If you regularly dry full loads and have space for an additional appliance, choose a heat pump tumble dryer with a capacity that suits the amount of laundry you do. If you only have room for one appliance, a washer-dryer could be a good fit, provided its drying capacity is sufficient. Compare the duration, water use and electricity consumption of the combined cycle, not just the washing figures.
If you do several loads of laundry in a row, start by working out how much you need to dry in each cycle, then check how long the relevant programme takes. A dedicated tumble dryer has its own drying capacity, which should still be suited to your usual loads.
A washer-dryer combines both functions in one machine. According to UFC-Que Choisir, its drying capacity is generally lower than its washing capacity. Check how much laundry you can actually wash and then dry without removing any items.
Compare the figures for the programme you plan to use, rather than assuming a shorter cycle uses less energy. To keep your appliance working as intended, you should also clean the parts specified in its manual.
Consider it if: you have room for a separate appliance and regularly dry loads that suit its capacity.
Bear in mind: you’ll need space to install a second appliance, and cycles can take a long time.
Consider it if: you only have room for one appliance and your laundry fits within the capacity of the combined cycle.
Bear in mind: the drying capacity is often lower than the washing capacity, so you may need to remove some laundry before drying.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Load size and frequency | Compare the drying capacity in kg and the programme duration for your load, rather than looking only at the washing capacity. | When I’m doing several loads in a row, I want to dry one load before starting the next. Around 40% of consumers would make drying speed their top priority. |
| Available space | Measure the space available, including room to open the door. For a two-in-one appliance, check the capacity of the wash-and-dry cycle. | With room for only one appliance, I’d rather combine washing and drying, even if that means drying a smaller load. Saving space would be the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Energy use and maintenance | Check the electricity figures and, for the combined cycle, water use. Also read the model’s cleaning instructions. | If I dry laundry often, I want to know what resources my cycles use and be able to maintain the appliance. Keeping energy use under control would come first for around 30% of consumers. |
A washer-dryer may be able to wash more laundry than it can dry in a continuous cycle. For the WNG24402FR and F964V52IRSA models, Bosch and LG each state a washing capacity of 9 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg.
Check both capacities for the model you’re considering. If you want to run a wash-and-dry cycle without stopping, size your loads according to the lower figure.
A washer-dryer’s wash-and-dry cycle has its own duration, water-use and electricity figures. The figures for washing alone therefore don’t describe this cycle.
Compare the figures for the cycle you plan to use on the model’s label and product information sheet.
UFC-Que Choisir highlights energy use and cycle duration as trade-offs when choosing a tumble dryer: a heat pump model can take a long time to complete a cycle.
If you need to dry several loads in a day, consider the stated programme duration, capacity and energy use together.
Cleaning requirements vary from one appliance to another. UFC-Que Choisir notes that neglecting certain parts of the tumble dryers it tested can lengthen cycles and increase energy use.
Check the model’s manual to find out which filters and other parts need cleaning, and how often.
These examples show features to compare on the product information for specific models. They don’t necessarily reflect the features of other appliances from the same brands.
Bosch’s washer-dryer range includes the WNG24402FR, an example of a machine that combines washing and drying.
The F964V52IRSA washer-dryer lets you compare washing and drying specifications separately.
The TEA525WP 8kg Active is an example of a dedicated heat pump tumble dryer.
The GentleCare 600 EW6HI5829SB is an example from the brand’s range of dedicated heat pump tumble dryers.
These appliances cover the two options discussed here: a separate heat pump tumble dryer or a machine that washes and dries. To choose between models, start with the load you need to dry and the space available, then compare the figures for the cycle that suits your needs.
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Worth considering if you have room for a dedicated appliance and want to dry loads that suit its stated capacity.
Energy rating C. Before choosing, compare the duration and energy use of the Eco programme, then check the space needed for installation.
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Another dedicated appliance to consider for loads that fit its stated capacity.
Energy rating D. Before comparing it with another tumble dryer, check the Eco programme’s duration and energy use, the dimensions and the model’s maintenance instructions.
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Consider it if you’d prefer one appliance for washing and drying, and a 6 kg drying capacity meets your needs.
Its stated drying capacity is lower than its 10 kg washing capacity, so a full wash load will need to be reduced before drying. Also check the duration, water and electricity use of the combined cycle, along with the installation dimensions.
Not always: its drying capacity may be lower than its washing capacity. Check both figures for the specific model. If it can wash more than it can dry, reduce the load for a continuous cycle or plan to dry some laundry separately.
Compare the drying capacity, cycle duration, electricity use and water use for the combined cycle. The figures for washing alone relate to a different use and aren’t enough to assess drying performance.
A condenser tumble dryer doesn’t need the external air vent required by a vented model. However, check the manual to see how water is collected or drained, and what installation requirements apply to the appliance you choose.
Follow the model’s manual for cleaning the filters and other accessible parts. UFC-Que Choisir found that, on several tested appliances, failing to clean certain parts could lengthen cycles and increase energy use. The effects varied between models.