Best Apartment-Size Washer and Dryer Sets That Stack in 24 Inches

Compact 24-inch washer and dryer sets stack in a closet and often need no vent. Our picks from LG, Bosch, Miele and GE, with reliability data and power needs.

By Amanda RobertsUpdated October 29, 2026How we pick products

We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. It never changes what we recommend. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more.

Compact washers and dryers are about 24 inches wide, roughly 3 inches narrower than standard machines, and most can stack in a closet. They’re the go-to for apartments, condos and small laundry nooks.

Before you shop, check two things: whether you have a dryer vent and what outlet you have. Most compact dryers today are ventless heat pump models, which need no vent. Some plug into a standard 120-volt outlet, but many need 240 volts.

Specs side by side

Specs, prices and service rates are from Yale Appliance's 2026 compact laundry guide, which tracks service calls on the appliances it sells. Prices change often, and Miele's higher-end TXR 860WP dryer is confirmed for 120V.

How we picked

We relied on Yale Appliance’s compact laundry guide, which includes service-call rates from its own sales, plus manufacturer specs. We focused on:

• Reliability and service rates
• Venting and power requirements
• Capacity and spin speed
• Drying time and energy use
• Price

We haven’t tested these ourselves. Read more about how we pick products.

1. LG Compact Set: Best value

Buy it if: Most people who want a reliable compact set at the best price.

Yale Appliance, a large retailer that publishes service data, found LG’s compact washer had the lowest service rate of the compact washers it tracks, at 4.1%. The WM1455HWA washer holds 2.4 cubic feet and spins at 1,400 RPM. The DLHC1455W dryer is a ventless heat pump with a self-cleaning condenser and sensors that sync with the washer through LG’s app.

What bugs us: The dryer needs a 240-volt outlet. The washer has no automatic detergent dispenser, so you’ll measure each load.

Skip it if: you only have a 120-volt outlet.

2. Bosch 800 Series Set: Best overall

Buy it if: People who want a quiet, polished machine and will pay for it.

Bosch’s compact laundry is the most popular in Yale’s showrooms. The washer is quiet, has stain-specific cycles and doses detergent automatically, and its service rate is the second best Yale tracks. The heat pump dryer has a self-cleaning condenser.

What bugs us: It’s expensive, the dryer needs 240 volts, and its service rate (8.4%) was the highest of the heat pump dryers Yale compared. Its steam feature needs you to add water.

Skip it if: you want the most reliable dryer.

3. Miele Set: Best fabric care

Buy it if: People who care most about fabric care and longevity.

Miele’s honeycomb drum is gentle on clothes, and its washers spin at 1,600 RPM, which gets clothes drier before they hit the dryer. Miele’s heat pump dryers had the best service rate of the compact dryers Yale tracks, at 6.8%. If you need a 120-volt dryer, Miele’s top model, the TXR 860WP (about $2,499), runs on a standard outlet, which gives you much more flexibility in where it goes.

What bugs us: It’s pricey, and drying can take up to about two hours. The value washer skips Miele’s automatic dosing and some specialty cycles. Confirm the voltage of the exact dryer model you buy.

Skip it if: you’re on a tight budget.

4. GE Compact Set: Best vented

Buy it if: People who already have a dryer vent and want the lowest price and fastest drying.

GE’s set is simple and affordable. The washer has steam, and the vented dryer is the fastest in the compact category.

What bugs us: It needs a dryer vent, which rules it out in many apartments. Yale estimates a vented dryer costs roughly $150 to $200 more a year to run than a heat pump in Massachusetts, where it’s based.

Skip it if: you don’t have a vent.

Also worth a look

LG WashTower Compact (WKHC152HWA): A single stacked unit with the controls in the middle, so you don’t have to reach the top. It has LG’s reliable washer and a ventless dryer, but needs about 30 inches of depth to install. About $2,399.

What to know before you buy

Measure the space, including depth

Compact machines are about 24 inches wide, but check depth and height, plus room for hoses, the door swing and a stacking kit.

Vented vs ventless dryers

Vented dryers are faster and cheaper to buy. Ventless heat pump dryers need no vent and use less energy, but take longer. Ventless condenser dryers are cheaper than heat pump models but use more energy.

120V vs 240V

Check your outlet. Many compact heat pump dryers need 240 volts, and adding a 240V circuit can be expensive in an apartment.

You still need water and a drain

The washer needs hot and cold water and a drain. No hookups at all? See the best portable washing machines.

One machine or two?

An all-in-one combo saves space but takes longer. Here’s the full comparison: washer dryer combo vs stackable set, or see the best ventless washer dryer combos.

FAQ

How much does a compact washer hold? About 2.2 to 2.4 cubic feet, roughly half a full-size washer. That’s about 8 to 10 pounds of laundry, depending on the fabric.

Can you stack any compact washer and dryer? Usually only machines from the same brand, with the correct stacking kit.

Do compact washers smell? Front-loaders can if you close the door between loads. Here’s how to clean a front-load washer that smells.