Is a washer/dryer worth having?

We've had a Zanussi w/d for nearly 20 years. Over the last year we've started to have a few problems like the audible alarms not working (so you don't get told it's finished) but it's still working well. We only use it for bath towels in the Winter when we can't hang them out, or occasionally heavy items like jeans.

The drum is quite small compared to newer washing machines, but there's only two of us and most stuff dries overnight on an airer.

I have one but only use the dryer to "finish off" a wash I've previously had drying on the airer overnight in my sun lounge. I like the facility of passing warmth through anything I suspect could be a tad damp. Works for me but, I've never used it for a full wash & probably never will. The washing comes out lovely & clean too. I'm proud of my outside line on a nice day, blowing my lovely bedding and towels in the breeze! Sad but true.

Thank you all very much.
It's been very helpful to read all your opinions, even though they're so divided.

I generally take a very long time to mull over buying anything new, so I'll have more to mull, now.

Another vote for a washer dryer from me.

I never let it do the full cycle. Don’t need to but sort the washing after it has completed washing and dry it on a much shorter cycle than it would do if left to it’s own devises.

I find it is absolutely fine.

I think they're awful. A dryer needs a much bigger drum than the combined machines have. They can only dry half (at most) of a full wash load. Better to use airers, the heated ones are popular, and a dehumidifier.

I've never had one, put off by the terrible reviews. I'd rather find space in a spare bedroom/shed/garage for a condenser dryer with sensor (which stops drying when the correct level of dryness is reached).

Good Housekeeping reviewed them back in February - see link
www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/product-reviews/electricals/g30729580/best-washer-dryers/

A word of warning about Hotpoint
It is well known that Hotpoint tumble dryers have had safety issues and caused fires. There is also an issues with some Indesit and Hotpoint washing machine door locks - please google to see for yourself. The thought of a Hotpoint washer dryer horrifies me. Both Hotpoint and Indesit are owned by Whirlpool.

Well, what a coincidence!
I've literally just been reading the good housekeeping reviews.

I have explained that I haven't anywhere at all to put an airer.
No garage, shed, spare room, or even garden.

The good housekeeping guide does say that washer dryers are generally not so great at drying as they are at washing. They also say though, not to discount them because they can be very convenient if used correctly.

Rather than getting a washer/dryer as you have lots to dry, an electric airing rack might suit your needs better. My granddaughter bought one from Lakeland, it has three tiers and lots of drying space on it. You can buy a seperate cover to enclose it which speeds up the drying although its not necessary does dry quicker with the cover on. These are very economical to run as well. I've not used a W/D personally but have heard it's difficult to dry a full load and have to remove some of the washing load and dry separately.

Ideally that would be my choice, but, I currently have my boy's bike in the living room. Temporarily, I hope, but where to store that is a whole other thread, I think.

I'm beginning to see why I'm so down about things lately.
It all sounds hopeless. Bah!

We’ve had a W/D in a rental flat for over 8 years now, touch wood no problems. Though having said that there’s bound to be a call soon to say it’s on the blink...
It was from John Lewis, probably their own brand, though I can’t remember now.

Nannan2

Yes Bathsheba but an AEG costs a LOT more than the average washer or washer/dryer?

Yes Nannan2, but as with everything in life, as a rule you get what you pay for. I realise it doesn't always hold true, and you can still end up with a poor product no matter how much you pay. But I honestly think that is not common, and generally paying more for a high quality product will always be worth it in the long run.

Still reading this, and wanted to say that the more expensive brands are absolutely out of the question for me. (The Miele is £2000!!)

The good housekeeping tests didn't necessarily rate the absolute top priced items in their list of the best performing.

Most were mid range, so still £500 to £600, but even that is far more than I I could stretch to.

The hotpoint and beko ones are my price range, but still make me gulp.
They both made it onto the list of good ones, too.

Actually all makes had shortcomings, as the tests were so stringent.

Still thinking about it, perhaps in a sale I could find a wonderful price.

The majority of people on here say the same thing, that the dryer function doesn’t work well, plus there’s the problem that if one part develops a fault, the whole machine is out of action.

If you don’t have room in your kitchen for a separate dryer, do you have a garage? That’s where I keep mine.

I’ve had washer/dryer for years as I live in a flat with a very small kitchen so no room for a separate dryer. I bought a new Hoover Dynamic Next last year, reasonable price and it works well. I tend to put things like sweatshirts, joggers etc on an airer as I prefer to iron them very slightly damp, but the dryer copes with everything else.