A stacked washing machine and tumble dryer can work if both models are approved for stacking, you use the right stacking kit and the controls remain within reach. If you only have space for one appliance, compare the washing and drying capacities of a washer-dryer. If you plan to use an airer, make sure the room is well ventilated and check the washing machine’s spin efficiency.
If floor space is limited but there’s enough height, stacking two appliances could be an option. UFC-Que Choisir recommends front-loading appliances of similar dimensions. Check the manuals too, to make sure the models are compatible, identify the right stacking kit and confirm you can reach the tumble dryer’s controls.
A washer-dryer combines both functions in one appliance. To see whether it can keep up with your laundry routine, compare its maximum washing and drying capacities, then check its dimensions and the details of the combined cycle.
This option means you don’t need to add a tumble dryer, but you’ll need space for the airer while your clothes dry. ADEME recommends checking the washing machine’s spin efficiency, while Anses advises using a well-ventilated room when drying clothes outdoors isn’t possible.
Consider this if: you can install a compatible stacked set-up and want separate washing and drying cycles.
The trade-off: a stacked set-up uses vertical space and needs a kit that’s suitable for both appliance models.
Consider this if: you have room for just one floor-standing appliance and want to wash and dry in the same drum.
The trade-off: drying capacity may be lower than washing capacity, as with the 9/6 kg models featured by LG France and Electrolux France.
Consider this if: you have space to air-dry your clothes in a well-ventilated room.
The trade-off: the airer takes up space while your clothes dry. Anses recommends drying clothes outdoors where possible.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Measure the space, available height and door clearance. For a stacked set-up, check the manuals to confirm both models can be stacked and find out which kit is suitable. | I have limited floor space, but I need to be able to open the appliances and reach the controls without blocking the way. |
| Load sizes and laundry | Compare washing and drying capacities separately, in kg. If you’re considering a stacked set-up, check the capacity of each appliance rather than assuming they’re the same. | I need to be able to dry my laundry at the pace that suits me. With a washer-dryer, a full washing load may need to be split before drying. |
| Cycle you’ll use | For a washer-dryer, check the details of the wash-and-dry cycle, including its duration and energy and water consumption, separately from those for washing alone. Compare like-for-like cycles and loads. | If I often use the tumble dryer, I want to compare the details of the combined programme with how I’ll use it, not just the washing figures. |
| Spin efficiency and ventilation | Check the washing machine’s spin efficiency rating and how much space the airer will take up. ADEME recommends choosing spin efficiency class A when clothes need to dry quickly indoors; Anses recommends using a well-ventilated room. | I prefer to air-dry my clothes at home, as long as there’s somewhere they can dry without getting in the way. |
A kit may only be suitable for certain models. If compatibility hasn’t been confirmed and the installation isn’t stable, the top appliance could move or fall.
Make a note of the full model numbers for the washing machine and tumble dryer, then check their manuals and the kit’s compatibility before buying. Bosch France also advises confirming that both models can be stacked.
You may need to budget for the compatible kit separately.
A washer-dryer rated at 9/6 kg can wash up to 9 kg, but its maximum drying load is 6 kg. The model specifications from LG France and Electrolux France show this difference.
Choose a model to suit the loads you need to dry, and check whether a full wash load will need to be split across multiple drying cycles.
For a washer-dryer, the figures for washing alone are different from those for the wash-and-dry cycle. So the first rating shown may not describe the programme you’ll use for drying.
Check the combined cycle details — rating, energy and water consumption, capacity and duration — on the label and in the specifications for the model you’re considering.
Your clothes will stay in the room while they dry. Anses recommends drying them outdoors if possible or, if not, in a well-ventilated room.
Before choosing this option, decide where to put the airer and make sure the room can still be ventilated while your clothes are drying.
If you’re planning a stacked set-up, Bosch France provides details of its stacking kits and advises checking that they’re compatible with your models.
LG France’s product information lets you check the washing and drying specifications separately for a particular washer-dryer.
Miele France features compact washer-dryers for different types of installation.
Electrolux France’s product information for model EW7IW4966BG lists the capacities and ratings for both types of use separately.
These washer-dryers suit a set-up where one appliance needs to handle both functions. The washing machines featured are for use with a separate airer. Compare each model with your available space and usual load sizes.
Image unavailable
Combines washing and drying in one freestanding appliance. Its listed capacities are 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, so check whether you’ll need to split your laundry before drying. Listed dimensions: 60 × 85 × 60 cm. Remember to allow enough clearance to open the door too.
Image unavailable
Wash and dry your laundry in one freestanding appliance. The listed capacities are 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, and the dimensions are 600 × 850 × 590 mm. Check that the door can open fully, and look at the rating, duration and energy and water consumption for the wash-and-dry cycle.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you plan to dry your clothes separately on an airer. This washing machine has a listed depth of 47 cm, a spin efficiency rating of B and a maximum spin speed of 1,400 rpm. It doesn’t dry clothes. Check the door clearance and make sure you have a well-ventilated room for air-drying.
Image unavailable
One appliance that combines both functions, with listed capacities of 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. If you’re considering it for a small room, check the installation dimensions as well as the duration and energy and water consumption of the wash-and-dry cycle.
Image unavailable
Wash loads of up to 10 kg before air-drying them separately on an airer. Its listed spin efficiency rating is B and its dimensions are 847 × 597 × 658 mm. Check that it fits the space and that the door can open fully. This model doesn’t dry clothes.
No. Check that the manuals approve stacking the exact models and specify a compatible kit. UFC-Que Choisir recommends front-loading appliances of similar dimensions. The tumble dryer goes on top of the washing machine, and the set-up must be stable.
Not always: drying capacity may be lower than washing capacity. LG France and Electrolux France each feature a model with a washing capacity of 9 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg. If you wash a full load, you’ll need to take some clothes out before drying.
Check the washing machine’s spin efficiency and where you’ll be able to hang your clothes. ADEME recommends choosing spin efficiency class A if you want clothes to dry quickly indoors. If drying them outside isn’t possible, Anses recommends using a well-ventilated room.
If you plan to use the drying function, check the details for the wash-and-dry cycle, not just those for washing. Compare the drying capacity, cycle duration and listed energy and water consumption for that cycle across the models you’re considering too.