If you can dry your laundry on an airer in a well-ventilated room, start by checking your washing machine’s spin-drying efficiency. ADEME recommends class A when you need laundry to dry quickly indoors. If you do laundry frequently, consider a separate tumble dryer if you have room to install one. If you only have space for one appliance, a washer-dryer could be a good option, provided you compare its drying capacity, full-cycle duration and energy and water consumption.
If you can leave laundry to dry on an airer in a well-ventilated room, check your washing machine’s spin-drying efficiency before adding another appliance. ADEME highlights its benefits for indoor drying, while ANSES recommends using a well-ventilated room for drying laundry.
If you need to dry laundry between closely spaced washes and have room for another appliance, a separate tumble dryer lets you organise your drying without being limited to a washer-dryer’s capacity. You should still check the permitted load and installation requirements for the model you choose.
A washer-dryer combines both functions in one appliance. Check its washing and drying capacities separately, then see whether the full-cycle duration suits your laundry routine.
Consider this if: you have time to dry laundry on an airer in a well-ventilated room and don’t want to make space for a second appliance.
Bear in mind: even after an effective spin, laundry still needs to be left to dry on an airer, and the room needs to be ventilated.
Consider this if: you do several loads in quick succession and have room to install a dedicated appliance.
Bear in mind: the space it takes up, filter maintenance and water management, depending on the model.
Consider this if: you only have space for one appliance to wash and dry your laundry.
Bear in mind: the drying capacity may be lower than the washing capacity, so you might need to remove some laundry before drying.
| Criterion | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Spin-drying and ventilation | Check the spin-drying efficiency class, not just the maximum spin speed. If you dry laundry on an airer, use a well-ventilated room, as ANSES recommends. | I can leave my laundry to dry in a ventilated room, but I’d like it to come out of the washing machine less damp. ADEME recommends choosing class A spin-drying efficiency when laundry needs to dry quickly indoors. |
| Drying capacity | Compare the washing and drying capacities of a washer-dryer. For a separate appliance, check that its stated capacity suits the size of your usual loads. | If I wash a full load, I want to know whether it can also be dried in one go. For example, Electrolux lists a 9 kg washing capacity and a 5 kg drying capacity for its EW7W4954DS washer-dryer. These figures apply to this model. |
| Cycle duration and consumption | Check which programme, load and type of cycle each figure relates to. The European Commission explains that the label for washing machines and washer-dryers includes information such as consumption per 100 cycles, water consumption and cycle duration. | I do several loads in quick succession, so the duration of a wash-only cycle doesn’t tell me when washed and dried laundry will be ready. I’ll compare full cycles with equivalent loads. |
| Space and maintenance | Check the appliance’s dimensions, clearance requirements and installation instructions. For a tumble dryer, check how water is managed and whether the filters are easy to access. | I need to be able to open the door and maintain the appliance where it’s going to be installed, without assuming that stacking or a connection is possible. |
A washer-dryer may take a larger load for washing than for drying. Electrolux lists capacities of 9 kg and 5 kg respectively for the EW7W4954DS. That means a 9 kg wash load cannot be dried in one go in this model.
Compare both capacities with the amount of laundry you want to wash and then dry without removing any items between cycles.
A more effective spin leaves less moisture in your laundry, but if you’re drying it on an airer, you’ll still need a well-ventilated room, as ANSES advises.
Decide where you’ll dry your laundry and make sure you don’t block the air inlets.
A wash-only duration doesn’t tell you how long a full wash-and-dry cycle takes. For example, Electrolux lists a duration of 6 h 20 for the EW7W4954DS Eco 40-60 wash-and-dry cycle.
For each appliance, make sure the duration and consumption figures match the programme, cycle type and load stated on its product information sheet.
Managing condensed water and cleaning the filters are part of using some models. Miele says its TWD640WP has reminders to empty the tank and clean the filters.
Check the instructions for the model you’re considering to find out how to access the filters, manage the water and install the appliance.
These range and model examples can help you identify which features to compare; they don’t cover every appliance from each brand.
On its French website, Bosch features 8 kg and 9 kg heat pump tumble dryers.
Miele lists the TWD640WP as a 9 kg heat pump tumble dryer.
The Electrolux EW7W4954DS washer-dryer is listed with a washing capacity of 9 kg and a drying capacity of 5 kg.
This selection includes separate tumble dryers and a washing machine for use with an airer. To decide which option suits you, compare each product’s details with the space you have, the size of your laundry loads and, if drying laundry indoors, whether you can ventilate the room.
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A separate appliance to consider if you have room to dry loads without relying solely on an airer. This model is listed with an 8 kg capacity and a class C energy rating. It has a filter accessible through the door and can be connected directly to a drain. Check the dimensions and connection requirements for your chosen location.
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This separate tumble dryer is worth considering if you want to collect water in a tank. Its product information lists an 8 kg capacity, OptiSense sensors that adjust the cycle duration according to the detected moisture level, and dimensions of 60 × 65 × 85 cm. Check how much clearance the appliance needs and compare its consumption with equivalent reference cycles.
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This model offers separate drying for households that want to rely less on an airer. The title and product information list an 8 kg capacity, a class D energy rating and three drying levels. Before choosing, check the programme durations, consumption and dimensions for this specific model.
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Worth considering if you plan to keep drying laundry indoors and have limited depth: the product information lists a depth of 47 cm. The maximum spin speed is 1,400 rpm, but its stated spin-drying efficiency class is B, not the class A recommended by ADEME for faster indoor drying. Laundry will still need to be dried in a well-ventilated room.
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This is another separate tumble dryer option, listed with a class D energy rating. Check its capacity before buying: the title and English description state 10 kg, while the detailed product information says 8 kg. Confirm the capacity on the label for the exact model, then check the dimensions, programmes and installation requirements.
ANSES advises drying laundry in a well-ventilated room when drying it indoors. Keep air inlets clear and make sure the ventilation is working. An effective spin cycle isn’t a substitute for taking this precaution.
Not necessarily. Check its drying capacity separately from its washing capacity. For example, Electrolux lists a washing capacity of 9 kg and a drying capacity of 5 kg for the EW7W4954DS. With this model, you’ll need to reduce any wash load over 5 kg before starting the corresponding drying cycle.
Compare figures for the same type of cycle and similar loads. The European Commission says these appliances’ labels include information such as the energy efficiency class, energy consumption per 100 cycles, water consumption, duration and noise level. Also check whether the figure relates to washing only or to washing followed by drying.