Start with a washing machine with a suitable spin cycle if you can hang your laundry in a sufficiently well-ventilated room or one fitted with mechanical ventilation (VMC). If you often dry full loads and have the space and suitable electrical supply, a separate tumble dryer is more appropriate. A washer-dryer is best suited to situations where only one appliance space is available, bearing in mind its lower drying capacity and longer cycles.
You already have a washing machine, but your laundry stays indoors for a long time. The spin cycle, the amount of laundry per load and room ventilation become essential considerations before adding a tumble dryer. ADEME highlights the importance of effective spinning and a ventilated room for drying laundry indoors.
You have space for a washing machine and a separate tumble dryer, or for a compatible stacked arrangement, and want to dry full loads more regularly without relying on indoor air-drying. Check the electrical installation, dimensions and connections before making your choice.
You need to wash and dry your laundry within a single footprint. The drying capacity, which is often lower than the washing capacity of a washer-dryer, must match the amount of laundry you actually dry.
Consider this if you do not have room for a second appliance and can hang laundry in a large, well-ventilated room or one fitted with mechanical ventilation (VMC).
Good to know spinning reduces the amount of water left in the laundry, but does not remove the moisture released while it dries on a clothes airer.
Consider this if you regularly dry full loads and can install a second appliance or a compatible stacked arrangement.
Good to know a heat-pump model prioritises lower electricity consumption, while conventional models generally dry faster, according to Que Choisir.
Consider this when only one appliance space is available and your drying loads are compatible with the drying capacity.
Good to know the drying capacity is lower than the washing capacity, and drying takes longer than with a conventional tumble dryer, according to Que Choisir.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture and drying time | Compare the washing machine’s spin efficiency class, the capacity suited to your usual loads and the options for drying in a ventilated room or one with mechanical ventilation (VMC). | I want to limit the time wet laundry remains indoors. ADEME states that air-drying laundry indoors releases a significant amount of moisture and recommends a large, well-ventilated room or one fitted with extraction. |
| Usable capacity | Check the washing and drying capacities separately, in kg, on a washer-dryer. For a washing machine, compare the capacity with your usual laundry volume. | I want to avoid running small, underfilled loads or removing laundry before drying. A 9/6 kg washer-dryer can wash up to 9 kg but can only dry 6 kg in the same cycle. |
| Consumption and maintenance | Compare the drying technology, programme duration, energy label, condensate management and filter or condenser maintenance required, depending on the model. | I am looking for mechanical drying that suits my laundry routine and the maintenance tasks I can manage. Also check whether the condensed water is collected in a tank or can be drained away, depending on the installation. |
A washer-dryer may be able to wash more laundry than it can dry in the same cycle. With a 9/6 kg or 10/6 kg machine, a full washing load may require you to remove some laundry or split the drying into separate loads.
Choose the appliance according to your usual drying load, not just its washing capacity. Check both kg figures on the product details for the exact model.
A vented tumble dryer expels hot, damp air outside through a hose. Without a compatible opening, this solution is not suitable for the planned installation.
In a home without a dedicated external outlet, consider a condenser or heat-pump appliance instead. Check whether the water will be collected in a tank or drained through a compatible connection.
Even after an effective spin cycle, laundry hung indoors releases moisture into the air. ADEME recommends drying it in a large, well-ventilated room or one fitted with mechanical ventilation (VMC).
Combine a suitable spin cycle with reasonable loads and a ventilated room. If these conditions are not available for your regular washing, consider mechanical drying.
Washing machines, tumble dryers and washer-dryers require a suitable installation. Promotelec highlights requirements including safe zones, earthing and residual-current protection for a machine installed in a bathroom.
Measure the space and check the power supply before ordering. If you are unsure about the electrical installation or bathroom zones, have it checked by a qualified electrician rather than using a multi-plug adaptor or extension lead.
An example of a range of separate heat-pump tumble dryers sold in France, for households able to dedicate space to mechanical drying.
An example of washer-dryers for a single appliance space, with separate washing and drying capacities depending on the model.
An example of a separate 9 kg heat-pump tumble dryer featured on the brand’s French website.
An example of a 9/6 kg washer-dryer sold in France for households limited to a single appliance.
Joybuy options covering mechanical drying with a separate tumble dryer and washing with a spin cycle before indoor air-drying.
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Worth considering for mechanically drying everyday loads when you have a dedicated space.
Stated 8 kg capacity, heat-pump technology, delayed start, 2-in-1 Easy Cleaning filter and the option of direct connection to a drain.
Energy rating C is stated. Check the dimensions, electrical supply and compatibility of the drainage connection with your installation.
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Suitable for households looking for a separate 8 kg tumble dryer with condensed-water collection.
Stated 8 kg capacity, water collection tank, reversible door, OptiSense moisture sensors and dimensions of 60 × 65 × 85 cm.
Energy rating E is stated. Check the drying technology, required space, power supply and tank management before purchase.
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An option for a home where ventilated indoor drying is still possible but available depth is limited.
8 kg capacity, stated maximum spin speed of 1 400 rpm, 470 mm depth, energy rating A, 33 kWh/100 cycles and 38 L/cycle.
This model does not dry laundry and its stated spin efficiency class is B. Check the clearances, water connections and 220–240 V power supply.
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Worth considering for separate mechanical drying, with a stated double-layer lint filter.
Heat-pump technology, drying programmes, drying levels, a quick cycle, refresh programme and LED display are listed.
The capacity is stated inconsistently across the available information; check the nominal capacity, dimensions, noise level, condensate management and installation requirements for the exact model. Energy rating D is stated.
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An option for washing family-sized loads before air-drying them in a well-ventilated room.
Stated 9 kg capacity, maximum spin speed of 1 400 rpm, energy rating A, 44 kWh/100 cycles, 50 L/cycle and a depth of 55 cm, or 63 cm including the door.
This washing machine does not replace a tumble dryer and its stated spin efficiency class is B. Check the space required with the door open, the connections and the electrical installation.
It can reduce drying time, but does not eliminate the moisture released by laundry hung up indoors. ADEME recommends a large, well-ventilated room or one fitted with a mechanical ventilation outlet, and advises choosing spin efficiency class A when laundry needs to dry quickly indoors or before being put in a tumble dryer.
Because it is generally lower than the washing capacity. Que Choisir highlights this difference, illustrated by 9/6 kg and 10/6 kg models: a full washing load may mean removing some laundry before drying or running several drying cycles.
Not for a condenser tumble dryer: the extracted water is collected in a tank or can be directed to a drain if the model and connection allow it. A vented tumble dryer, however, requires an opening to the outside for its hot, damp-air hose.
This installation requires an electrical check beforehand. Promotelec states that a machine must be outside zones 0, 1, 2 and the concealed zone, be earthed and powered by a circuit protected by a 30 mA residual-current device.
For a new or upgraded installation, Promotelec states that a dedicated circuit should be provided for each appliance. Washing machines and tumble dryers are among the appliances supplied by 16 A or 20 A circuits. Have the suitability of the existing installation confirmed, particularly if both appliances operate in the same area.