If you can still dry clothes on a clothes airer in suitable conditions, start by comparing washing machines for spin efficiency. For frequent washing, a dedicated tumble dryer meets your drying needs. If you only have space for one appliance, a washer-dryer saves room, but its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity. In every case, check cycle times and the ventilation in your home.
If damp washing piles up between loads, compare dedicated tumble dryers by the amount of laundry they can dry and the length of their Eco programme. The energy rating alone doesn’t tell you how long your laundry will keep the appliance occupied.
A washer-dryer lets you wash and dry your clothes in one appliance. However, UFC-Que Choisir points out that its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity, so you may not be able to dry a full wash load in one go.
If you have a suitable space for drying clothes, your washing machine’s spin efficiency is an important factor before you hang them up. The EU energy label lets you compare spin efficiency, as well as capacity, cycle time and noise, so you don’t have to choose based solely on the stated spin speed.
Consider this if: you can continue to air-dry your clothes and want to choose a suitable spin cycle before drying them indoors.
The trade-off: your clothes still need to dry after washing; a more effective spin doesn’t replace proper ventilation.
Consider this if: frequent washing makes it difficult to plan around an airer and you have room for a dedicated appliance.
The trade-off: the Eco programme can keep the appliance busy for a long time. Compare its duration with your laundry routine, as well as the model’s stated energy consumption.
Consider this if: you only have space for one appliance and being able to wash and dry in the same machine matters more than handling a large load in one go.
The trade-off: according to UFC-Que Choisir, drying capacity is lower than washing capacity, so you may need to reduce a wash load before drying it.
| Priority | What to check | What matters to consumers |
|---|---|---|
| Getting through several loads | Compare drying capacity and, for a tumble dryer, the duration of the Eco programme at full load. With a washer-dryer, check the washing and drying capacities separately. | When loads follow one another, I want to avoid leaving damp laundry waiting for the previous load to finish; around 42% of consumers put drying speed first. |
| Making do with one space | Measure the available space and the clearance required. For a washer-dryer, check its drying capacity and the length of a complete cycle. | If I only have room for one machine, I need to be able to wash and dry in it, even if that means handling less laundry at a time; around 33% of consumers prioritise this space constraint. |
| Managing humidity and noise | Check the washing machine’s spin efficiency and noise level, or the tumble dryer’s condensation efficiency, energy use per cycle and noise level. Also check the existing ventilation. | When clothes dry in the room, I want to limit the amount of moisture that needs to be removed while keeping energy use and noise in mind; around 25% of consumers put this concern first. |
On a washer-dryer, the two capacity figures refer to different functions. A load that fits in the drum for washing may exceed the permitted drying capacity.
Check both figures for the exact model and plan the loads you want to dry completely around its drying capacity.
The rating doesn’t tell you the length of the Eco programme, the capacity, noise level or condensation efficiency. These are among the comparison criteria listed in the European EPREL database.
Compare models using equivalent programmes and loads, looking at energy use per cycle, Eco programme duration at full load and condensation efficiency together.
ADEME says that a 7 kg washing machine is sufficient for most households and advises against running lots of cycles with underfilled drums. The useful capacity for you therefore depends on your usual loads, not just the maximum figure shown.
Estimate the amount of dry laundry you usually wash before deciding on a larger capacity.
Choosing a machine won’t, by itself, solve inadequate moisture extraction. France Rénov’ explains that excess moisture can condense on the surfaces of a poorly ventilated home and encourage mould growth.
Check that your existing ventilation is working properly, whatever you choose: a spin cycle, tumble dryer or washer-dryer.
These examples showcase different configurations. The specifications mentioned apply to the models named, not to every product from each brand.
The range includes heat pump tumble dryers, worth considering if you have space for a dedicated drying appliance.
LG offers washer-dryers designed for a single space, as well as WashTower sets that combine two appliances.
Samsung France features ranges of washer-dryers and tumble dryers, making it possible to consider both types depending on the space available.
This dedicated tumble dryer is for households with room for a second appliance that want to rely less on an airer. Compare its capacity with your usual loads, then check the Eco programme duration and dimensions before you choose.
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Worth considering if you’d like to dry your laundry in a dedicated appliance rather than air-dry it at home.
Stated capacity of 8 kg and energy rating C. Before buying, check the model’s label for the Eco programme duration at full load, energy use per cycle and condensation efficiency. Also check that its dimensions will fit your available space.
First, compare the spin efficiency rating and choose a capacity that suits your usual loads. The EU energy label also shows energy use per 100 cycles, water use per cycle, programme duration and noise level. These details help you weigh spin performance against your other day-to-day needs.
Not in a single drying cycle at full capacity: 9 kg is the washing capacity, while 6 kg is the drying capacity. With these different capacities, you’ll need to reduce the load before drying it or split the laundry across several cycles.
No. Your home’s ventilation is a separate consideration from your choice of appliance. France Rénov’ points out that poor ventilation can leave moisture to condense on surfaces and encourage mould growth. Check that your ventilation is working properly, whatever drying method you choose.
Check the instructions for your specific model to find out what maintenance it requires and how to access the relevant parts. If repairability is important to you, also check the availability of parts and the service options for that model.