In a studio flat, a compact washing machine paired with a clothes airer may be a good option if space for washing is limited and you can dry your laundry in a well-ventilated area. If you only have room for one appliance and want to dry your laundry in it, compare washer-dryers by their drying capacity: UFC-Que Choisir points out that this is lower than their washing capacity. A separate tumble dryer meets a different need, provided you have room for a second appliance. The ADEME also highlights the moisture released when drying laundry indoors.
If your studio flat can only fit one large appliance, the key question is whether you can dry your clothes on an airer or need an integrated drying function. If it’s the latter, check how much laundry the appliance can actually dry after washing.
A clothes airer means you don’t need to install a tumble dryer, but you’ll still need space for it while your laundry dries. The ADEME notes that drying clothes indoors releases a lot of moisture, so ventilation is an important factor in your decision.
Stacking your appliances can free up floor space, if the ceiling height, floor and connections allow for it. Before settling on this set-up, check the manuals to make sure both appliances are compatible with each other and with the stacking kit.
First, measure the space and check where the connections are. Then compare how much laundry you need to dry with the space available while it dries.
| Factor | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Space and connections | Measure the space, check that the door can open and make sure you can access the connections. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a washing machine needs a water supply, a drain and a suitable electrical socket. | I need to be able to open the machine and reach the connections once it’s installed. If space is the only issue, I can look for a compact washing machine and arrange drying separately. |
| Drying capacity | Compare the washing and drying capacities, which are listed separately in kg. According to UFC-Que Choisir, a washer-dryer can dry less laundry than it can wash. | If I want to start drying straight after every wash without taking any laundry out, my usual load needs to fit within the drying capacity, not just the washing capacity. |
| Drying cycles | For a washer-dryer, check the length of the full cycle and its water and electricity consumption for the model you’re considering. UFC-Que Choisir measures these figures per cycle as part of its testing process. | If I do several loads in a row or need my laundry dried quickly, the time taken for a wash followed by drying is just as important as the stated capacity. |
| Air-drying | Allow for the space taken up by the airer, and choose a well-ventilated room or one with an extractor fan. The ADEME identifies indoor laundry drying as a significant source of moisture. | I can avoid a second appliance if I have a suitable place to dry my laundry without it cluttering up my living space for too long. |
| Separate tumble dryer | Check the space, height and connections. If you plan to stack the appliances, check their manuals and the stacking kit. UFC-Que Choisir advises placing the tumble dryer above the washing machine. Vented models need an outlet to the outside. | If I often dry loads that I don’t want to split, it’s worth considering a second appliance, but only if it can be installed in my home. |
A washer-dryer may be able to wash a load that it can’t fully dry straight afterwards. UFC-Que Choisir points out that its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity.
Compare both figures in kg for the exact model. If your usual load exceeds the drying capacity, plan to take some laundry out or dry it another way.
Having washing and drying in one appliance doesn’t tell you how long it will take to get your laundry dry or how much energy the full cycle will use.
If you regularly use the machine to dry your laundry, compare the cycle time and measured water and electricity consumption for the model and programmes you’re interested in. UFC-Que Choisir tests these figures cycle by cycle.
In a studio flat, laundry left to dry can take up a significant amount of space. The ADEME also highlights how much moisture this activity releases indoors.
Before you buy, find a well-ventilated spot or one with an extractor fan. If you don’t have one and dry laundry frequently, consider appliance-based drying options that are compatible with your set-up.
Stacking depends on the stability of the floor, the dimensions of the appliances and how they are secured. UFC-Que Choisir specifies that the tumble dryer should go above the washing machine, not the other way round.
Before stacking your appliances, check that the models are compatible, review the limits in their manuals and make sure you have the right securing system.
A compatible stacking kit may be needed for this set-up.
The features below apply to the ranges or models mentioned, not to every appliance made by each brand.
Bosch offers washer-dryers in France with washing and drying capacities listed separately. Its range includes a model with a stated capacity of 8 kg for washing and 5 kg for drying.
LG offers the F164HP2WST washer-dryer in France, with a stated capacity of 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, and heat pump technology.
These options include washer-dryers for a single space, as well as a tumble dryer to pair with a separate washing machine. Compare their capacities with your usual loads, then check the dimensions and installation requirements for each model.
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This washer-dryer combines both functions in one appliance. Its stated capacity is 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. If you want to run a drying cycle without taking out any laundry, keep your load within the 6 kg drying limit. Also check the space needed for the door to open and for the connections.
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Designed for a single washing and drying space, this model has a stated capacity of 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. Any load over 6 kg will need to be split before drying or partly dried another way. Check the clearance, connections and full-cycle figures to make sure it suits your needs.
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This washer-dryer has a stated capacity of 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. It could suit you if you need a single appliance and your loads fit within the drying limit. Before choosing, check its dimensions, installation requirements and cycle times and consumption figures.
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With a stated capacity of 1 kg for washing and 0,5 kg for drying, this appliance is designed for very small loads rather than a typical wash. Check that these limits suit your laundry, then check its dimensions and installation requirements: “Mini” doesn’t automatically mean it will fit in your chosen space.
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This tumble dryer has a stated capacity of 8 kg and requires a separate washing machine. It’s therefore an option for separate drying, if you have room to install a second appliance. If you’re considering stacking them, check the dimensions, both appliance manuals and which stacking kit is compatible.
A washing machine needs a water supply, a drain and a suitable electrical connection, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. Check that the space also has a flat, stable floor. If the existing connections aren’t suitable, have the installation checked before you buy.
Not always. According to UFC-Que Choisir, a washer-dryer’s drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity. Compare the two figures in kg for the exact model and plan to split the load if it exceeds the drying limit.
It can work if you have enough room while your laundry dries and a well-ventilated room or one with an extractor fan. The ADEME points out that laundry dried indoors releases a lot of moisture, so this is an important consideration in a small, poorly ventilated room.
No. Check the manuals for the dimensions, stacking compatibility and the securing system required. UFC-Que Choisir advises placing the tumble dryer above the washing machine. Also check that the floor is stable and that you have enough height.
A vented tumble dryer needs an opening or a duct to the outside, according to UFC-Que Choisir. A condenser model, including a heat pump model, doesn’t need this type of outlet. Still, check the installation, maintenance and connection requirements in the manual for the model you choose.