If you have a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor fan, a clothes airer is still a way to dry laundry without using electricity, although the laundry releases moisture into your home, as ADEME points out. If you choose an appliance, consider a separate heat pump tumble dryer if you have space for a dedicated appliance, or a washer-dryer if both functions need to fit in one space. In either case, check the manual and the actual drying capacity: for a washer-dryer, it may be lower than its washing capacity.
If you would rather not hang laundry in a room that isn’t suitable, first check whether you have a large, well-ventilated space or one with an extractor fan. This is the set-up ADEME recommends for air-drying laundry indoors.
If washing and drying need to fit in the same space, a washer-dryer can combine both functions. Check the dimensions of the model, including the clearance needed to open the door, and its drying capacity, which may be lower than its washing capacity.
If you have room for a dedicated appliance, look for a drying capacity that suits the loads you usually wash, then compare energy and water use and the duration of cycles that match your needs. Capacity and installation requirements vary by model.
Worth considering: if you have a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor fan, and are happy to make space for drying and allow time for it.
Bear in mind: laundry air-dried indoors releases moisture into your home, ADEME points out.
Compare this option: if you have space for a dedicated appliance and want to avoid fitting an air-exhaust hose to the outside.
Check: depending on the model, water is collected in a tank or drained away. Read the manual for installation details.
Worth considering: if you have a suitable space and regularly dry laundry without venting air outside.
Check: the model’s manual for ventilation, maintenance and condensate-handling instructions.
Worth considering: if washing and drying need to fit in one space and the drying capacity suits your loads.
Bear in mind: washing and drying capacities vary by model, and you can’t run two separate appliances at the same time.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture and drying location | For air-drying, check how well the room is ventilated; for an appliance, read the manual for guidance on ventilation and condensate handling. | If I want to avoid drying laundry in a room that isn’t suitable, I first check its ventilation and the installation requirements of the appliance I’m considering. Around 31% of consumers prioritise where laundry is dried and the impact of moisture. |
| Available space | Check the appliance dimensions, door clearance and required connections. | When I only have space for one appliance, I want to keep both washing and drying functions without exceeding the space available. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this space constraint. |
| Cycle energy and water use | Compare similar cycles and loads; distinguish between washing only, wash-and-dry and separate drying. | When comparing running costs, I look at the figures for the cycle I’ll actually use, including water use for a washer-dryer. Around 25% of consumers put energy and water use first. |
| Load size and drying capacity | Check the model’s drying capacity for the programme you plan to use, as well as the full cycle duration. | To dry my usual loads without routinely splitting them, I compare their size with the stated drying capacity. Around 19% of consumers prioritise load size and getting through their laundry. |
Its maximum drying capacity may be lower than its washing capacity. For example, LG lists 9 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying on the F964V52IRSA; these figures apply to this model.
Before buying, compare the washing and drying capacities listed for the model and programme you’re interested in.
You may need to reduce an oversized load or dry it in several batches.
A condenser appliance doesn’t need to vent air outside, but its manual may still specify ventilation and condensate-handling requirements.
Check the model’s manual, the location, access to the tank and whether it can actually be connected to a drain, if you want to use one.
Figures for washing alone don’t tell you how much a wash-and-dry cycle uses. For the LG F964V52IRSA, for example, LG lists these figures separately in the model specifications.
Compare figures for the same function and similar-sized loads. Don’t estimate costs without knowing your tariff and how often you’ll use the appliance.
The models mentioned include separate heat pump tumble dryers, such as the WQG2450SFR.
The brand offers washer-dryers, including the F964V52IRSA as an example of this type of appliance.
The brand’s range includes the built-in EW8W3816BI washer-dryer, which is worth considering if you’re planning to install an appliance in a cabinet.
Guide Topten France’s selection of tumble dryers includes two 9 kg Samsung heat pump models.
The TR93A9H4BW heat pump tumble dryer features in Guide Topten France’s selection.
This selection brings together washer-dryers for a single appliance space and separate heat pump tumble dryers for a dedicated space.
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Worth considering if you want one freestanding appliance to handle both washing and drying.
Stated capacity: 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. A condenser system is specified; allow for water and drain connections, as well as a suitable space.
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Worth considering if one appliance needs to handle both washing and drying.
Stated capacity: 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. Installation requires water and drain connections; make sure you stay within the model’s drying capacity.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a built-in appliance that combines washing and drying.
Stated capacity: 9 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. Check that it will fit your built-in space and that the drying capacity suits your loads.
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Worth considering if you have space for a dedicated appliance and want to dry loads up to the model’s stated capacity.
Capacity: 10 kg; listed energy rating: C. The condenser is described as self-cleaning, but the fluff filter must be cleaned after every cycle.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a separate heat pump appliance with a stated capacity of 9 kg.
Clean the fluff filter after every cycle, following the instructions supplied for this model.
No. Not needing to vent air outside doesn’t mean there are no ventilation requirements. Read the model’s manual and check that your chosen location meets its instructions.
Not necessarily. Depending on the model, water may be collected in a tank or drained away. Check the manual, whether a hose is supplied and whether you can install it. For example, the Bosch WQG2450SFR is listed as coming with a drain hose and a condensate tank.
Only if the load is within the drying capacity for the model and programme. LG lists a washing capacity of 9 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg for the F964V52IRSA; Electrolux lists 8 kg and 4 kg respectively for the EW8W3816BI.
Follow the maintenance instructions in your model’s manual, including how often to clean the fluff filter and empty the tank, if fitted. The Bosch WQG2450SFR manual covers these separately: a self-cleaning condenser doesn’t mean no maintenance is needed.
No. The DGCCRF explains that a commercial guarantee is a separate contractual commitment from the seller’s legal obligations under the guarantee of conformity. Ask about the terms of cover and keep your proof of purchase.