In a small home with no room to dry clothes, a washer-dryer handles both washing and drying in one appliance, provided you’re happy to work with a smaller drying load than washing load. A stacked pair of appliances may be an option if you have enough height and the installation allows for it. A slimline or top-loading washing machine can solve a lack of depth or width, but won’t dry your clothes by itself. Whatever you choose, measure the space and compare cycle times and energy and water use for the programmes you’ll use.
If your appliance needs to fit in a kitchen, utility room or alcove, its width and depth matter, as does the space needed to open the door or lid. These factors can determine which type of machine will work for you.
If there’s nowhere to put an airer, drying becomes a key part of your decision. A washer-dryer saves you needing a second appliance, but you’ll need to consider its drying capacity and cycle times.
For one or two people, capacity should suit how often you do laundry and the occasional bulky item. UFC-Que Choisir says that 5 to 7 kg is generally enough for one person or a couple.
First, work out whether your main constraint is width, depth or a lack of space to dry clothes. These aren’t necessarily solved by the same appliance.
Consider it if: there’s enough width for a front-loader, but limited depth.
Bear in mind: you’ll need room in front to open the door, and this option won’t dry your clothes.
Consider it if: width is the main constraint and you can access the machine from above.
Bear in mind: you’ll need another way to dry your clothes, and the space above the machine must be clear so you can open it.
Consider it if: you only have space for one appliance and drying in the machine matters more to you than a quick cycle.
Bear in mind: according to UFC-Que Choisir, drying capacity is lower than washing capacity. Compare cycle times and energy and water use for the programme you plan to use.
Consider it if: you have enough height or a second space for a separate tumble dryer.
Bear in mind: check the connections and, if stacking the appliances, use a stacking kit that’s suitable for both models.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Size and access | Measure the space, the route to it and the clearance needed to open the appliance. According to UFC-Que Choisir, a slimline front-loader mainly reduces depth, while a top-loader mainly reduces width. | If access or opening the machine could get in the way of everyday use, I need an appliance that fits and remains easy to reach; around 36% of consumers put this need first. |
| Drying in one appliance | Compare the washing and drying capacities separately in kg, then check the permitted load for a wash-and-dry cycle. | With no room for an airer or a second appliance, I want to dry my clothes in the same machine; around 29% of consumers put this need ahead of the others. |
| Drying time and energy and water use | Compare the time, water and electricity used for similar programmes and loads, rather than looking only at washing figures. UFC-Que Choisir measures these factors in its washer-dryer tests. | If I regularly use the machine to dry clothes, I want to know how long each cycle ties up the appliance and what resources it uses; around 21% of consumers prioritise these running costs. |
| Capacity and laundry frequency | Check the capacity in kg of dry laundry for the programmes you use, and take bulky items into account. UFC-Que Choisir says that one person or a couple generally needs a washing capacity of between 5 and 7 kg. | To avoid doing too many loads without giving up too much space for the machine, I’m looking for a capacity that suits my household; this is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
A front-loader may fit in an alcove but leave too little room to open the door. A top-loader needs clear space above it.
Measure the route, the space and the opening area, then compare them with the dimensions of the model you’re considering.
With a washer-dryer, a full washing load may be too large for the drying programme.
If you want to run both stages without taking any clothes out, limit the initial load to the model’s drying capacity.
Otherwise, you’ll need to remove some of the clothes or run an extra drying cycle.
Saving space doesn’t, by itself, tell you how long a wash-and-dry cycle takes or how much water and electricity it uses.
Check the figures for the cycle that suits your usual load and compare like-for-like programmes.
Stacked appliances need a suitable set-up, accessible connections and a check of the electrical supply, particularly in a bathroom.
Check that the stacking kit is compatible, and have a qualified professional assess any new or altered installation.
If the space needs adapting, plumbing or electrical work may be required.
These four appliances combine washing and drying for when you only want to make room for one machine. Their drying capacity is lower than their washing capacity, so check the dimensions, clearance and cycle information for your laundry before choosing.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to wash and dry with one appliance. It has a stated capacity of 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, so if you run both stages in a row, make sure the load is within the drying limit. Check that it will fit your space and review the figures for the wash-and-dry cycle that suits your needs.
Image unavailable
An option to consider if you need integrated drying. It has a stated capacity of 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, so don’t assume that a full washing load can be dried in one go. Compare the appliance’s dimensions with your space, and check the time and energy and water use for the cycle you plan to run.
Image unavailable
This model combines washing and drying in one appliance, with a stated capacity of 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. If you want to use both functions one after the other, make sure your load is within the drying capacity. Check the dimensions, clearance and figures for the cycle you plan to use.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to wash and dry without a second appliance. The product listing states a capacity of 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, along with 27 wash programmes and app control. Check the dimensions and figures for the cycle you plan to use. If you want to run both stages without unloading, stick to the drying capacity.
Measure the space, the route to it and the clearance needed to load the machine. According to UFC-Que Choisir, slimline front-loaders mainly reduce depth, while top-loaders mainly reduce width. Also check that you can access the connections.
Not necessarily: its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. To run a wash-and-dry cycle without taking any clothes out, don’t exceed the drying load specified for the model and programme.
Stacking may work if you have enough height and an installation that’s suitable for both appliances. Before choosing this option, check that a stacking kit is compatible with your chosen models, and make sure there’s enough clearance and the connections are suitable.
The appliance and its electrical supply must be positioned safely for the bathroom layout. Promotelec highlights, in particular, the position of sockets in relation to the bath or shower. If the installation needs to be added or altered, ask a qualified electrician to check your plans.
Check the durability index shown for the washing machine you’re considering. ADEME says that the index has applied to the relevant new washing machines since April 2025. Look at the score and the accompanying information for your chosen model.