If you regularly dry laundry at home and are buying a new freestanding appliance in France, consider heat pump tumble dryers. According to the European Commission, this technology has been required for household tumble dryers newly placed on the EU market since 1 July 2025. If there’s no room for two appliances, a washer-dryer could be the answer, provided its drying capacity suits your loads. In either case, compare the energy and duration figures for the relevant cycle, then check the dimensions, noise level and water management for the model you choose.
If you regularly dry loads at home, look for an eco programme capacity that suits the amount of laundry you usually wash. Also check energy use and cycle duration: capacity alone isn’t enough to tell two appliances apart.
If there’s no room for a second appliance, a washer-dryer is worth considering. Check its dimensions and separate washing and drying capacities before assuming you can run a complete cycle without removing any laundry.
If you run frequent cycles or plan to place the appliance near living areas, compare the kWh per 100 cycles, eco programme duration and noise information across models using the same generation of energy label.
Your first decision depends on the space you have: a freestanding tumble dryer and a washer-dryer solve different problems. A conventional condenser dryer you already own or are considering second-hand is another case to look at, but it isn’t the usual option when choosing a new household tumble dryer placed on the EU market since 1 July 2025, according to the European Commission.
Consider it: if you want a new freestanding appliance and have a separate space for drying your regular loads.
Bear in mind: the technology alone won’t tell you how long the cycle takes, how noisy the model is or what installation it requires.
Consider it: if your home can’t accommodate two appliances or you generally have small loads to dry.
Bear in mind: drying capacity may be lower than washing capacity, so you might need to remove some laundry before drying.
Consider it: if you want to understand how an appliance you already have works or assess a second-hand listing. Check its condition and how it collects water.
Keep in mind: its old energy rating can’t be directly compared with the new A–G scale for tumble dryers.
If you’re considering machine drying because outdoor drying is unreliable or you’re short on time and space, the most important factor will depend on your situation:
| Factor | What to check | Who should consider it? |
|---|---|---|
| Energy use | The kWh per 100 cycles for the eco programme and the generation of the tumble dryer’s energy label. | If you dry laundry often, you’ll want to know how much energy repeated cycles use before choosing. Around 33% of consumers prioritise energy use. |
| Laundry load | The eco programme capacity in kg; for a washer-dryer, its separate washing and drying capacities. | If your usual loads are large, you’ll want to avoid splitting them across several drying cycles. Capacity is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Space and installation | The dimensions and required clearances, plus access to the water tank or drainage options for the model. | In a home where every bit of space counts, you’ll need to know which appliance can actually be installed and used. Space and installation are the main concern for around 27% of consumers. |
| Cycle time and noise | The eco programme duration, the conditions for short cycles and the noise information. | If you need laundry ready by a particular time or the appliance will be near living areas, you’ll want a cycle that fits in with your household routine. Around 13% of consumers rank cycle time or noise as their main concern. |
According to Gifam, tumble dryers have had a new energy label since 1 July 2025. So the letter on an older appliance can’t be directly compared with the rating on a model using the new label.
To compare two tumble dryers, check which generation of label each one uses, then look at the kWh per 100 cycles, eco programme capacity and duration, as well as the noise level.
Its drying capacity may be lower than its washing capacity. For example, Miele lists an 8 kg washing capacity and a 5 kg drying capacity for its WTD160 WCS.
Compare both capacities in kg with the amount of laundry you want to dry after each wash.
If the load you’ve washed exceeds the drying capacity, you may need to remove some laundry or run another cycle.
Whether a hose is included and how it can be connected depend on the model and installation. If you can’t connect it to a suitable drain, you’ll need to factor in access to the water collection tank.
Check the instructions for the exact model to see what’s included, where the hose can be routed and how much room you’ll need to handle the tank.
A short cycle may be intended for certain fabrics or a different load size from the one used for the eco programme shown on the energy label.
Check the eco programme duration and the load conditions for the quick programme separately, then see how they fit with your laundry routine.
These models illustrate two of the options covered here: a washer-dryer if you don’t have room for two appliances, and freestanding heat pump tumble dryers if you have space for a separate appliance. For each one, compare the stated capacity with your usual loads, and check the model’s energy label and instructions before deciding.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you don’t have room for a separate washing machine and tumble dryer. Its stated capacity is 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, so a full wash load may be too large to dry in one go.
Before buying, check the dimensions and installation requirements, as well as the wash-and-dry cycle information in the model’s documentation.
Image unavailable
Worth a look if you have space for a freestanding tumble dryer and need a stated capacity of 8 kg.
Compare its energy use and eco programme duration on the energy label; check the instructions for dimensions, clearances and water management. If the appliance will be near living areas, also check its stated noise level.
Image unavailable
Another freestanding option to consider if a stated capacity of 8 kg suits your usual loads.
The product name mentions energy class D; check the applicable energy label and its kWh per 100 cycles before making comparisons. Also check the eco programme duration, noise level, dimensions and installation requirements for the model.
Not by comparing the letters alone: according to Gifam, the new A–G label for tumble dryers has applied since 1 July 2025. When choosing between models, check that they use the same generation of energy label, then compare their kWh per 100 cycles, eco programme capacity and duration.
It isn’t the usual option for a household tumble dryer newly placed on the EU market: the European Commission says heat pump technology has been required since 1 July 2025. If you’re looking at a second-hand appliance or older stock, check the details of the listing rather than assuming its status based on the technology alone.
Not necessarily: the extracted water can be collected in a tank, and some models can be connected to a drain. Check the instructions for your chosen model for connection options and clearance requirements, and make sure you can access the tank in your home.
Not always: its drying capacity may be lower than its washing capacity. Compare both figures in kg for the model you’re considering, and check the wash-and-dry cycle information on its own energy label rather than using the figures for a freestanding tumble dryer.
Make sure you can easily access any parts the instructions say need maintenance, particularly the filter and, if the water isn’t drained away, the collection tank. Check the requirements for the specific model: a self-cleaning feature doesn’t replace the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions.