If you regularly dry full loads and have a dedicated space, a separate tumble dryer means you won’t need to leave a drying rack up in your home. A washer-dryer is better suited to a lack of space, provided you size your loads according to its drying capacity. A drying rack is another option if the room is spacious and well ventilated, but it takes up space and adds moisture to the air.
If you can’t leave a drying rack up and don’t have room for two appliances, compare the actual footprint of a washer-dryer with that of stackable appliances, if your installation allows it. In either case, check how much laundry you’ll actually be able to dry.
For frequent, large washes, drying capacity and maintenance matter just as much as washing capacity. Bosch, for example, lists 8 kg for washing and 5 kg for drying on one of its washer-dryers. This means a full wash load won’t fit in the dryer all at once.
If you dry laundry in a living space, first consider the spin cycle, the space taken up by a drying rack and the options for ventilation or extraction. ADEME notes that air-drying laundry adds a lot of moisture to indoor air.
First, decide where your laundry can dry without taking up a room for long periods or adding to its humidity. Then compare drying capacity and the practical considerations of each appliance.
Worth considering: if you have a room that’s large and well ventilated, or has an extractor, where you can hang your laundry.
The trade-off: the drying rack takes up space while the laundry dries and releases moisture into the air indoors.
Worth considering: if you often dry full loads and have space for a second appliance.
The trade-off: you’ll need to make room for it, transfer the laundry after washing and maintain the appliance.
Worth considering: if you can’t install two appliances and want to wash and dry without transferring laundry.
The trade-off: a full wash load may exceed the drying capacity, so you may need to split it.
| Consideration | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Humidity and drying time | If you use a drying rack, check the room’s ventilation or extraction and the washing machine’s spin-drying efficiency rating. ADEME recommends choosing class A to prepare laundry for indoor drying. | If my laundry stays damp in my home for a long time, I want to reduce how long it needs to dry in the room. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
| Available space | Measure the space and the clearance required. For a washer-dryer, compare washing and drying capacities separately. | If a second machine or a permanent drying rack would get in the way, I’m looking for a set-up that takes up less space. This would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Energy use and cycle times | Compare the energy use and cycle times shown on appliance labels and product specifications, as well as the capacity in relation to your usual loads. | For frequent washes, I want to avoid having to run the drying cycle again because the capacity isn’t right. Around 21% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Loads and fabrics | Check the drying capacity of the programme you plan to use and whether the available programmes are suitable for the care labels on your clothes. | If my loads are large or include delicate fabrics, I want to know what I can dry together. Around 14% of consumers would put this need first. |
Its drying capacity may be lower, so a full wash load may not be able to go straight into the drying cycle in one go.
If you want to run a continuous cycle, compare the washing and drying capacities and the details of the full programme, then adjust the load to suit the drying limit.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, this type of appliance needs an opening to the outside or access to a ventilation duct. An indoor room without either option won’t be suitable.
Check the exact type of appliance and whether it can be vented before ordering. If not, compare condenser models instead.
Creating or adapting an outlet may require building work, depending on your home.
A drying rack releases moisture into the room while the laundry dries. An effective spin cycle shortens this period, but it doesn’t replace proper ventilation or extraction.
Only dry laundry in a room that’s spacious and well ventilated, or has an extractor. Adjust the spin speed to suit the fabrics: ADEME suggests 1,000 or 1,400 rpm, except for delicate laundry.
Cleaning the filter is part of the regular routine; a blocked condenser can also affect how well the appliance works.
Before buying, check the manual for maintenance intervals and make sure the filter and, where applicable, the condenser will still be accessible once the appliance is installed.
Bosch’s washer-dryer range lets you compare washing and drying capacities.
Electrolux’s heat-pump tumble dryer range can help you compare the programmes available for different fabrics.
Beko offers heat-pump tumble dryers worth considering if you’re looking for a dedicated appliance.
Miele’s range includes heat-pump tumble dryers and washer-dryers to compare, depending on the space you have available.
These appliances show three ways to dry laundry without outdoor space: combine washing and drying in one appliance, add a dedicated tumble dryer, or pair a washing machine with a drying rack in a suitable room. For each option, check that the capacity suits your loads and the installation suits your home.
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Combines washing and drying in one appliance if you don’t have room for two machines. The title lists a washing capacity of 10 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg. To run both stages without removing any laundry, keep the load within the drying capacity.
Check the dimensions, clearances, energy use and cycle times against your installation and routine.
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Worth considering if you have space for a separate tumble dryer and regularly dry washed laundry. The title lists an 8 kg capacity and energy rating C.
Compare the energy use shown on the energy label and check the dimensions and required clearances.
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Another dedicated appliance to consider if you want to dry laundry without keeping a drying rack up. The title lists an 8 kg capacity and energy rating D. Compare its stated energy use and programme times with those of the other models you’re considering.
Also check the dimensions and clearances before deciding where to put it.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for a dedicated tumble dryer that doesn’t need to vent air outside. The title lists an 8 kg capacity and mentions OptiSense. Check the specifications for this model, its energy use and the maintenance instructions.
Make sure the space has the clearances specified in the manual.
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Worth considering with a drying rack if you have a room that’s spacious and well ventilated, or has an extractor. This washing machine doesn’t dry laundry; the title lists an 8 kg washing capacity and a maximum spin speed of 1,400 rpm.
Adjust the spin speed to suit the fabrics and allow for the space your laundry will take up while it dries.
No, not if your home doesn’t have the necessary outlet. UFC-Que Choisir explains that you need an opening to the outside or access to a ventilation duct. A condenser tumble dryer doesn’t need this connection, but you should still check its installation requirements.
Yes, if you can set aside a room that’s spacious and well ventilated, or has an extractor. ADEME highlights how much moisture air-drying adds to the air. A spin cycle suited to the fabric can shorten the time the drying rack needs to stay up.
Not necessarily: the drying capacity may be lower than the washing capacity. Check both figures for your model. If you want a continuous cycle without handling the laundry, don’t exceed the drying capacity for the programme you’ve chosen.
Ask a professional to check that the space and electrical supply are suitable for the appliance and the room. Promotelec highlights the importance of earthing and circuit protection. If you’re unsure about the installation, seek advice from a qualified professional rather than modifying it yourself.
No. Use it to compare the energy-use figures shown, then consider the drying capacity, programme times, dimensions and maintenance requirements in relation to how you’ll use it. An energy rating alone won’t tell you whether the appliance can handle your usual loads or fit where you plan to install it.