If you don’t have an external vent, compare a condenser or heat pump tumble dryer with a washer-dryer rather than a vented model. A separate dryer is a good choice if you do laundry frequently and have room for another appliance; a washer-dryer takes up just one space, but its drying capacity may be lower than its washing capacity. If you stick with an airer, the spin cycle and ventilation remain important, even if you use a dehumidifier as well.
If there’s no room for a second appliance in your home, a washer-dryer combines both functions. However, compare its depth, connections and drying capacity, which differs from its washing capacity: UFC-Que Choisir highlights the space-saving benefits of washer-dryers, while the Electrolux EWW8416DB is listed with an 8 kg washing capacity and a 4 kg drying capacity.
If you can set aside space for a separate appliance, compare heat pump and conventional condenser tumble dryers based on how often you’ll use them. Check the dimensions, stated energy consumption and noise level of the model you’re considering before deciding where it will go.
If you don’t want to add a tumble dryer, choosing the right spin speed and having a suitable room for drying laundry matter more than relying on an additional feature alone. For indoor drying, ADEME recommends a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor fan; a dehumidifier is not a replacement for an airer.
Worth considering: if you dry laundry often and can fit a second appliance without an external vent.
The trade-off: conventional condenser and heat pump dryers involve different compromises between energy use and drying time; both take up extra space.
Worth considering: if your priority is to wash and dry in a single space.
The trade-off: a load may be too large to dry after washing, meaning you’ll need two drying cycles; check the duration of the full cycle too.
Worth considering: if you’d rather air-dry your laundry than install a large appliance.
The trade-off: a dehumidifier can be used alongside an airer, but the laundry will still be in the room, so ventilation needs to be considered.
If you live in a small home without outdoor space, start with your main constraint, then check the installation requirements and specifications of the exact model you’re considering.
| Consideration | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space available | Measure the space, the clearance needed to open the door and any gaps specified in the instructions. For a washer-dryer, check its drying capacity too. | When I only have space for one laundry appliance, I want to be able to dry clothes without installing a second one; around 36% of consumers would prioritise this space saving above all else. |
| Energy use with regular use | Compare the technology and stated energy consumption for similar programmes, taking into account how often you dry laundry. | If I dry laundry often, the energy used by each cycle matters to me; around 29% of consumers would put energy efficiency first. |
| All-in-one cycle | Compare the washing and drying capacities, then check the duration and water consumption of the full cycle. | I’d rather wash and dry without transferring the laundry, even if that means limiting the load to what the dryer can handle; this convenience would come first for around 21% of consumers. |
| Air-drying on an airer | Check your washing machine’s spin cycle and the ventilation options. If you’re considering a dehumidifier, check its tank and drainage options. | If there’s no room for a tumble dryer, I’ll keep using my airer but look for ways to reduce drying time; around 14% of consumers would prioritise this option. |
According to UFC-Que Choisir, this type of tumble dryer needs an opening to the outside or access to a suitable duct. It’s therefore not suitable for a home without either.
Check your home’s layout before choosing a type of dryer, then read the installation instructions for the model you choose.
A washer-dryer may be able to wash more than it can dry: Electrolux lists the EWW8416DB as having an 8 kg washing capacity and a 4 kg drying capacity.
Size your loads according to the drying capacity and check the stated duration of the wash-and-dry programme.
Its separate tumble dryers let you compare water management options, capacity and dimensions across different models.
Its washer-dryers are an example of choosing an appliance for a single space, provided you distinguish between the load you can wash and the load you can dry.
Its washer-dryers offer other capacities to consider if the amount of laundry you need to dry is a key factor in your choice.
Its dehumidifiers with a laundry mode are worth considering as an addition to an airer, not as standalone tumble dryers.
These models are options if you’re looking for a separate conventional condenser or heat pump tumble dryer and have space for one. Before choosing, check the model’s dimensions and installation instructions against the space available in your home.
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Worth considering if you have space for a separate tumble dryer and want to compare an 8 kg condenser model.
The model name mentions OptiSense. Check the instructions for the clearances, ventilation and water management requirements for your installation.
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Worth comparing if you dry laundry regularly and have room for a separate appliance.
The product name lists an energy rating of C. Measure the space and check the installation clearances in the instructions.
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Worth comparing if an 8 kg separate tumble dryer fits into your plans for your home.
The product name lists an energy rating of D. Check the instructions for the dimensions, noise level, water management and installation requirements.
Yes. According to UFC-Que Choisir, a condenser tumble dryer, including a heat pump model, doesn’t need to be connected to an external outlet in the way a vented model does. However, check the instructions for ventilation requirements, dimensions and how condensed water is collected or drained.
Not always: its drying capacity may be lower than its washing capacity. For example, Electrolux lists the EWW8416DB with an 8 kg washing capacity and a 4 kg drying capacity; compare both capacities for the model you’re interested in before planning to run a cycle without interruption.
No. It can be used alongside an airer, but it won’t dry laundry in a drum. Think about the room too: for indoor drying, ADEME recommends a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor fan.
Make sure you can easily reach the filter and, if your model has one, the water tank. UFC-Que Choisir recommends cleaning the filter after every use and emptying the tank on a condenser model when necessary; follow the instructions for any other maintenance specific to your appliance.