If you often dry large loads and have a suitable space, a separate tumble dryer means you won’t be limited by the drying capacity of a washer-dryer for each load. If you only have room for one appliance, a washer-dryer can combine both functions, provided you’re happy for its drying capacity to sometimes be lower than its washing capacity. If you can wait for your clothes to dry, an efficient spin cycle followed by indoor air-drying is another option.
If you regularly fill your washing machine, compare the load you want to dry with the washer-dryer’s capacity on a combined cycle. The Bosch, LG and Whirlpool product details mentioned below show that, on the models in question, drying capacity is lower than washing capacity. A separate tumble dryer is worth considering if you have space for one.
A washer-dryer combines both functions in one appliance. Be sure to check its dimensions and drying capacity, though: on the Bosch, LG and Whirlpool models reviewed, the drying capacity is lower than the washing capacity.
If you can wait for your clothes to dry and have space to hang them, spin-drying efficiency becomes an important factor. ADEME advises checking the spin-drying efficiency class on the energy label and choosing class A to make indoor drying easier.
Start by considering the load you want to dry and the space you have. Then compare the energy label for the cycle you’ll actually use.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who should consider it? |
|---|---|---|
| Drying capacity | Compare the capacity of the wash-and-dry cycle, in kg, with your usual loads and how often you do laundry. | If you do several loads in a row, having to remove some clothes before drying can make laundry harder to manage; around 42% of consumers put drying capacity at the top of their list. |
| Space and installation | Measure the available space and the clearance needed to open the appliance. If you plan to stack your appliances, check that both models and the stacking kit are compatible. | If you only have room for one appliance, combining washing and drying may matter more than being able to dry a full wash load; around 33% of consumers prioritise this space constraint. |
| Air-drying and energy use | Check the spin-drying efficiency class if you plan to air-dry clothes indoors, and the energy use stated for the function you’ll use. | If you can leave clothes on an airer, avoiding the need for another appliance may matter more than drying quickly; around 25% of consumers prioritise this approach. |
To see how drying capacity can differ, Bosch lists 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for a wash-and-dry cycle on the WDU8H500FF; LG lists 9 kg and 6 kg on the F964V50WRS, while Whirlpool lists 9 kg and 7 kg on the FFWDB976258BCVFR. These capacities apply to these specific models, not to all washer-dryers.
On the Bosch, LG and Whirlpool models mentioned here, the two capacities differ. A full wash load may therefore need to be dried in batches, or some of the clothes may need to be hung up to dry.
Check the maximum capacity for the wash-and-dry cycle or the stated drying capacity, then compare it with the load you want to dry in one go.
LG’s product details for the F964V50WRS give it a B rating for washing alone and an E rating for wash-and-dry. The first rating doesn’t describe the combined cycle.
If you plan to machine-dry your clothes, check the rating, energy and water use, and cycle duration stated for wash-and-dry on the model you’re considering.
Width alone doesn’t confirm that appliances are suitable for stacking. Bosch advises checking the models and using a compatible stacking kit.
Before planning this setup, check the instructions for both models and the manufacturer’s guidance on the kit and its installation.
Maintenance requirements vary by model. Bosch says the filter should be cleaned after every use on the models concerned, while its AutoClean system has a tank that needs to be emptied periodically.
Check the manual for your chosen model to see which parts need cleaning or emptying, and how often.
Bosch’s UK product details let you compare heat pump tumble dryers with a washer-dryer, depending on the space you have and the size of the load you need to dry.
The LG F964V50WRS washer-dryer is an example of an appliance that combines both functions in one space.
Whirlpool’s product range includes freestanding and integrated washer-dryers to consider, depending on where you plan to install your appliance.
This selection includes washer-dryers and separate tumble dryers. First, choose between the two types of appliance based on your available space and load sizes. If you can dry your clothes indoors, you may not need to add a drying appliance.
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Worth considering if you want to wash and dry with one appliance. Its stated capacity is 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, so a full wash load can’t be dried in one go at the stated capacity. Check the dimensions and the combined cycle’s energy label to make sure it suits your needs.
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Worth considering if you have space for a separate tumble dryer. This model is listed as an 8 kg heat pump tumble dryer with a C energy rating. Check its dimensions and the filter maintenance instructions before planning where to install it.
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Consider this separate tumble dryer if its stated 8 kg capacity suits your loads and you have space for it. It’s listed as a class D heat pump model. Check its dimensions and installation instructions for the space you have in mind.
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This model is a separate drying option, but check its capacity before choosing it for large loads: the title says 10 kg, while another description says 8 kg. Confirm the capacity of the exact model, then check its dimensions and the energy use of the programme you’re planning to use.
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This mini washer-dryer is designed for very small loads, rather than drying a typical household wash in one go. Its stated capacity is 1 kg for washing and 0.5 kg for drying. Check that these limits, its dimensions and its installation requirements suit your needs.
Not always: the capacity of a wash-and-dry cycle may be lower than the washing capacity. Bosch lists 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying on the WDU8H500FF; LG lists 9 kg and 6 kg on the F964V50WRS, while Whirlpool lists 9 kg and 7 kg on the FFWDB976258BCVFR. If you wash a full load, compare the resulting load with the drying limit before starting a combined cycle.
Compare the information for the function you’ll use. For a washer-dryer, look at washing alone and wash-and-dry separately. ADEME recommends checking the energy use shown on the label, among other things. For household tumble dryers sold in the European Union, the European Commission says a revised A to G label has applied since 1 July 2025.
Yes, as long as the models are confirmed as suitable for stacking and you use the right kit. Bosch advises checking compatibility before installation; having a similar width isn’t enough. Check the manuals for both appliances and the instructions for the stacking kit designed for them.
It depends on the model and its filter or condensate collection system. Bosch says the filter should be cleaned after every use on the models concerned; for its AutoClean models, the brand specifies a tank that needs to be emptied periodically. Follow the intervals and instructions in the manual for the appliance you choose.