Households looking to reclaim their living space
If laundry is regularly drying in your living room, bedroom or hallway, compare the space taken up by a drying appliance with that of a drying rack, and consider how long the rack stays up.
Who are these options for?
People living in smaller homes
When there isn’t room for two appliances, the actual depth, door clearance and required gaps become crucial. With a washer-dryer, check the drying capacity separately from the washing capacity too.
Households mindful of resources and fabrics
If you’re comparing cycle consumption or programmes for particular fabrics, start with the energy label and the manual for the model you choose. A brand’s claim of gentle drying doesn’t, by itself, describe the results of every programme.
What matters when drying laundry indoors?
First, decide where your laundry can dry. Then check the space required, the amount you can dry per cycle and when you’ll be able to run the appliance.
Spin cycle and drying rack
Consider this if: you can temporarily set aside a sufficiently spacious, well-ventilated room for your laundry.
Bear in mind: the drying rack takes up that space while the laundry dries. According to ADEME, air-drying laundry releases moisture into the indoor air.
Separate tumble dryer
Consider this if: you have space for a second appliance and want to rely less on a drying rack.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to allow for its space and maintenance. UFC-Que Choisir reports low electricity consumption for heat pump tumble dryers; also check the programme duration for the model you choose.
Washer-dryer
Consider this if: there isn’t enough room for two separate appliances.
Bear in mind: the drying load may be smaller than the washing load, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. You may need to split a wash before drying it.
| What matters to you | What to check before buying | Who this is for |
|---|---|---|
| Freeing up living space | Work out how much laundry needs to come off the drying rack with each wash. If you’re considering an appliance, compare its drying capacity with that load. | When laundry is drying in the living room, I want to use the space again without waiting for a long drying cycle to finish. Around 31% of consumers in this group would make freeing up this space their priority. |
| Saving space | Measure the depth, door clearance and required gaps. For a washer-dryer, check the washing and drying capacities separately. | If I can’t fit two appliances at home, I’m looking for an installation that works with the space available, even if I have to split some loads. Saving space would be the priority for around 25% of consumers in this group. |
| Managing water and electricity use | Compare the information on the energy labels and product fiches for appliances in the same category, distinguishing between wash-only and wash-and-dry cycles. | For regular laundry, I want to know what resources the cycle I plan to use will consume. Around 25% of consumers in this group would put this first. |
| Balancing noise and availability | Check the stated noise level and the duration of the relevant programme. A quick programme needs to be suitable for the amount and type of fabric you’re drying. | If the appliance is near an occupied room or I have limited times when I can run it, I need to balance the noise with when the laundry will be ready. Around 19% of consumers in this group would put this need first. |
What should you avoid before buying?
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Looking only at washing capacity
A washer-dryer may be able to wash more laundry than it can dry in one go. For the LWR98B166X, AEG states a washing capacity of 10 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg.
Compare both capacities with your usual loads to see whether you’ll need to take some laundry out before drying.
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Putting a drying rack in just any room
According to ADEME, air-drying laundry releases moisture into the indoor air. A drying rack also takes up space for the whole time your laundry is drying.
Choose a suitable, well-ventilated room. Don’t block air inlets or extractor vents to make space.
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Comparing energy ratings alone
An energy rating won’t tell you whether the capacity, programme duration and noise level suit your routine. For a washer-dryer, wash-only and wash-and-dry figures relate to different uses.
Compare product fiches for models in the same category and programmes that match how you plan to use them.
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Forgetting about maintenance and condensed water
The maintenance required depends on the tumble dryer and its manual. UFC-Que Choisir recommends cleaning the filter after every use.
Check how to access the filter and how to manage the tank or any connection to a drain.
Brands to consider by appliance type
Bosch
A useful point of comparison if you’re considering a separate heat pump tumble dryer and capacity and dimensions are key to your installation.
- Bosch states that the WQG13500FR has a 9 kg capacity, a noise level of 62 dB(A) and dimensions of 842 × 598 × 613 mm.
- These specifications are for the WQG13500FR. Check the product fiche for the model you’re considering, particularly its overall dimensions.
AEG
A brand to consider if a washer-dryer needs to replace two separate appliances.
- AEG states that the LWR98B166X has a washing capacity of 10 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg, with a stated maximum depth of 660 mm.
- The difference in capacity may mean splitting a washed load before drying it.
Miele
Another brand to consider among separate heat pump tumble dryers.
- Miele describes the TEA525WP 8kg Active as an 8 kg heat pump tumble dryer.
- To see whether it suits your routine, compare the model’s cycle time, noise and energy consumption with the constraints of your home. The brand’s claims about gentle drying aren’t an independent comparison.
Appliances for drying laundry indoors
These appliances offer two ways to rely less on a drying rack: add a separate tumble dryer or choose a washer-dryer if there isn’t room for two machines. Compare their capacities with your usual loads before making a choice.
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Samsung WD11DG6B85BEU3, 11/6 kg washer-dryer
Worth considering if you want to wash and dry with one appliance. Its stated capacity is 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, so you’ll need to split a larger wash load before drying it.
Check the dimensions and the duration of the cycle that suits your needs before planning where to put it and when to do your laundry.
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Hotpoint CHD84MWBSEE, 8 kg heat pump tumble dryer
This 8 kg separate tumble dryer is an option if you have space for a second appliance and want to rely less on a drying rack. Its product name indicates heat pump technology and a C rating.
Measure the space you have in mind and check the duration of the programme you’re most likely to use.
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Roborock Zeo Lite Gray, 10/6 kg washer-dryer
This combined appliance may suit a household that doesn’t want to install two separate machines. Its product name indicates a 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity, so plan to split any washed load that exceeds the drying capacity.
The model is listed with 27 wash programmes and app control. Check its dimensions, noise level and full cycle duration against your planned installation.
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Samsung WD10HG6U34BEU3, 10/6 kg washer-dryer
This model combines washing and drying in one appliance. Its product name indicates a 10 kg washing capacity, a 6 kg drying capacity and a D rating. With this drying capacity, a washed load of more than 6 kg can’t be dried in one go.
Compare the duration and details of the wash-and-dry cycle that suits your routine, as well as the space needed for installation.
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Comfee CD08EHP05W-HR, 8 kg heat pump tumble dryer
This 8 kg separate tumble dryer could reduce the space taken up by a drying rack if you have room for a second appliance. Its product name indicates a D rating and a refresh function.
To plan your laundry, check the dimensions, noise level and duration of the programme suited to your load, rather than relying on the claim of quick drying alone.
Frequently asked questions
Can you dry laundry on a drying rack in any room?
No. Choose a suitable, well-ventilated room rather than just putting it anywhere. ADEME highlights that air-drying laundry indoors adds moisture to the air. Keep the ventilation running and leave air inlets and extractor vents unobstructed.
Why compare both capacities of a washer-dryer?
Because its drying capacity may be lower than its washing capacity. For example, AEG states that the LWR98B166X can wash 10 kg and dry 6 kg. If you’ve washed more than 6 kg of laundry, you’ll need to remove some of the load before drying the rest.
What maintenance does a tumble dryer need?
Follow the maintenance instructions in the manual for your model, including cleaning the filter and managing condensed water if it’s collected in a tank. UFC-Que Choisir recommends cleaning the filter after every use. Also check the instructions for the condenser on the model you choose.
What should you know about having an old appliance taken away in France?
Ask the retailer about collection when you buy, and if needed, when your new appliance is delivered. The French Ministry for the Ecological Transition describes a ‘one-for-one’ take-back service linked to the purchase of an appliance of the same type. Check what arrangements apply to your order.