matching compact washer and dryer set running $1,800 to $3,500. Here’s what you'll want to know before you choose. None of the compact front-loaders did very well in Consumer Reports' washer vibration tests. They spin fast to extract more water, cutting dryer time, and that high-spin speed causes vibration. This isn't a problem anymore for most full-size front-loaders we test, so we had to find out how stacking the compact dryer atop the matching washer affects vibration. We tested the LG WM1377HW, Asko W6424W, and Blomberg WM98400SX  front-loaders with their matching dryers stacked on top.

Stacking did not lessen vibration significantly. We're testing the other front-loaders and will report back. When your compact washer is installed make sure it's properly balanced. And if vibration becomes an issue, use a lower spin speed to see if that helps. Stacking Kits May Not Be Included In this way compacts are similar to full-size machines, but it's something to keep in mind when shopping. The three washers mentioned above came with the parts needed to stack a dryer on top. But for the other tested washers we had to order kits. Kit prices vary from $32 for the Electrolux to $200 for the Miele. Using Bleach Can Be a No-No Most compact front-loaders sold outside the U.S. do not offer bleach dispensing, says Ken Rudolph, product manager for GE's laundry products. The GE WCVH4800KWW is designed for the U.S. market and has a bleach dispenser. Our top-rated Bosch 800 Series WAT28402UC stackable front-loader does not. “Chlorine bleach can negatively affect some internal rubber and plastic parts of the washer,” says Alex Sheehan, a spokesperson for Bosch, which is headquartered in Germany.

Detergents and bleaching agents that boast of oxi or oxy, a color-safe bleach made from sodium percarbonate, are safe to use, he adds. Both of the Asko washing machines we tested, including the Asko XL Series W8844XLW, come with manuals that recommend not using chlorine bleach. Asko, which is based in Sweden, recommends keeping the use of chemicals to a minimum, but bleach can be used in these washers, says Sjovill Carina, a company spokesperson. There's no dedicated bleach dispenser, but a piece of rigid plastic comes with the washing machine and can be used to divide the detergent dispenser in two. Ventless Dryers Usually Take Longer Our tests found that vented dryers are often faster—the top three compact dryers in our ratings are vented, including the Samsung DV22K6800EW. Ventless may be the only choice you have, so be sure to look at the washer cycle times in our compact washer Ratings—they range from 60 to 145 minutes—to get a sense of total time needed to do one load.

In Europe 3- to 4-hour cycle times are common for compact machines, says Dean Brindle, vice president of product marketing for Samsung. Compacts are the norm there, and patience is always a virtue. Compact Dryers Are Only ElectricHoover Vacuum Cleaner Repair Manual Gas compact dryers haven’t been made for more than five years, say manufacturers. Vacuum Cleaners In The 60sThat’s why you’ll see 10 electric dryers in our compact dryer Ratings. Cuisinart Stick Blender Bed BathThey require a 240V connection. And note that the Bosch, Asko, and Blomberg washing machines we tested can plug into the dryer. The dryer feeds the power to the washer. This helps if you have only one outlet. See all your stackable options in our compact washing machine and dryer Ratings.

Does your compact washer vibrate? Let us know below. Our brand promiseMiele Project BusinessReferencesProductsPlanningPublicationsContactShowrooms Technically and optically, Miele washing machines and tumble dryers match each other perfectly. This allows you to install both appliances side by side and transfer freshly washed textiles conveniently to the tumble dryer. ChromeEdition models with slanted fascia panels offer ergonomic advantages. The WTS 510 plinth (optional accessory) creates practical storage space below the appliance – and a convenient working height.WTV 407 (Stacking Kit for W3033, W3037, W3038, T8003, T8023C - Lotus White) I make my living installing and repairing appliances, including washers and dryers. A good percentage of my laundry service calls easily could have been avoided if the machines had been installed properly. Over the past 12 years, I’ve developed some guidelines for installing washers and dryers to ensure that everything fits like it should and functions the way it’s supposed to.

If you follow this advice, you’ll reduce the chances that the washer-drain hose will pump water all over the second-floor laundry room on Christmas Eve, that the dryer will take hours to dry a single load because of kinked or clogged ducting, or that you’ll ever have to call a guy like me. 1. Take the time to measureI can’t stress this enough: Measure the space where you want to install the new washer and dryer, and take note of plumbing, electrical, and vent locations. Be especially accurate with measurements for a laundry area surrounded by built-in cabinetry and for machines stacked in a closet. These two installation scenarios have the smallest margins for error. Keep in mind that there aren’t many standard dimensions for washers and dryers, so you need to compare the measurements of your space carefully with the detailed technical specs for each model. Look for potential problems, and be sure that the space can accommodate any accessories you’re considering, such as pedestals and stacking kits.

2. Keep the appliances serviceable Every laundry machine will break or malfunction at some point. Most service companies refuse to do the repair if one person can’t get an appliance out and back into its space without damaging floors, walls, or cabinets. 3. Know when to hire helpIf the installation is especially complicated, consider buying your appliances from a local dealer that specializes in working with custom-home builders and remodelers. They usually have contact with specialized appliance-installation subcontractors who have the experience that comes from years of custom appliance installations. 4. Spin cycles should spinRemove the tub shipping supports before you install the washing machine. All front loaders have some type of bolt or other means of immobilizing the tub so that the suspension parts are not damaged during shipment. If you start a cycle without removing them, you’ll damage the tub and/or motor. 5. Level the washer in both directionsIt’s especially important that front loaders are level, or they will walk or vibrate badly.

On wood-framed floors, especially long-spanning I-joists, this can be severe enough to shake the whole house. It’s also critical that the washer be absolutely level if you’re going to stack a dryer on it; small washer vibrations will be magnified at the top of the dryer, possibly moving it enough to damage surrounding cabinets. 6. Don’t skimp on the hoses and valvesIf the machine includes rubber supply hoses with lightweight stamped-metal ends, throw them away. At $40, durable stainless-steel hoses are cheap insurance against a leak. Also, ball valves are the pricier option, at around $30 for the single-handle model shown here, but they are far quicker and easier to shut off in an emergency, and more durable than gate valves over the long haul 7. Secure the drain hose After snapping the hose into the U-shaped carrier, secure it to something solid so that it can’t lift out of the standpipe when the drain pump kicks on. If you can fasten the carrier to the wall, great, but it’s often not possible.

Zip ties come in handy for securing the hose, and bundling the supply and drain hoses makes for a tidy installation. For recessed boxes that house the supply valves and the standpipe, insert the drain hose at least 1 ft. into the standpipe. This way, the hose will hit the top of the box before it can lift out. 8. Duct length is crucialWhen you check the technical specs of the dryers you’re considering, find the allowable duct length for each machine. (This information is typically buried somewhere in the installation manual, which you can find online if yours is missing.) The allowable duct length can vary by more than 60 ft., depending on the model. Also, be sure to count each elbow in the duct run at the equivalent straight-run length listed in the manual. 9. Flex duct is OK, to an extent If I had my say, dryer ducting would always be rigid galvanized steel and never the thin aluminum duct that’s often sold as dryer ducting. Flexible ducting, though, is sometimes helpful.