People without room for two appliances
A washer-dryer combines both functions in a single footprint. Before choosing, check its depth, drying capacity and combined-cycle specifications.
Who are these solutions for?
Households that wash more than they can dry in one go
If your usual load is larger than the drying capacity, you’ll need to do smaller loads or remove some laundry before drying. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the difference between the two capacities.
People who could consider a stacked installation
Stacking two appliances may be an option even if you don’t have room for them side by side. First, check the dimensions, instructions and compatibility of the stacking kit.
Which criteria should you check first?
If you live in a small home without room for two appliances side by side, first check whether stacking is an option. If not, compare washer-dryers based on how much laundry you want to dry, followed by the combined cycle’s duration and energy and water use.
Washer-dryer
Consider this: when there’s only room for one appliance.
Bear in mind: according to UFC-Que Choisir, the drying load may be smaller than the washing load, and the full cycle can take a long time.
Separate tumble dryer
Consider this: if a separate installation or compatible stacking arrangement is possible, and splitting loads would be too much of a hassle.
Allow for: a second appliance to install and maintain, following the instructions and taking your home’s constraints into account.
| Criteria | What to check before buying | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Drying capacity | Compare the washing and drying capacities in kg for the exact model, then adjust your load to suit the capacity of the cycle you choose. | If I often wash a large load, I want to know how much can genuinely be dried without taking any laundry out. Around 42 % of shoppers concerned would make drying capacity their top priority. |
| Space and installation | Measure the space, access routes and door opening. For a stacked installation, check the instructions and stacking kit compatibility. | In a narrow space, I need to be able to install and use the appliances without assuming they’ll fit just because they won’t be side by side. Installation feasibility would be a priority for around 33 % of shoppers concerned. |
| Cycle duration and consumption | For a washer-dryer, check the duration and water and energy use of the wash-and-dry cycle. Don’t confuse these with figures for washing alone. | When I need dry laundry without running multiple cycles, the duration and consumption of the programme I use matter particularly. This would be the main concern for around 25 % of shoppers concerned. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based only on washing capacity
A washer-dryer may dry less laundry than it can wash. For example, Bosch Home Appliances France lists the WNA144V0FR as having a 9 kg washing capacity and a 5 kg drying capacity. So, a full-capacity wash load cannot be treated as a load that can be dried in one go.
If you want to run both functions one after the other, use your chosen model’s drying capacity as a guide when planning your laundry.
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Comparing washing-only figures with a full cycle
Consumption figures for a washing programme don’t necessarily describe the wash-and-dry cycle. Beko France lists these programmes separately for its B3D596441M.
Check which programme each figure relates to, and compare like with like.
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Assuming a separate tumble dryer can be installed
Stacking depends on the appliances, the kit and the installation instructions, not just their width. How condensation water is managed also depends on the tumble dryer you choose.
Measure the available space, check both sets of instructions and confirm the kit is compatible before opting for this solution.
Depending on the model and your home, you’ll also need to leave enough room to access the condensation tank or drainage outlet.
Brands to compare
Bosch
Bosch Home Appliances France offers front-loading washer-dryers with washing and drying capacities listed separately.
- The WNA144V0FR is listed with a 9 kg washing capacity and a 5 kg drying capacity, giving you two useful figures for sizing your loads.
- With this model, drying a 9 kg load in one go would exceed its stated drying capacity.
LG
LG France offers washer-dryers with, for example, a 9 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity.
- The product pages for the F964R35WR and F964R76WSTA make it easy to check the capacities and features of each model.
- The features highlighted by the brand don’t replace checking the drying capacity and the consumption figures for the programme you’ll use.
Samsung
Samsung France offers models listed with a 9 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity.
- The WD90DG5B15BE product page lists a width of 600 mm, a height of 850 mm and a depth of 600 mm. Check these against your available space.
- The connected features and energy monitoring highlighted by the brand aren’t enough to establish how much energy the cycle you choose will use.
Beko
Beko France provides details of the capacities and programme specifications for some of its washer-dryers.
- The B3D596441M is listed with a 9 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity, with separate figures for washing alone and the combined cycle.
- This model uses water condensation, so check the water-use figure for the wash-and-dry cycle when comparing models.
Electrolux
Electrolux France offers washer-dryers, including the SteamCare 700 EW7IW4966BG, listed with a 9 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity. It also offers a stacking kit for certain appliances.
- These product pages let you check the washer-dryer’s capacity separately from the possibility of a stacked installation.
- A kit being available in the range doesn’t guarantee that it will work with any pair of appliances : check which models it’s designed for.
Washer-dryers available on Joybuy
These models combine washing and drying in one appliance. Compare their drying capacity with your usual loads, then check the dimensions and full-cycle specifications before choosing.
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Samsung WD11DG6B85BEU3, 11/6 kg washer-dryer
Wash and dry your laundry with one appliance when there’s no room for two. It’s listed with an 11 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity, so adjust your load if you’re running the cycles one after the other.
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Samsung WD10HG6U34BEU3, 10/6 kg washer-dryer
An all-in-one option if you can’t install two appliances. It’s listed with a 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity. Check the duration and consumption of the wash-and-dry cycle for the programmes you use most.
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Roborock Zeo Lite Zeo-Cycle, 10/6 kg washer-dryer
Combine washing and drying in one appliance, with loads sized for its 6 kg drying capacity rather than its 10 kg washing capacity. Check the space needed for installation, as well as the duration and consumption of the programmes you plan to use.
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CHiQ JW85882HG, 8/5 kg washer-dryer, dark grey
An all-in-one solution if a 5 kg drying capacity suits your loads; the listed washing capacity is 8 kg. Check the exact dimensions before deciding where to put it : the width figures given for this model differ.
Frequently asked questions
Can a washer-dryer dry the entire load it has just washed ?
Not if the load exceeds its drying capacity. UFC-Que Choisir notes that this is generally lower than the washing capacity. Check both figures for the exact model and, if needed, reduce the load or remove some laundry before drying, following the instructions.
Can I stack a tumble dryer and washing machine in a small home ?
Yes, provided the two models, stacking kit and installation requirements are compatible. Measure the space and access routes, follow the instructions and make sure you can manage condensation as required by your chosen tumble dryer.
Which figures should I compare for the wash-and-dry cycle ?
Compare the capacity, duration, and water and energy consumption for the wash-and-dry cycle on the models you’re considering. Don’t use figures for washing alone instead : for example, Beko France’s product page for the B3D596441M lists the two programmes separately.