If you don’t have outdoor space, an airer is still an option if you can dry your laundry in a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor, as recommended by ADEME for indoor drying. If that doesn’t suit your laundry routine, a condenser tumble dryer doesn’t need to be vented outside, provided you follow the installation instructions. If you don’t have room for two appliances either, compare a compatible stacking setup with a washer-dryer. Bear in mind that washer-dryers have a lower drying capacity than washing capacity, according to UFC-Que Choisir.
Before buying an appliance, consider how you can ventilate your home and where your laundry dries. ADEME and the Ministry for Ecological Transition highlight the moisture produced by indoor drying.
Compare the drying capacity with your usual loads and the capacity of your washing machine. UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking these volumes into account when choosing a tumble dryer.
A compatible stacking setup and a washer-dryer address a lack of space in different ways. For a washer-dryer, check the washing and drying capacities separately, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
First, work out whether you have a suitable room where you can keep using an airer. If you’re considering an appliance, check that you have space for it, how much laundry you need to dry and the installation requirements for the specific model.
Consider this if: you can dry laundry in a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor, in line with ADEME’s recommendations.
Bear in mind: your laundry will take up space in the room while it dries and release moisture into the air.
Consider this if: you want a separate appliance for regular drying, without an exhaust vent to the outside.
Bear in mind: compare the energy consumption and programme times of the model you choose, and allow for the maintenance specified in its instructions.
Consider this if: you want a separate appliance that doesn’t need an external vent and are comparing different drying technologies.
Bear in mind: check the energy consumption, cycles and condensate collection method for the specific model.
Consider this if: you don’t have room for two appliances side by side or a compatible stacking setup.
Bear in mind: the drying capacity is lower than the washing capacity, according to UFC-Que Choisir. You may therefore need to split a washed load before drying it.
| Consideration | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture in the room | Consider which room you use for your airer and whether it can be ventilated or has an extractor. | If my laundry is left to dry in a poorly ventilated room, my main priority is to avoid leaving damp loads there to dry for long periods. Around 40% of consumers put this need first. |
| Load size and regular use | Compare the drying capacity with your usual loads, then check the energy label and programmes for the exact model. | If I have several loads to dry each week, I want to handle my usual laundry while keeping an eye on the appliance’s energy consumption. This is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Available space | Measure the space. For a stacked setup, confirm that the kit and both appliances are compatible, or check both capacities on a washer-dryer. | If two appliances won’t fit side by side, I first need to find a setup that fits my home. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this space constraint. |
| Keeping your airer | Check that you still have a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor available for drying. | If I can carry on drying laundry in a suitable room, I’d rather avoid buying an electrical appliance. For around 10% of consumers, keeping this drying method is the main priority. |
A vented tumble dryer must send moist air outside. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes this requirement from that of condenser dryers. However, not having a balcony doesn’t, on its own, tell you what installation options are available in your home.
Only choose this option if you have a suitable external vent and the model’s instructions allow for your planned installation.
On a washer-dryer, the load it can dry is smaller than the load it can wash, UFC-Que Choisir points out. You may need to remove some laundry before drying a full wash load.
Check both capacities in the model specifications and compare the drying capacity with your usual loads.
Appliances that appear to be the same width aren’t necessarily compatible. Bosch, for example, asks you to check that its stacking kits are compatible with the models concerned.
Note down the exact model numbers of both appliances, choose a kit that the manufacturer confirms is compatible, and follow the instructions before installation.
These manufacturers’ examples can help you identify features to compare; they don’t apply to every model from each brand.
Worth considering if you’re comparing an 8 kg heat pump tumble dryer and might want to stack your appliances.
Worth considering if the door opening direction and available features matter when choosing a heat pump tumble dryer.
Worth considering when comparing 8 or 9 kg heat pump models and their fabric care features.
These models cover three options to consider if you don’t have outdoor space: a heat pump tumble dryer, a condenser tumble dryer and two washer-dryers for homes where space is tight.
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Worth comparing if you want a separate tumble dryer for regular loads: it has a stated capacity of 8 kg. The model name indicates a C rating; check its energy label and instructions to assess energy use and make sure it’s suitable for your space.
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Worth comparing if you want a separate condenser tumble dryer that doesn’t vent air outside. It has a stated capacity of 8 kg, uses propane as a refrigerant and features OptiSense. Check the product specifications for installation requirements and programmes suited to your loads.
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Worth considering if you need one appliance to wash and dry your laundry because space is limited. Its stated capacities are 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, so a full wash load exceeds its drying capacity. The model name indicates a D rating; compare the energy label and programmes with your needs.
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Another combined appliance to consider if two machines won’t fit in your home. Its name indicates a 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity, as well as Zeo-Cycle, app control and the LintClear system. Check the model’s dimensions, installation requirements and cycles before choosing this setup.
Yes, if you have a suitable room for drying. ADEME recommends a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor. If laundry is building up in a poorly ventilated room, review the ventilation and compare other options.
Not if your home has no suitable opening or duct to vent air outside. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes this type of installation from that of a condenser tumble dryer. In all cases, check the requirements in the instructions for the model you’re considering.
No. Compatibility depends on the model numbers of the appliances and the kit you use, not just their width. Bosch, for example, asks you to check whether its kits are compatible. Check the manufacturers’ guidance and both sets of instructions before installation.
Not necessarily. UFC-Que Choisir says that its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity. Compare both figures for the model and be prepared to remove some laundry if the wash load exceeds the drying capacity.
Check the energy label for each specific model and compare figures measured on the same basis, rather than relying only on a rating shown in its name. Also consider the capacity and the programmes you plan to use.