If you don’t have enough room to dry laundry on a clothes airer but can fit a separate appliance, start by considering a heat pump tumble dryer: it doesn’t need to vent moist air outside. If you only have room for one appliance, a washer-dryer saves you from installing two machines, but its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. If you already own a washing machine, stacking can save floor space, provided you check that both appliances and the stacking kit are compatible.
If you need to dry laundry regularly in a flat without a permanent space for an airer, compare the space required, drying capacity and water drainage options. If you don’t have a suitable outlet to the outside, rule out a vented tumble dryer.
If floor space is limited but you have enough height, you could stack a tumble dryer on top of your washing machine. UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking that both appliances are front-loading and confirming their dimensions; the stacking kit must be suitable for their model numbers.
A washer-dryer combines washing and drying in one machine. However, check its drying capacity separately: UFC-Que Choisir says it is lower than its washing capacity.
Start by measuring the space and deciding between a separate appliance, a compatible stacked setup or a washer-dryer. Then compare the loads you want to dry.
| Priority | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Space and water | Measure the appliance and allow for the clearances specified in its manual. Check access to the water tank or whether you can connect a drain, without blocking your home’s ventilation. | I need to be able to install the machine without blocking access or relying on an outside vent that isn’t there. |
| Drying capacity | Compare the drying capacity with your usual loads. For a washer-dryer, check the washing and drying capacities separately: UFC-Que Choisir points out that the latter is lower. | If I wash a full load, can I dry it all in one go, or will I need to take some of it out? |
| Programmes and energy use | Compare the energy use and duration of the programmes that suit your needs in the specifications for the models you’re considering. For a washer-dryer, check the wash-and-dry cycle too. | I dry laundry often, but I also need to know how long the machine will be in use. |
| Stacking | Check which models are compatible with the kit, along with the dimensions and stability of the setup. Position the tumble dryer above the washing machine, following the manufacturers’ instructions. | I have enough height, but not enough floor space for two appliances side by side. |
According to UFC-Que Choisir, this type of appliance needs an opening to the outside or access to an air duct. Don’t assume an existing ventilation outlet can take its hose.
Before considering this type of appliance, check the installation instructions and the layout of your home. If you can’t confirm that there’s a suitable outlet, choose another drying option.
Dimensions and model numbers matter just as much as the space available. For example, Bosch says one of its kits is designed for a washing machine with a depth of more than 55 cm. This requirement doesn’t apply to every kit.
Note down the exact model numbers of both appliances and check which kit the manufacturer recommends. Follow the specified installation order, with the tumble dryer on top.
A compatible stacking kit may be an additional accessory to budget for.
UFC-Que Choisir says its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity. So a load washed at the maximum stated capacity may not be able to go straight into the dryer in its entirety.
Compare both capacities in the model’s specifications, then check the duration and energy use of the wash-and-dry cycle.
Choosing a tumble dryer doesn’t replace ventilation in your home. If condensation or mould persists, installing a new machine won’t, by itself, address the cause of the damp.
Keep air inlets and outlets clear, and look into the damp problem separately before deciding where to install the appliance.
Worth considering if you’re planning a stacked setup and want to check whether a kit fits specific models.
The WT43H00DFR is an example of a separate tumble dryer to consider if you’re planning to connect a drain.
The CD08EHP05W-HR is a useful point of comparison if you’re looking for a separate heat pump tumble dryer.
These Joybuy options include separate heat pump tumble dryers and a washer-dryer for a single space. Before choosing, compare the stated capacity with your loads, and check the installation instructions against the space you have available.
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For drying laundry in a separate appliance without an exhaust duct to the outside. The specifications list an 8 kg capacity and a drain hose. Check the manual for connection requirements, dimensions and clearances, then compare programme times and energy use.
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For a space set aside for just one machine. The stated capacities are 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, so you’ll need to reduce a full washing load before drying it. Measure the space and compare the duration and energy use of the wash-and-dry cycle.
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A stated capacity of 10 kg is worth considering if you have large loads to dry. To work out where to put it, check the dimensions, clearances and how water is collected or drained. Also compare programme times and energy use.
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This separate appliance has a stated drying capacity of 8 kg and doesn’t need an exhaust duct to the outside. Check the manual for its dimensions, clearances and water drainage requirements, then look at the duration and energy use of the programmes you’re interested in.
No, not if you can’t install a suitable outlet in line with the manual. UFC-Que Choisir explains that a vented tumble dryer needs an opening to the outside or access to an air duct. Don’t assume it can be connected to your home’s ventilation system.
It depends on the model and how it’s connected. Some models have a drain hose: Siemens lists one for the WT43H00DFR. Check the manual for the appliance you choose and make sure there’s a suitable drain nearby before relying on this option.
No. UFC-Que Choisir recommends, among other things, choosing front-loading appliances of similar dimensions. Check which models are compatible with the kit, follow the installation instructions and make sure the setup is stable. The tumble dryer goes on top of the washing machine.
Not necessarily: UFC-Que Choisir says its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity. Compare the two figures for the model you’re considering. If your washing load is larger than its drying capacity, you’ll need to take some laundry out before drying.