If you regularly dry full loads and have space for a separate appliance, a heat-pump tumble dryer means you can do without an airer or an external vent. It generally uses less electricity than a conventional condenser model, although cycles are often slower, according to Que Choisir. If you only have room for one appliance, a washer-dryer lets you wash and dry in one machine. Bear in mind, though, that its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity. You could still use an airer occasionally, provided you have a well-ventilated room or one with an extractor, as recommended by ADEME.
If you don’t have a balcony or an external vent, the space available and how often you do laundry are the first things to consider. A vented tumble dryer needs an outlet to the outside or a ventilation duct, explains Que Choisir.
If you often wash towels, bedding or other full loads, a separate condenser tumble dryer means you won’t need to keep a room set aside for an airer, provided you have space to install it. According to Que Choisir, a heat pump generally uses less electricity than conventional condenser technology, although cycles are often slower.
A washer-dryer combines washing and drying in one appliance, so there’s no need to transfer laundry between two machines. However, plan consecutive wash-and-dry loads around its drying capacity: Que Choisir points out that this is lower than its washing capacity.
If you only hang laundry out to dry occasionally, it’s worth paying attention to your washing machine’s spin performance, but this won’t remove the moisture released as laundry dries. ADEME recommends using a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor for drying laundry indoors.
First, work out whether you can fit in a second appliance. Then compare the actual drying capacity and how much space wet laundry would otherwise take up.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Frequent laundry and electricity use | Drying capacity and the heat-pump model’s energy consumption; dimensions with the door open. | If you regularly dry bedding and towels at home, freeing up living space matters just as much as limiting electricity use. Around 36% of consumers prioritise having an energy-efficient, separate appliance. |
| Room for just one appliance | Separate washing and drying capacities; the duration, water use and energy consumption of a full cycle. | If there’s room for only one machine at home, being able to wash and dry without moving the laundry becomes the main priority. This matters most to around 29% of consumers. |
| Faster drying | How long the programme takes for your loads and the electricity consumption of a conventional condenser tumble dryer. | If you need to dry loads quickly without an external vent, you may be willing to compare the electricity use of separate appliances more closely. Around 21% of consumers put speed first. |
| Air-drying and humidity | Washing machine spin performance; the size and ventilation of the room where you’ll dry laundry. | If you don’t want to add a drying appliance, you’ll need somewhere to hang laundry without letting moisture build up in a small, poorly ventilated room. Around 14% of consumers prioritise sticking with this option. |
These points don’t replace checking your installation. For a condenser tumble dryer, make sure you can access the water tank or look into connecting it to a drain. For any appliance, measure the space, allowing for the required clearance, and check the manual for electrical supply requirements. If you’re unsure about installation, ask a qualified professional for advice.
A washer-dryer may not be able to dry the full load it has just washed. Que Choisir distinguishes between the two capacities. For example, Electrolux lists 9 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying for its EW7IW4966BG.
Start by comparing drying capacity in kilograms, then check the duration, water use and energy consumption of a full cycle for the loads you typically wash.
If a washed load exceeds the drying capacity, you may need to take some laundry out and run another cycle.
Not needing an external vent doesn’t mean the water extracted from your laundry disappears. Depending on the model’s features, it’s collected in a tank or can be sent to a drain.
Check the manual to see whether there’s a tank, whether a drain connection is possible and which accessories you’ll need for your installation.
If you can’t connect the appliance to a drain, you’ll need to empty the tank as you use it.
Even after a good spin, laundry releases moisture as it dries naturally. ADEME highlights how much moisture this can add to the air inside your home.
Hang laundry in a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor. If that isn’t possible and you do laundry frequently, compare condenser tumble dryers.
According to Que Choisir, a conventional condenser tumble dryer is generally faster than a heat-pump model, but uses more electricity. The right compromise also depends on how often you use it.
Compare programme durations and energy consumption figures for the specific models you’re considering.
These examples of product ranges and models can help you identify features to compare; they don’t cover every appliance from each brand.
Worth considering when comparing separate heat-pump tumble dryers and you have space for a dedicated appliance.
The brand offers a separate conventional condenser tumble dryer to consider if speed is a priority.
Its washer-dryers let you weigh up the trade-off between having one appliance and the amount of laundry it can dry.
Whirlpool presents a washer-dryer as an option when there isn’t room for two appliances.
This selection includes separate condenser tumble dryers and a washer-dryer for homes without an external vent. If you’d rather keep your washing machine and use an airer, check the spin and ventilation considerations mentioned above.
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For regular laundry if you have room for a separate tumble dryer without an external vent. The listed capacity is 8 kg. Measure the available space, including with the door open, and check the manual for condensate drainage before deciding where to put it.
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For drying loads in a separate appliance without an external vent. The title lists an 8 kg capacity and condenser drying. Before comparing its energy use or cycle time with a heat-pump model, confirm the exact technology it uses. Also check the space required and how the water tank is managed.
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A mechanical drying option for regular loads if you have space for a second appliance. The title lists an 8 kg capacity. Check the manual for dimensions, condensate collection and programme durations if these factors will influence your choice.
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For washing and drying in one space. The listed capacities are 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. To run both functions consecutively, limit the load to the drying capacity or remove some laundry after washing. Check the dimensions and the duration, water use and energy consumption of a full cycle.
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For drying laundry in a separate appliance without an external vent. The capacity listed for this model varies between 8 and 10 kg. Confirm the capacity of the CD10EHP05W-HR before deciding whether it suits your loads. Also check its dimensions and how it collects water.
No, not unless you have an external outlet or a suitable ventilation duct: Que Choisir says a vented tumble dryer needs one of these connections. Consider a condenser tumble dryer, with or without a heat pump, or a washer-dryer suited to your space instead.
Not necessarily. The water can be collected in a tank or, depending on the model and its features, sent to a drain. Check the manual to see whether a drain connection is possible and which accessories you’ll need.
Because washing and drying capacities are different. For example, Electrolux lists 9 kg for washing but 6 kg for drying for the EW7IW4966BG. To run a full wash-and-dry cycle with this model, load no more than 6 kg or remove some laundry after washing.
Yes, if you’re considering a washer-dryer: Que Choisir notes that many models also use water during drying. Compare the figures for a full wash-and-dry cycle for the specific models you’re interested in, rather than looking at washing data alone.
Choose a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor: ADEME points out that laundry drying naturally releases a lot of moisture into your home. A more effective spin cycle reduces the amount of water in the laundry to start with, but you’ll still need to make sure the room is ventilated.