If you often dry large loads and have space set aside for an appliance, compare heat pump tumble dryers using their energy labels. Capacity, energy consumption and eco programme duration could all affect your choice. If you only have room for one appliance, a washer-dryer saves you having to transfer laundry between machines. However, its drying capacity is generally lower than its washing capacity. An airer is another option for loads that can wait, provided you have a suitable space. These differences in capacity and use are documented by UFC-Que Choisir and ADEME, among others.
If drying laundry on an airer holds up your next load, it’s worth comparing a separate tumble dryer with the amount of laundry you usually wash. Consider capacity, eco programme duration and energy consumption, as well as the noise level where you plan to put it.
A washer-dryer combines washing and drying without the need to transfer laundry between two machines. However, check both capacities separately: a full wash load may be too large for the drying capacity, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
If loads that aren’t needed straight away can dry on an airer, you can save any appliance for times when you’re short on time or have a lot of laundry to dry. If you’re drying clothes indoors, consider the space available and how well the room is ventilated, as recommended by ADEME.
Start with the space you have and how much laundry you need to dry. Then compare cycle times and energy consumption using the indicators for each type of appliance.
| Factor | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry load | Check the capacity in kg for the tumble dryer’s eco programme. With a washer-dryer, look at the washing and drying capacities separately: you may need to split a wash load before drying it. | If I do several loads in a row, how much laundry do I actually need to dry each time? A small, urgent load and a full wash load may call for different appliances. |
| Space and installation | Measure the height, width and depth, and allow for the clearances specified in the instructions. With a condenser tumble dryer, check whether the water collects in a tank or can be drained away. A vented model needs a suitable outlet to the outside, according to UFC-Que Choisir. | I only have room for one machine: a washer-dryer could save me having to install two appliances. If I’m also using an airer, I’ll need space to put it up and hang out the laundry. |
| Energy consumption and duration | When comparing two tumble dryers, check the kWh per 100 eco cycles, eco programme duration and corresponding capacity on the new energy label, as described by Gifam. The label for a washer-dryer gives separate figures for the full wash-and-dry cycle and washing alone, according to the European Commission. Don’t compare these figures directly with those for a separate tumble dryer. | Will a longer cycle fit into my laundry routine? When choosing between appliances, I’d rather compare figures for the cycles I’ll actually use than rely on claims about a quick programme. |
| Air-drying and other technologies | For indoor air-drying, ADEME recommends a large, well-ventilated room or one with suitable mechanical extraction. If you’re considering an older, conventional condenser tumble dryer, don’t compare its old energy rating directly with today’s A to G scale. | I have the time and a suitable space to air-dry some loads, so an airer could complement an appliance. If I’m looking at an older conventional model, I need to understand its energy label in context. |
| Maintenance | Check the instructions for the exact model to find out how to access the filter, maintain the condenser, empty the tank and make any necessary connections. A stated self-cleaning feature doesn’t replace the maintenance tasks specified by the manufacturer. | I want to know what maintenance will be needed and whether I’ll be able to access the parts that need looking after once the appliance is installed. |
The A to G scale for tumble dryers doesn’t directly correspond to the old ratings. Comparing appliances on the basis of the rating alone could therefore hide the figures that matter for your cycles.
For appliances with current labels, compare the kWh per 100 eco cycles, capacity, duration and noise level. If you need more details, look up the product information for the exact model. These indicators are included in Gifam’s overview of the new energy label.
With a washer-dryer, a load that’s within the washing capacity may exceed the permitted drying load. You’ll then need to remove some of the laundry before starting the drying cycle.
Compare both capacities shown for the model with the size of your usual wash loads.
Depending on the model, a condenser tumble dryer may collect water in a tank or offer a connection to a drain. The depth and clearance required may also determine whether the appliance will fit.
Check the dimensions and installation instructions, then make sure a drain hose is supplied if you plan to connect the appliance to a drain.
A quick programme may only be suitable for a small load. For example, Samsung states that its DV80TA020DH/EF takes 35 minutes for 1 kg. This doesn’t indicate how long the eco programme takes with a full load.
Use the eco programme duration on the energy label to compare standard cycles, and check the conditions for the quick programme separately.
These examples from well-known brands can help you spot differences between models; they don’t necessarily reflect the appliances featured below.
Bosch offers heat pump tumble dryers in France with different capacities and features, depending on the model.
Miele offers, among other things, heat pump tumble dryers with capacities that vary by model.
Samsung’s French range includes heat pump tumble dryers with programmes that vary by model.
This selection of Joybuy products includes washer-dryers for homes with room for one appliance, and a separate heat pump tumble dryer for drying laundry after washing. Before choosing, compare their capacities with the size of your usual loads.
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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, so an 11 kg wash load can’t be dried all at once. Check the dimensions and connections required for your installation.
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This washer-dryer is designed for washing and drying with a single appliance. Its stated capacities are 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, so compare the latter with your usual load sizes. Also check the energy label for the consumption and duration of the full wash-and-dry cycle.
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This separate appliance is for drying laundry after washing, with a stated capacity of 8 kg. Its description mentions an easy-access filter and the option to drain water directly into a drain. Before planning this connection, check the dimensions, eco programme figures and whether a hose is included.
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This washer-dryer is worth considering if you only have room for one appliance to wash and dry your laundry. Its stated capacities are 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, so check whether you’ll need to split your loads. The description mentions the LintClear fluff-cleaning system and automatic dosing; check the instructions to see what maintenance is required.
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This washer-dryer combines both functions in one appliance, with a stated capacity of 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. The description mentions Zeo-Cycle, LintClear and automatic dosing. To find out whether a full wash load can be dried without removing any laundry, start with the 6 kg limit and check the figures for the full cycle on the energy label.
The European Commission states that, since 1 July 2025, only heat pump tumble dryers can be placed on the EU market as new domestic appliances. If you’re looking at an older conventional model, check when it was placed on the market and read its energy label rather than assuming it meets the same requirements as a newly marketed model.
For tumble dryers with the new label, compare the A to G rating, kWh per 100 eco cycles, capacity and eco programme duration, as well as the noise level. For a condenser model, also check its condensation efficiency. Gifam explains that the energy consumption, capacity and duration figures refer to the eco programme. An old A+++ rating isn’t directly comparable with the new scale.
Not if the wash load exceeds the model’s stated drying capacity. Washer-dryers have separate washing and drying capacities, so check both and be prepared to remove some laundry if your wash load is larger than the drying limit.
A heat pump condenser tumble dryer collects water in a tank or, depending on the model, can drain it away. It doesn’t need the external outlet required by a vented appliance, as UFC-Que Choisir explains. Still, check the instructions for clearance, the electrical supply and any requirements for a drain connection.
Compare like with like: the European Commission gives separate figures for the full wash-and-dry cycle and washing alone for a washer-dryer, while a tumble dryer’s label covers its drying eco programme. For a washer-dryer, look at the energy and water consumption, capacity and duration for the full cycle. Don’t treat the washing-only figures as equivalent to drying performance.