Choose a stacked setup if the instructions for both appliances and the stacking kit confirm they’re compatible, and if a stable washing machine can support the tumble dryer above it. If there’s no room for two appliances, a washer-dryer takes up just one floor space, but compare its washing capacity with its wash-and-dry capacity. If you’re installing it in a bathroom, check the location and electrical installation before you buy.
Stacking lets you keep a separate washing machine and tumble dryer without needing two side-by-side spaces. However, you’ll need a compatible pair and stacking kit, as well as a washing machine on a flat, firm and solid floor, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Having enough space doesn’t automatically mean you can stack appliances next to a shower or bath. You’ll need to work out where the appliances and their connections can go; Promotelec also highlights the layout of bathroom cupboards.
If there’s no room for a stacked setup, it’s worth comparing washer-dryers. Check how much laundry the appliance can wash and dry in one continuous cycle: this may be less than its washing capacity, as the Bosch WNG24400FR model illustrates.
For a stacked setup, start with the appliance model numbers and the space you actually have, then check that you can use it comfortably every day. If there’s no room for two appliances, compare the cycles available on a washer-dryer.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility of the stacked setup | Compare both appliances’ model numbers and dimensions with the stacking kit requirements. According to UFC-Que Choisir, the appliances must be front-loading and similar in size, with the tumble dryer on top. | If I want to keep two appliances, I need to confirm they can be used together before stacking them. Around 36% of consumers would make compatibility their top priority. |
| Location and connections | Check the water supply, waste outlet and electrical supply. In a bathroom, have the position of the appliances in relation to the shower or bath assessed, particularly if they’re going in a cupboard. | In a small bathroom, I want to know whether the planned location really allows for installation and access to the connections. This would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Access to laundry and maintenance | Measure the total height once stacked and check that you can reach the controls, doors and any water tank. Also allow enough space to carry out work on the washing machine. | With the tumble dryer up high, I still need to be able to load laundry and reach the parts that need maintenance. Around 21% of consumers would put everyday use first. |
| One appliance only | If there’s no room for a stacked setup, compare the washing capacity with the capacity of a wash-and-dry cycle, then check the duration and energy and water consumption of the programme you plan to use. | If I can’t fit two appliances, even one on top of the other, I first look for a solution that takes up just one space. For around 14% of consumers, this would be their main concern. |
Similar widths don’t guarantee compatibility: the depth or specific model numbers may rule out a pair. Bosch and Electrolux set out requirements for their own kits.
Note down the full model numbers of both appliances, measure them and check the combination in the manuals or the manufacturer’s compatibility tool before ordering.
The tumble dryer’s control panel and any water tank will be higher up, and accessing the washing machine for repairs may also become more difficult.
Measure the total height, check that the doors can open and make sure everyone using the appliances can reach the laundry and the parts that need maintenance. A shelf can make it easier to transfer laundry without lowering the controls.
Being close to a bath or shower changes what needs to be considered for the electrical installation. Promotelec points out that, in a cupboard, the position of the doors when open should be taken into account when assessing the location.
Decide where the appliances will go before you buy, and have the installation checked if you’re unsure about their position or the circuit protection.
The load it can wash and dry in one continuous cycle may be smaller. For example, Bosch gives the WNG24400FR a capacity of 9 kg for washing alone and 6 kg for washing and drying; these figures don’t apply to every model.
Compare both capacities for the model you’re considering, along with the cycle time and energy and water consumption for the programme that suits your usual laundry.
Worth considering if you have a Bosch pair and a stacking kit that matches the exact model numbers, or if you’d like to compare the brand’s washer-dryer option.
The brand offers stacking kits with depth requirements and model references that can help you choose a setup for front-loading appliances.
For a Miele pair, the brand’s stacking kits let you check specific setups, with or without an extra surface, depending on the model.
No. Front-loading doors and similar dimensions aren’t enough to confirm that a pair is compatible. Check the manuals for both appliances and the stacking kit, including the permitted depths and any model exclusions.
The washing machine goes at the bottom, with the tumble dryer on top. UFC-Que Choisir specifies that the washing machine must stand on a flat, firm and solid floor; also follow the installation instructions for the pair and the kit.
Before choosing a stacking setup, check where the appliances and their electrical supply will be in relation to the shower or bath. Promotelec also highlights cupboards, as the position of their doors when open is a factor when assessing the location. If you’re unsure, have your electrical setup checked.
No. A shelf is for handling laundry; it doesn’t confirm that a pair of appliances is compatible or secure them in place. First choose a kit that’s compatible with the models in question, then follow the fitting instructions and check the shelf’s weight limit.
Consider one if you can’t install two appliances, even stacked vertically. Compare the wash-and-dry capacity with the washing capacity alone; UFC-Que Choisir also notes that washer-dryers can dry differently from separate tumble dryers.