Households with frequent laundry loads
If you regularly need your clothes ready to wear again, compare drying time, capacity and energy consumption. ADEME points out that spin speed affects drying both indoors and in a machine.
Who is this choice for?
Homes with space for only one appliance
You can compare a washer-dryer with a separate appliance or a clothes airer. Check how much laundry the washer-dryer can dry and how much space each option takes up. Que Choisir notes that a washer-dryer's drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity.
Households happy to dry laundry indoors
If you can wait and have a temporary space for your laundry, a clothes airer means you won’t need an additional electrical appliance. ADEME recommends using a large, well-ventilated room or one with suitable mechanical extraction.
Which criteria should you compare?
Heat pump tumble dryer
Consider it if: you dry laundry regularly and have room for a separate appliance.
Bear in mind: compare programme times for similar loads and settings. Filter access and maintenance also matter.
Standard condenser tumble dryer
Consider it if: you want a separate appliance without an external vent and drying time is important to you.
Check: the current energy label for the model. An old rating cannot be compared directly with the current scale.
Washer-dryer
Consider it if: you only have space for one appliance and also need to buy a washing machine.
Bear in mind: drying capacity is generally lower than washing capacity. Also check the energy consumption for the relevant modes.
Indoor clothes airer
Consider it if: you’re happy to wait and can set aside space for your laundry while it dries.
Bear in mind: an airer takes up space, and damp laundry releases moisture into the room. ADEME recommends a suitable, well-ventilated space or one with mechanical extraction.
To compare your options, start with the amount of laundry you need to dry and how quickly you need it ready, then check the available space and conditions of use. ADEME also points out that spin speed affects how laundry dries.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Drying time | Compare programme length for a specified load and the capacity in kg. With a washer-dryer, check the washing and drying capacities separately. | If I have several loads to get through, I want to know when my laundry will be ready and how much can be dried at once. Around 33% of consumers prioritise drying time. |
| Electricity | For a tumble dryer, check the A to G label in use since 1 July 2025 and compare consumption on a like-for-like basis. Check each mode separately for a washer-dryer. | When I run frequent cycles, I look at consumption based on how I use the appliance rather than comparing different labels. Around 27% of consumers prioritise energy use. |
| Space available | Measure the space, access routes and door clearance; check the manual and make sure you can reach the filters. For a clothes airer, check its dimensions when fully opened too. | If I only have room for one appliance, I need to choose an option that fits and check how much a washer-dryer can dry. Around 20% of consumers prioritise keeping the appliance's permanent footprint to a minimum. |
| No additional electrical appliance | Check how much space the airer will take up until the laundry is dry, and whether you can use a large, well-ventilated room or one with suitable mechanical extraction, as ADEME recommends. | If I can wait and dry my laundry indoors, I want to avoid adding another appliance while making sure I have a suitable place for it. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this option. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Comparing an old energy rating directly with the current label
Since 1 July 2025, tumble dryers have displayed an A to G scale. An old rating is not a like-for-like reference for comparing models, according to the European Commission.
Check the label and product information for the model you’ve chosen, then compare consumption figures calculated on the same basis.
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Confusing washing capacity with drying capacity
A washer-dryer's drying capacity may be lower than its washing capacity. If you run a wash-and-dry cycle, the load must stay within the model's drying limit. Que Choisir highlights this difference.
Check both capacities and choose a model based on how much laundry you want to dry at once.
A load that exceeds the drying capacity may need to be split or dried separately on an airer.
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Assuming a clothes airer needs no space or special conditions
A clothes airer takes up space while in use, and damp laundry releases moisture indoors. ADEME recommends a large, well-ventilated room or one with suitable mechanical extraction.
Measure the space you’ll need with the airer fully opened and make sure you have a suitable room.
The space will be taken up for as long as the laundry is drying.
Brands and models to know
Bosch
The WQG245A0FR is an example of a dedicated heat pump tumble dryer.
- Bosch lists a maximum capacity of 9 kg for the WQG245A0FR.
- Check the dimensions, manual and maintenance requirements for this model; don’t assume they apply to other models.
Beko
The D3H18C01W and DCB816W are examples of heat pump and standard condenser models respectively.
- Beko lists a dual filter for the D3H18C01W.
- The old label information for the DCB816W doesn’t tell you its rating on the current scale or whether it is currently available.
LG
The F964R76WSTA washer-dryer is an example of a combined appliance.
- LG lists capacities of 9 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying for this model.
- The load for a wash-and-dry cycle must stay within the drying capacity. Check the energy consumption for the relevant modes.
Electrolux
The EW6HI4824SC is an example of a dedicated heat pump tumble dryer.
- Electrolux lists a capacity of 8 kg and consumption of 119 kWh per 100 cycles for this model.
- These figures apply to this model. Compare them with the label and calculation basis for the models you’re considering.
Leifheit
The Pegasus Family, model 81514, is an example of a drying solution that doesn’t need an electrical appliance.
- Leifheit lists 18 m of drying line.
- Its dimensions when open are 87 × 157 × 66 cm. The stated drying line length doesn’t guarantee a particular drying time.
Tumble dryers available on Joybuy
This selection includes dedicated tumble dryers, mainly heat pump models, along with one condenser model. Compare their capacity and installation requirements with your space and drying needs.
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LG RT10X8B, heat pump tumble dryer, 10 kg, black, class C
Designed for drying larger loads in a dedicated appliance, this model has a listed capacity of 10 kg.
Technology: heat pump. Capacity: 10 kg. Colour: black. Energy class stated in the product name: C.
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LG RT90X8, heat pump tumble dryer, 9 kg
For a dedicated appliance with a listed capacity of 9 kg, check that it suits the size of your laundry loads.
Technology: heat pump. Capacity: 9 kg. The product description lists a self-cleaning condenser.
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Electrolux EDH1018CD GentleCare, condenser tumble dryer, 8 kg, class E
When comparing a dedicated condenser tumble dryer, take its capacity and the label for this model into account.
Capacity: 8 kg. Colour: white. Energy class stated in the product name: E. The product description mentions OptiSense sensors.
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Hotpoint CHD84MWBSEE, heat pump tumble dryer, 8 kg, white, class C
For drying a load of up to 8 kg in a dedicated appliance, check that this capacity suits the way you do your laundry.
Technology: heat pump. Capacity: 8 kg. Colour: white. Energy class stated in the product name: C. The product description mentions a filter accessible from the door.
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Comfee CFP01EH80W-JD, heat pump tumble dryer, 8 kg, class D
For a dedicated appliance listed at 8 kg, check the installation and safety requirements before choosing where to put it.
Technology: heat pump. Capacity: 8 kg. Energy class stated in the product name: D. The product description specifies a flammable R290 refrigerant and requires a room of at least 4 m², an earthed socket and no extension lead. Follow these instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Does a condenser tumble dryer need an external vent?
No. A condenser tumble dryer, including a heat pump model, doesn’t need an external vent, according to Que Choisir. Check the instructions for your chosen model for placement and water management. Vented tumble dryers work differently.
Can I dry a full washing load in a washer-dryer?
Only if the load doesn’t exceed the model's drying capacity. For the F964R76WSTA, LG lists a washing capacity of 9 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg. These figures don’t apply to other models.
What should I maintain or check after installation?
Follow your model's manual for filter care, the water tank if you use it, and access to the condenser. If you stack two appliances, check that the stacking kit is compatible with both models. Bosch states that its 00717525 kit isn’t suitable for some Série 2 washing machines.
Which energy label should I compare for a tumble dryer?
The A to G label has applied to tumble dryers since 1 July 2025, according to the European Commission. Washer-dryers have a separate label. Compare models on a like-for-like basis and check the label for the model you’ve chosen.
Does the legal guarantee of conformity cover a tumble dryer bought in France?
Yes. For goods sold in France to an individual by a business, the legal guarantee of conformity covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods, according to the Ministry of the Economy. It is separate from any optional commercial warranty.