If you have room for a dedicated appliance and dry clothes often, a heat pump tumble dryer is one of the first options to consider. It doesn’t need an external vent and generally uses less electricity than a conventional vented or condenser model with a heating element, although its cycles are usually longer (UFC-Que Choisir). If you only have space for one appliance, a washer-dryer could work if its drying capacity suits your loads and you’re happy to run longer cycles. Since 1 July 2025, the European Commission states that only domestic heat pump tumble dryers can be newly placed on the EU market. So check the status of any conventional model offered for sale.
If you need to wash and dry clothes indoors but don’t have room for two appliances, a washer-dryer’s drying capacity matters just as much as its washing capacity. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the two capacities can differ.
If you run frequent cycles and can install a dedicated appliance, compare electricity use, drying capacity and programme duration. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between conventional condenser technology and heat pump models.
If you have space for a dedicated appliance but want to free it up quickly, check the duration of the programme that suits your load. Also compare energy use and, for a conventional tumble dryer, whether the model can be placed on the market.
Choose this if: you have room for a dedicated appliance and dry clothes regularly.
Bear in mind: it doesn’t need an external vent and generally uses less energy than a model with a heating element, but drying usually takes longer (UFC-Que Choisir).
Consider this if: you want a dedicated appliance and drying time is especially important to you.
Bear in mind: it generally uses more electricity than a heat pump model (UFC-Que Choisir). Since 1 July 2025, EU rules no longer allow new domestic tumble dryers without heat pumps to be placed on the market (European Commission).
Choose this if: you only have room for one appliance and your laundry loads fit within its stated drying capacity.
Bear in mind: saving space often means lower drying capacity than washing capacity and longer cycles; some models use water during drying (UFC-Que Choisir).
In a home without an external vent, first compare the space you actually have, then think about the loads you need to dry and how often you’ll use the appliance.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Measure the width, depth, door opening and clearance. For a washer-dryer, also check the water and waste connections; for a stacked installation, make sure the stacking kit is fully compatible. | If I only have room for one appliance, I need to prioritise a solution that combines washing and drying without overlooking the necessary connections. Around 33% of consumers prioritise using just one space. |
| Electricity use | Compare figures calculated on the same basis and estimate how often you’ll dry clothes. Don’t compare an older annual figure directly with a figure in kWh per 100 cycles. | If I run frequent cycles, I want to compare their energy use on a like-for-like basis rather than focus only on the appliance’s purchase price. Around 27% of consumers prioritise electricity use over time. |
| Drying capacity | Check the stated capacity in kilograms for washing and drying separately, then compare the drying capacity with your usual laundry loads. | If I do large loads of washing, I want to know whether they can be dried without splitting the load. Around 27% of consumers prioritise a drying capacity that suits their laundry loads. |
| Programme duration | Compare the cycle time for a programme suited to your load and check how long the appliance will be in use, particularly with a washer-dryer. | If I need to get through several loads of washing, how long it takes to free up the appliance could influence my choice. Around 13% of consumers prioritise faster cycles. |
On a washer-dryer, the two capacities can differ. A full washing load may therefore exceed the stated drying capacity.
Check the stated capacity in kilograms for washing and drying separately, then compare the drying figure with your usual laundry loads.
Older annual energy figures and figures given per 100 cycles aren’t directly comparable. Tumble dryer energy labelling changed from 1 July 2025.
Check the exact model, label version and unit before comparing appliances.
Compatibility depends on the exact appliance models and the stacking kit they’re designed for. Similar widths alone aren’t enough to confirm that they’ll fit together.
Check with the manufacturer that the kit is suitable for both models before planning a stacked installation.
A washer-dryer combines two functions, but its drying capacity may be lower than its washing capacity. UFC-Que Choisir also notes that drying cycles take longer and that many models use water during drying.
If you dry clothes often, check the figures for the complete cycle and the drying capacity before opting for a two-in-one appliance.
The WQG133DBFR is an example of a dedicated heat pump tumble dryer.
The DCB816W is a conventional condenser tumble dryer with a heating element.
The F964R35WR is an example of a washer-dryer for homes where there’s room for just one appliance.
The EW7H5125SU is a dedicated heat pump tumble dryer listed with an 8 kg capacity.
The products below include dedicated heat pump tumble dryers and a washer-dryer for homes where there’s room for just one appliance.
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This dedicated heat pump tumble dryer is suited to homes without an external vent and to larger drying loads.
Stated capacity: 10 kg. Listed dimensions: 600 × 850 × 660 mm. The condenser is listed as self-cleaning.
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This dedicated heat pump tumble dryer is worth considering if you have a separate space for it and want to dry loads up to its stated capacity.
Listed capacity: 9 kg. Listed dimensions: 600 × 850 × 660 mm. The condenser is listed as self-cleaning.
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This heat pump tumble dryer is a dedicated option to compare if you have room for a separate appliance and dry loads up to its stated capacity.
Listed capacity: 8 kg.
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This heat pump tumble dryer is worth comparing if you have a dedicated space for it and its capacity suits your usual loads.
Stated capacity: 8 kg. The product information specifies a room of at least 4 m² and a 220–240 V earthed socket, and advises against using an extension lead. The R290 refrigerant is flammable.
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This washer-dryer could suit you if you only have space for one appliance to do both jobs and your drying loads stay within its stated capacity.
Listed capacity: 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. A maximum washing load can’t be dried all at once in a single cycle. The appliance needs suitable water and waste connections.
Yes. It doesn’t need an air vent to the outside, but you should check the appliance’s dimensions, clearance requirements and installation instructions. Depending on the model, condensed water is collected in a tank or drained away (UFC-Que Choisir).
Only if the load is within its drying capacity, which is often lower than its washing capacity. For the LG F964R35WR, LG lists a 9 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity.
Compare figures for the cycles you’ll use: wash-and-dry for the washer-dryer and drying for the dedicated appliance. Take into account the water used during drying by some models, and don’t compare an older annual figure directly with a figure in kWh per 100 cycles (European Commission; UFC-Que Choisir).
Conventional condenser technology is still worth distinguishing when comparing appliances, but the European Commission states that since 1 July 2025, only domestic tumble dryers fitted with a heat pump can be newly placed on the EU market. If a model is offered for sale, check its model number, energy label and status. An old product sheet isn’t enough to establish whether it is a new appliance that can be placed on the market.
Follow the instructions for your model to clean the filter, the condenser if it’s accessible, and the water tank if water isn’t drained directly away. Beko recommends cleaning its fluff filter after every cycle.