If you want your laundry to come out of the machine dry, and you can install a second appliance in line with its instructions, consider a separate tumble dryer. If you only have room for one appliance, a washer-dryer could work, provided its drying capacity is sufficient for your loads. A washing machine with an effective spin cycle still leaves you with the task of finding somewhere to dry your clothes in the flat.
The space you have and the amount of laundry you need to dry matter more than the washing capacity alone.
If a second appliance would block your way, compare washer-dryers by their drying capacity. Models from Electrolux, Bosch and Haier list drying capacity separately from washing capacity, so you may not be able to dry a full wash load without taking some clothes out first.
If you can set aside space for a tumble dryer, a dedicated appliance lets you manage drying separately from washing. Check its dimensions and the clearances specified in the instructions. If you’re considering stacking the appliances, make sure the stacking kit is compatible with both machines.
If you have somewhere to hang your laundry and can wait for it to dry, a washing machine on its own means you won’t need another appliance. ADEME says an effective spin cycle helps clothes dry more quickly; you’ll still need to hang them up afterwards.
First, decide whether you need your laundry to come out of a machine dry. Then check how much you need to dry and whether your planned installation works with the specifications of the exact model.
Consider this if: you can hang your laundry up in the flat and wait for it to dry.
The trade-off: spinning removes some of the water from your clothes, but they won’t be dry when the cycle ends.
Consider this if: you regularly dry large loads and have space that meets the requirements in the instructions.
The trade-off: a second appliance takes up space. Stacking requires a kit designed for the exact combination of machines.
Consider this if: you only have room for one appliance and want to wash and dry in the same machine.
The trade-off: models listed by Electrolux, Bosch and Haier have a lower drying capacity than washing capacity, so you may need to split a full load.
| Factor | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| End of the cycle | Decide whether a spin cycle followed by hanging your clothes up is enough, or whether you need a machine-drying cycle. With a washer-dryer, check which programme actually runs washing and drying in sequence. | I can wait for my laundry to dry indoors, or I need it to come out of the machine dry without hanging it up. |
| Drying capacity | Compare the washing and drying capacities, listed separately in kg. For example, Electrolux lists 9 kg for washing and 5 kg for drying on the EW7W4954CA. | I need to be able to dry a typical wash load without taking some clothes out, or I can split the load across several cycles. |
| Cycles and energy use | For a washer-dryer, check the figures for the mode you’ll use. According to the European Commission, the label includes information such as energy use per 100 cycles, water use per cycle and cycle duration. Compare tumble dryers using data for the same reference programme. | If I plan to use the wash-and-dry cycle regularly, its duration and energy-use figures matter more to me than those for washing alone. |
| Space | Measure the available space and check the clearances required in the instructions. If you plan to stack the machines, check which models the kit is compatible with. Electrolux limits the cited kit to certain front-loading appliances 47 to 60 cm deep and requires you to check compatibility by PNC number. | I need to keep the walkway clear and install the appliances as instructed, even if their dimensions seem suitable. |
| Water collection | For a condenser tumble dryer, check whether water collects in a tank or can be drained away, then consult the installation instructions. | I’m happy to empty a tank, or I’d prefer to check whether I can connect the dryer to a suitable drain. |
Models listed by Electrolux and Haier include capacities of 9/5 kg and 10/6 kg for washing/drying. A full wash load may therefore be too large to dry in one go.
Compare your usual load with the drying capacity, and check the duration of the combined programme for the model you’re considering.
Two appliances with a similar width aren’t necessarily compatible for stacking. The stacking kit described by Electrolux is intended for certain front-loading appliances 47 to 60 cm deep and requires a compatibility check by PNC number.
Read the instructions for both machines and confirm which kit is designed for their exact model numbers before planning a stacked installation.
You’ll also need to have the compatible kit and enough space for the complete installation.
The permitted load, suitable fabrics and cycle duration depend on the programme for the model you choose. A feature listed in the specifications doesn’t, by itself, tell you what to expect from every cycle.
Check the instructions for the conditions of the programme you plan to use, then compare the figures for that load and mode.
These manufacturer models can help you identify which features to compare. They don’t determine how much space you’ll need at home or which appliance is right for you.
Bosch France’s catalogues include both heat-pump tumble dryers and washer-dryers to compare.
Electrolux France’s product details and instructions can help you check a washer-dryer’s capacity and the installation requirements for a tumble dryer.
The Haier HWD100-B14939 washer-dryer is a good example of why you should check both capacities as well as the depth.
The Miele TSA523WP is a useful benchmark when comparing dedicated heat-pump tumble dryers.
This selection includes washer-dryers for homes with space for just one appliance, and separate tumble dryers if you can install a second machine. For each model, compare the listed capacity with your usual loads and check the instructions before deciding where to put it.
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This washer-dryer suits homes with room for just one appliance. Its product title lists an 11 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity. If you wash a load of more than 6 kg, you’ll need to take some clothes out before drying. Check the duration and figures for the wash-and-dry cycle, as well as the clearances required for your installation.
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This separate tumble dryer is worth considering if you have room for a second appliance and want to dry loads separately from washing. Its product title lists an 8 kg capacity. Check its dimensions, the clearances in the instructions and the figures for the programme you’ll use.
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Designed for a single appliance space, this model lists a 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity. A full wash load may therefore need to be reduced before drying. Check the figures for the combined cycle and the model’s installation requirements.
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This washer-dryer lists an 8 kg washing capacity, a 5 kg drying capacity and a spin speed of 1 400 tr/min. Use its drying capacity to work out the size of a load you want to wash and dry in one go. Confirm the exact dimensions before buying, as the measurements in the model descriptions don’t match.
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This separate tumble dryer lists an 8 kg capacity and uses condenser technology. Before setting aside space for it, check its drying technology, dimensions and clearance requirements in the instructions, along with how it handles condensed water. Also compare the figures for the programme you’ll use.
No. According to the European Commission, a condenser tumble dryer doesn’t need to vent air outside, unlike a vented model. Depending on the appliance and its installation, condensed water is collected in a tank or drained away. Also check the clearance and maintenance requirements in the instructions.
Matching widths aren’t enough to confirm that two appliances are compatible. Use a kit designed for the models in question and follow the instructions. The kit described by Electrolux is intended for certain front-loading appliances 47 to 60 cm deep and requires a compatibility check by PNC number.
Only if it’s also within the model’s drying capacity. The Electrolux, Bosch and Haier washer-dryer specifications cited here list lower drying capacities than washing capacities. Compare your usual load with both figures, or plan to take some clothes out before starting the drying cycle.
Check the figures for the mode you’ll use, especially those for washing and drying if you plan to run the cycles one after the other. The European Commission says the washer-dryer label includes information such as energy classes, energy use per 100 cycles, water use per cycle and cycle duration. The washing-only energy class doesn’t describe the combined cycle.