All-in-one washer-dryer combos have finally crossed the threshold from novelty to practical appliance, and these two are the flagships driving that shift. The LG WM6998HBA uses a ventless heat pump to dry, while GE's UltraFast leans on a ventless condensation system with an added warm-air assist. Neither needs a dryer duct. Both will wash and dry a full load without you touching a thing. The question is which one does it faster, quieter, and more reliably.

Specs Comparison

How They Actually Dry

LG's WM6998HBA uses a true heat pump condenser — the same refrigerant-loop technology found in premium European machines. It pulls moisture out of the drum at lower temperatures, which means gentler treatment for fabrics and roughly 50% less energy per dry cycle than a resistance-heat condenser. Consumer Reports rated the LG's dry performance 'Very Good' with an energy score well above the GE's.

GE's UltraFast uses a condensation drying system with a fan-assisted warm-air boost it calls 'UltraFresh Vent System.' It runs hotter than the LG, which cuts cycle time but raises electricity use. For a family running 5–6 loads per week, that heat gap adds up over a year.

Both machines are fully ventless and can be installed in a closet, apartment, or any space where running a 4-inch duct is impossible. That flexibility is the whole value proposition of this category.

Capacity and Load Size

The LG WM6998HBA has a 5.0 cu ft drum — large enough for a king-size comforter. The GE UltraFast offers 4.8 cu ft, which is meaningful but not a dealbreaker for most households. Both machines recommend loading the drum no more than half-full for combination wash-dry cycles, so real-world capacity per combo cycle is roughly 2.5–3 lbs of dry laundry.

Owners on r/Appliances consistently report that combo machines reward splitting large loads rather than stuffing them. Doing two smaller combo cycles still beats running two separate machines in a cramped space.

If you regularly wash large items like duvets or sleeping bags, the LG's extra 0.2 cu ft gives you a small but genuine edge.

Cycle Time and Convenience

This is where GE draws blood. A normal wash-and-dry combo on the GE UltraFast runs roughly 2 hours end-to-end. The LG WM6998HBA clocks in closer to 3 hours on a full combo cycle because the heat pump's lower temperatures require more time to evaporate moisture. Yale Appliance reliability data shows this is the single most common complaint LG WashCombo owners raise.

LG partly offsets that with a dedicated TurboWash 360 mode — using five spray nozzles to cut the wash portion to 30 minutes — but the dry time is largely fixed by physics. If you need clothes dry in under two hours, the GE is the honest choice.

The LG's app integration (ThinQ AI) is more polished than GE's SmartHQ app, with better cycle notifications and remote start that actually works without fussing with Wi-Fi credentials.

Reliability and Value

Both machines are too new to have multi-year reliability data, but early service data from Yale Appliance (which tracks repair rates across their customer base) puts the LG WashCombo ahead of the GE on first-year service calls. LG's heat pump compressor is the main component to watch — it's the same type used in LG's standalone heat pump dryers, which have a solid track record.

The LG WM6998HBA retails for around $1,999 MSRP. The GE UltraFast typically lists at $1,649–$1,799. Both carry a 1-year parts and labor warranty with optional extended plans.

On a 10-year horizon, the LG's energy savings — roughly $80–100/year in electricity at average U.S. rates — partially close the price gap. If you're staying in a home long-term and hate laundry rooms, the LG is the smarter investment.

Best For

• a: Renters and condo owners who prioritize low energy bills and don't mind waiting 3 hours for a full combo cycle
• b: Busy households that need laundry done faster and don't want to pay a premium for heat pump efficiency

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