GE Profile PFQ97HSPVDS Washer & Dryer Combo Review

About the GE Profile PFQ97HSPVDS

• Dimensions: 46.70” x 28” x 32” (H x W x D)
• Capacity: 4.8-cubic-foot capacity
• Finishes: Carbon graphite
• Cycles: Normal, Bulky, Delicates, Quick, Sanitize with Oxi Wash, Normal Dry, Bulky Dry, Delicates Dry, Downloaded
• Cycle options: Five temperature wash settings, five wash soil levels, five wash spin speeds, More Water, Sanitize Wash, Timed Dry, Sensor Dry, De-wrinkle Steam Dry, Wrinkle Care, Wash Complete Alert, More Dry, Eco Dry
• Special features: Wash and dry capabilities, heat pump, large drum, steam, Microban drum coating, auto smart dispenser
• Smart features: Smart dispenser, app control, downloadable cycles
• Dispensers: Auto dose OR Manual dose
• ADA compliant: Yes
• Matching dryer: N/A
• Energy Star rated: Yes
• User manual: GE Profile PFQ97HSPVDS Manual

To understand the pros and cons of the GE Profile PFQ97HSPVDS one must first understand what a washer-dryer combo is. While they’ve been popular in Europe for quite some time, these units have only recently become widely available in the U.S.

Washer-dryer combo units are capable of doing both in one box. Like most combos, the GE Profile PFQ97HSPVDS uses 120 volt power, and is a ventless dryer, meaning that you can install it in spaces where a traditional set of laundry machines could never fit.

The GE washer-dryer combo uses a high-end heat pump for improved drying efficiency. This heat pump not only improves its drying power, but also contributes to its somewhat higher price tag.

The unit also includes an auto dispenser for detergent and softeners, as well as a decent amount of options to customize cycles. Its controls are not only legible in low light conditions, but they’re also positioned high up to be more easily accessible than those found on most front-loading washers and dryers.

With 4.8 cubic feet of capacity, this unit is ahead of the pack by including a full-size drum and a heat pump in one, and won’t restrict you to small loads.

The lint trap also stands out, with an effective filter that’s easy to clean, located near the controls.

What we like

Its cleaning and drying performance stand out

Even compared to regular washers and dryers, the cleaning and drying performance of this combo unit stands out.

The machine's Normal and Bulky Bedding wash modes scored above average in our testing. The spin cycle generally does a good job removing water, making the complete wash/dry cycle highly efficient.

In our testing, the times for a complete washing and drying cycle were 85 minutes in Quick mode and a little over 2 hours in Normal mode. This is on par with the average cycle times for separate washers and dryers we've tested in the past, which means this GE Profile washer-dryer combo cleans and dries your laundry as fast as a conventional washer-dryer pair, but without the hassle and lost time of moving your laundry between the two.

The machine's dry cycles were also broadly effective. The Normal cycle, for example, was able to achieve 100% water removal with a max temperature of about half a degree below 150°F. The Quick cycle, run with a smaller load, achieved the same 100% water removal in even less time, peaking at about 154°F.

This machine delivers primo usability

Of all its features, our testers ranked the GE Profile PFQ97HSPVDS’s usability the highest. There’s a lot of factors that contributed to that high score, from its set-it-and-forget-it combo functionality, to its button treatment and well-designed controls.

The basic design of this washer-dryer combo makes it easier to use than most front-loading appliances. The controls are higher than average for a front loader, making it easier to track them without bending or hunching. White labels stand out from the charcoal finish, while the screen, power, wash, dry, and start/pause buttons are all backlit. These buttons control both the washing and drying functions, while LED lights point out option buttons. Our tester also found that the control buttons were highly responsive, even with wet hands.

The unit also makes good use of smart sensors and controls. With ample control of wash cycles, you’ll be able to set a dry cycle after a wash has begun, customize standard cycles, add more water to a wash cycle that’s started, and more. The detergent dispenser metes out the correct detergent for your load, while smart features allow you to perform actions like remote start.

It has a full-size drum and a heat pump

A complaint you’ll often see about combo units is that they don’t have the volume required for family-sized loads of laundry. The GE Profile PFQ97HSPVDS is the first we’ve seen that features both a heat pump and a large 4.8-cubic-foot drum.

While the added efficiency of the heat pump also means this unit is more expensive than many combo units with a condenser, it is less than some other heat-pump-equipped options.

For example, the unit retails for significantly less than the LG Signature LUWM101HWA, yet has about two cubic feet more capacity.

It has useful extra cycle features

We all love a dryer that can also de-wrinkle. The GE Profile PFQ97HSPVDS features a steam de-wrinkle mode that introduces a small amount of water vapor. Further, a Wrinkle Care option can help protect against wrinkling after cycles finish by extending the tumbling without running heat.

Downloaded updates and smart features continue to expand on what it can do

Connecting to the GE SmartHQ app will set you up for cycle notifications that will keep you abreast of what's happening in your unit, as well as open up access to downloadable cycles. We tried it and found that these notifications worked as expected.

We didn't test any of these downloadable cycles against the machine's standard cycles, but we think it's an exciting feature that can open up the machine to different use-cases and needs.

We've also seen GE roll out over-the-air software updates to its units, which enhance performance, reducing wash and dry cycle times. We expect this to continue.

What we don’t like

Heavy dryer loads might require a second look

For the most part, this washer-dryer combo did a solid job with drying as well as washing. However, we ran into trouble in a few instances. On Bulky, our heavy comforter continued to retain moisture even after the sensor alerted that it was dry. We had to enable the More Dry function to fully dry it. This mode extends the drying cycle for 20 minutes after the sensor dry would have stopped.

The Heavy mode that you may want for items like denim pants or jackets is only available with a download. There’s also an Eco Dry mode, but it’s similarly hidden behind menus.

Even with More Dry and Heavy modes, you may find some garments like blue jeans coming out with a thin layer of condensation on them. However, we found that a shake was often enough to clear away this dampness.

Beckett Dubay, our lab tester says, “Jeans that felt more damp around the waist than anything else in the load, as well as a mid-weight flannel that was a little damp, were both dry after sitting for a few minutes spread on top of the machine as I folded the rest of the laundry.” Dubay also recommends laying them out on a bed for a few minutes.

The dryer is lacking in cycle customization

The PFQ97HSPVDS is a sensor-focused machine. While the wash cycles have ample customization, the dryer doesn’t give you much say. It doesn’t allow you to set dryness levels, only allowing for a timed dry or sensor dry, with a couple of modifications, such as More Dry and Eco Dry.

Expect passive electricity draw and noisy cycles

We were surprised to notice that the GE washer-dryer combo continued to draw electricity passively even when it wasn’t in use. While off, it continued to draw one watt-hour of electricity every few minutes—something we haven’t seen before. While you can expect better energy efficiency from this unit than most standard dryers, we still found this strange.

The machine also makes a decent amount of noise while running. We measured 64dB to 65dB when standing five feet away and facing the machine. While the noise was consistent and consequently less bothersome, it was a concern.

Warranty

The GE Profile PFQ97HSPVDS comes with a decent one year warranty for parts and labor. It also has a five year parts only warranty on the sealed heat pump drying system and a ten year parts only warranty on the motor.

Should you buy the GE Profile PFQ97HSPVDS?

Yes, this high-efficiency GE washer-dryer combo is a good investment

You can plug it into any 120-volt outlet and run it from a closet or kitchen. As with any combo unit, this can’t be compared neck-and-neck to standard sets of washers and dryers or laundry centers in every capacity. However, in most cases it will take about the same amount of time to wash and dry as a traditional set.

Efficient enough to garner an Energy Star rating, the heat-pump-equipped Profile will save you money on electricity and water. Simultaneously, the large 4.8-cubic-foot drum gives you significantly more space than most of the combo unit competition.

While the unit’s dryer abilities aren’t as standout or customizable as its wash functions, both are still fully adaptable to most people’s needs. All in all, the unit makes for one of the best washer dryer combos we’ve seen, it’s a good investment that’s especially persuasive for home’s that want to save space.