If you have room for two appliances and dry laundry often, start by comparing heat pump condenser tumble dryers. Check the cycle times and energy consumption for the model you’re considering. If you only have space for one appliance, a washer-dryer fits the bill, but its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
A dedicated tumble dryer lets you compare capacity, programme times and energy consumption separately. According to UFC-Que Choisir, a condenser model doesn’t need to be connected to an outside vent. However, you’ll need to allow for the space it takes up and deal with the collected water.
A washer-dryer combines washing and drying in a single appliance. UFC-Que Choisir points out that its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity, so a full wash load may need to be dried in more than one go.
Compare times for equivalent loads and programmes, rather than looking only for a quick-dry setting. UFC-Que Choisir reports programme times and energy use per kilo of dried laundry, which is useful when capacities differ.
Consider this if: you dry laundry regularly and have room for a dedicated appliance without an outside vent.
Bear in mind: Beko notes that this type of appliance can take longer to dry and needs more frequent maintenance. Check the specifications and instructions for the model you choose.
Consider this if: you want a dedicated tumble dryer without an outside vent and cycle times are especially important to you.
Compare: check cycle times and energy consumption on a like-for-like basis before choosing between it and a heat pump model.
Consider this if: there’s room for only one appliance in your home.
Bear in mind: according to UFC-Que Choisir, drying capacity is lower than washing capacity. Check the permitted load before running both cycles one after the other.
Once you’ve chosen an appliance type, check that its dimensions, programmes and installation requirements suit the room where you’ll use it.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Check the available space, doorways and clearances specified in the instructions. If you’re stacking the appliances, make sure both appliances and the stacking kit are compatible. | I don’t have a dedicated outside vent, or I need to stack the appliances. |
| Time and energy | Compare the time taken by the same type of programme and the energy-use figures for the load you’ll be drying. Check the label and product information for the exact model. | Short cycles matter to me, but I also want to know how much energy they use if I dry laundry often. |
| Drying capacity | For a washer-dryer, check the washing and drying capacities separately, then look at the figures for a complete cycle. | I want to run a wash and dry cycle without having to remove some of the laundry from an overfilled load. |
| Water and ventilation | Check whether water is collected in a tank or can be drained away. Make sure your home’s ventilation is working properly and follow the instructions. | I often dry laundry at home and need to choose an installation that suits the room. |
Unlike a condenser model, a vented tumble dryer needs to expel air outside. Without a suitable installation, it won’t meet your home’s requirements.
Check that you can install an outlet before choosing this type of appliance. If not, compare condenser models.
A quick programme alone doesn’t tell you how much energy a cycle uses or how much laundry it can handle.
Compare cycle times and energy figures for similar programmes and loads, taking into account how often you’ll use the appliance.
With a washer-dryer, the maximum wash load may be larger than the load it can then dry, as UFC-Que Choisir explains.
If you want to run both cycles one after the other, load the appliance according to the drying limit for the programme you’ve selected.
A stacking kit is designed for specific models and dimensions. Bosch, for example, states that one of its kits requires a washing machine with a depth of more than 55 cm. This requirement doesn’t apply to every kit.
Before stacking the appliances, check the instructions and the stated compatibility of both appliances and the kit.
You’ll also need to allow for the cost of a compatible stacking kit.
These ranges give you a few options to compare; features vary by specific model.
Bosch’s French range includes an 8 kg heat pump tumble dryer.
Samsung’s French range includes 9 kg heat pump tumble dryers.
Miele’s French range includes heat pump tumble dryers, including a T1 model advertised with a 9 kg capacity.
Beko offers a range of heat pump tumble dryers in the French market.
This selection includes dedicated tumble dryers and a washer-dryer for homes with space for just one appliance. For the tumble dryers, check the technology used by each model before comparing their programmes.
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A dedicated condenser tumble dryer that doesn’t need an outside vent. It has an advertised capacity of 8 kg and energy rating C. Check the programme times, dimensions and clearance needed for installation.
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A dedicated appliance to consider if you have space for a condenser tumble dryer. It has an advertised capacity of 8 kg and energy rating D. A quick programme is mentioned in the product title, so check the relevant load and programme before relying on its cycle time.
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A condenser drying option advertised with an 8 kg capacity. Confirm the precise drying technology before comparing its cycle time and energy use with those of a heat pump or heating element model.
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An option to consider if you have room for just one appliance to wash and dry your laundry. The advertised capacities are 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, so stick to the drying limit if you’re running both cycles one after the other. Also check the time and energy use for a complete cycle.
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A dedicated heat pump tumble dryer with an advertised energy rating of D. The capacity listed for this model differs between the title and the detailed specifications: one says 10 kg and the other 8 kg. Confirm the capacity on the product page for the exact model before choosing.
No. According to UFC-Que Choisir, a condenser tumble dryer can be installed without an outside vent. Check the instructions to find out how to empty the water tank or, if the model allows it, connect it to a drain.
Yes, as long as the instructions for both appliances and the stacking kit confirm that they’re compatible. Bosch, for example, states that one of its kits is designed for a washing machine with a depth of more than 55 cm. This requirement applies to that kit only.
Yes, make sure your home’s ventilation is working properly. If you also hang laundry indoors, ADEME recommends using a large, well-ventilated room or one fitted with a mechanical ventilation extraction vent.
Because its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. To run both cycles one after the other without removing any laundry, prepare a load that stays within the drying programme’s limit.
Compare the information for the wash cycle and the complete wash-and-dry cycle separately: they relate to two different uses. Check the label and product information for the model you’re considering to see the associated loads, cycle times and energy use.