People with a narrow utility room
If two appliances won’t fit side by side, compare the space needed for a washer-dryer with the height available and the compatibility requirements for stacking.
Who are these options for?
Households that use automatic drying often
Check how much laundry the appliance can dry, not just how much it can wash. For the Bosch WNG25402FR and LG F964V52IRSA, the manufacturers state respective wash/dry capacities of 10.5/6 kg and 9/6 kg.
People who dry laundry indoors
If you can manage without automatic drying, pay attention to the spin-drying efficiency class. ADEME recommends choosing class A when you need laundry to dry quickly indoors.
What should you check?
First decide whether you need automatic drying. Then compare your usual loads and the available space with the features of each option.
Washer-dryer
Consider this if: you need to wash and dry your clothes with one appliance on the floor.
The trade-off: a wash load may be larger than the capacity of the wash-and-dry cycle.
Two appliances stacked
Consider this if: there’s enough height for two separate appliances and you’ve confirmed they can be stacked.
The trade-off: your choice of appliances also depends on finding a stacking kit that’s compatible with their exact model numbers.
Washing machine and airer
Consider this if: you can hang your washing out to dry and don’t need automatic drying.
The trade-off: you’ll need somewhere to hang your washing and time for it to dry.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Drying capacity | Compare the wash-only and wash-and-dry capacities for the same model. Also check the duration of the cycle you’ll use. | I want to know whether I can dry my usual load in one go, without taking some of the washing out after the wash cycle. |
| Stacking | Check the model numbers of both appliances, the manufacturer’s recommended kit, the permitted depths and any exclusions. Bosch specifies a washing machine depth of over 55 cm for one of its kits; Electrolux lists a depth of 47 to 60 cm for another kit designed for front-loading appliances. | Floor space is limited, but I could stack the appliances if they and the kit are compatible. |
| Indoor drying | Look at the spin-drying efficiency class rather than just the maximum spin speed in revolutions per minute. ADEME recommends choosing class A if you need laundry to dry quickly indoors. | I can hang my washing out to dry and want to choose a washing machine suited to this. |
| Cycles and energy label | For a washer-dryer, distinguish between the wash-only and wash-and-dry figures for energy class, energy use, water use and cycle duration. | If I use automatic drying often, the figures for the combined cycle matter more to my choice than those for washing alone. |
| Durability | For the washing machines covered by the rules in France, check the durability index for the exact model and the details behind its score. According to the French Ministry for the Ecological Transition, the durability index replaced the repairability index for washing machines on 8 April 2025. | I also want to consider the washing machine’s reliability and repairability, without treating a score as a guarantee of its lifespan. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Looking only at washing capacity
An appliance listed as having a 9 or 10.5 kg wash capacity may be limited to 6 kg for washing and drying, as LG states for the F964V52IRSA and Bosch for the WNG25402FR. In that case, a larger wash load won’t dry completely in a single combined cycle.
Compare both capacities for the specific model you’re considering.
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Choosing a stacking kit based only on width
Appliances with similar widths aren’t necessarily compatible with the same kit. Depth and model numbers also matter.
Before choosing your appliances, check the manufacturer’s kit requirements for their exact model numbers.
Remember to include the right kit in your list of everything you’ll need for the project.
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Checking only one energy class for a washer-dryer
Wash-only and wash-and-dry figures relate to different uses. So the energy class for washing alone doesn’t tell you everything about the combined cycle.
Compare the energy class, energy use, water use and duration of the cycle you intend to use.
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Treating the durability index as a guarantee of lifespan
For the washing machines covered by the rules in France, the durability index takes reliability and repairability into account, among other things. It doesn’t promise that an appliance won’t break down.
Check the details behind the model’s score and distinguish it from the terms of its guarantee.
A guide to the brands
These examples help you check features and compatibility requirements for the specific models mentioned. Don’t assume they apply to every model from a particular brand.
Bosch
Bosch offers washer-dryers and stacking kits, with specific requirements for the appliances they’re designed for.
- Bosch lists wash and wash-and-dry capacities of 10.5 kg and 6 kg respectively for the WNG25402FR.
- One of its kits is designed for a washing machine over 55 cm deep. This doesn’t confirm that every Bosch appliance pair is compatible.
LG
The LG F964V52IRSA product specifications distinguish between washing and washing with drying.
- LG lists a 9 kg wash capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity for this model.
- The cycle duration and consumption figures apply to the F964V52IRSA; they don’t describe other LG washer-dryers.
Electrolux
Electrolux offers separate tumble dryers and a stacking kit whose compatibility needs to be checked.
- Electrolux lists an 8 kg drying capacity for the EW8H4823RE tumble dryer.
- Its kit for certain front-loading appliances with a depth of 47 to 60 cm requires a compatibility check. The tumble dryer’s capacity alone isn’t enough to confirm that the appliances can be stacked.
Joybuy products for a small utility room
This selection includes three washer-dryers for washing and drying in one appliance, plus a washing machine to consider if you can hang your washing out to dry.
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Samsung WD11DG6B85BEU3, 11/6 kg washer-dryer
This model washes and dries in one appliance, making it a practical option for a utility room where two machines won’t fit side by side.
Its product title lists an 11 kg wash capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity. A wash load of more than 6 kg can’t be dried completely in one go. Also check the dimensions and clearance needed for your chosen space.
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Samsung WD10HG6U34BEU3, 10/6 kg washer-dryer
This washer-dryer is designed for anyone who needs to wash and dry their clothes with a single appliance on the floor.
The product title lists a 10 kg wash capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity, so a full wash load exceeds the stated drying capacity. If you use the drying function often, also compare the duration and figures for the exact model’s wash-and-dry cycle.
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CHiQ JW85882HG, 8/5 kg washer-dryer
This washer-dryer is worth considering if you have room for just one appliance on the floor for washing and drying your clothes.
Its product title lists an 8 kg wash capacity and a 5 kg drying capacity. The published dimensions for this variant differ, so confirm its exact measurements before deciding whether it will fit in your utility room.
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Hisense WF5I8043BWF, 8 kg washing machine
This washing machine is a good option if you plan to use an airer and can leave your laundry to dry after the spin cycle. It doesn’t dry clothes automatically.
Its product title lists an 8 kg wash capacity and a maximum spin speed of 1,400 tr/min. If you need laundry to dry quickly indoors, also compare its spin-drying efficiency class: ADEME recommends choosing class A.
Frequently asked questions
Can you stack any tumble dryer on top of a washing machine?
No. Check the model numbers of both appliances and the requirements for the kit recommended by their manufacturer. For one of its kits, Bosch specifies a washing machine depth of over 55 cm. Electrolux lists a depth range of 47 to 60 cm for another kit designed for front-loading appliances. Width alone isn’t enough to confirm compatibility.
Can a washer-dryer dry a full wash load?
Not necessarily. Compare the two capacities for the model you’ve chosen. Bosch lists a 10.5 kg wash capacity and a 6 kg wash-and-dry capacity for the WNG25402FR; LG lists 9 kg and 6 kg respectively for the F964V52IRSA.
What should I look for if I dry laundry on an indoor airer?
Pay particular attention to the washing machine’s spin-drying efficiency class. ADEME recommends choosing class A when you need laundry to dry quickly indoors. Make sure you have somewhere to hang your washing, as spinning doesn’t dry it automatically.
Does the durability index apply to washing machines in France?
Yes, for the washing machines covered by the rules. According to the French Ministry for the Ecological Transition, the durability index replaced the repairability index on 8 April 2025. Check the information for the exact model rather than assuming this applies to every type of washing and drying appliance.
Can a high spin speed replace a tumble dryer?
No. Spinning prepares laundry for drying, but it doesn’t dry clothes automatically. If you plan to use an airer, check the spin-drying efficiency class and make sure you have enough space to leave your laundry to dry.