While the GE Profile ENERGY STAR 4.8 cu. ft. Capacity UltraFast Combo with Ventless Heat Pump Technology Washer/Dryer has been available to buy already for six months, the first time I saw it was at CES in January 2024.
I was surprised to hear that it is the number one selling full-size combo in the US (of the time) because it is a front-loading machine - I always thought that the best top loading washing machines were leading the way. The demand to own one of the best front load washers must be growing, and this washer can do more than just wash laundry too.
It's a washer dryer. This means that it can wash and dry your clothes all in one appliance. It'll ultimately save you space because it means that you don't need a separate dryer, and you can store items items on the top of it since you can load it up from the front.
To be transparent, I have not washed or dried my own laundry in this machine but I have opened the drum door, turned the dials and pulled out the detergent and lint drawers to get a feel for it. Read on to hear my thoughts about this popular major appliance.
GE Profile Energy Star 4.8 cu. ft. Capacity UltraFast Combo with Ventless Heat Pump Technology Washer/Dryer: key specs
GE Profile Energy Star 4.8 cu. ft. Capacity UltraFast Combo with Ventless Heat Pump Technology Washer/Dryer: first impressions
To look at, the GE Profile Energy Star 4.8 cu. ft. Capacity UltraFast Combo with Ventless Heat Pump Technology Washer/Dryer is big and bulky. It isn't the slickest or most modern washer dryer I have seen but that could be putting style over substance.
It's a front loading machine with all the controls and drawers positioned at the top of the front panel. This will save too much bending down, or bending over, when working your way through the laundry pile.
I like the color. It's 'carbon graphite'. Darker than most washer dryers I have seen, so it was nice to see a change.
GE Profile Energy Star 4.8 cu. ft. Capacity UltraFast Combo with Ventless Heat Pump Technology Washer/Dryer: price & availability
The GE Profile Energy Star 4.8 cu. ft. Capacity UltraFast Combo with Ventless Heat Pump Technology Washer/Dryer has a list price of $2, 899. It is only available to buy in the US.
GE Profile products are available to buy direct to consumer, and they always include a store finder so you have the option to purchase from a local retailer, or see it in person before purchasing, if you prefer. I've found it listed with Best Buy, Lowe's and Home Depot.,
While this washer dryer offers a lot of your money, I do think that it commands a high price tag. It is regularly on offer; even at the time of writing it was discounted to $2,499.99. Similar washer dryers are half of this price although, granted, they don't all come with an app and don't have the same size of drum capacity.
GE Profile Energy Star 4.8 cu. ft. Capacity UltraFast Combo with Ventless Heat Pump Technology Washer/Dryer: Design
The GE Profile Energy Star 4.8 cu. ft. Capacity UltraFast Combo with Ventless Heat Pump Technology Washer/Dryer measures 46.7 x 28 x 32in (h x w x d) and weighs 302lbs. Although my first impression of it was 'big' it is technically taking up less footprint than a sperate washer and separate dryer. It'll also enable you to make better use of the space above the appliance, if you need, because the design is a front loader.
By 'front loader' I mean that it has its door at the front of the appliance rather than on the top. There is ample space to easily get a kingsize comforter in and out of the machines' door without applying some force behind it.
The stainless steel drum is equally generous. This has a total capacity of 4.8 cu ft / 12kg. I stuck my head inside of the machine to get a sense of space of the drum, and it was really decent.
You may notice that when opening the door their a blue edging around the face of the drum. This is Microban Antimicrobial technology which protects the gasket, dispenser and draining system to prevent the build-up of odors. I imagine that it'll also prevent the build up of any mold in the rim of the door which can be a nuisance to remove, and look pretty grose in the meantime.
All the buttons and drawers are at the top of the washer dryer. This includes the filter, Smart Dispense detergent and Smart Dispense softener drawers. The easy-to-read buttons are fairly responsive with only a little light pressure required by the finger tips to select the desired setting; when a cycle is selected, this will be shown on the illuminated display screen.
GE Profile Energy Star 4.8 cu. ft. Capacity UltraFast Combo with Ventless Heat Pump Technology Washer/Dryer: Performance
While I cannot vouch for the washing and drying performance of the GE Profile Energy Star 4.8 cu. ft. Capacity UltraFast Combo with Ventless Heat Pump Technology Washer/Dryer, what I can say is that it is saying all the right tech spec to assure me that it is capable of performing well.
It has 12 wash cycles to include normal; rinse & dry; EcoCool; self clean; delicates; towels; bulky/bedding; sanitize with oxi; downloaded; active wear; quick and whites, and 14 dry cycles to include normal, timed dry; downloaded; spin & dry; EcoCool; wrinkle care; delicates; dewrinkle; towels; bulky / bedding; steam; active wear; quick dry and whites.
The machine also has Adaptive SmartSense technology for the detergent and softener drawers. These hold enough detergent and softener for up to 32 loads. You can event scan the barcode on the detergent or softener bottle with the SmartHQ app and the washer will dispense the right amount.
The SmartHQ app will mean that you can make sure your GE Profile washer/ dryer stays up-to-date with the latest software features. You'll even receive real-time remote cycle status notifications and have the opportunity to select detergents and download specialty cycles.
When it comes to drying the laundry the machine uses ventless heat pump technology. This uses air flow to extract moisture from your laundry. Drying laundry this way makes it 50% more energy efficient when compared to the requirements for an Energy Star qualification for standard electric dryers.
Based on completing the Normal Wash + Dry cycle with Eco dry on a 10lb laundry load, you can expect to have it washed and dried within two hours. This could make it a fantastic option for families although, without actually putting my laundry through the cycles I am sceptical of this time frame. My usual wash cycle alone takes 59 minutes, and then a further 1.5 hours to dry a 9kg/19lb load.
“By using laundry appliance data from over 13 million cycles*, we found that consumers leave clothes in the washing machine at the end of a wash cycle for an average of 130 minutes before transferring them over to the dryer, lengthening the entire laundry day experience,”said Peter Pepe, VP of Clothes Care at GE Appliances.
“The GE Profile™ UltraFast Combo with Ventless Heat Pump Technology was designed to address this consumer paint point head on by creating the ultimate one-and-done solution that eliminates this transfer step. With more than 30 patents and pending patent applications, the UltraFast Combo delivers capacity, flexibility and cycle-times that had not been available in combination washer-dryers, until this product launched.”
* Tested using a 10lb typical mixed load on the Normal Wash + Dry Cycle Eco Dry setting.
GE Profile Energy Star 4.8 cu. ft. Capacity UltraFast Combo with Ventless Heat Pump Technology Washer/Dryer: Verdict
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if...
While I have not washed laundry in this machine I have given it a good look over, and played with what I could to get a feel for it. What I really like about it is the 4.8 cu ft / 12kg capacity which is large enough to fit a kingsize comforter inside the drum to wash, and dry. The fixtures and fittings (drawers, doors etc) also make this feel like a quality large appliance. It was also seemingly really easy to use with very little bending down required, aside from loading and unloading the machine.
It is a front loading machine and does come at a cost, though, so if it's not the design you're looking for then top loader washers and alternative washer dryer combos could be worth a look. Looking to save money? Check out our washer dryer deals - you may even find the GE Profile Energy Star 4.8 cu.ft. Capacity UltraFast Combo with Ventless Heat Pump Technology Washer/Dryer featured when it's on sale.
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