Last updated on July 10th, 2024
I went into this review full of bias and expecting to hate the Fisher & Paykel WD8560F1 Washer Dryer Combo. As appliance technicians we’re taught to regard washer dryer combos as problematic, prone to frequent maintenance issues, and often disappointing in their drying performance.
I wanted to put this to the test and see for myself, because the concept of a washer dryer in one is a great idea. So, I used the Fisher & Paykel WD8560F1 washer dryer combo as my own personal machine for about six months. What developed was a love hate relationship with what turned out to be the best and worst washer and dryer I’ve ever had.
A Washer Dryer in One - Love at First Wash
I was surprised by how much I loved certain aspects of the washer dryer in one experience. The machine washed clothes well and efficiently with plenty of different options, but what higher end machine doesn’t these days? Here’s what stood out.
Whisper-Quiet Operation
The WD8560F1 is impressively quiet. Unlike typical dryers that rely on drum rollers, sleeve bearings, and belts, this machine utilises proper washing machine roller bearings and a direct drive system. This makes sense since it is a washing machine with a drying function added to it, not the other way around. As a result, it can spin at 1400 RPM relatively quietly. During the drying cycle, which operates at around 50 RPM, all you can hear is the noise the clothes make tumbling around as well as some very muted fan noise. Without a doubt the quietest dryer I have ever had.
Lint Free Laundry
My biggest pet peeves with dryers is lint dust. Even the most expensive machines leave a fine layer of lint all over the laundry room. The WD8560F1 washer dryer in one uses a bit of water to flush lint out of the machine and down the drain, eliminating this issue entirely. Plus, there’s no lint filter to clean, even better. A bit of a waste of water sure, but with all the talk of microplastics and their risk, I’d rather not have microplastic laden lint spread as a fine dust throughout my laundry room. Flushing the lint out with water offers a safer way to catch it with an aftermarket filter and dispose of it more sustainably if you don’t want to flush it down the drain to let the treatment plant deal with it.
Convenient for Small Loads
For small loads, the set-and-forget wash-dry cycle is fantastic. No need to wait around to move the washing into the dryer, you can go out and come back later to clean, dry clothes, making it ideal for one or two people or as a backup dryer for a family.
Space-Saving Design
The compact footprint is another major plus. Instead of needing to stack a separate dryer, you get valuable space back, which is great for small apartments with limited room.
Dryer Energy Efficiency
Surprisingly, for a dryer that uses a heating element instead of heat pump technology, the energy rating is pretty high – at least according to the sticker. My experience below however really makes me question how that efficiency really measures up in the real world.
The Hate Begins
Despite the positives, my experience wasn’t all rosy. There are significant drawbacks to the WD8560F1 dryer washing machine combo.
Painfully Slow Drying Times
The drying capacity is limited, and it makes sense. The machine has a washing machine drum, as it is a washing machine with a dryer added on. It’s not a dryer washing machine combo, but a washer dryer machine combo – It’s a washer before its a dryer. Dryer’s usually have much larger diameter drums to facilitate good airflow through the clothes. The machine comes with a fill line sticker by the door to show the max level of clothing for effective drying, but the machine struggles to dry clothes when filled to this line. At best, it can handle about 3 kg of dry-weight clothing. For me, exceeding this amount resulted in damp clothes at the end of the cycle, requiring an additional hour or more to finish drying. It would be nice if all manufacturers could be more honest about the limitations of trying to tumble dry clothes in a washing machine drum, and stop trying to oversell the drying capacity of these machines, I think the labelled capacity of 5kg is pretty ambitious. I’d consider a washer dryer combo for small loads or as a washer with a built-in emergency backup dryer. Forget about drying queen size bed sheets or more than a couple of bath towels at a time.
Undisclosed Maintenance Requirements
Over time, lint buildup inside the machine can significantly impede the already underwhelming drying performance. As a technician, I knew this was a common issue to all washer dryer combos. Whenever a washer dryer combo of any brand comes in for repair, the first step is to clear the accumulated lint, which often requires a professional service call every few years. This is something manufacturers should make buyers aware of upfront. I don’t think it’s the end of the world, but manufacturers could make it simpler to undertake this maintenance and let their customers know it needs doing, even offering a fixed price service for it. If you have a washer dryer combo and it is drying much slower than it used to, this is almost always the issue. When I first got the WD8560F1 in used condition for this test, it took 7 hours to complete a wash dry cycle when loaded with 1 pair of heavy cotton work shorts, 5 light t shirts and 2 pairs of jocks. The machine was all gobbed up with lint. After cleaning it all out, this time came down to 4 hours for the same load.
Slow Throughput
When compared to having separate machines, the WD8560F1 falls short, as would any washer dryer combo. For instance, a 7.5kg Fisher & Paykel front loader paired with a 7kg Electrolux condenser dryer can handle significantly larger loads in a fraction of the time. In 7 hours, you can wash and dry 22.5 kg of clothes with these separate machines, while the washer dryer combo could only manage around 8kg in a 6 hour period provided its not all gobbed up with lint.
Locked Door During Drying
A final, and somewhat minor gripe, is the locked door during the drying cycle. If you need to open the door mid-cycle, you must wait 15 minutes for the machine to complete cool-down mode—a frustrating delay. Even when the cycle ends you are locked out for a while so the machine can cool down. So if you’re running late for work and throw something in to dry as much as possible before you have to leave – well guess again, the WD8560F1 has other ideas.
Would I Recommend the Fisher & Paykel WD8560F1 Washer Dryer Combo?
Yes and no – it depends on the circumstances. For smaller households and where space is at a premium the Fisher & Paykel WD8560F1 washer dryer combo makes good sense. It excels in quiet operation, lint management, and space-saving design. However, the painfully slow drying times, limited capacity, and uncommunicated maintenance requirements are significant drawbacks, which mean I wouldn’t recommend it for bigger households. If you’re considering this machine, or any washer dryer combo, weigh the pros and cons carefully to determine if it’s the right fit for your needs.