If you have room for a separate appliance and regularly dry large loads, consider a heat pump tumble dryer. If you only have space for one appliance, a washer-dryer saves you from adding a second machine, but be sure to check its drying capacity separately. You can still use an indoor airer instead of an appliance, provided you take account of the moisture it adds to the room and how well ventilated your home really is, as highlighted by a study supported by ADEME.
If your home has no outdoor space, start by considering how many appliances you can fit, how much laundry you do and how well ventilated the space is.
A washer-dryer combines both functions in one appliance. If you want to wash and dry your clothes in one go, though, compare its two capacities: UFC-Que Choisir points out that drying capacity is lower than washing capacity.
If you can make room for a separate tumble dryer, compare its capacity with the size of your usual loads. Dimensions matter just as much as capacity: Bosch, for example, lists a 9 kg capacity and dimensions of 842 × 598 × 613 mm for its WQG1421SFR model, not for its entire range.
Before regularly drying clothes in a room, make sure the air can circulate properly and keep an eye out for persistent condensation. A study supported by ADEME describes air-drying as a significant source of indoor moisture; France Rénov’ highlights the role of ventilation in removing it.
Start with the space you actually have, then compare the load you need to dry with the details of the programme you plan to use. If you’ll still be using an airer, consider how well the room can be ventilated too.
Worth considering if: you have room for a separate appliance and regularly dry large loads.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to make room for it, check the installation requirements and carry out the maintenance set out in the manual.
Worth considering if: you only have room for one appliance and want to wash and dry your clothes without transferring them to another machine.
Bear in mind: UFC-Que Choisir points out that drying capacity is lower than washing capacity. It’s also worth comparing the length and energy and water use of a combined cycle.
Worth considering if: you’d rather not install a drying appliance and have a room with good working ventilation.
Bear in mind: the water in your laundry evaporates into the room, which is particularly important to consider if you already get condensation at home.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Space | Measure the width and depth of the space. Check the connections, door opening and clearance required in the manual. | Do I only have room for one appliance, or can I genuinely fit a separate tumble dryer? |
| Drying capacity | Compare the washing and drying capacities of a washer-dryer, in kg. For a separate tumble dryer, compare its stated capacity with the size of your household’s usual loads. | If I wash bedding or large loads, I want to know whether everything will dry in one cycle or if I’ll need to take some laundry out. |
| Cycle time and consumption | Compare like-for-like programmes and loads. Check the duration and electricity use, and for a washer-dryer, the water use of a wash-and-dry cycle rather than just the washing figures. | My laundry needs to fit into my daily routine, and I don’t want to confuse washing cycle figures with drying figures. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol measures factors including cycle time, water and electricity use per weight of dried laundry. |
| Indoor air | If you use an airer, check the air inlets and outlets, make sure the ventilation is working and look out for recurring condensation. Find out what’s causing any persistent damp. | I dry laundry in an occupied room, so I need to consider the moisture added to the air, as highlighted by the study supported by ADEME. |
| Maintenance | Check the model’s manual for details on filters and condensate water. Make sure you’ll still be able to reach the parts that need maintenance once the appliance is installed. | I want to be able to carry out routine maintenance without having to move an appliance installed in a tight space. |
With a washer-dryer, a load that fits for washing may be too large for drying. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the difference between the two capacities.
Check both figures in kg on the model’s product details. If you want to run the cycles back to back without taking out any laundry, size your load according to the drying capacity.
The duration and consumption figures for washing alone don’t tell you what to expect from a wash-and-dry cycle. For example, for the F964V52IRSA, LG lists 90 L of water per cycle and a cycle time of 7 h 50 at full load for the combined programme.
Check which programme and load the figures relate to, then compare data measured on the same basis.
Drying laundry releases moisture into the room. If condensation or damp patches keep coming back, choosing an appliance won’t necessarily solve the underlying problem.
Check that air can circulate and find out what’s causing any persistent damp before making the room your usual place to dry laundry.
In a tight space, getting to a filter or dealing with condensate water can be awkward, depending on how the appliance is set up.
Read the model’s manual before buying and make sure you’ll be able to carry out the recommended maintenance once the appliance is in place.
These brands offer models worth looking at across both types of appliance. The features mentioned apply to specific models or ranges, not every product they make.
A brand worth considering if you can install a separate heat pump tumble dryer.
Its washer-dryer range in France lets you compare the washing and drying capacities of a single appliance.
LG’s washer-dryer product details can help you compare capacities and full-cycle figures.
Another brand to consider for separate heat pump tumble dryers.
These two models are suited to homes where there’s space for a separate tumble dryer, so you can avoid using an indoor airer. Both have a stated capacity of 8 kg; check the available space and installation requirements for each model before choosing.
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Worth considering if you have room for a separate tumble dryer and want to dry loads without using an airer. Stated capacity: 8 kg; energy rating C. Measure the space and check the manual for clearance requirements, as well as the figures for the cycle you plan to use.
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This separate tumble dryer is worth considering if you want to dry laundry without taking up room with an airer. Stated capacity: 8 kg; energy rating D. Check the dimensions, installation clearances, cycle time and energy use for the programme you plan to use.
Not necessarily: as UFC-Que Choisir points out, its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity. Compare both figures for the exact model. The 9/6 kg configurations offered by Electrolux and LG show why a full wash load may need to be reduced before drying.
Check the model’s manual rather than automatically planning for an air duct: the heat pump appliances covered here circulate air inside the machine. Separately, check how condensate water is collected or drained, as well as the clearance required for installation.
Its presence alone doesn’t tell you whether the room is suitable for your laundry loads. The study supported by ADEME highlights the moisture produced by air-drying, so check that the ventilation is working properly and look out for recurring condensation or damp patches.
Don’t treat it as a replacement for ventilation. France Rénov’ points out that ventilation removes moisture produced in the home. If damp persists, find out what’s causing it before considering a dehumidifier as an additional appliance.