If you don’t have room for two appliances, a washer-dryer offers a practical solution, although its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity. If you regularly wash several loads, a separate tumble dryer lets you wash and dry at the same time using two different appliances. Of these models, a heat pump dryer generally uses less electricity than a conventional condenser dryer, although its cycles can take longer. Whatever you choose, check the drying capacity, installation requirements and maintenance needs of the model you’re considering.
If you can’t connect a duct to the outside, a condenser tumble dryer—with or without a heat pump—means you won’t need one. However, you’ll still need to position the appliance in line with its instructions and make sure the room is properly ventilated.
If you regularly dry household linens or several loads of washing, compare drying capacity in kg, programme times and energy consumption. With a separate tumble dryer, you can start another wash while one load is drying.
A washer-dryer combines both functions in one appliance. This saves space, but drying capacity is lower than washing capacity. Check whether your usual loads can be dried without splitting them.
Start with the space you have available: the three options don’t all require the same number of appliances. UFC-Que Choisir also highlights differences in energy consumption and programme times between technologies, as well as the lower drying capacity of washer-dryers.
Consider this if: you have space for a separate tumble dryer, don’t have an external vent and prefer shorter cycles.
The trade-off: UFC-Que Choisir says these models generally use more electricity than heat pump dryers.
Consider this if: you often dry clothes in a separate appliance and want to prioritise electricity consumption.
The trade-off: cycles can take longer, as UFC-Que Choisir notes. Compare the programmes on the models you’re considering.
Consider this if: you only have space for one appliance to wash and dry your clothes.
The trade-off: drying capacity is lower than washing capacity. UFC-Que Choisir also highlights compromises on cycle times and water use during drying in most of the models tested.
| Consideration | What to check | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Measure the space and check the clearance required in the instructions, as well as the room’s ventilation. | If you only have one available space or can’t run a vent outside, first find an appliance that can be installed in your home. This could be the main priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Energy consumption | Compare the figures and cycles on the energy labels of the exact models you’re considering. For a washer-dryer, also check water use. | If clothes are often dried in a machine, I want to keep track of the electricity used for each cycle. This could be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Capacity and cycle time | Compare drying capacity in kg and the time taken by the programme you’re likely to use. For a combined appliance, check washing and drying capacity separately. | If I have several loads to get through, I need to be able to dry them in a time that suits my household’s routine. Around 21% of consumers could prioritise this above all else. |
| Fabrics and maintenance | Check that the appliance has the programmes you need for your clothes, and that you can access the filters, water tank and condenser, depending on the model. | For fabrics that need extra care, I want to follow their care labels without making the appliance difficult to clean. This could be the main priority for around 14% of consumers. |
With a washer-dryer, a load washed at full capacity may not be able to dry in one go. UFC-Que Choisir looks at these two capacities separately in its analysis of combined appliances.
Before choosing a model, compare both figures in kg with the size of your usual loads.
You may need to remove some of the load and run a second drying cycle, making laundry take longer.
A shorter cycle doesn’t, by itself, tell you how much electricity the appliance uses. UFC-Que Choisir says conventional condenser dryers generally use more than heat pump models.
Compare the time taken by the programme that suits your laundry with each model’s stated energy consumption.
A condenser model doesn’t need an external vent, but you’ll still need to leave enough room to carry out maintenance. For clothes dried indoors, Anses stresses the importance of keeping the room well ventilated.
Check the ventilation and installation instructions, and make sure you can reach the filters and water tank.
Programmes vary between models and don’t replace the care instructions on a garment’s label.
First check that the garment is suitable for tumble drying, then check that the appliance instructions include an appropriate programme.
The ranges below include features worth comparing. They may not be available on every model, and the space you have at home will also affect your choice.
Bosch’s French range includes 8 kg and 9 kg heat pump tumble dryers.
Miele’s range includes heat pump tumble dryers in different capacities, including 8 kg and 9 kg models.
LG offers heat pump tumble dryers and washer-dryers.
Electrolux’s DelicateCare range includes heat pump tumble dryers, with some models offering 8 kg or 9 kg capacities.
These appliances suit three of the situations covered here: combining washing and drying in one appliance, choosing a separate heat pump tumble dryer or looking at a condenser model. To compare the options, consider their capacities and features alongside the space you have and how often you do laundry.
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Worth considering if you want to combine washing and drying in one appliance.
Stated capacity: 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. The product name mentions Zeo-Cycle, LintClear and automatic dosing.
A load washed at full capacity may need to be reduced before drying. Also check the dimensions, cycle times and energy consumption in the product details and instructions.
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Another combined option if you only have space for one appliance to wash and dry your clothes.
Stated capacity: 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. The product name mentions Zeo-Cycle, app control and the LintClear system.
If you wash 10 kg, expect to reduce the load before drying. Also check the dimensions and the energy consumption and cycle times for your needs.
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Worth comparing if you have space for a separate tumble dryer and regularly dry loads close to 8 kg.
Stated capacity of 8 kg, with energy class C mentioned in the product name.
The energy class alone doesn’t tell you the cycle time or how much energy it will use for your needs. Compare the label and check the installation dimensions.
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Worth considering for drying in a separate appliance if its 8 kg capacity suits your loads.
The product name states energy class D and a refresh function.
Check the label for energy consumption figures and the appliance instructions for programmes, safety information and installation requirements.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a separate condenser tumble dryer, but don’t assume its energy consumption based on this description alone.
Stated capacity of 8 kg; the product name mentions OptiSense and propane refrigerant.
Check the technology and figures on the label for the exact model, then read its instructions for clearance and safety requirements.
A condenser tumble dryer, including a heat pump model, doesn’t need an external vent, unlike a vented model. However, check the clearance required in the instructions, make sure the room is ventilated and ensure you can access the parts that need maintenance.
Not if the washed load is larger than its drying capacity. UFC-Que Choisir points out that drying capacity is lower than washing capacity. Compare both figures in kg and, if necessary, remove some clothes before starting the drying cycle.
Compare the figures for the cycle that matches how you’ll use the appliance, rather than looking only at its energy class. The European Commission says washer-dryer labels include information on energy, water, cycle time and noise. For a separate tumble dryer, check the label and product information sheet for the exact model.
Check the maintenance tasks in the instructions for your model, particularly those relating to the filters, water tank and, depending on its design, the condenser. Before buying, make sure you’ll still be able to access them easily once the appliance is installed.