If you regularly dry full loads and have space for a second appliance, consider a heat-pump condenser tumble dryer. If space is limited, a washer-dryer combines both functions, but its drying capacity may be lower than its washing capacity. Air-drying is still an option if you have a large, well-ventilated room or one with mechanical ventilation extraction, as recommended by ADEME.
If you can install a dedicated appliance, compare its drying capacity with the size of your usual loads. For frequent use, Que Choisir also recommends considering energy consumption by technology and model, rather than choosing on capacity alone.
A washer-dryer combines washing and drying in one appliance. Check its drying capacity and the length of the full cycle, though: these will determine whether you can get through your laundry without splitting the load.
You can keep using an airer if you have a large, well-ventilated room or one with mechanical ventilation extraction, in line with ADEME’s recommendations. If damp persists or mould appears, choosing an appliance is no substitute for having your home checked.
Start by checking where your laundry can dry. The space available and the ventilation may rule out some options before you even compare capacities and cycles.
Consider this if: a dedicated appliance will fit in your home and you regularly dry large loads without an external air outlet.
Bear in mind: cycle times vary by programme and model. Compare the time with energy consumption for the load you’re interested in.
Consider this if: you have room for a dedicated tumble dryer, but no external air outlet.
Bear in mind: Que Choisir distinguishes its energy consumption from that of heat-pump models. Compare figures for similar models and cycles.
Consider this if: you can’t fit a washing machine and tumble dryer separately.
Bear in mind: its drying capacity may be lower than its washing capacity, and you’ll need to check the length and energy consumption of a full cycle.
Keep using this option if: you genuinely have a large, well-ventilated room or one with mechanical ventilation extraction.
Keep an eye on: ADEME highlights the moisture released by laundry drying indoors. This option won’t fix a leak or faulty ventilation.
| Main concern | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Damp and living areas | Measure the space needed for an appliance or airer. If you’re air-drying, check the room’s ventilation or extraction. | If damp laundry takes up living space for a long time, freeing up that space becomes the priority; around 36% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Energy use | Compare the energy consumption, load size and programme shown on the energy label and in EPREL. | If you do laundry frequently, the energy used by each cycle matters when choosing an appliance; around 29% of consumers would make this their main concern. |
| One space for an appliance | For a washer-dryer, check the washing and drying capacities separately, then make sure you have enough room with the door open. | In a home that can only accommodate one appliance, combining both functions comes ahead of other factors for around 21% of consumers. |
| Load size and drying time | Check the capacity of the programme suited to your laundry and how long it takes for a comparable load. | If you need large loads dried without too much waiting, around 14% of consumers would prioritise capacity or drying time. |
Washing and drying capacities can differ. For example, LG France lists a washing capacity of 9 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg for the F964V42IXRS. A full wash load can’t therefore be dried in one go.
Choose based on the amount of laundry you want to dry in each cycle.
If the load exceeds the drying capacity, you’ll need to split it or dry some of the laundry another way.
Que Choisir explains that a vented appliance needs an opening to the outside or access to a ventilation duct. Having a spare room doesn’t necessarily mean it can be installed there.
Check the outlet requirements before you buy. For an unfurnished rental, ANIL states that you need your landlord’s written consent to alter the property or its fittings. Also check the rules that apply to your building and any work you’re planning.
Removing damp laundry from living areas won’t identify the cause of mould, leaks or poor ventilation.
If you’re already seeing these signs, ask the appropriate professionals to check the ventilation and building, whatever appliance you choose.
The functions and loads aren’t the same. In its tumble dryer tests, Que Choisir takes account of factors including cycle length and energy consumption relative to the amount of laundry.
For each figure, note the programme, load size and function measured. Use the energy label and EPREL to check the data for the model you’re considering on a like-for-like basis.
Heat-pump tumble dryers to compare if you have room for a dedicated appliance.
A range of heat-pump tumble dryers to explore, depending on the capacity and features you need.
Washer-dryers to consider when there’s no room for a second appliance.
A range of heat-pump tumble dryers with different capacities and programmes to compare.
These Joybuy models include dedicated tumble dryers, which need enough room for installation, and washer-dryers that combine both functions in one appliance. Compare their drying capacities and check the available space before choosing.
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Worth considering if you have room for a dedicated tumble dryer and want to dry loads of up to the stated 8 kg capacity. Compare the cycle time and energy consumption for the programme that suits your laundry, then measure the installation space and door clearance.
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Another dedicated 8 kg option if you have room for a second appliance. The product title lists an energy rating of D. To compare it with another model, also look at the energy consumption, load size and cycle time for the programme in question. Check the dimensions before you buy.
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Consider this if you have just one space for washing and drying. The product title lists a 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity, so a full wash load will need to be split for drying. Also check the dimensions and the details of the full cycle.
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This washer-dryer is designed to combine both functions in one space. Its product name lists a 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity, so size your loads according to the lower figure. Check the space needed and the specifications for the wash-and-dry cycle.
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Worth considering if you have room for a dedicated appliance without an external vent. The product title lists an 8 kg capacity, propane refrigerant and OptiSense function, but this alone doesn’t confirm that it uses heat-pump technology. Compare the programmes, cycle times and energy consumption before weighing it up against other models.
Que Choisir explains that it needs an opening to the outside or access to a ventilation duct. If installation requires alterations to your home, check what permissions you need before buying. For an unfurnished rental, ANIL states that your landlord’s written consent is required to alter the property or its fittings.
If damp persists or you notice mould or leaks, have the ventilation and building checked rather than expecting a tumble dryer to address the cause. For air-drying, ADEME recommends a large, well-ventilated room or one with mechanical ventilation extraction.
Not necessarily: check the two capacities separately. For the F964V42IXRS, LG France lists a washing capacity of 9 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg, so a 9 kg wash load exceeds this model’s stated drying capacity.
Compare like with like: the same functions, programmes and load sizes. A drying-only cycle isn’t comparable to a full wash-and-dry cycle. Check the energy label and the model’s data in EPREL, the European Commission’s database, and make sure you’re comparing the corresponding cycle times and capacities.