At a Glance:
Laundry Center vs Stackable Set
Pros and Cons of a Laundry Center
Best Laundry Center Options to Consider
Laundry appliances are more versatile than ever before. Along with choosing between top-load and front-load washer models, buyers can decide whether you want freestanding units, stackable appliances—even laundry centers, which have become go-to solutions for homeowners looking to maximize wiggle room in the laundry area. Laundry centers might not be anything new, but with more brands adding their own ideas to these washer and dryer pairs, they're more desirable than ever before.
If you're curious about whether laundry centers are right for your home, you'll want to read this handy guide we've put together. Inside, we go over the important details you should know about these appliances before buying one, plus our experts provide laundry center reviews for top-rated models on the market. Explore more inside!
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Shop NowWhat is a Laundry Center?
Also called a laundry tower, laundry centers are single appliances that feature both a washer and dryer on a single footprint. This is a great solution for homeowners looking to save space in the laundry room or who want to install a washer and dryer in a closet or pantry. To paint the picture even further, here’s how laundry centers compare to other popular washer and dryer pairs.
| Type | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding | These are your standard washers and dryers that can be installed solo. They don’t need to be next to each other and they usually don’t come as a pair. | ||
| Stacked | Stackable laundry appliances are made separately but are designed for the dryer to sit atop the washer. | ||
| Washer/Dryer Combo | In this case, there aren’t two appliances at all. Instead, one appliance serves as both the wash and dry zone—no switching needed. | ||
| Laundry Center | This is a single appliance that contains a washer and dryer fused together as one. There are two different sections (like a stacked model), and they cannot be taken apart. | ||
Laundry Center vs Stackable Set
Buyers often ask us whether there’s really any difference between stacking a washer and dryer with freestanding models and buying a whole unit. To recap, here’s what to consider:
✔ Stackable washers and dryers can be used as freestanding units as well as in a vertical layout
✔ Laundry centers are one single unit, often with a control center in the center as opposed to independent controls for each the washer and dryer.
The build of a laundry center means a couple of things. For one, installation is a little trickier since the washer and dryer portion can be separated. On the other hand, having both washer and dryer controls is a major plus since anyone can access the panel, whereas some users might struggle to reach the dryer panel on a stacked washer and dryer.
Pros and Cons of a Laundry Center
Pros
There’s no perfect solution for every home, and you might find that one choice is a better fit for your home. With that said, here are a few things to consider about laundry centers.
✅ Laundry centers are easier to install. You don’t have to worry about lifting one unit on top of another. Simply slide in this single appliance and connect it to your hookups.
✅ You can potentially save money. Instead of buying two appliances, you can make a single purchase.
✅ You can find both a washer and a dryer from a brand you love. This makes shopping for laundry appliances faster and easier, and it improves the experience since the features are made to be compatible between the washer and dryer.
✅ Laundry centers are designed to save space. These models are ideal for smaller homes since they only occupy the floor space of a single appliance.
Cons
✖ If one breaks, you lose both. Even if your dryer works fine, you have to replace the whole center if your washer breaks beyond repair.
✖ Repairing might be harder. A repair professional might have a harder time accessing the systems because they can’t work on the units individually.
✖ You can’t mix and match appliances. You have to choose the washer and dryer systems that come together.
Best Laundry Center Options to Consider
Once you decide whether a laundry center is right for your home, you can start looking at some of the top models available on the market. Here are six potential options that are highly rated and come in a variety of brands and price points to meet your needs.
Frigidaire® 3.9 Cu. Ft. Washer, 5.6 Cu. Ft. Dryer White Electric Stack Laundry
Shop This Frigidaire Laundry Center
This Frigidaire laundry center is a great place to start in your search. There are 10 different wash cycles and four timed dryer cycles to optimize your laundry experience. For really dirty clothes, turn on the MaxFill™ option to add extra water to your washer for a deeper clean. Together with nearly 4 cubic feet of wash capacity and over 5 cubic feet of drying space, this is a handy addition to cozy house layouts, apartments, and condos.
Featured Frigidaire FLCE7522AW review: “I have been buying Frigidaire Appliances since I first got married, we had heard a lot of good reports on them… I am 81 years old and when my son started looking online for me, it had to be Frigidaire!”
GE® Unitized Spacemaker® 3.8 Cu. Ft. Washer, 5.9 Cu. Ft. White On White Gas Dryer
This GE laundry center is another great option for downsized living. This powerhouse features 11 wash cycles at six different temperatures, so no matter the type of load, it can handle it. Most impressive, the dryer offers nearly 6 cubic feet of drying capacity—that’s more than some full-size dryers!
Featured GE GUD27GSSMWW review: “Fits perfect in my townhome laundry closet, yet big enough for a family of four. My college students are home and running it like crazy!”
LG 4.5 Cu. Ft. Washer, 7.4 Cu. Ft. Electric Dryer Black Steel Front Load Stack Laundry
This LG laundry center is considered one of the sleekest and best-designed laundry centers available on the market today. Despite its space-saving design, this is a large capacity laundry center offers an collection of stain-fighting features, including TurboWash 360 for quick loads, an Allergiene cycle to handle common laundry room allergens, and large interior to do bigger washes for fewer cycles. Not to mention, the black stainless steel finish is a modern designer lover’s dream come true.
Featured LG WKEX200HWA review: “We selected it for the space-saving capability and I am thrilled that it is not only a large capacity unit but it is quiet and has a very quick run time. This is one of the best purchases I have ever made on an appliance!”
LG Studio WashTower™ 5.0 Cu. Ft. Washer, 7.4 Cu. Ft. Dryer Noble Steel Stack Laundry
Shop This LG Studio Laundry Center
This LG WashTower electric stacked laundry is our LG WashTower pick amped up to high-end design. Modern luxuries include syncing the washer and dryer to the ThinQ® app to receive alerts when your laundry is done, plus AI fabric sensors that automatically create a custom wash based on the material and soil levels. This stainless steel laundry center is also made to handle huge laundry loads with 5 cubic feet of wash tub capacity matched by 7.4 cubic feet in the dryer.
Featured LG Studio WSGX201HNA review: “I bought this a month ago and it looks perfect in my open-concept kitchen. I was hesitant about it being too bulky or too industrial but it seamlessly integrates into the space and matches my other stainless steel appliances. The look is chic, polished, and modern.”
Whirlpool® 3.5 Cu. Ft. Washer, 5.9 Cu. Ft. Dryer White Electric Stacked Laundry
Shop This Whirlpool Laundry Center
This laundry center is a smaller option for homeowners who don’t necessarily need large-capacity washers. If you don’t have a large family or prefer to run multiple smaller loads instead of one big one, check out this Whirlpool unit. It’s a simple setup, but with more than 250 5-star reviews, this model proves to be reliable.
Featured Whirlpool WET4027HW review: “This machine has been a joy to use so far. It has made laundry fun again. Am looking forward to a great future with my Whirlpool.”
Speed Queen® SF7 3.5 Washer, 7.0 Cu. Ft Electric Dryer White Stack Laundry
Shop This Speed Queen Laundry Center
Rounding out this list of top laundry center options is this Speed Queen stacked washer and dryer. This brand specializes in commercial-quality appliances that are meant to last. If you have to wash enough clothes each week to clothe a small football team, you need a washer and dryer you can trust, and this model is tested to run for 25 years! The various cycles will remove tough stains without wearing out your clothes. If you’re looking for a luxury laundry center, Speed Queen is one of the best brands we recommend.
If you are interested in adding a laundry center to your home, check out the models we currently have in stock at East Coast Appliance. We carry one of the widest selections of brands and models when it comes to washers and dryers. This makes East Coast Appliance the go-to place to shop for laundry units in Virginia. Find your nearest location and fall in love with a laundry center you can use for years.
Why Trust East Coast Appliance?
Locally owned and operated since 1988, East Coast Appliance is the largest independent appliance dealer in Virginia. We sell it ALL — from new name-brand appliances to scratch-and-dent appliances to our very own refurbished appliances. Aside from our huge selection of every major brand and everyday low prices, what sets us apart from our competitors is that we service what we sell and that we are locally owned and operated with factory-trained associates. And if you’re a local, great news: East Coast Appliance is committed to providing the absolute lowest prices on the same available brand and model — simply bring in the ad of the local retail competitor while the lower price is in effect and you'll receive your price match.
Shop Laundry Centers at East Coast
There is a reason we are dubbed “The Discount King” — for unbeatable deals, shop laundry appliances online at East Coast Appliance. Our friendly associates are always happy to help you learn more about laundry center setups, whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our showrooms to see why we are the best appliance store in Virginia. Visit us today!
Learn More: Check Out Our 6 Best Budget Washer and Dryer Sets