Without outdoor space, start by comparing your washing machine’s spin efficiency with the space an airer will take up when fully open. If you do several loads in a row, a separate tumble dryer may be an option if you can install one. If you only have space for one appliance, a washer-dryer combines both functions, but its drying capacity may be lower than its washing capacity (ADEME; UFC-Que Choisir).
If you have no outdoor space or permanent spot for a second appliance, compare the space taken up by a fully opened airer with that needed for a washer-dryer, and factor in its drying capacity. As UFC-Que Choisir points out, washing and drying capacities can differ.
If you need to get through several loads in a row, consider drying capacity, cycle times and whether you can install a separate appliance. UFC-Que Choisir notes that a washer-dryer’s drying capacity may be lower than its washing capacity.
If you prefer to hang your laundry out to dry, check where you can put the airer and how moisture will be removed. ADEME notes that air-drying laundry indoors adds moisture to the air in your home.
First decide whether you can leave laundry to dry in a room, then compare the capacity and installation requirements of mechanical options to suit how often you do your laundry.
Worth considering: if you have somewhere to hang your laundry and a way to remove moisture.
Bear in mind: spinning does not replace hanging space or the need to manage indoor moisture (ADEME).
Worth considering: if you do laundry frequently and can install a second appliance in accordance with its instructions.
Bear in mind: it takes up space and needs maintenance; ADEME highlights the high energy consumption of tumble dryers.
Worth considering: if you only have space for one appliance and its drying capacity suits your loads.
Bear in mind: drying capacity may be lower than washing capacity, so you may need to remove some laundry or split a load (UFC-Que Choisir).
Worth considering: if you can leave the airer up for as long as needed in a suitable room.
Bear in mind: it temporarily takes up space in the room, and air-drying adds moisture indoors (ADEME).
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space and number of appliances | Appliance dimensions and clearance; space taken up by the airer when open and where it can be stored. | I want to keep the room usable and avoid an extra appliance; around 31% of consumers put the space an appliance takes up at the top of their list. |
| Laundry volume and consecutive cycles | Washing and drying capacities in kg; the duration of a complete cycle that suits your needs. | When laundry piles up, I check whether a load can be dried without splitting it; around 25% of consumers prioritise getting through their laundry quickly. |
| Moisture and installation | Room ventilation; the instructions, power supply and condensate management or any required venting for the model you choose. | If I dry laundry indoors, I want to be able to manage moisture; if I choose a tumble dryer, I also check the installation requirements. Around 25% of consumers prioritise managing indoor moisture. |
| Energy and usage | Compare water and electricity figures for similar cycles and loads on the product information for the exact model. | I want to limit resource use without comparing different cycles; around 19% of consumers put energy consumption at the top of their list. |
A washer-dryer may dry less laundry than it can wash. For example, the product information for the LG F854M21WR lists 8 kg for washing and 5 kg for drying; the difference varies by model.
If you want to run a complete wash-and-dry cycle, base your choice on the drying capacity listed for the exact model.
If the load is too large, you may need to split it and run extra cycles.
An indoor airer takes up part of the room while your laundry dries, and air-drying adds moisture to your home, as ADEME notes.
Measure the space the airer takes up when open and choose a spot where moisture can be removed.
Part of the room will remain occupied while your laundry dries.
A condenser tumble dryer does not need an air vent to the outside, unlike a vented model. However, you still need to consider where it will go, its maintenance and how condensate is managed (UFC-Que Choisir).
Check the model’s instructions for installation requirements and access to parts that need maintenance. Electrolux advises against using an extension lead or multi-socket adaptor with its tumble dryers.
You may need to adapt the space or connection to meet the manufacturer’s instructions.
Since 1 July 2025, tumble dryers sold in Europe have used the A to G energy label scale (European Commission). A washer-dryer may display separate figures for washing only and for a wash-and-dry cycle.
Compare the labels and figures for the exact model, taking account of the function and load in question.
The WAN2827FFR washing machine can be used as a reference when looking at spin performance before air-drying.
The F854M21WR washer-dryer is worth considering if you only have space for one appliance.
The EDHF5841EC heat pump tumble dryer offers an example of a separate condenser model to consider.
The Pegasus Tower 190 is an example of a tower airer designed for indoor drying.
The Fresh White tower dryer is another style to consider for indoor drying.
The products featured here are washer-dryers and a separate tumble dryer, so you can compare mechanical options when outdoor space is limited.
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Worth considering if you want to combine washing and drying in one appliance; make sure the load you plan to dry is within the stated drying capacity.
Washing: 11 kg; drying: 6 kg; class A.
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This washer-dryer may suit you if you’re looking to combine both functions; compare its drying capacity with the size of your usual loads.
Washing: 10 kg; drying: 6 kg; class D.
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Worth considering if you have a space designed for an integrated appliance and a 6 kg drying capacity suits your loads.
Washing: 9 kg; drying: 6 kg; spin speed: 1 400 tr/min.
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Compare this combined model if you want to use one appliance for washing and drying; check its drying capacity against the size of your loads.
Washing: 10 kg; drying: 6 kg; 27 wash programmes; app control; automatic dosing.
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A separate tumble dryer to consider if you have a suitable space and would rather not dry every load on an indoor airer.
Heat pump; drying capacity: 8 kg; class C.
Not always: a vented model needs one, but a condenser or heat pump model does not (UFC-Que Choisir). Even so, check the instructions for requirements covering the location, power supply, airflow and condensate management.
Don’t assume this is suitable: Electrolux advises against using an extension lead or multi-socket adaptor with its tumble dryers because of the electrical risk. Check the instructions for your model, and get advice about a badly positioned socket rather than improvising a connection.
Follow the instructions for your model to maintain the filters, condenser and water tank, if it has one. The Electrolux EDHF5841EC product information mentions filter and condenser cleaning indicators, as well as a full-tank indicator; these features are not found on every model.
For goods sold by a business to an individual, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods, according to the French Ministry of the Economy. Since 1 July 2025, tumble dryer energy labels have used the A to G scale; the durability index that has applied to washing machines since April 2025 does not indicate their drying capacity.
Compare electricity and water figures for similar functions and loads, rather than comparing a wash-only cycle with a wash-and-dry cycle. LG’s product information for the F854M21WR lists separate figures for washing only and for a cycle with drying; these are not a prediction of energy use in your home.