Washer and dryer duos that were tops in our tests

When washers and dryers were hidden in dimly lit basements, their appearance hardly seemed to matter. But now that they've moved upstairs, they're curvy and stylish, chartreuse and plum, and available in matching washer and dryer pairs. Consumer Reports found some dynamic duos in its recent tests of washers and dryers.

While we typically test washing machines and dryers individually and not in pairs, we have found some standouts that are indeed sold as a matching set. You'll find that improvements in washer technology deliver most of the energy savings; front-loaders and high-efficiency top-loaders use a lot less water than conventional top-loaders, and spin at such high speeds that much of the water is extracted, reducing dryer time. So if your working dryer has a moisture sensor, there's little reason to haul it to the curb, unless you love the look of a coordinated pair. Here are four pairs from four brands that did well in our Ratings of washers and dryers.

Whirlpool
Whirlpool Duet WFW94HEX[W] washer and Duet WED94HEX[W] electric dryer, $1,000 each (in white). This front-loader tops our washer ratings. The dryer has a steam option, which our past tests found leave shirts visibly wrinkled, but did remove more odors than conventional dryers. The gas dryer model number is WGD94HEX[W] and costs about $50 more. The Duet duo is also available in silver and cranberry, which also ups the cost a bit.

Samsung
Samsung WF520AB[P] washer and DV520AE[P] electric dryer, $1,400 each (in platinum). This front-loading washer is among the few we've tested that rated excellent in vibration. Both machines have large capacities and steam options. In past tests we found that steam settings on washers cleaned stains slightly better, but machines with these settings washed very well even without the steam. The pair is available in white for slightly less, and the gas dryer is DV520AG[P].

LG
LG WM3875H[W]CA washer, $1,200 and DLEX3875 electric dryer, $1,300 (in graphite steel). The front-loading washer is among the quietest we tested, but be patient, cycle time is 100 minutes. The dryer is relatively quiet, too. Both are loaded with features, including steam, and hold lots of laundry. They also come in white. The gas dryer is DLGX3876.

Kenmore
Kenmore 2800[2] washer, $620, and 6800[2] electric dryer, $700 (in white). Both have a large capacity and an appealing price. The high-efficiency top-loader gets laundry clean in 45 minutes. But it isn't as gentle on clothes as some others we tested and is relatively noisy. The gas dryer is model number 7800[2].

—Kimberly Janeway