If you still dry your laundry on an indoor airer, start by comparing your washing machine’s spin efficiency. ADEME recommends class A if you want your laundry to dry quickly indoors. A washer-dryer is better suited to homes short on space, provided you load it according to its drying capacity, which is lower than its washing capacity, according to UFC-Que Choisir. If you regularly have loads to dry without using an airer, consider a separate tumble dryer after checking the available space and installation requirements.
If you plan to keep drying your laundry on an airer indoors, spin efficiency deserves particular attention. ADEME recommends checking the spin efficiency class to speed up indoor drying. You should also choose a capacity that suits your usual laundry loads.
A washer-dryer combines both functions, so there’s no need to move your laundry between machines. However, UFC-Que Choisir points out that its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity, so it may not be able to dry a full wash load in one go.
If you want to rely less on an airer for frequent or large laundry loads, consider a separate tumble dryer. When choosing a model, take its energy use, programme duration and installation requirements into account.
Start with how you want to dry your laundry, then compare the capacities and cycle information with the space you have available. The needs below reflect three distinct buying priorities.
| Priority | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Spinning before air-drying | Compare the spin efficiency class and choose a capacity suited to your usual laundry loads. ADEME recommends class A spin efficiency for faster indoor drying. | If I’m keeping my airer, I want my laundry to come out with less water in it, without choosing an unnecessarily large drum. Around 40% of consumers prioritise spin efficiency before air-drying. |
| Washing and drying in one machine | Check the washing and drying capacities separately, then look at the information for the combined cycle. UFC-Que Choisir reminds shoppers that the permitted drying load is smaller. | If I only have room for one appliance, I prioritise being able to run both functions in sequence, even if I have to reduce the drying load. Saving space is the main priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Drying in a separate appliance | Check the capacity, programme duration and energy use. For a vented model, UFC-Que Choisir says you’ll need an external vent or an air duct. | With frequent or large laundry loads, I want to rely less on an airer and can make room for a dedicated drying appliance. Around 30% of consumers put dedicated drying at the top of their list. |
A large drum won’t, on its own, make laundry dry faster on an airer. ADEME says a capacity of 7 kg is often enough and recommends considering spin efficiency too.
Start with the size of your usual laundry loads, then compare the spin efficiency class, noise level and reference cycle duration.
As UFC-Que Choisir points out, a washer-dryer’s drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity.
Check both stated capacities and plan combined cycles around the drying limit.
A load that exceeds this limit may need to be split, with extra cycles to follow.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, this type of appliance needs an opening to the outside or access to an air duct.
Check that this is possible before choosing a vented model. Otherwise, look at condenser tumble dryers.
The stated programme duration doesn’t tell you everything about a tumble dryer’s electricity use. UFC-Que Choisir notes, in particular, the low energy consumption of heat pump models.
Compare the duration and energy-use information for the programmes suited to the fabrics you’ll dry regularly.
These appliances illustrate the three uses covered: washing before air-drying, combining washing and drying in one machine, or drying in a separate appliance. Compare their capacities and check the installation requirements that matter in your home.
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Worth considering if you want to wash and dry in one appliance. Its stated capacity is 11 kg for washing but 6 kg for drying, so adjust the load before using both functions in sequence.
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If you want an appliance dedicated to drying, this model has a stated capacity of 8 kg and a C energy rating. Before choosing it, compare the duration and energy use of the programmes your household needs, then measure the space required.
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Worth comparing if you’ll continue to air-dry your laundry indoors. Its stated capacity is 7 kg. To assess how well it spins laundry before air-drying, check its spin efficiency class separately rather than relying on the 1,400 rpm speed alone.
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This freestanding appliance combines washing and drying. Its stated capacity is 10 kg for washing and 7 kg for drying. If you use a combined cycle, size the load according to the latter figure and check that you have enough room to install it.
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Another option for combining both functions in one appliance, this model has a stated capacity of 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. Bear this difference in mind when running consecutive cycles, and check the dimensions and wash-and-dry cycle information before deciding.
First, check its spin efficiency class: ADEME recommends class A to speed up indoor drying. Then compare the capacity with your usual loads, along with the noise level, duration and energy use of the reference cycle.
Not necessarily: UFC-Que Choisir says the drying capacity is lower than the washing capacity. Check both figures and limit the load to the drying capacity if you want to run both cycles in sequence without taking any laundry out.
Consider condenser models, with or without a heat pump. According to UFC-Que Choisir, a vented tumble dryer needs an external opening or an air duct. Then compare the energy use and programme duration of models that are suitable for your room.
Compare information for the same type of use, rather than comparing a wash-only cycle with a wash-and-dry cycle. The European Commission notes, for example, that washing machine labels show energy consumption per 100 cycles and water consumption per cycle. For a washer-dryer, distinguish between the information for washing and that for the combined cycle.