If you use an indoor clothes airer, start by comparing your washing machine’s spin-drying efficiency. ADEME recommends choosing class A if you need clothes to dry quickly indoors, although this won’t eliminate the moisture released as they dry on the airer. If you regularly need to dry full loads without hanging them around your home, consider a separate tumble dryer if you have the space. If you can only fit one appliance, compare washer-dryers by their drying capacity, which is different from their washing capacity.
If you want to cut drying times without adding another appliance, compare your washing machine’s spin-drying efficiency class. ADEME recommends class A if you need clothes to dry quickly indoors, while reminding us that drying clothes on an airer still adds moisture to your home.
A washer-dryer combines both functions in one appliance. However, check how much laundry you’ll be able to dry. For example, Bosch lists an 8 kg washing capacity but a 5 kg capacity for the WNA13400FF wash-and-dry cycle.
If you can make room for a separate tumble dryer, compare its capacity with your usual laundry loads, then check its dimensions, noise level and installation requirements. These specifications vary by model.
Consider this if: you can continue to air-dry your clothes in a suitable room and want them to dry more quickly.
The trade-off: your clothes will still dry in the air indoors, even after an effective spin cycle.
Consider this if: you regularly dry full loads and don’t want to leave them on an airer around your home.
The trade-off: you’ll need to make room for an extra appliance and follow the model’s installation requirements.
Consider this if: you only have space for one appliance to wash and dry your clothes.
The trade-off: the Bosch and Electrolux models mentioned have a lower drying capacity than washing capacity.
| Your priority | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Avoiding indoor air-drying | Drying capacity per cycle and space for the appliance. | I no longer want to leave wet washing on an airer in my living space; around 33% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Fitting just one appliance | Dimensions, door opening and wash-and-dry cycle capacity. | I only have room for one appliance to wash and dry clothes; this is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Drying large loads | Drying capacity in kg and the space needed for a separate appliance. | I do frequent or large loads and want to avoid splitting them up; around 20% of consumers prioritise drying capacity. |
| Spending less time air-drying | Washing machine spin-drying efficiency class and noise level. | I can keep using an airer, but want my clothes to spend less time on it; spin-drying is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
You may need to remove some items from a large load before drying it. Bosch lists an 8 kg washing capacity, compared with 5 kg for the WNA13400FF wash-and-dry cycle.
Compare both capacities and choose a model based on the size of the load you want to dry.
The maximum number of revolutions per minute doesn’t tell you everything about spin-drying efficiency or noise. ADEME recommends checking the spin-drying efficiency class if you need clothes to dry quickly indoors.
For a fair comparison, also check the noise and energy consumption figures on the energy label for equivalent programmes.
Even well-spun clothes still need to dry. A study cited by ADEME describes air-drying laundry as a major source of moisture in indoor air.
If you’re keeping your airer, choose a suitable room. If you want to avoid drying clothes indoors, look at the capacity and installation requirements of a drying appliance.
Depth, access and the clearance needed can matter just as much as width. Electrical connection requirements also vary by model.
Measure the space and access route, then check the installation instructions for the exact model.
Its range includes separate tumble dryers and washer-dryers, so you can compare the considerations for each type.
Its heat-pump tumble dryer range includes the TSA523WP 8kg Active.
The range includes the PerfectCare 900 EW9W1166RA heat-pump washer-dryer.
These models offer two ways to dry clothes without an indoor airer: a separate tumble dryer, or a washer-dryer if you only have room for one appliance. Compare capacities and check each model’s installation requirements.
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Worth considering if you have room for a separate tumble dryer and want to dry loads without hanging them around your home.
Listed capacity: 8 kg; energy class C is stated in the product title. Check the dimensions, electrical connection and energy label details before deciding where to install it.
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Another model to consider if you can install a separate tumble dryer for regular loads.
Listed capacity: 8 kg; energy class D is stated in the product title. Check the dimensions, noise level and electrical requirements before buying.
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Worth considering if you’d rather dry your clothes in a separate appliance than on an indoor airer.
Listed capacity: 8 kg. Check the energy label and instructions for this model to compare the programme you’re interested in and confirm the installation requirements.
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Worth considering if you want to combine washing and drying in one appliance.
The product title lists a 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity, so choose a load that fits the drying capacity if you want to run both functions in one go. Also check the dimensions and installation requirements.
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Worth considering if you only have space for one appliance and are happy with a lower drying capacity than washing capacity.
The product title lists an 8 kg washing capacity and a 5 kg drying capacity. Check the exact dimensions in the instructions before planning the installation.
It can shorten drying times, but it won’t get rid of the moisture released by clothes as they dry on an airer. ADEME recommends choosing a class A spin-drying efficiency rating if you need clothes to dry quickly indoors. You should also choose a suitable room for air-drying.
It determines the maximum load for the wash-and-dry cycle, which may be lower than the washing capacity alone. For example, Bosch lists an 8 kg washing capacity and a 5 kg wash-and-dry capacity for the WNA13400FF, so a larger load will need to be split before drying.
Compare the figures on the energy labels for equivalent programmes, and bear in mind the type of appliance. The European Commission explains that washing machine labels include details such as energy consumption per 100 cycles, water consumption, duration and noise emissions. Check the label for the tumble dryer you’re considering too.
Check the dimensions, clearances and electrical requirements in the instructions for the exact model, then compare them with your chosen space. For example, the Miele TSA523WP product information lists the connection power, voltage and fuse protection separately.