If you only have floor space for one appliance, a washer-dryer combines both functions, but its drying capacity is usually lower than its washing capacity. If you often dry large loads, consider a separate tumble dryer or a stacked setup, provided you have enough space and, if stacking, have confirmed that both appliances and the stacking kit are compatible.
If washing and drying need to fit in the same space, a washer-dryer is worth considering. Check its depth, the clearance needed for the door and, above all, its drying capacity, which is different from its washing capacity. UFC-Que Choisir highlights this difference in capacity for washer-dryers.
If you have vertical space but not enough floor space for a second appliance, stacking could let you keep two separate machines. Bosch Home Appliances France recommends checking that the models you choose can be stacked; having enough space does not, by itself, mean they are compatible.
If you don’t have an external vent or duct, focus your search on a condenser tumble dryer, possibly a heat pump model, rather than a vented one. UFC-Que Choisir explains that a vented tumble dryer needs an outlet to the outside or access to a duct. Also check how the appliance collects or drains the condensed water.
Start by ruling out any setups that won’t fit in the room or can’t be installed there. Then compare the load you actually want to dry with the figures for the relevant cycle.
| Your priority | What to check | What consumers are concerned about |
|---|---|---|
| Only one space on the floor | Depth and door clearance; washing and drying capacities in kg. | When only one machine will fit in the room, I want to avoid needing a second space without assuming I can dry a full wash load in one go. Around 31% of consumers would put space-saving requirements first. |
| Capacity and frequency | Drying capacity in kg; whether two specific models can be stacked using a compatible kit. | If I regularly dry large loads, having to take some laundry out before every drying cycle would complicate my routine. For around 25% of consumers, drying capacity and frequency would come ahead of other factors. |
| Energy and water use when drying | Electricity use and programme duration for the cycle you choose; for a washer-dryer, water and electricity use for the wash-and-dry cycle. | I plan to use the drying function often and want to compare the resources needed for the cycle I’ll actually run. Around 25% of consumers would put keeping these costs under control first. |
| Installation in the room | An external outlet for a vented model; condensate drainage and kit compatibility if stacking the appliances. | Without an external duct, or if an alcove prevents stacking, I first need to find a setup that can actually be installed. Around 19% of consumers would prioritise this compatibility. |
A load that’s within the washing limit may exceed the drying limit. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a washer-dryer’s washing and drying capacities are not the same, so you may need to remove some laundry between cycles.
Compare both capacities in kg for the model you’re considering, and base your usual loads on the drying capacity.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a vented tumble dryer needs an outlet to the outside or a duct. A condenser model has different installation requirements, but you’ll still need to deal with the condensed water.
Before choosing, check what connections are available in the room, then see whether the model uses a water tank or can be connected to a suitable drain.
Similar widths don’t guarantee that the stack will be stable or that the kit will fit. Bosch Home Appliances France sets specific requirements for its kits and the appliance models they’re designed for.
Check the exact model numbers, dimensions and manufacturer’s stacking instructions before planning a stacked setup.
You may need a suitable stacking kit; depending on the installation, you may also need to arrange for a professional to fit it.
A washer-dryer’s washing capacity or the energy class shown on its own doesn’t tell you how long its wash-and-dry cycle takes or how much it uses. UFC-Que Choisir also recommends taking into account the water used during the drying phase of some washer-dryers.
Read the figures for the programme and load you’ll use, then compare them with those for other setups that will actually fit in your home.
These examples highlight what to check for a specific model, without assuming that the same features apply across an entire brand.
Worth considering if you’re planning a stacked setup with appliances and a kit confirmed as compatible.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a washer-dryer with separate capacity figures for washing and drying.
Worth considering when the choice between freestanding and built-in depends on the dimensions of your room or cabinetry.
Worth considering if managing condensed water is an important factor when choosing a separate tumble dryer.
These four appliances combine washing and drying in a single machine. They suit homes with space for only one appliance on the floor. For each model, compare its drying capacity with your usual loads, and check its dimensions and connections before choosing.
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Worth considering if you want to wash and dry with one appliance and can adjust your loads to suit its drying capacity.
Stated capacities: 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. If you wash a full load, you’ll need to reduce it before drying.
Check the space needed to open the door, the connections and the figures for the wash-and-dry cycle to make sure they suit your needs.
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Worth considering if you have space for just one appliance to handle both functions and need to check the available depth.
Stated capacities: 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. Allow for reducing a full wash load before drying it.
Check the clearance and connections required, as well as the figures for the combined cycle. The installation guidance for this model recommends professional installation.
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Worth considering if you want to combine washing and drying in one machine and a 5 kg drying load suits your routine.
Stated capacities: 8 kg for washing and 5 kg for drying. So you can’t dry a full wash load in one go.
Check the exact width before deciding where to put it: the title and description for this model give different dimensions. Also compare the figures for the wash-and-dry cycle.
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Worth considering if you want a combined appliance and your drying loads stay within the stated limit.
Stated capacities: 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. Adjust the load between the two functions if the drum is full for washing.
Before choosing this model for an alcove, check its dimensions, connections and the water, electricity and duration figures for the wash-and-dry cycle.
Yes, if you choose a condenser tumble dryer, particularly a heat pump model, rather than a vented appliance. UFC-Que Choisir explains that a vented dryer needs an outlet to the outside or a duct. For a condenser model, check whether the water is collected in a tank or whether it can be connected to a suitable drain.
No: the two models and their stacking kit must be compatible. Bosch Home Appliances France recommends checking that the appliances are suitable for stacking. Read the instructions and the kit’s specific requirements, particularly those relating to depth and excluded models.
Not necessarily. As UFC-Que Choisir points out, its drying capacity is usually lower than its washing capacity. Compare both figures in kg for the model you choose: if the load exceeds the drying limit, remove some laundry before starting the drying cycle.
For a washer-dryer, look at the information for the wash-and-dry cycle, not just the washing figures. If you’re comparing it with a separate tumble dryer, also consider the load size and programme that match your needs: the energy class on its own tells you neither how long the cycle takes nor its overall consumption.