If you have space to hang your laundry and can wait for it to dry, start by comparing washing machines by capacity and spin efficiency. A washer-dryer is a practical choice if you only have space for one appliance, but its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity. If you dry clothes frequently and have room to install them, two separate appliances may be a better fit. In every case, check the cycle time, energy and water consumption, and noise levels for the programmes you’ll actually use.
Your choice depends mainly on how much room you have for appliances and somewhere to hang your laundry, as well as how quickly you need your clothes to dry.
A washer-dryer lets you wash and dry your clothes in one appliance. Before choosing this type, compare its drying capacity, depth (including the clearance required) and the length of a full wash-and-dry cycle. UFC-Que Choisir notes that a washer-dryer’s drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity.
A washing machine and separate tumble dryer let you wash one load while another is drying, provided you have room to install both appliances. UFC-Que Choisir explains that stacking front-loading models requires a compatible stacking kit.
If you can air-dry your clothes and don’t need them in a hurry, a washing machine on its own is worth considering. ADEME recommends checking the spin efficiency rating on the energy label if you dry clothes indoors.
First choose a set-up that fits your home and suits your laundry routine. Then compare the washing cycle specifications and, if needed, the drying cycle too.
Worth considering: if you have space to hang your laundry and can wait for it to dry.
Bear in mind: spinning removes water, but it doesn’t replace the time and space needed for clothes to dry.
Worth considering: if you only have room for one appliance and want to run a wash and dry cycle in one go.
Bear in mind: UFC-Que Choisir highlights that drying capacity is lower than washing capacity, and drying takes longer than in a separate tumble dryer.
Worth considering: if you often use a tumble dryer and can install it next to your washing machine or, with a compatible kit, on top of it.
Bear in mind: this set-up needs space for two appliances, and you’ll need to check their installation requirements.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Available space | Measure the depth, check the connections and allow space in front of the door. For a stacked set-up, check that the models and kit are compatible. For a tumble dryer, follow the instruction manual’s guidance on clearances and ventilation. | Do I only have floor space for one appliance, or can I install two without making them difficult to access? |
| Load and cycle time | Compare washing and drying capacities in kg, then check the programme duration for the reference load. For a washer-dryer, size your load for a complete wash-and-dry cycle according to its drying capacity. | Do my clothes need to be dry after every wash, and can I wait for a full wash-and-dry cycle to finish? |
| Spin efficiency | Check the spin efficiency class, not just the speed in rpm. ADEME recommends class A to speed up indoor drying or drying in a tumble dryer. | I often dry clothes indoors, so the amount of water left in them after spinning matters when I choose an appliance. |
| Water and electricity | Compare kWh per 100 cycles, water per cycle and cycle duration for equivalent programmes. In its washer-dryer tests, UFC-Que Choisir records these figures separately for washing and for a complete wash-and-dry cycle. | I want to compare how I’ll actually use the appliance, rather than treating washing-only figures as if they covered the full cycle. |
| Noise and installation | Check the model’s noise level, particularly during the spin cycle. For a tumble dryer, also check the ventilation requirements in the manual and how condensation is handled: in a tank or through a drain, depending on the model. | Will the appliance be near a living area, or does it need to be easy to maintain in a small space? |
| Maintenance and durability | Check that the filters, instruction manual and spare parts are accessible. In France, the durability index introduced for washing machines on 8 April 2025 provides information on maintenance, dismantling and resistance to wear, among other things, according to the ministry responsible for the ecological transition. | I want to be able to maintain my washing machine and assess how repairable it is, without mistaking this index for a warranty. |
UFC-Que Choisir points out that a washer-dryer can wash more laundry than it can dry. If you fill the drum to its washing capacity, you may need to remove some items before drying.
Compare both capacities in kg and check the duration of the programme you plan to use. If you want to run the cycles one after the other without having to intervene, stick to the drying capacity.
Consumption or duration figures for washing alone don’t tell you what to expect from a complete cycle. UFC-Que Choisir measures water use, electricity use and cycle duration separately in its washer-dryer tests.
Check the figures for the programme you’ll use and compare equivalent load sizes and measurement bases.
Stacking requires compatible appliances and a compatible kit. Electrolux support also advises against enclosing a tumble dryer in a cupboard without ventilation.
Check the manuals for the exact models and make sure the kit, clearances, door openings and access to the filter or tank are all suitable.
A stacked installation may require a stacking kit designed for both appliances.
Noise levels matter when your washing machine is close to a living area. ADEME recommends checking the energy label to compare appliance noise levels.
Check the noise level and noise class for the exact model, particularly during the spin cycle.
These ranges give you examples of features to compare. A brand mentioned here doesn’t guarantee that a particular model will suit your home or that it will feature in the product selection below.
In France, Bosch offers heat pump tumble dryers, including 8 and 9 kg models. Capacity alone, however, won’t tell you whether an appliance can be installed in your home.
The LG F852SV52IRS washer-dryer is a useful example of why it’s important to check washing and drying specifications separately on a shallow model.
Miele offers heat pump tumble dryers for separate installation, either side by side or stacked, depending on the model and compatible accessories.
This Joybuy selection includes washer-dryers for a single appliance space, a washing machine to use with a clothes airer, and a separate tumble dryer to pair with a washing machine. Compare each appliance in the set-up your home can actually accommodate.
Image unavailable
This washer-dryer is designed for washing and drying with just one appliance. It’s listed as 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. If you want to run both cycles without removing any laundry, keep the load within the drying capacity. Check the model’s product page for its washing capacity and the clearances required for installation.
Image unavailable
This model combines washing and drying in a single appliance. Its listed capacities are 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, so check the load size before running both cycles in one go. The product information describes a LintClear filter-cleaning system. Check the dimensions, noise level, cycle duration and consumption for a complete cycle based on how you plan to use it.
Image unavailable
This washer-dryer is worth considering if you only have space for one appliance. It’s listed as 8 kg for washing and 5 kg for drying, so a complete wash-and-dry cycle must stay within the drying limit. The dimensions listed in the title and description don’t match, so confirm the appliance’s dimensions and required clearances before deciding where to put it.
Image unavailable
This standalone washing machine is suited to a household that can air-dry its laundry or has a separate tumble dryer. It has a listed capacity of 8 kg and a maximum spin speed of 1 400 rpm; its listed spin efficiency class is B. If you mainly dry clothes indoors, compare this rating with other models. Also check the required clearances, even though the listed depth is 470 mm.
Image unavailable
This separate tumble dryer is an option if you already have a washing machine and a suitable space for another appliance. It has a listed capacity of 8 kg, a noise level of 64 dB and the option of direct drainage. Check the manual for dimensions, ventilation and clearance requirements, then compare the duration and consumption of the programme you plan to use.
Not necessarily. UFC-Que Choisir says that washer-dryers have a lower drying capacity than washing capacity. Check both figures for your chosen model. If you want to run a wash and dry cycle without having to intervene, don’t exceed its drying capacity.
Yes, if the front-loading appliances are compatible and you use a suitable stacking kit, according to UFC-Que Choisir. Check the manuals for the approved model combinations, dimensions and space needed to use and maintain both appliances.
It collects condensation water in a tank or, depending on the model, drains it away, as Miele explains. It therefore isn’t installed in the same way as a vented tumble dryer. Always follow the model’s instructions: Electrolux support, for example, advises against installing one in an enclosed cupboard without ventilation.
Compare like-for-like uses and measurements, taking into account the load dried, electricity, water and cycle duration. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between washing alone and a full wash-and-dry cycle in its testing protocol. Washing-only figures therefore aren’t enough to show the full running requirements of a washer-dryer.
Introduced for washing machines on 8 April 2025, according to the ministry responsible for the ecological transition, this score out of 10 takes spare parts, maintenance, dismantling and resistance to wear into account, among other things. Check it alongside the energy label and manual; it isn’t a manufacturer’s warranty.