If you do laundry frequently and have a suitable space, a separate heat pump tumble dryer gives you a dedicated appliance for drying. A washer-dryer is a better fit when you only have space for one appliance, as long as you size each load according to its drying capacity, not its washing capacity. An airer avoids electric drying, but takes time and space, and needs a well-ventilated room.
If an airer regularly takes over a room, it may be worth considering a separate tumble dryer, provided you have a space that meets the requirements in its manual. Compare its capacity with the amount of laundry you actually dry.
A washer-dryer combines both functions in one appliance. It’s a good option if each load going straight through a wash-and-dry cycle is within the drying limit, which is usually lower than the washing capacity, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
This option means accepting a longer drying time and having a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor fan. ADEME highlights the importance of ventilation when drying laundry indoors.
Consider it: if you do laundry regularly and can install a separate appliance in line with its manual.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to set aside space for it and compare programme times before choosing.
Consider it: if you only have space for a washing machine and your drying loads are fairly small.
Bear in mind: you may need to reduce a full wash load before drying.
Consider it: if you have a room that’s large and well ventilated enough to hold your laundry while it dries.
Bear in mind: your laundry will take up space for longer and release moisture into your home.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Amount of laundry to dry | Compare the drying capacity in kg with the size of your usual loads. With a washer-dryer, check how it differs from the washing capacity. | When you do several loads in a row, having to take laundry out before each drying cycle makes planning more difficult. Around 31% of consumers prioritise drying capacity. |
| Available space | Measure the space, access routes and door clearance. For a stacked set-up, check the manuals to confirm that the stacking kit and both appliances are compatible. | If an airer is left in the middle of your living room and there’s no space for a second appliance in the utility room, size becomes a deciding factor for around 25% of consumers. |
| Electricity consumption | For the models you’re considering, compare the stated energy use per cycle with the duration and capacity of the programme you’ll use. | If I dry laundry often, I want to be able to compare the electricity needed for each cycle. Around 25% of consumers prioritise running costs. |
| Drying without an appliance | Check that you have a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor fan where you can put an airer while your laundry dries. | I’d rather avoid a tumble dryer, but I don’t want to leave damp laundry in a small, enclosed room either. This is the main consideration for around 19% of consumers. |
A washer-dryer listed as 9/6 kg can wash up to 9 kg, but can only dry 6 kg in a wash-and-dry cycle. A larger load will need to be reduced or dried in separate batches.
Estimate how much laundry you usually dry, and use the drying capacity as the limit for a cycle that runs through without your intervention.
UFC-Que Choisir says that traditional condenser dryers are generally faster than heat pump models, but use more electricity. So speed alone doesn’t tell you everything about regular use.
For each model you’re considering, compare its stated energy use, programme duration and capacity with your laundry needs.
Whether you can stack appliances depends on the models and the approved kit. The manual for the Bosch WTH83V13FR, for example, requires a suitable kit and sets out compatibility restrictions.
Check the manuals for both appliances before buying a kit or setting aside space.
According to ADEME, laundry drying indoors releases a lot of moisture into the air. A small, poorly ventilated room is not the same as a well-ventilated space.
Choose a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor fan for indoor drying.
Two Bosch models let you compare a washer-dryer’s capacity with the requirements for a stacked installation.
The EW7W3924SV washer-dryer shows why it’s worth checking the capacity and duration of a complete cycle, rather than focusing only on the appliance’s format.
The WD90T754DBH lets you compare its separate washing and drying capacities with the access constraints in your flat.
These appliances cover the two electric options discussed here: a washer-dryer when you only have space for one appliance, and a heat pump tumble dryer when you can install a separate appliance.
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This washer-dryer is for households with space for just one appliance. It has a 10 kg washing capacity but a 6 kg drying capacity, so a larger wash load will need to be reduced before drying.
Listed energy rating: D. Check the duration and energy use of the wash-and-dry cycle, along with the model’s installation requirements, before choosing.
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This washer-dryer may be worth considering if there’s no room for a separate tumble dryer. It has a 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity, so check that the latter suits your usual loads.
The product name mentions app control. Before buying, compare its dimensions, cycle times and energy use with your installation and laundry habits.
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This separate tumble dryer may be worth considering if you have dedicated space and need a stated capacity of 8 kg. It’s listed as a heat pump model with an energy rating of C.
Check the dimensions, door clearance, installation instructions, programme times and energy use for the space you have in mind.
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Consider this separate model if you can set aside space for drying. Its title lists a heat pump, an 8 kg capacity and an energy rating of D.
Before choosing it, check how much space it takes up, its installation instructions, and the duration and energy use of the programmes you’re interested in.
No. A condenser tumble dryer with a heat pump doesn’t need a vent hose to carry air outside. Depending on the model, water can be collected in a tank or sent to a drain. Check the connection options in the manual.
No, not in a single drying cycle: 9 kg is the washing capacity and 6 kg is the drying capacity. If you want to run a wash-and-dry cycle without taking any laundry out, keep the load within the applicable drying capacity.
No. Whether you can stack the appliances depends on their manuals and whether you have a compatible kit. The manual for the Bosch WTH83V13FR requires a suitable kit and sets out restrictions on which appliances can be paired with it. Check the model numbers of both appliances before installation.
Don’t assume so without checking the ventilation. According to ADEME, laundry drying indoors releases a lot of moisture. Choose a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor fan, and make sure the airer won’t prevent you from using the room for an extended period.