If you do several loads of washing in quick succession and have room for an extra appliance, compare tumble dryers by capacity, the programmes you’ll use and their energy labels. If you only have space for one appliance, check the washer-dryer’s drying capacity separately from its washing capacity. A clothes airer is another option if you can set it up in a suitably well-ventilated room. Whichever option you choose, your washing machine’s spin cycle matters: ADEME says an effective spin can speed up drying.
If you need to dry several loads one after another, compare drying capacity and the length of programmes that are genuinely suitable for your laundry. Bosch product information and guidance from UFC-Que Choisir can help you check these points when comparing tumble dryers.
A washer-dryer combines both functions in a single appliance. Check the stated washing and drying capacities separately for the model you’re considering.
If you’re happy to wait for laundry to air-dry, make sure you have a suitable space for it. ADEME recommends a large, well-ventilated room or one fitted with a mechanical ventilation extract vent.
Start by considering how much laundry you need to dry with each load and how much space you have, then compare the appliance’s performance information. ADEME also recommends taking the spin cycle into account. Energy labels and product information help you compare consumption under the stated conditions.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and consecutive loads | Washing and drying capacities in kg, the length of the programme you plan to use, and the load size allowed for quick programmes. | If I do several loads in quick succession, I want to know how much laundry will actually dry before I plan the next one. Around 33% of consumers prioritise capacity and doing consecutive loads. |
| Space and installation | Dimensions, access for delivery, installation instructions and air venting or water management, depending on the model. | When space is limited, I check whether I can install a second appliance or whether a washer-dryer will fit the available space. Around 25% of consumers prioritise space and installation. |
| Energy use and real-world performance | Current energy label, consumption and programme duration compared on the same basis, washing machine spin performance, and full-cycle figures for a washer-dryer. | If I’m comparing electricity use, I want to compare like-for-like cycles rather than infer the real cost from an energy class alone. Around 25% of consumers prioritise energy use and real-world performance. |
| Clothes airer and room humidity | Space to hang laundry, room ventilation, spin performance and information about a dehumidifier if you’re considering one. | If I use a clothes airer, I need a room where laundry can dry with suitable ventilation. Around 17% of consumers prioritise air-drying in a suitable room. |
An appliance may be able to wash more laundry than it can dry in one cycle. For example, the LG F164R33WRS is listed as having a 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity.
Compare both capacities in kg and plan your loads around the drying capacity.
Bosch’s 40-minute programme on the WQG245DSFR is intended for small amounts of specified fabrics.
Check the permitted load size and the length of the programme you plan to use, rather than relying on the stated duration alone.
The European Commission says tumble dryer labels have used an A to G scale since 1 July 2025. An older A+++ rating therefore cannot be compared directly with a class on the current scale.
Compare models’ labels and energy consumption on the same basis, using the scale shown on their current product information.
Air-drying releases moisture into your home and takes up space for as long as the laundry is drying.
ADEME recommends using a large, well-ventilated room or one fitted with a mechanical ventilation extract vent.
The freestanding WQG245DSFR tumble dryer is a heat pump model listed with a 9 kg capacity.
The F164R33WRS and F164HP2WST washer-dryers let you compare separate washing and drying capacities.
The B5T6122309W is presented as a freestanding heat pump tumble dryer with a listed capacity of 12 kg.
The DV90DG52A0AEEF is a heat pump tumble dryer listed with a 9 kg capacity.
This selection includes a clothes airer, freestanding tumble dryers and washer-dryers, so you can compare air-drying, using a dedicated appliance and choosing a combined solution.
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Worth considering if you want to air-dry your laundry and fold the airer away after use.
Listed with 18 m of drying space, adjustable wings and flat-fold storage in the description.
For indoor use, ADEME recommends a large, well-ventilated room or one fitted with a mechanical ventilation extract vent.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for a freestanding tumble dryer and its stated capacity suits your usual loads.
Listed capacity: 8 kg; stated noise level: 64 dB; delay start listed.
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Compare it with other freestanding tumble dryers if you want to machine-dry loads that match the stated capacity.
Listed capacity: 10 kg; D rating shown in the product name. The description mentions three drying levels.
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Worth considering if you want to combine washing and drying in one appliance and 6 kg is enough for the loads you need to dry.
Listed capacities: 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying; condensation drying listed.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for a washer-dryer and its drying capacity suits the amount of laundry you want to dry in each cycle.
Listed capacities: 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying; the description lists 27 programmes and the LintClear system.
Compare the washing and drying capacities separately. LG lists a washing capacity of 10 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg for the F164R33WRS. If your washed load exceeds the drying capacity, plan to split it or dry only part of it in the machine.
A vented tumble dryer expels moist air outside and needs a suitable outlet. A condenser model doesn’t need an external air vent. Check the instructions for your chosen model to see how it collects or drains water.
Compare consumption figures for similar cycles and appliance types. Since 1 July 2025, tumble dryer labels in shops and online have used an A to G scale, according to the European Commission. For a washer-dryer, check the figures for washing alone separately from those for the complete cycle.
ADEME says an effective spin can speed up drying, whether you use a clothes airer or a tumble dryer. For installation and maintenance, follow the instructions for your specific tumble dryer model. Bosch says its manuals cover these topics, among others.
Under the conditions of the legal guarantee of conformity, the right to take action is limited to two years from the date the goods are delivered, whether new or second-hand, according to the DGCCRF. This legal guarantee applies against the professional seller and is separate from any optional commercial warranty.