The right washer and dryer is a pair that fits your space (full-size machines are about 27 inches wide), matches your hookups (water and drain for the washer; the right power or gas and a vent for the dryer) and suits your laundry. ENERGY STAR certified washers use 25% less energy and 33% less water on average; certified dryers use 20% less energy.
PCBy the Pixl Canada install team. Checked October 31, 2026. 7 min read.
- Eight checks to compare any pair
- Front-load vs top-load vs stacked
- Hookups to check before you buy
- What installation costs with Pixl
- Match the machines to your space and your hookups first, the features second.
- ENERGY STAR washers use 25% less energy and 33% less water on average; dryers 20% less energy.
- Choose an electric or gas dryer to match what is already there.
- Check the dryer vent and the route into the room.
- Pixl installs a pair bought anywhere from $110.
What should you compare when choosing a washer and dryer?
We do not rank brands. Compare any pair on the same checks, using the datasheet and the EnerGuide label.
| Check | What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Front-load, top-load or a stacked pair | Sets depth, height and where the door opens |
| Size | Width, depth and height on the datasheet, plus clearances | Full-size is about 27 in. wide; see washer and dryer dimensions |
| Washer efficiency | ENERGY STAR status and a higher IMEF | Certified washers use 25% less energy and 33% less water on average |
| Dryer efficiency | ENERGY STAR, a moisture sensor, or a heat pump model | Certified dryers use 20% less energy; heat pump models save 20% to 60% more |
| Dryer fuel | Electric or gas, to match your hookup | Adding a new outlet or gas line is a licensed trade job |
| Venting | Whether the dryer needs an outdoor vent | See dryer vent length rules |
| Capacity | Drum size on the datasheet | A bigger drum takes bigger loads in one wash |
| What is in the box | Hoses, power cord, vent parts | Missing parts are extra at install |
Already bought a pair?
Send the models and a photo of the hookups. Fixed price before you book, pay after the job.
Front-load, top-load or stacked?
| Layout | Typical size | Good for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front-load pair, side by side | About 27 in. wide, 30 to 34 in. deep each | Most laundry rooms with width to spare | Door swing and room behind for hoses and the vent |
| Top-load washer with a dryer | About 27 in. wide, 27 to 30 in. deep, 42 to 44 in. tall with the lid shut | Rooms where you want to load without bending down | Overhead clearance for the lid |
| Stacked front-load pair | About 74 to 80 in. tall plus the kit | Closets and condos | Needs a stacking kit and matching or compatible models |
| Compact pair | About 24 in. wide | Tight condo spaces | Smaller drums |
Sizes are planning ranges from our washer and dryer dimensions guide; the datasheet for your model has the exact figures.
Do your hookups match the machines?
Check these before you order. Pixl connects to what is already there; it does not add new outlets, gas lines or water lines.
| Hookup | What to check | If it is missing |
|---|---|---|
| Water | Hot and cold valves within reach of the washer | A licensed plumber adds them |
| Drain | A standpipe or drain the washer hose can reach | A licensed plumber |
| Electric dryer | A dryer outlet that matches the cord on the dryer you plan to buy; check whether a cord is included | A licensed electrician |
| Gas dryer | A gas hookup within reach of the dryer | A licensed gas fitter |
| Vent | A duct run to the outdoors, as short and straight as practical | See the dryer vent guides |
What should you do before you order?
- Measure the space and the route. Width, depth and height of the spot, plus doorways, corners and stairs.
- Photograph the hookups. Water valves, the drain, the dryer outlet or gas valve and the vent. We can tell you what is missing.
- Pick electric or gas. Match your dryer hookup. Do not plan on adding one.
- Compare datasheets and EnerGuide labels. Size, door swing, ENERGY STAR status and what ships in the box.
- Book the install for delivery day. Send the models and a photo; we confirm a fixed price.
Get the install price from a photo
Models and a photo of the hookups. Fixed price before you book.
Pixl installs the pair from $110
Pixl Canada connects the washer to the water and drain and the dryer to the power or gas and vent that are already there, levels both and tests them. You pay after the job.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Washer and dryer, side by side | $110 |
| Washer and dryer, stacked | $150 |
| Hot and cold washer hoses, if needed | $30 |
| Dryer duct, if needed | $20 |
Calculated from posted prices: a side-by-side pair with new hoses and a duct is $110 + $30 + $20 = $160 and a stacked pair with the same parts is $150 + $30 + $20 = $200, before tax. The machines are extra and list prices vary, so check the current price. See washer and dryer installation cost, how to stack a washer and dryer and installing appliances bought at a store.
You are comparing washers and dryers and want a clear checklist, or you have bought a pair and need it installed.
You want a ranked list of brands. We compare by criteria and do not rank products. For repairs, contact the manufacturer or an appliance technician.
Choosing a washer and dryer in Canada: frequently asked questions
Is front-load or top-load better?
Neither wins on every point. Natural Resources Canada describes front-loaders as tumbling clothes through a small amount of water and advanced top-loaders as moving clothes through a stream of water rather than filling the tub. Choose by your space, the depth you can spare and whether you want the lid or the door in front.
Is an ENERGY STAR washer and dryer worth it?
Natural Resources Canada says a certified washer uses 25% less energy and 33% less water on average, and a certified dryer uses 20% less energy. Compare the EnerGuide label for estimated yearly use.
What is a heat pump dryer?
A dryer that recycles ambient heat to dry clothes. Natural Resources Canada says heat pump dryers save an extra 20% to 60% over standard models and all meet the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient criteria. Check the datasheet to see whether the model needs an outdoor vent.
Should I buy a gas or an electric dryer?
Match what your laundry space already has. An electric dryer needs the correct power outlet and a gas dryer needs a gas hookup within reach. Adding either is work for a licensed electrician or gas fitter, which Pixl does not do.
Do the washer and dryer have to match?
No. They are sold separately. What matters is that the dimensions, door swing and fuel type work with your space. Matching finishes are cosmetic.
How big is a washer and dryer?
Full-size machines are typically about 27 inches wide, 30 to 34 inches deep and 38 to 39 inches tall, and a stacked pair stands roughly 74 to 80 inches high. See the dimensions guide for the full table and the clearances to allow.
Can I stack my washer and dryer?
Only models that the maker says can be stacked, with the maker’s stacking kit. Check both datasheets first. See how to stack a washer and dryer.
Who installs a washer and dryer I bought at a store?
Pixl Canada installs a side-by-side pair for $110 and a stacked pair for $150 before tax. Hot and cold hoses are $30 and a dryer duct is $20 if you need them. Pixl does not sell appliances, and you pay after the job.
Bought a pair?
Send the models and a photo of the hookups. Fixed price before you book, pay after the job.
Washer and dryer installation
Installation price list
Washer and dryer dimensions
Clean a washing machine
Stack a washer and dryer
All installation guides
All installation services
Sources and method. Efficiency figures come from Natural Resources Canada’s ENERGY STAR clothes washer and clothes dryer pages (modified March 19, 2025). Sizes are planning ranges from Pixl’s washer and dryer dimensions guide. Store prices change often, so no third-party prices are shown, and no models are named. Pixl prices are posted prices checked October 31, 2026; the totals are calculated by adding them. Pixl installs appliances and does not sell them.
About Pixl Canada. Pixl Canada is an installation company based in Edmonton, Alberta, serving cities across Canada with TV mounting, security cameras, appliance installation and smart home setup. Call or text (587) 899-7495. Open Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday 9am to 7pm.