The Candy Smart CBD 485D22-S is an integrated washer dryer designed to sit neatly behind a cupboard door, giving you a built-in look without a sky-high price. With an 8kg wash and 5kg dry capacity plus a 1400rpm spin, it’s clearly aimed at busy homes that want one machine to do it all.
Candy generally sits in the value to mid-range bracket, focusing on practical features rather than premium frills. That’s reflected here: you get useful touches like KG Detector load sensing and several quick-wash options, but energy ratings are modest rather than class-leading.
Owners rate it highly, with an average score of 4.8 out of 5 from a decent number of reviews, suggesting that for most households it delivers reliable, no-nonsense performance once installed.
This Candy Smart model suits medium-sized households who want the simplicity of a single integrated machine rather than separate washer and dryer. The 8kg wash capacity is ideal for couples and families, while the 5kg dry load comfortably handles everyday outfits, towels and kids’ clothes.
It’s a strong fit if you’re working to a sensible budget but still want modern touches like load-sensing and multiple quick cycles. You’re not paying for premium branding or smart-home gimmicks, but you do get a solid all-round spec for the money.
If you’re new to integrated appliances, the straightforward rotary and touch controls, clear LED display and remaining-time indicator make it approachable for first-time buyers. It’s also a good choice for compact kitchens or open-plan spaces where a freestanding dryer simply won’t fit.
However, it’s less suited to very large households who run multiple big loads a day, or energy obsessives wanting top-tier efficiency ratings. A dedicated heat pump dryer or higher-rated standalone washer and dryer will still be more economical if you have the space and budget.
The 8kg wash and 5kg dry capacities strike a sensible balance for family life, giving you enough room for bedding and bulkier items without overwhelming a standard integrated cabinet. Being able to wash and dry in one drum also saves floor space and keeps laundry simple.
Candy’s KG Detector is a real everyday benefit. By weighing each load, the machine can automatically adjust water, time and energy use, which helps avoid over-washing lightly soiled clothes and keeps running costs in check.
Three quick-wash options at 14, 30 and 44 minutes are very handy for last-minute outfits or lightly worn items. Combined with the 1400rpm spin speed, clothes come out noticeably drier than from slower machines, meaning shorter time in the dryer and on radiators.
The programme line-up is well thought through, with dedicated settings for shirts, delicates and wool, plus an Eco cycle and half-load option. Features like Foam Control, Load Balance System and Overflow Protection add reassurance that the machine is looking after itself as well as your clothes.
User-friendly touches such as the LED display, 24-hour delay timer, remaining-time indicator and child lock all make day-to-day use more convenient, especially in busy family homes.
Energy performance is this model’s main compromise. With an E rating for combined wash-and-dry and only D for washing alone, it’s not the most efficient integrated option on the market. If you run multiple cycles daily, a more efficient machine could pay back over time.
Noise levels are another consideration. At a quoted 77dB for washing, spinning and drying, it’s on the louder side, particularly in spin and dry modes. In an open-plan kitchen-living space, you’ll be aware it’s running, especially on higher-speed cycles.
The drying side is fairly basic, with only three drying programmes and no “extra dry” function. While there is a wool drying option, those who rely heavily on the dryer for everything may find the options limited compared with a standalone tumble dryer.
Warranty cover is just one year from the manufacturer, which is standard at this price point but not generous. Some rivals now offer longer guarantees, so if long-term peace of mind is a priority you might want to factor that in.
Once installed behind a cabinet door, the Candy Smart CBD 485D22-S feels like a tidy part of the kitchen rather than an appliance on show. At 82cm high, 60cm wide and 54cm deep including protruding parts, it’s sized to slip into most standard integrated spaces without fuss.
The control layout combines a central rotary dial for programme selection with touch controls for options like temperature, spin speed and delay start. This keeps operation familiar if you’re used to traditional machines, while still letting you fine-tune settings where needed. The LED display is clear enough to read at a glance, showing remaining time and key settings.
The 24-hour delay timer is genuinely useful if you want to take advantage of cheaper off-peak electricity or have the wash finish just as you get home. The remaining-time indicator also helps you plan around the cycle, which is particularly handy when juggling family routines.
Noise is the main day-to-day compromise. On wash and especially spin, the 77dB rating means it’s audible, and in smaller or open-plan homes you may prefer to run it when you’re not watching TV or working nearby. The Load Balance System and Foam Control help the machine stay stable and reduce excessive vibration, but it still won’t be whisper-quiet.
Child lock and overflow protection are reassuring if you have little ones around or the machine is installed in a busy, high-traffic kitchen. Maintenance is straightforward thanks to the condenser-style drying, though as with any washer dryer you’ll still need to keep the filter and detergent drawer clean for best results.
On the washing side, performance is strong for an integrated model at this price. The 8kg drum can comfortably cope with mixed family loads, bedding and towels, and the B-rated spin performance means the 1400rpm spin speed does a good job of pulling out excess water. Clothes emerge significantly less damp than they would from a slower, lower-spec machine.
KG Detector technology is a standout feature here. By weighing the load and adjusting settings accordingly, the machine avoids running a full-length cycle for a half-empty drum. That not only saves time but also cuts water and energy use, which helps offset the middling energy label in real-world use.
Programme choice covers most everyday needs. You get specific settings for blouses and shirts, cottons, synthetics, delicates and silk, eco washes, hand/wool items, pre-wash, rinse, spin/drain and quick cycles. The presence of both a wool wash and wool drying programme is a plus if you own a lot of knitwear and want to care for it properly.
For speed, the Quick 14/30/44-minute options are excellent. The 14-minute cycle is great for refreshing lightly worn clothes, while the 30 and 44-minute options give you more cleaning time without committing to a full-length programme. The combination of variable temperature and variable spin lets you tailor how gentle or intensive each cycle is.
Safety and stability features round things out: Foam Control keeps suds in check, the Load Balance System helps reduce vibration and wear and tear, while overflow protection gives a layer of defence against leaks. What you don’t get are higher-end extras like steam refresh, built-in Wi-Fi or advanced stain-removal programmes—but at this price point and in the integrated category, the essentials are well covered.
Positioned as a value to mid-range integrated washer dryer, the Candy Smart CBD 485D22-S offers a lot of core functionality for the asking price. You’re getting a full 8kg/5kg capacity, a 1400rpm spin, load-sensing technology, multiple quick-wash options and a good spread of fabric-care programmes, all in an integrated form factor that normally commands a premium.
The compromises are mainly in energy efficiency, noise and a relatively basic dryer feature set. If ultra-low running costs and whisper-quiet operation matter more than upfront price, there are more efficient—and usually more expensive—alternatives worth considering.
However, the strong user rating of 4.8 out of 5 suggests that most owners feel they’re getting good value, with real-world satisfaction high despite the paper specs not being top of the class. For many households wanting an integrated washer dryer that simply gets the job done without overspending, it represents solid value for money.
Overall, if your priority is a capable, space-saving washer dryer with sensible features at an accessible price, this Candy model is easy to recommend on value grounds.
The Candy Smart CBD 485D22-S is a well-judged integrated washer dryer that focuses on the things that matter most: decent capacity, practical programmes and simple controls. The 8kg wash and 5kg dry capacities, quick-wash options and KG Detector load sensing make it a strong everyday workhorse for small to medium families.
It’s not perfect. Energy ratings are only average, it’s noticeably noisy at 77dB, and the drying options are more basic than those of a dedicated tumble dryer. The one-year warranty is also merely standard rather than generous.
Even so, taken as a complete package and considering its price bracket, it delivers good real-world performance and convenience. If you’re fitting out a kitchen and want an integrated washer dryer that’s easy to live with, well liked by owners and doesn’t stretch the budget, the Candy Smart CBD 485D22-S is a very sensible choice.
