If space is tight on width, consider a top-loading washing machine. If depth is the issue, measure the space you’ll need for a shallow front-loading model. To tumble-dry your laundry without using two floor spaces, a stacked setup requires compatible appliances and a stacking kit. A washer-dryer, meanwhile, means sizing your loads according to its drying capacity, which may be lower than its washing capacity.
A washer-dryer combines both functions in one appliance. However, compare its washing and drying capacities: a full wash load may not be suitable for drying all at once. If you prefer to air-dry your laundry, also check where you’ll be able to hang it.
A top-loading washing machine can work when width is limited, provided there’s room to open the lid. A shallow front-loading model addresses a different constraint: check its depth, including the required clearance, and make sure its capacity suits your usual laundry loads.
Stacking lets you keep two separate appliances without needing space for them side by side. You’ll need enough height and confirmation from the manufacturer that both appliance models and your chosen stacking kit are compatible.
Start by measuring the space and access to the appliances, then compare the amount of laundry you need to dry and the practicalities of everyday use.
| Factor | What to check | Depending on your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the clearance needed to load the appliance. According to UFC-Que Choisir, top-loading washing machines are 40 to 46 cm wide. For a shallow front-loading model, check the exact dimensions of the model you’re considering. | If my access is narrow, the width may determine which type I choose. Under a worktop or where space is tight, I’ll need to measure the depth and check how the appliance opens. |
| Stacking | Check the available height, which models can be stacked and which kit is suitable. Bosch says its WTZ2741X kit is designed for a full-size washing machine more than 55 cm deep; this requirement does not apply to all kits. | I want to keep a separate washing machine and tumble dryer without placing them side by side. A stacked setup will only work if both appliances and the installation are compatible. |
| Drying capacity | Compare the washing and drying capacities separately for a washer-dryer. For example, Electrolux lists the EW9W1166RB as having a 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity. These figures apply to this model. | With space for only one appliance, I could consider a washer-dryer, but I need to know how much laundry I want to dry after each wash. |
| Air-drying | Find a suitable room and check its ventilation or extraction options. ADEME points out that air-drying laundry releases moisture into the indoor air and advises taking spin-drying efficiency into account. | I’d rather hang my laundry out to dry than add a tumble dryer. In a small home, I need somewhere to dry it where moisture won’t build up. |
| Spin performance and noise | Compare spin-performance and noise figures on the same declared basis, and make sure the appliance will be installed securely. In its May 2025 survey of 4,350 respondents, UFC-Que Choisir found that spin-cycle noise was among the aspects rated less favourably. | If the machine will run near living areas, I’ll want to check how noisy it is during the spin cycle. Spin performance also matters if I often dry laundry indoors. |
A narrow or shallow model doesn’t automatically solve the challenges of loading, opening the appliance or handling your usual laundry volume. If the capacity isn’t right, you may need to split your laundry across more cycles.
Measure the space, including the required clearance, and compare the model’s capacity with your usual loads before choosing a format.
Compatibility depends on the model numbers and the kit, not just the logo. Bosch advises checking the models, while Whirlpool says the washing machine stays on the floor and the tumble dryer is secured above it using a kit.
Make a note of the full model numbers for both appliances and check the kit details in the manufacturer’s documentation. If the installation requirements aren’t clear, get the setup checked.
With some washer-dryers, a full wash load is more than the appliance can dry in one go. For example, Electrolux lists the EW9W1166RB as having a 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity.
Choose based on the amount of laundry you actually plan to dry, and compare both capacities in the specifications for the model you’re considering.
In a small indoor space, hanging laundry to dry adds moisture to the air. ADEME identifies air-drying as a significant source of indoor humidity.
Before ruling out tumble-drying, decide where you’ll hang your laundry and how the room will be ventilated or fitted with extraction. Also check the appliance’s spin performance.
Bosch offers stacking kits to consider when putting together a compatible pair of appliances.
The EW9W1166RB is an example of why it’s important to compare separate capacities when considering a washer-dryer.
The TDLR55140SFR is an example of a top-loading washing machine for spaces where width is limited.
These two washer-dryers are options to consider when one appliance needs to handle both washing and drying. Compare their drying capacity with your needs; you’ll still need to check the dimensions of your space.
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Designed for a space with room for just one appliance, this washer-dryer has a listed washing capacity of 11 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg. If you want to tumble-dry a full wash load, plan to reduce the load or split it into batches.
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This washer-dryer is worth considering if you have space for just one appliance. Its listed capacities are 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, so base the amount you plan to dry on the latter figure.
Check the exact model numbers of both appliances and the kit intended to join them in the manufacturer’s documentation. Bosch advises confirming that the models are suitable for stacking; Whirlpool says the washing machine must stay on the floor, with the tumble dryer secured above it. Being from the same brand or having roughly similar dimensions isn’t enough to confirm compatibility.
Not necessarily. Compare both capacities in the model’s specifications. For example, Electrolux lists the EW9W1166RB as having a 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity, so you shouldn’t assume a full wash load can be dried in one go.
Start by measuring the space, then look at top-loading models: UFC-Que Choisir gives a width of 40 to 46 cm for this type. Also check that there’s enough room to open the lid and that the capacity suits your laundry.
Choose a drying spot with good ventilation or suitable extraction. ADEME highlights the moisture released into indoor air by air-dried laundry and recommends considering spin performance, which helps laundry dry faster.