Sifting Through Samsung Washer and Dryer Reviews? Here’s a Homeowner’s Honest Take
As a childless cat (and dog) lady, one of my biggest pet peeves (pun intended) is piles of pet hair all over my clothes, blankets, sheets and furniture. I sometimes find myself tossing clean clothes in the wash again to get the pet hair off the clean laundry. At Family Handyman, we’ve tested some of the best washer-dryer sets on the market, including sets that focus on the unique challenges those of us with pets face daily. After looking through several Samsung washer and dryer reviews, I knew I needed to test the Samsung Pet Care Solution Washer and Dryer to see if it holds up in a house with multiple pets and if it makes laundry less hairy.
What is the Samsung Washer and Dryer?
The Pet Care Solution Washer and Dryer is Samsung’s answer to the issues pet parents have faced for years. It focuses on giving you clean laundry in any circumstance and removing excess hair and odors that tend to come with owning a pet. It’s a beautiful and sleek machine that looks nice in a laundry room but packs a punch by including integrated SmartThings technology for remote access, specialized wash and dry settings, the ability to steam clothing and more.
MORGAN CHANEY FOR FAMILY HANDYMANWe Tried It
Samsung Smart Washer and Dryer with Pet Care
Samsung Washer and Dryer Features
Washer Features
The Samsung Pet Care Solution Washer and Dryer is extremely high-tech and has a long list of features for both the washer and the dryer. This washer is geared to remove pet hair and make your laundry experience faster and easier. It has an extra large 5.4-cubic-foot capacity with upgraded filters and water jets to ensure your clothes are extra clean.
The washer comes with the normal pre-programmed washing cycles but also has the ability for a Pet Care Wash Cycle to remove six times the amount of hair of a normal wash. Then there’s the Super Speed Wash Cycle, which can clean an eight-pound load in a lightning-fast 28-minute cycle.
You can connect the washer to the Samsung SmartThings app via WiFi to create your own laundry settings. This also allows you to stop or delay your laundry from the app. The app informs you of your energy usage and any issues your washer may be experiencing. It’s quiet and efficient thanks to the Vibration Reduction Technology+ and Swirl+ Tub Interior, which keeps noise and vibration low while washing. It still draws out water from your clothes despite its gentleness. To help with maintenance, this washer also has a self-clean feature to keep things sparkly, clean and fresh.
Dryer Features
The dryer is equally impressive as the washer and has features that give you fluffy and wrinkle-free clothes with less pet hair. Its large 7.4-cubic-foot capacity can hold large loads and easily fits bulk items like blankets and bedding. It has a reversible door to fit any space, plus an internal drum light so you can better see your clothes. It also has accessibility features like braille and audio assistance.
Like the washer, the Pet Care dryer can also be connected via Wi-Fi to the Samsung SmartThings App to remotely start, stop, delay and troubleshoot issues you may encounter during the drying cycle. Additionally, this dryer has Samsung’s Steam Sanitize+ technology, which was tested* and found to remove 95% of pollen from fabric while relaxing wrinkles and refreshing clothes quickly and without the need for a full wash and dry.
*(Testing based on Samsung internal protocols, results provided to and interpreted by Intertek, individual results may vary)
How We Tested It
Over the course of two months, I tested this washer-dryer combo against pet hair, odor and stains, as well as food stains, gym clothes and other typical laundry messes. I also reviewed the app’s functionality and tested its different settings.
Testing the Washer
When testing a washer, the most important things are how well it washes and whether the extra features are worth the extra money. We did the unthinkable to test its branded pet care specificity and washing ability and washed the dog’s bed blanket. This blanket is COVERED in hair and lives in our dog’s “apartment,” or the space he likes to sleep in under the bed.
With previous washers, I would always take the blanket outside and try to shake off as much hair as possible, but I threw it straight in the washer this time and prayed to whatever higher power that the drain wouldn’t clog. To my surprise, it didn’t clog, and the blanket came out fresh. While there was still a little hair, it was much less than I had anticipated. When I opened the additional hair catchers inside the washer, I found lumps of dog hair and was both grossed out and impressed at how much it collected.
My favorite feature of this washing machine, apart from its ability to catch hair, is its quick washability. This wash cycle cuts a 56-minute wash down to 28 minutes and doesn’t sacrifice its cleaning power and ability. Its use of the spray jets and other technology saved me in a pinch when I got makeup on my shirt and had limited time to wash and dry it before I left.
Testing the Dryer
While the dryer’s features are a little less “fun” to test than the washer, they’re equally, if not more, important. This dryer dries fast and dries well. My partner and I frequently hang dry most of our clothes due to shrinking or damage from dryer heat, but I feel much more comfortable with the addition of the cooler dry cycles and the ability to choose a dampness setting over a time setting for your dry.
The steam cycle is great for items that are mostly clean but need to be freshened up. During our testing, my partner and I went on multiple trips, and instead of dumping my whole bag in the wash as I normally do, I put any clothes I didn’t wear through a steam cycle instead of a wash, and they came out smelling as clean as the ones put through the wash.
Additional Features
The app for this washer-dryer combo was truly what sold this pair for me. The SmartThings app can start, stop, and delay your laundry cycles, as well as send reminders about when your laundry is finished and if there are any issues with your wash.
As someone juggling too many things, throwing clothes in the washer and setting them to finish washing right before I get home or overnight while I’m sleeping is a game changer. The reminders to switch clothes have saved me time and multiple re-washes of clothes that were forgotten wet in the wash.
While I didn’t think I would have any issues while doing my laundry, the washer stopped the wash on my first use of the delicate cycle. It alerted me that the water was hot and may potentially damage the delicate handmade baby blanket I had just finished for a friend. It turns out the hot and cold water lines had been switched during installation, but thankfully, this washer was smarter than the person who installed it.
Pros
- Long lasting
- Efficient and eco friendly
- Impressive smart features and innovative technology
- Large-capacity loads
- SmartThings App sends alerts and reminders
- Removes dog hair and odor 6x better than most laundry units
- Quick wash and steam clean settings
Cons
- Clogged drain hose is common cause of drainage problems in top-loading washers
- Problems may arise with ordering and delivery
FAQ
What is the life expectancy of a Samsung washer and dryer?
A Samsung washer and dryer has a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years when well-maintained.
How can I use the Samsung SmartThings App to control a Samsung washer and dryer?
The Samsung SmartThings App can be used to control different functions of the Samsung Washer and Dryer. For both machines, you can pre-set custom wash and dry settings and start, stop or delay the start of a load. In addition, you can have the app send you notifications when your wash or dry has finished or if there are any issues with the cycle.
What Other Reviewers and Experts Had to Say
Overall, reviewers love this washer-dryer combo. Most point out their love of the extensive list of features ranging from smart connectivity to washing ability. Phillips, a customer of Lowes, commented, “If I had known that much pet hair was getting through both the washer and dryer, I would have purchased this a long time ago!”. Experts in the laundry field agree.
Salvador Villarreal, owner of VIP Cleaners and Laundry, highlighted that “the high-heat cycles, odor control features and pet hair filters of the Samsung Pet Care Solution set seem ideal for breaking down pet messes.” He also brought up that “Frequent cleaning of filters will likely be needed, but for specialized performance, the investment may be worth it.”
Samsung vs. LG
We consulted multiple experts on the most reliable washer-dryer brand, and LG came out on top by a mile. But does that mean it’s a better pick over Samsung washers/dryers? It depends.
Both brands offer innovative technology. Samsung’s SmartThings and LG’s ThinQ allow you to control your laundry remotely, monitor your energy usage, and customize your settings. Both also have multiple Energy Star-certified models, though LG seems to have more than Samsung.
Samsung appears to be the budget winner, as their washer/dryers are, on average, less expensive than LG’s. That said, apartment dwellers or those in compact spaces might want to opt for the LG WashTower or one of the company’s other space-saving options. On the other hand, Samsung appliances have deeper loading capacities, which makes them a better option for large families.
The two brands are comparable in terms of washing and drying settings. You will ultimately decide which Samsung or LG washer/dryer works best for you.
Final Verdict
Before giving my final verdict, I’d like to present you with a photo.
While you can’t smell how fresh these pants smelled after a steam cycle this morning, you also can’t see a ton of pet hair. This washer and dryer are beasts at hair removal, and they have been a lifesaver for a house with multiple pets that love to shed.
These smart laundry units have many features that provide a great wash and dry for any type of laundry, keep your clothes safe and make doing laundry easier. While the units are pricier than some standard units, the features are well worth the price.
Using this washer-dryer combo’s smart app integration has helped me lessen the number of loads I’ve left in the dryer, the quick load feature has saved an outfit or two due to a makeup mishap, and the steam sanitize feature has been wonderful to use during the switching of the seasons to freshen up the clothes in the back of my closet instead of washing them as I have in the past. Overall, I’m a huge fan of this set, and I look forward to many more loads of laundry and purchasing a lot fewer lint rollers.
Where to Buy the Samsung Washer and Dryer
MORGAN CHANEY FOR FAMILY HANDYMANWe Tried It
Samsung Smart Washer and Dryer with Pet Care
You can buy the Samsung Pet Care Solution Smart Top Load Washer directly through Samsung or at home improvement realtors like Lowe’s and The Home Depot. This washer-dryer duo can be bought as a set from Samsung for $1,500 to $2,500 (depending on promotions), which includes shipping, delivery, installation and haul-away services if needed. At Lowe’s and The Home Depot, you can purchase the washer and dryer individually for about $750 apiece.
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