If you dry clothes on an airer in a well-ventilated room, start by comparing your washing machine’s spin efficiency: ADEME recommends choosing a model with an A spin efficiency rating. If frequent washing or the space taken up by an airer makes this difficult, consider a tumble dryer based on its capacity, energy consumption, installation requirements and how it handles condensed water. In either case, the appliance is no substitute for airing the room or having effective ventilation in your home.
An effective spin cycle can help reduce the time clothes spend on the airer, but the room still needs to be well ventilated. Also compare the washing machine’s noise level and energy consumption figures. ADEME recommends checking its spin efficiency rating.
A tumble dryer lets you dry clothes without using an indoor airer. To see if one suits your home and laundry routine, check its capacity, energy label, noise level and how condensed water is drained or collected.
A washer-dryer combines washing and drying in one appliance, but you’ll need to compare its two capacities. For example, the French product page for the Electrolux EW9W1166RB lists a 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity.
Start by considering how well ventilated the room is. Then choose between an airer, a separate tumble dryer or a washer-dryer, based on the space available and how much laundry you need to dry.
Consider this if: you have a well-ventilated room and can leave your laundry to dry on an airer.
Bear in mind: drying clothes naturally releases moisture into your home, as ADEME points out.
Consider this if: you’d rather machine-dry your loads than leave them on an indoor airer, and have room for a second appliance.
Bear in mind: an additional electricity-consuming cycle, handling condensed water and carrying out the maintenance specified in the instructions.
Consider this if: you can only install one appliance and also want to machine-dry your laundry.
Bear in mind: you may need to split a washed load before drying if the drying capacity is lower than the washing capacity.
| Criteria | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Ventilation and humidity | Check that the room where you use the airer can be well ventilated and that the ventilation system is working. ANSES recommends drying clothes outside if possible, or in a well-ventilated room. | If I dry clothes indoors, I need to be able to air the room. Changing appliances won’t, by itself, solve a ventilation problem. |
| Spin efficiency and drying time | Compare the washing machine’s spin efficiency rating, then check its noise level and energy consumption figures on the label. ADEME recommends choosing an A spin efficiency rating; rpm alone isn’t enough to compare two models. | My laundry spends a long time on the airer, so I want to check how damp it is after washing before deciding whether machine drying would better suit my routine. |
| Capacity and cycles | Compare the drying capacity with the size of your usual loads, and check the duration of the relevant programme. For a washer-dryer, check the washing and drying capacities separately. | I want to dry my loads without having to split them after every wash. If space is limited, I could consider a washer-dryer, bearing its drying capacity in mind. |
| Energy consumption | For a tumble dryer, check the energy label for the specific model and compare its energy consumption, capacity and programme duration on a like-for-like basis. The European Commission Representation in France says a revised label has been guiding EU consumers since 1 July 2025. | I want to factor in the electricity used for drying, rather than judging consumption by the technology name or energy rating alone. |
| Installation and maintenance | Check the space required and the installation instructions. The European Commission explains that a condenser tumble dryer doesn’t need an external air vent. Check the model’s instructions to see how it handles condensed water. | I need to be able to install the appliance, access the parts that need maintaining and manage the water tank or drainage connection provided. |
Maximum spin speed doesn’t tell you everything about spin efficiency. If your clothes will be finished on an airer, this is an important factor when comparing washing machines.
First, check the spin efficiency rating on the energy label, then compare noise, water and energy figures. ADEME recommends choosing an A spin efficiency rating.
Choosing a drying appliance and renewing the air in your home are two separate matters. ADEME points out that ventilation removes moisture and pollutants from your home.
Check that air inlets aren’t blocked and that the ventilation system is working. If it seems faulty, have it checked separately from your choice of appliance.
The French product page for the Electrolux EW9W1166RB lists a 10 kg washing capacity but a 6 kg drying capacity. This means a full wash load needs to be split before machine drying.
For a washer-dryer, size your loads according to the model’s drying capacity, not just its washing capacity.
A condenser tumble dryer needs to let you manage the water it collects. The tank’s location, drainage options and maintenance requirements vary by model.
Before buying, check the product information and instructions to see how water is collected, whether the filters are easy to access and what the installation requirements are.
These manufacturers’ product ranges can help you identify features to compare; they don’t guarantee that a particular model is available on Joybuy.
Bosch Home Appliances France features heat pump tumble dryers, including the 8 kg WQG24502FR.
Miele France features tumble dryers with capacities of 7, 8 and 9 kg.
Electrolux’s French product pages include the EW9W1166RB washer-dryer and the EDHF5841EC tumble dryer.
These options include two tumble dryers for machine drying and a washing machine for households that still use an airer. Compare each appliance based on the space available and how you prefer to dry your laundry.
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Worth considering if you’d rather machine-dry your loads than use an indoor airer. The model name indicates an 8 kg capacity and a C energy rating. Check the product page for programme durations, energy consumption and the dimensions needed for installation.
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An option for machine drying, with a stated capacity of 8 kg. Check the instructions to see how condensed water is collected or drained, as well as the drying technology, programme durations and installation requirements for the model on sale.
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Worth comparing if you’ll continue drying your laundry on an airer in a well-ventilated room: this washing machine doesn’t dry clothes. As well as the 1,400 rpm stated in its name, check its spin efficiency rating on the energy label before deciding whether it suits this use.
No. Compare the spin efficiency rating on the energy label: ADEME recommends choosing an A rating for spin efficiency. Then check the model’s noise level and energy consumption figures, rather than judging it by its maximum spin speed alone.
No. A tumble dryer changes how you dry your laundry, not how your home is ventilated. ANSES recommends drying clothes outside if possible, or in a well-ventilated room. ADEME also points out that ventilation removes moisture and pollutants.
Check the available space and how the model handles condensed water in its instructions. The European Commission says a condenser tumble dryer doesn’t need an external air vent. You should still check the water tank, any drainage connection and the maintenance instructions for the appliance you choose.
Check the label for the specific model, then compare its energy consumption, capacity and programme duration with your usual loads. The European Commission Representation in France says a revised energy label has been guiding EU consumers since 1 July 2025.
Not necessarily: compare its washing and drying capacities separately. The French product page for the Electrolux EW9W1166RB lists a 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity, so a full wash load needs to be split before machine drying.