A washer-dryer can be a good fit for a small home if you only have space for one appliance and can keep each wash-and-dry load within its drying capacity, which is lower than its washing capacity. If you often dry large loads, it’s worth considering two separate appliances if you have room: UFC-Que Choisir notes that a washer-dryer takes longer to dry clothes than a conventional tumble dryer. In either case, compare the duration and energy and water use of the wash-and-dry cycle, not just the washing figures.
If you want dry clothes without installing a separate tumble dryer, measure the space and check how much laundry the machine can dry after washing. Drying capacity and the clearance needed to open the door matter just as much as the width of the space.
With frequent or large loads, you may need to split a full wash load before drying it. UFC-Que Choisir highlights both the lower drying capacity and longer drying times of washer-dryers. If you have space for two appliances, compare this option with using separate machines too.
If machine drying is part of your routine, the combined-cycle label is particularly important. The European Commission explains that washer-dryer labels provide information including electricity and water use, as well as cycle duration.
Start with the space you actually have, then compare your laundry needs with the drying capacity and how long the machine will be in use.
Worth considering: if you can install only one appliance and want to wash and dry your clothes without transferring them between machines.
The trade-off: you’ll need to keep loads within the drying capacity and accept that the machine will be occupied for the entire combined cycle.
Worth considering: if you have space for two appliances and often dry large loads.
The trade-off: you’ll need room for both appliances and will have to transfer the laundry between them.
Worth considering: if you can air-dry at least some of your laundry and don’t need to use a tumble dryer regularly.
The trade-off: your clothes won’t come out of the machine dry, and you’ll need space for the airer while they dry.
| Priority | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Drying capacity | Compare washing and drying capacities in kg. Check the maximum load for programmes that run both stages in sequence. | I want to start a wash and get dry clothes without having to remove some of the load in between. |
| Cycle duration | Check the wash-and-dry cycle duration for the stated load. If you’re considering a quick programme, check its load limit too. | I may run several loads one after another, so I need to know when the drum will be free again. |
| Electricity and water | On the EU label, compare washing-only and wash-and-dry figures separately. Compare kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle on the same basis. | If I often use the machine to dry clothes, the combined-cycle figures matter more to me than the washing-only energy class. |
| Installation | Check the width, height, overall depth, delivery access, connections and clearance needed to open the door. For a bathroom installation, have the location and electrical installation checked if necessary. | My appliance needs to fit the space, but I also need to be able to open the door and load it easily. |
A machine listed as 9 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying may not be able to run both stages in sequence with a 9 kg load. You may need to remove some damp laundry or run more than one drying cycle.
If you regularly want to run a complete cycle without stopping to intervene, choose your load size based on the model’s drying capacity.
The washing-only energy class doesn’t tell you how the machine performs when you use both functions. The European Commission distinguishes between cycle information. For example, for the LG F964V72WRHT, LG France states 359 kWh per 100 wash-and-dry cycles, 90 L of water per cycle and a duration of 7 h 50 at full load.
For the models you’re considering, compare the wash-and-dry figures for similar loads and cycle types.
The appliance’s depth and the clearance needed in front of the door could prevent it from fitting or make loading difficult, even if the width is suitable.
Also measure the overall depth, the route to the installation space and the door clearance. If you’re unsure about installing the appliance in a bathroom, ask a professional for advice on the electrical installation.
The advertised duration for a small load may not apply to a larger load, so the appliance could be in use for longer than you expect.
Check the duration and maximum load for each quick programme, then look at the full-load combined-cycle duration to plan your usual laundry routine.
These specifications apply to the models mentioned, not to each brand’s entire range.
The F964V72WRHT is a washer-dryer with a 9 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity. LG France lists its dimensions as 600 × 850 × 565 mm.
According to AEG France, the LWR98B166X Série 9000 is a heat pump model with a 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity.
The Bosch WNC254A0FR Série 8 has a washing capacity of 10,5 kg and a capacity of 6 kg for the wash-and-dry cycle.
These three appliances combine washing and drying in one machine. If you’re choosing one for a small home, compare its drying capacity with your usual loads, then check the installation measurements and combined-cycle information.
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This model combines washing and drying in one appliance. To run both stages in sequence, bear in mind its 5 kg drying capacity rather than the 8 kg washing capacity.
The title gives a width of 465 mm, while another listing states 600 × 520 × 847 mm, without clarifying the discrepancy. Confirm the order and measurements of the dimensions before planning where to install it. Also check the duration and energy and water use of the wash-and-dry cycle.
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This model lets you run washing and drying in one appliance, as long as you keep loads for a complete cycle within the stated drying capacity of 6 kg.
It has a washing capacity of 10 kg. Check the dimensions needed for your installation, along with the duration and energy and water use of the combined cycle if you plan to use it regularly.
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This model combines washing and drying in one machine, with a stated washing capacity of 10 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg.
The description lists automatic detergent and fabric softener dosing. Before choosing this model for a small space, check its dimensions, as well as the duration and energy and water use of the wash-and-dry cycle.
No, not in a single drying load if the model’s limit is 6 kg: 9 kg refers to its washing capacity. If you want to leave the laundry in the drum between the two stages, load the machine according to the capacity allowed for drying or for the combined programme.
If you plan to use the dryer, check the wash-and-dry cycle information: energy class, kWh per 100 cycles, litres of water per cycle and duration. The European Commission distinguishes these figures from those for washing alone. Compare equivalent cycles and load sizes across models.
Check the location and electrical installation before fitting the appliance. For a washing machine in a bathroom, Promotelec recommends, among other things, placing it outside zones 0, 1 and 2 and the concealed zone, connecting it to earth, and protecting the circuit with a 30 mA residual-current device. If you’re unsure, ask a professional to check your setup.
The French Ministry for the Ecological Transition describes a “one-for-one” take-back scheme when you buy a new appliance of the same type. Before delivery, ask the retailer how to arrange collection of your old appliance.