If you do laundry often and have space for a separate appliance, consider a heat pump tumble dryer. It doesn’t need an external vent, but you’ll still need to check where it can be installed and how condensate is managed. If you only have room for one appliance, a washer-dryer means you won’t need to install two machines. However, its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity, and drying cycles take longer, according to UFC-Que Choisir. Indoor drying is also an option in a large, well-ventilated room or one with mechanical extraction, as recommended by ADEME.
If there’s no way to run a duct outside, a vented tumble dryer isn’t suitable. A condenser dryer, with or without a heat pump, doesn’t need this connection. You’ll still need to check the room’s ventilation and how the condensed water is handled. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these installation types.
If you only have room for one appliance, a washer-dryer combines both functions. According to UFC-Que Choisir, its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity, and drying takes longer than with a separate tumble dryer.
If you regularly need to dry several loads, pay particular attention to drying capacity and cycle times. A separate appliance can avoid limiting each drying load to the lower capacity of a washer-dryer. Compare like-for-like programmes and loads.
Start by checking your installation options, then compare drying capacity with how often you do laundry and any practical constraints.
| Criteria | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Space and ventilation | According to UFC-Que Choisir, a vented tumble dryer needs a duct or opening to the outside. For other appliances, check the dimensions, clearance requirements and ventilation instructions in the manual. For an airer, ADEME recommends a large, well-ventilated room or mechanical extract ventilation. | I don’t have an outlet to the outside: how much space can I give to the appliance or airer, and how is the room ventilated? |
| Capacity and cycle time | Compare the drying capacity in kg with your usual loads. On a washer-dryer, it’s lower than the washing capacity; UFC-Que Choisir also says drying takes longer than with a conventional tumble dryer. Compare cycle times using similar loads and programmes. | If I wash a large load, can it be dried in one go, or will I need to take some clothes out before starting the drying cycle? |
| Water and maintenance | Check whether condensate is collected in a tank or whether a compatible direct-drain connection is possible. Check the filter-cleaning instructions too. Bosch says its WTZ1110 kit means you don’t have to empty the tank after every cycle when connected to a compatible drain. | I’d like to know where the condensed water will go and what I’ll need to do after each cycle. |
| One or two appliances | Measure the available space, including access routes and room for the doors to open. A washer-dryer takes up just one space, but compare its washing and drying capacities with your needs. | I can only spare one space for washing and drying: will a two-in-one appliance’s drying capacity be enough for my laundry? |
UFC-Que Choisir points out that a vented tumble dryer needs an opening to the outside or an air-extraction duct.
Make sure this type of connection is possible before choosing this technology. If it isn’t, consider a condenser dryer, with or without a heat pump.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a washer-dryer can dry less laundry than it can wash. So, if you wash a full load, you may need to split it before drying.
Compare both capacities in kg with the size of your usual load before planning a continuous wash-and-dry cycle.
ADEME says that air-drying laundry releases a lot of moisture into the air indoors. A small, enclosed room may not be suitable for this.
As ADEME recommends, choose a large, well-ventilated room or one with mechanical extract ventilation.
Without a compatible direct-drain connection, you’ll need to empty the condensate tank. Filter and tank maintenance requirements also vary between appliances.
Check whether you can connect the appliance to a drain, and follow the manual for your chosen model when carrying out maintenance.
Bosch offers heat pump tumble dryers. The French product page for the WTX87M09FF lists a capacity of 9 kg.
Electrolux offers heat pump tumble dryers in France, including the EDHF2812WE.
LG offers the F164HP2WST heat pump washer-dryer, with a stated capacity of 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying.
Miele offers heat pump tumble dryers. Its product page for the TEA525WP 8kg Active lists a capacity of 8 kg.
These models include heat pump tumble dryers, a condenser dryer and a washer-dryer. Start by choosing based on the space you have and the size of the load you need to dry.
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This separate heat pump tumble dryer is suitable for installation without an external air vent, provided you follow the instructions in the manual. The product title lists a capacity of 8 kg and energy class C. Check the dimensions, ventilation requirements and drainage options before choosing where to put it.
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Another separate tumble dryer that doesn’t need an external air vent, this model is listed with a capacity of 8 kg and energy class D. Before installing it, check the dimensions, clearance requirements and how condensate is collected or drained.
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This 8 kg condenser tumble dryer doesn’t need an air-extraction duct to the outside. If you’d rather not empty a tank, check whether this model supports direct drainage. Also check the dimensions and ventilation instructions.
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This washer-dryer combines both functions in one appliance. Its product title lists a washing capacity of 11 kg, but a drying capacity of 6 kg. If you fill the drum for washing, expect to reduce the load before drying. Also check the connections and installation dimensions.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a condenser or heat pump model doesn’t need an external duct, unlike a vented tumble dryer. However, that doesn’t mean every enclosed room is suitable: check the ventilation and installation instructions in the manual.
You’ll need to deal with the collected water unless the model supports a correctly connected direct drain. Bosch says its WTZ1110 kit means you don’t need to empty the tank after every cycle on compatible appliances. Check that it works with the model you’ve chosen.
Check the temperature range in your model’s manual rather than applying a single limit to every appliance. For the models covered by its guidance, Electrolux support says not to use them below 5 °C or above 35 °C. These limits shouldn’t be applied to every brand.
Not if the load exceeds its drying capacity, which is lower than its washing capacity according to UFC-Que Choisir. Compare both figures in kg for the model you’re considering, and remove some laundry before drying if needed.