A washer-dryer is a good choice if you can’t fit a separate tumble dryer or a practical drying rack, and your usual laundry load fits its drying capacity. Compare the drying capacity with the washing capacity, then check the available space, as well as the duration and energy and water consumption of the full cycle. If you can fit two appliances and often dry large loads, a separate washer and dryer may also be worth considering: UFC-Que Choisir notes that a washer-dryer takes longer to dry clothes than a conventional tumble dryer.
A washer-dryer lets you wash and dry your clothes in one appliance, without having to leave a drying rack set up permanently. However, you’ll need to keep loads within its drying capacity and allow enough time for the full cycle.
The drying capacity determines how much laundry can come out dry without you having to remove some of the load. For example, Bosch lists the WNG24402FR as having a 9 kg capacity for washing alone, but 6 kg for a wash-and-dry cycle.
A separate washing machine and tumble dryer are worth considering if you often need to dry large loads. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a washer-dryer dries less laundry than it can wash, and takes longer to dry clothes than a conventional tumble dryer.
Start with the amount of laundry you want to dry without hanging it out, then check the installation requirements and full-cycle figures for the models you’re considering.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Drying capacity | Compare the washing capacity with the capacity for a wash-and-dry cycle. Check how much laundry can stay in the drum for both stages to run one after the other. | I want to take out my whole load dry without removing some of it first: the drying capacity, not just the washing capacity, needs to match my load. |
| Space and access | Check the width, height and depth of the exact model. Also measure the space needed in front of the door and the route to its final position. | I don’t have room for two appliances or a permanent drying rack; the machine also needs to fit through the doors and into the space available. |
| Full cycle | Compare the duration, water use and electricity consumption listed for the wash-and-dry cycle on a like-for-like basis, using the energy label and EU product information sheet. | If I dry laundry in the machine often, the waiting time and full-cycle consumption matter just as much as the space I could save. |
A machine advertised as 9 kg for washing may only take 6 or 7 kg for drying. If your load is heavier, you’ll have to remove some laundry before drying or dry it in more than one batch.
If you want to wash and dry a load without having to intervene, use the capacity stated for the wash-and-dry cycle as your guide.
UFC-Que Choisir says a washer-dryer takes longer to dry clothes than a conventional tumble dryer, and also highlights its water consumption.
Check the duration and consumption figures for the wash-and-dry cycle for each model you’re considering, especially if you need to process several loads in a row.
If the machine is too deep for the space, there isn’t enough clearance in front of the door, or the access route is too narrow, you may not be able to install it.
Measure all three dimensions of the space, as well as the doors, corridors and any lift on the delivery route. Samsung also recommends allowing for the space needed to get the packaged appliance through.
The specifications below apply to specific models; they don’t describe every machine from each brand.
For the WNG24402FR, Bosch lists a 9 kg washing capacity, a 6 kg wash-and-dry capacity and dimensions of 848 × 598 × 590 mm.
LG describes the F964R35WR as an all-in-one washer-dryer with a 9 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity.
Samsung lists a 9 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity for the WD90DG5B15BE, with dimensions of 600 × 850 × 600 mm.
Whirlpool lists a 9 kg washing capacity, a 7 kg drying capacity and a depth of 60,5 cm for the FFWDB976258BCVFR.
These three washer-dryers combine washing and drying in one appliance. Each has a listed drying capacity of 6 kg, so compare this with your usual load before choosing a model.
Image unavailable
This washer-dryer lets you wash and then dry your laundry in one appliance, as long as the load you want to dry doesn’t exceed the stated 6 kg capacity.
The stated washing capacity is 11 kg, so a load heavier than 6 kg will need to be reduced before drying. Check the dimensions, the route to the installation space and the EU energy label information for the variant being sold.
Image unavailable
This washer-dryer is a good fit if you need a single appliance and your load fits within the stated 6 kg drying capacity.
The stated 10 kg capacity is for washing; it doesn’t mean you can dry the whole load in one go. Check the EU energy information sheet for this variant to compare the full-cycle duration and consumption, then measure the delivery route.
Image unavailable
This washer-dryer lets you run a wash-and-dry cycle for a load within its stated drying capacity of 6 kg.
The stated washing capacity is 10 kg; a load of this size can’t be dried in full in a single 6 kg cycle. Check the dimensions and the clearance needed, as well as the duration and consumption figures for the wash-and-dry cycle for the variant being sold.
The 9 kg figure is the maximum washing capacity, while 6 kg is the maximum stated load for drying or for a wash-and-dry cycle. To finish with the whole load dry without removing any laundry, keep the load within that second capacity. Bosch, for example, lists these as two separate figures for the WNG24402FR.
Look at the information for the wash-and-dry cycle, including its capacity, duration and water and electricity consumption, rather than considering the washing figures alone. EU energy labelling rules cover this information for washer-dryers, so compare models using the same cycle basis.
They’re worth considering if you often dry large loads and have room to install them. UFC-Que Choisir says a washer-dryer takes longer to dry clothes than a conventional tumble dryer. If space is limited, a washer-dryer has the advantage of combining both functions in one appliance.
Measure the available width, height and depth, and don’t forget the space needed to open the door and the delivery route. Check the dimensions of your chosen model and make sure it can be moved, while packaged, through the doors, corridors and any lift. Samsung also highlights the importance of checking access.