If you have room for a separate appliance, a condenser tumble dryer—particularly a heat-pump model—does away with the external vent needed for a vented dryer. However, check the room’s installation and ventilation requirements. A washer-dryer is a space-saving option, but its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. If you stick with indoor air-drying, a dehumidifier can help, but it won’t replace proper ventilation, in line with ADEME’s recommendations.
The space you have and how you do your laundry are just as important as the challenge of drying clothes outdoors.
If your clothes airer regularly takes up space in a room, you’ll also need to consider the extra moisture it creates. For air-drying, ADEME recommends using a large, well-ventilated room or one with mechanical ventilation extraction (VMC).
A washer-dryer combines both functions in one machine. However, to make the most of the space it saves, you’ll need to plan your loads around its drying capacity, which is lower than its washing capacity, according to UFC-Que Choisir.
If you have a dedicated space and several loads to get through, compare the drying capacity, cycle times and energy consumption of separate appliances. The capacity shown on the front of the machine doesn’t tell you everything about how it will fit into your routine.
Start with the constraints of the room, then compare how much laundry you need to dry and the features of the cycle you’re most likely to use.
| Factor | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture and ventilation | If you dry clothes indoors, check the size of the room and how well it’s ventilated, or whether it has mechanical ventilation extraction (VMC). ADEME notes that air-drying laundry releases moisture into your home; a dehumidifier doesn’t replace fresh air circulation. | I often dry laundry indoors, so I need to consider the room’s ventilation as well as the space the clothes airer takes up. |
| Space and capacity | Measure the space available for each appliance you’re considering. For a washer-dryer, compare the washing and drying capacities in kg separately: UFC-Que Choisir points out that the drying capacity is lower. | If I can only fit one appliance at home, I want to know how much laundry can go from washing to drying without reducing the load. |
| Cycle times and consumption | Compare cycles for similar-sized loads, including their duration and electricity consumption. For a washer-dryer, also check the water and electricity used for a wash-and-dry cycle; UFC-Que Choisir’s testing measures these against the weight of the dried laundry. | When I have several loads to get through, cycle time matters just as much as the consumption involved in drying the amount of laundry I actually have. |
| Installation and maintenance | UFC-Que Choisir explains that a vented tumble dryer needs an opening to the outside. For other appliances, check the dimensions, installation requirements and maintenance tasks in the model’s manual. | I want to be able to install the appliance in the space I’ve chosen and carry out routine maintenance without disrupting its use. |
This type of appliance needs to vent moisture-laden air outside. UFC-Que Choisir says it requires an opening or suitable duct, so a poorly ventilated room alone won’t meet this requirement.
Check the room’s layout before choosing this type of dryer. If there’s no suitable outlet, look at the installation requirements for a condenser model instead.
UFC-Que Choisir points out that a washer-dryer’s drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity. So, a load the machine can wash may not be suitable for drying in the cycle that follows.
Compare both capacities in kg against your usual loads, and be prepared to reduce the load before drying if needed.
You may need to remove some of the laundry or run an additional drying cycle.
ADEME recommends drying clothes in a large, well-ventilated room or one with mechanical ventilation extraction. It also notes that mechanical ventilation continuously removes moisture from the home.
Think of a dehumidifier as an extra aid for indoor air-drying. Keep the room ventilated, and have the ventilation system checked if it remains inadequate.
These examples of product ranges and models can help you identify what to check, but features vary from one model to another.
Bosch offers heat-pump tumble dryers, including an 8 kg model in its French range.
Miele offers a range of heat-pump tumble dryers, with options for under-counter or stacked installation, depending on your setup.
LG offers heat-pump tumble dryers; its product details for the RH9V72IXN list a capacity of 9 kg.
These Joybuy options include separate heat-pump and condenser tumble dryers, as well as washer-dryers. To choose between them, start with the space you have, then check each model’s drying capacity and installation requirements.
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Worth considering if you have space for a separate tumble dryer. The model name indicates an 8 kg capacity and a C energy rating. Check its dimensions and cycle times to see if it suits your space and laundry routine.
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This separate tumble dryer is worth including when comparing 8 kg models. Its product name indicates a D energy rating; compare cycle information and check the dimensions before choosing it for your space.
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Consider this model if you need one appliance to wash and dry your laundry. Its stated capacities are 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, so plan your load around the latter. Check the wash-and-dry cycle information and the space needed for installation, too.
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This washer-dryer is designed for situations where you need to fit just one machine. Its product name gives a washing capacity of 10 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg. Check the size of your loads, the dimensions and the full-cycle information before choosing this setup.
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Another separate-appliance option to consider if you don’t plan to install an external vent. The product name indicates an 8 kg capacity and OptiSense technology. Compare the model’s cycle times and energy consumption with those of the other appliances you’re considering.
This isn’t the setup ADEME recommends for indoor air-drying. It advises using a large, well-ventilated room or one with mechanical ventilation extraction (VMC). If your home’s ventilation is persistently inadequate, have it checked as well as considering your choice of drying appliance.
No. UFC-Que Choisir says a vented tumble dryer needs an opening to the outside or a suitable duct. A condenser model doesn’t require this connection, but you should still check its installation requirements in the manual.
Not necessarily. UFC-Que Choisir says its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity. Compare the two figures in kg for the specific model, and remove some of the laundry before drying if the load is larger than the stated drying capacity.
No. ADEME says mechanical ventilation continuously removes moisture from the home and also recommends ventilating rooms every day. A dehumidifier can help when drying clothes indoors, but it can’t replace proper ventilation.
Check the model’s manual to find out what maintenance you’ll need to carry out. For example, Bosch says the WQG13500FR has a self-cleaning condenser. This model-specific feature doesn’t mean you can skip checking the other maintenance instructions.