Skip to main content

Whirlpool’s smart washer-dryer combo will change laundry day forever

whirlpool introduces a smart washer dryer combo at ces 2017 all in one
Image used with permission by copyright holder
When Americans hear washer-dryer combo, it might bring to mind what’s known as a unitized or stacked machine; often found in apartments and condos, it often has a top-load washer on the bottom and a front-load dryer on top. But combo units have a single drum that does both the washing and drying. LG and a few other brands make them for the U.S., but they’re not nearly as common as they are in Europe. Whirlpool is hoping to change that with its Smart All-in-One Care Washer and Dryer Combo, which it introduced at CES 2017.

The Wi-Fi-enabled appliance can download new cycles, but you should also be able to schedule it for when electricity costs are lower — like the middle of the night. Because it’s both a washer and dryer, the dry cycle can start up when the washing’s done, so your clothes don’t sit and get moldy until you wake up. It also works with Amazon Dash to automatically reorder detergent when it gets low.

Like many European dryers, it’s ventless, meaning it doesn’t haven’t be ducted to the outside. The 24-inch unit is the size of many compact washers and dryers, so it seems like it’s definitely aimed at apartment and condo dwellers. It has a 2.3-cubic-foot capacity, which is neither the biggest nor smallest we’ve seen for a compact washer.

The machine also does bulk dispensing, meaning you can put in three weeks’ worth of detergent, and the appliance will use the proper amount for each cycle.

While Whirlpool says it’s the first smart combo machine it’s seen, that’s not exactly true. At last year’s CES, a company called Marathon introduced its all-in-one, which actually uses vented drying. Of course, while it projected a delivery date of summer 2016, Marathon hasn’t started shipping its smart washer-dryer yet.

Pricing for the Whirlpool Smart Combo is to be announced.

Editors' Recommendations

Jenny McGrath
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jenny McGrath is a senior writer at Digital Trends covering the intersection of tech and the arts and the environment. Before…
Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra vs. Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo: Which premium robot vacuum is best?
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra placed in its dock.

Roborock and Ecovacs are two of the biggest names in the world of robot vacuums. The companies have been producing some of the best robot vacuum and mop combos for years, and that trend has continued into 2024 with the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo. Both are ultra-premium devices that clock in at over $1,000, and we awarded both of them impressive scores in our reviews. In short, it's hard to go wrong with either robot vacuum.

However, there are some key differences between the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo. From suction power and mopping skills to pricing and additional features, here's a comprehensive look at the two robot vacuums to help you decide which is best for your home.
Pricing and availability

Read more
Samsung Spring Sale: Get up to $915 off smart ranges today
A Samsung smart range with the Smart Oven camera.

Samsung's Spring Black Friday sale has slashed the prices of all kinds of home appliances, including gas and electric ranges. There are discounts available for Samsung's smart ranges too, which will allow you to enjoy savings of up to $915. Feel free to check out all the ranges that are cheaper than usual in the ongoing sale, but if you want to focus on getting a smart range for your kitchen, read on to learn all about them and how much you'll have to pay.

What to buy in Samsung's Spring Black Friday sale for smart ranges
Samsung's smart ranges are equipped with the Smart Oven Camera, which will allow you to check on the food that you're cooking through a livestream on your phone. You can even make time-lapse videos and share them on social media. You'll enjoy this feature on the Samsung Bespoke 6.3. cu. ft. smart slide-in electric range, which is from $2,536 for a $737 discount, and the Samsung Bespoke 6.0. cu. ft. smart slide-in gas range, which is from $2,659 for savings of $760. Both smart ranges have illuminated precision knobs that light up to let you know that the home appliance is on, and they work with the Samsung SmartThings app for pre-heating the oven, planning meals, downloading cooking modes, and much more.

Read more
How to reset the Nanoleaf Skylight
The Nanoleaf Skylight lighting up a room various shades of purple.

The Nanoleaf Skylight is a unique piece of hardware. Unlike most Nanoleaf products that are quick to install or easy to move and replace, the Skylight is designed as a permanent fixture in your home. Instead of simply plugging it into an electrical outlet, you'll need to hardwire it onto your ceiling – and once it's in place, you'll want it to stay there for years.

However, like all electronics, it's possible for your Nanoleaf Skylight to start acting up. And since there's no easy way to get the entire unit down from your ceiling, you might be wondering how you can quickly solve the problem. Thankfully, Nanoleaf designed a simple way for you to reset the Nanoleaf Skylight without the need to disassemble the entire setup.

Read more