BETTER THAN GE? The LG All in One Washer Dryer Combo: Test, Teardown & Review

In this video, I spend about 2 weeks of work testing, tearing down, and re-building the new-in-stores LG Combo Washer Dryer unit, the WM6998HBA.

We will discuss as many of the options, features, performance, and possibilities of the unit that are offered. I ran about ~6 test loads on camera to document as much as I could on the process before and after tearing the unit down to explain how and why it operates.

Finally, I ask and answer the question if its better than the unit its trying to compete against, the GE Ultrasfast 2-in-1 Combo washer dryer, that we reviewed about 5 months ago.

Timeline of Video:

00:00 - Introduction and Features of the LG WM6998HBA Combo Washer Dryer
01:13 - Wash and Dryer Modes Available
01:50 - LG ThinQ App Installation & Features
03:05 - First Load Test (Mixed items, 15lb)
06:42 - LG Combo Filter Housing and Use: How does it work?
07:07 - Second Wash & Dry, 10lb Clothes
09:08 - Bedding Test with Delay Start Overnight
11:40 - LG Washer Dryer Teardown & Air Filter Concerns
13:00 - Heat Pump & Internal Discussion and Possible Failure Points
18:55 - Stain Test with Warm Water Wash, and Water Consumption Test
20:48 - Queen Comforter Wash & Dry Test
22:38 - Final Thoughts on LG Combo Washer Dryer
26:21 - Is This Better than the GE Ultrafast 2 in 1 Combo Washer Dryer?

Did this video help you out? Send me a tip, and help me make more Appliance Repair videos for people to watch for free!
CashApp: $BenjaminSchlichter

** Links to external websites and parts may result in me receiving a commission on sales.

[OnizukaGTO]

Guess i just realised im at peak Dad mode, Im enjoying reviews of washing machines and vacuums. lol. cheers mate

[peterrabbit]

Yes. Please do a side by side comparison with the GE Ultra Fast.

[axion]

Your channel is uniquely valuable for consumers. Thank you.

[robertsmith]

We ended up buying this unit. Nice to have the extra room. Costco has a 1000 off at 1800 and that includes delivery, install and haul away. 5 year warranty was 174 bucks. Thanks for the video, you really convinced me. I did not know they even had combo units.

[sammarmon]

We went with the GE Ultrafast Combo about 6 months ago, knowing that LG and Samsung would jump on the heat pump band wagon. We have been absolutely delighted with our GE Ultrafast for our family of 5, and know these heat pump all-in-one machines are only going to get better, and become the market standard instead of separates. If there's one thing I don't like about the GE, it is the lint filter housing. I resort to sticking a light and a small vacuum hose into the narrow slot when I do the lint filter to get bits of lint out to keep lint out of the condenser. I can imagine GE Ultrafast V2 and the competition will fix this deficiency, but I'm still happy with the GE. I love the huge detergent and softener dispensers which make laundry in most cases a power + play 2 button press and I get clean & dry laundry a couple hours later.
I welcome LG's entry, and look forward to others joining.

[asdisskagen]

I have literally been waiting for over a decade to get a 2-in-1 wash/dry appliance that works decently here in the states; it will use literally HALF the space in the laundry room, freeing up the remaining space as additional storage. I cannot wait to get one of these. Thank you so much for the video!

[--onewheelskyward--]

I've had the previous, previous version of this for over a decade, I'm never going back to separate units. Not having to move the laundry around is worth the extra time. You definitely hit the challenging points, never ever fully load the drum, and heavy things should be washed and dried solo. Thank you for covering the filter removal, that's the biggest challenge on mine. I have to drain the unit to clear the filter, and I've replaced the drain pump twice due to lint migrating past the filter and stopping the pump from operating.

[christopherstone]

I have an older model LG combo and LOVE it! Yes drying takes longer with a combo, but not having to go to a laundromat or even your building's basement is a life changer. You can go to work or do shopping while doing laundry at home. Not having to transfer wet clothes to the dryer is nice too

[brucehutcheson]

Wow Ben! After scrolling by the man in the Maytag suit in the past, I finally watched your super in depth testing and disassembly of this LG Combo unit. As a tech that has worked on all kinds of machines, vehicles and computers, I found your video made for someone like me that wanted to see the insides to truly understand the engineering and possible flaws in this unit's design. Your use of flow meters, data loggers, GoPro really shows you go to great lengths to reveal the true statistical performance of this LG product. I agree with you that in the future, features like the smartphone App will become a major deciding factor in the future as younger people who grew up on expectations of technology to be included in products to be considered for their purchase. That software becomes the absolute must have feature that can be so easily added and updated. I would think that having your appliance on your home network would be super helpful in troubleshooting any issues with a product as the ability for these devices to send error data back to the manufacturer's online diagnostic systems to automate the diagnosis of any service issue of these ever more complex appliances. Thank you for your super in depth review. From nuts and bolts to the ultimate Mom test, your review was great! I look forward to watch more of your YouTube videos.

[klav]

Gotta say I’m looking for a new washer and happened upon your channel! You do an outstanding job educating folks!

[horseshoe_nc]

I was in need of a new laundry last year (2023). When the GE combo unit came out, I jumped on the introductory sale. My main reason was so I wouldn't have to take clothes to a detached building to dry. Older house without room for a regular laundry pair. So far the GE combo has been fantastic.

I have cleaned the coil once so far. I used one of those appliance cleaning kits, the long tapered brush and hose attachment.

[evolv.e]

Tip for those who are new to heat pump wash/dry combos to reduce dry time: pause dry cycle to put a dry towel or a few dryer balls to reduce drying times.

Also, we regularly find our clothes are sufficiently dry with an average of an hour remaining on the dry timer, so worth setting a timer reminder to check your clothes and hour early for dryness.

Additionally, avoid the temptation to overfill. Split a large load into two for fast and even drying.

[johnswanson]

This is the most thorough review I've ever seen on washing machine

[daviddeflyer]

I got the GE for about 2K delivered from costco and have been quite happy with it. In fact, the only complaint I have so far is that it is louder than expected while drying (I agree the app is nearly useless btw). What I love the most (and from the looks of it is a major advantage) is the automatic soap dispenser. I never thought I'd appreciate it like that, but it really just makes doing the laundry a super easy process.

[beurky]

Side by side comparison would be awesome.

I think these machines are the future. Ya they're new and expensive, but they bring a different style of lifestyle washing which most don't think about (like doing a load overnight or during the day while at work). It might change the demographic.

I hope one day they can add bigger electric resistive elements to it, to give people the option of slow long (efficient) drying with the heat pump, or fast high heat ( non vented condensing) drying. To really give people options.

I can also see when these get more popular and cheaper, that people could have multiples of these based on their needs. Imagine doing whites and colours in two machines at the same time overnight, and it be ready to fold in the morning when you get up.

That's time/lifestyle efficiency in my eyes.

[Trahloc]

I appreciate this video, as a single dude I don't care how long it takes to dry. I put dirty clothes in at night and I have clean clothes tomorrow. One load per night is more than enough all by myself. Now I need to decide which unit is better for my needs.

[lindablackwell]

I heard about the LG combo washer/dryer on the radio this morning so I looked the unit up on the internet. While perusing the images I came across your video and decided to watch. I can’t believe how detailed you were yet still understandable for the average buyer. The fact that you actually washed so many loads of clothes was something I didn’t expect. That’s how to give a decent review. And you took the machine apart!!! WOW. Very impressive. I’ve never seen anything like what you did before. Mind you, I’m not in the market for a new washer/dryer right now, have purchased one just 2 years ago, but when I’m ready to buy I will certainly look for your review first.

[berthogendoorn]

P.S. here in Canada this LG All in one comes in at almost $1, 500.00 CAD less then the GE all in one, Knowing it has better bones than the GE other than the Compressor issue, really makes it a compelling purchase!

[carperdiem]

Lint in the coils must be solved before heatpump dryers can become mainstream. My whirlpool requires a complete annual disassembly to clean coils

[Snoopod]

I'm so excited to see competition in the combo heat pump wash dryer space. It's absolutely the future. So much less power, so convenient