If you already have space to hang your laundry, first check whether your washing machine and spin cycle meet your needs before adding another appliance. A washer-dryer saves the space taken up by two machines, but usually dries less laundry than it can wash; a separate tumble dryer needs its own space. If your laundry still dries indoors, ADEME points out that this releases moisture into your home. Check that you have suitable ventilation and airflow, too.
If there’s no room in your flat for two appliances or a permanent clothes airer, it’s worth comparing a washer-dryer with your current setup. However, UFC-Que Choisir points out that washer-dryers have a lower drying capacity than washing capacity.
The space taken up by damp laundry and the options for airing the room matter just as much as your choice of machine. ADEME says that air-drying laundry releases moisture into your home.
If the appliance is near a living area, compare the stated noise levels for the spin or drying cycle and think about where you’ll put it. If you’re considering a tumble dryer, check the manual to find out about the filters, condenser and other maintenance tasks.
Your choice depends first on the space available for drying laundry or installing a second appliance, and then on how much you need to dry. You could also consider a dehumidifier if you still need to dry laundry indoors, but it isn’t a substitute for suitable ventilation.
Worth considering: if you have space to air your laundry and want to start by choosing a wash and spin cycle to suit your loads.
Bear in mind: your laundry will still need to dry indoors; according to ADEME, this releases moisture into your home.
Worth considering: if there isn’t room for two appliances and you can manage drying in smaller loads.
Bear in mind: UFC-Que Choisir says drying capacity is lower than washing capacity. Check both figures for the model you choose.
Worth considering: if you regularly dry large loads and have a suitable space for the appliance.
Bear in mind: installation and maintenance depend on the type of appliance. Check the manual’s requirements before you buy.
| Consideration | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture from indoor drying | Where you dry your laundry, options for airing the room and your home’s ventilation. | When laundry stays on the airer for a long time, I want to keep it out of the room without overlooking how to remove damp air. Around 26% of consumers rank this need as a priority. |
| Available space | Appliance dimensions, door clearance and the space needed for installation. | In a small flat, I need to fit in washing and drying without blocking access; for around 21% of consumers, saving space comes before other considerations. |
| Amount of laundry | Drying capacity in kg, which differs from washing capacity, and the load limit for the programme you use. | With frequent washing, I want to avoid splitting every load across several drying cycles. Drying more laundry at a time is a priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Noise | Stated noise levels for the spin or drying cycle and where the appliance will be placed. | If the machine runs near rooms in use, I want to choose times that work with the noise it makes. This is the top consideration for around 16% of consumers. |
| Energy use and maintenance | The energy label for the cycle in question and the maintenance tasks listed in the manual. | For regular use, I want to compare energy use and the maintenance I’ll be able to keep up with over time. Around 16% of consumers prioritise these points. |
As UFC-Que Choisir points out, a washer-dryer has a lower load limit for drying than for washing. So you won’t always be able to dry a full wash load in one go.
Compare both capacities in kg for the exact model and plan your loads around its drying capacity.
You may need to take some laundry out or run another cycle.
According to Miele’s technical guidance, this type of appliance needs access to the outside. Make sure this is possible in the room where you plan to install it.
Read the installation instructions for your chosen model and confirm what connections are needed before you order.
ADEME identifies air-drying laundry as a significant source of moisture in the air inside your home. Keeping a clothes airer is still an option, but you’ll need to plan for it according to your home.
Check the options for airing the room and the ventilation where you regularly dry laundry.
Maintenance tasks vary by appliance. For the models covered by its guidance, Electrolux recommends regularly checking the condenser and its compartment, among other things.
Check the maintenance section of the manual and choose an appliance whose required tasks you can keep up with.
Set aside time for cleaning and, depending on the drainage option, emptying the water tank.
Worth considering when comparing heat pump tumble dryers, particularly if noise is a factor in choosing where to put the appliance.
Worth looking at if you need a washer-dryer that combines both functions in the space of a single appliance.
Worth comparing when choosing a washer-dryer, if the amount of laundry you need to process matters as much as the space it takes up.
A useful source of information on the installation requirements for different types of tumble dryer.
These appliances offer two ways to avoid drying laundry indoors: combine washing and drying in a washer-dryer, or add a separate heat pump tumble dryer. Compare their drying capacities and check how much space you’ll need for installation.
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Dry your laundry in a separate appliance instead of on an indoor clothes airer. It has a stated capacity of 8 kg and an indicated C energy rating.
You’ll need a separate space from your washing machine. Check the dimensions and installation requirements in the manual.
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Combine washing and drying in one appliance when there isn’t room for two machines. It has a stated capacity of 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying.
You may need to split a full wash load before drying it. Check the dimensions and required connections, too.
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Get both functions in a single appliance. This model is listed with a capacity of 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, and a D energy rating in its title.
Plan your loads around the drying capacity and check the energy label for the cycle you intend to use.
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Add a separate machine for drying laundry. It has a stated capacity of 8 kg and an indicated D energy rating.
Before you buy, check the available space, the installation instructions and the maintenance required for this model.
Not always: as UFC-Que Choisir explains, drying capacity is generally lower than washing capacity. Check both figures in kg for the model you choose, and be prepared to remove some laundry if the load exceeds the drying limit.
No. As Miele’s technical guidance explains, installation depends in part on whether you can vent air outside. Check the model’s manual and the layout of the room before choosing this type of appliance.
Yes, but the exact tasks vary by model. For the appliances covered by its guidance, Electrolux recommends checking the condenser and its compartment at least once a month. Check your appliance’s manual for information about filters and other tasks.
No. ADEME says that air-drying laundry releases moisture into your home, and that mechanical ventilation continuously removes moisture. Check the options for airing the room and the ventilation where you dry your laundry.