If you only have space for one appliance and want to wash and dry your clothes in one go, without moving them between machines, a washer-dryer could be a good fit. Just make sure your load matches its drying capacity, which is generally lower than its washing capacity, according to UFC-Que Choisir. Stacking two separate appliances is worth considering if you have enough height and the stacking kit is compatible. A clothes airer avoids machine drying, but takes time and requires you to manage indoor humidity, as ADEME points out.
You want to wash and then dry your clothes without transferring them to another appliance. With a washer-dryer, the drying capacity determines how much laundry can go through a full wash-and-dry cycle without you having to unload any items, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
For bedding, towels or family laundry, taking some items out before drying can be a hassle. A stacked set-up is worth considering if you have enough height and the appliances are compatible with a stacking kit.
You want to weigh up water and electricity use, as well as the duration of a complete cycle, before choosing machine drying. If you prefer to use a clothes airer, factor in the time it takes and the extra moisture it adds to your home, as ADEME highlights.
Consider this if : you can only fit one appliance and want to wash and dry your clothes in one go, without transferring them.
Bear in mind : the drying capacity is lower than the maximum washing capacity, according to UFC-Que Choisir. You’ll also need to check the full-cycle specifications for each model.
Consider this if : you have enough height to install a tumble dryer on top of a washing machine, using a kit that’s compatible with both model numbers.
Bear in mind : you’ll need to install two appliances and use a kit whose compatibility can’t be determined by the machines’ width alone. Bosch and Electrolux set specific requirements for their kits.
Consider this if : you have somewhere to dry your laundry and can wait before putting it away.
Bear in mind : drying laundry indoors releases moisture into your home, as ADEME points out. Check that you can ventilate the space.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Space for one appliance | Measure the space, including the door and connections. If you want to run a complete cycle, compare the washing and drying capacities in kg. | If I can only install one machine, I want to wash and dry without handling a wet load between appliances. Around 42 % of consumers prioritise this need. |
| Amount of laundry to dry | Check the drying capacity, which is different from the washing capacity. For a stacked set-up, check the available height and make sure the kit is compatible with both appliance model numbers. | When I regularly do large loads, I’d rather not split the laundry after washing. This is the top priority for around 33 % of consumers. |
| Energy and water use, and cycle time | For a washer-dryer, compare the energy and water use, as well as the duration of a complete cycle, not just the wash. For a clothes airer, consider the space, ventilation and drying time. | I want to weigh up the energy and water use of a complete cycle against the time needed to air-dry my laundry. Around 25 % of consumers put this trade-off first. |
A machine listed as 9/6 kg can wash 9 kg but dry a maximum of 6 kg at a time. UFC-Que Choisir points out that washer-dryers have a lower drying capacity than washing capacity.
If you plan to run a complete cycle without intervention, make sure your usual load fits the drying capacity of the programme you choose.
The energy and water use, and the duration of a wash-and-dry cycle, differ from the figures for washing alone. The European Commission lists these separately for washer-dryers in EPREL.
If you plan to use the machine to dry your laundry, compare the full-cycle figures on the energy label and in the model information.
Requirements depend on the kit and the appliance model numbers. For example, Bosch specifies that the washing machine must be more than 55 cm deep for kit 00717524, and excludes certain models.
Note down the model numbers and dimensions of both machines, then check the kit’s compatibility list with the manufacturer before ordering.
A compatible stacking kit may need to be bought separately.
Air-drying laundry indoors adds moisture to your home, as ADEME points out.
Before choosing this option, make sure you have space to dry your clothes, a way to ventilate the room and enough time to fit around your laundry routine.
Worth considering if you want a washer-dryer with a clearly stated drying capacity.
Worth comparing if you want to check the separate washing and drying capacities of a washer-dryer.
A brand to consider if you’re planning to stack two appliances.
Another option for a stacked set-up, but you’ll need to check compatibility by model number.
These appliances combine washing and drying in one machine. Compare their drying capacity with your usual load, then check the dimensions and full-cycle specifications before choosing.
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Worth considering if you want both functions in one appliance and need to wash loads of up to 11 kg.
Washing capacity : 11 kg; drying capacity : 6 kg. To dry a load of more than 6 kg, you’ll need to remove some items or split the load.
Compare the wash-and-dry cycle figures and check that the dimensions suit your available space.
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Worth considering if you only have space for one appliance and plan to dry loads of no more than 6 kg.
Washing capacity : 10 kg; drying capacity : 6 kg. You’ll need to reduce or split a full wash load before drying it.
Before buying, compare the water and electricity use, and the duration of a complete cycle on the energy label.
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Worth considering if you want one appliance to wash and dry your clothes, with loads suited to its drying capacity.
Washing capacity : 10 kg; drying capacity : 6 kg. This means the full washing capacity can’t be dried in one go.
Check the installation dimensions, along with the water and electricity use and the duration of a complete cycle, before comparing it with other models.
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Worth considering if you want to combine washing and drying in one appliance, provided your drying load stays within the stated capacity.
Washing capacity : 10 kg; drying capacity : 6 kg. Any load washed that’s over 6 kg will need to be split before drying.
Check the dimensions and the water and electricity use, as well as the duration of a complete cycle, to see if it suits your set-up.
No. A 9 kg load can’t be dried in one go in a model with a drying capacity of 6 kg. To run both stages without removing any laundry, stick to the drying capacity of the programme you’ve chosen. Otherwise, take some of the wet laundry out before drying.
Compare the figures for a complete cycle rather than looking only at those for washing. In EPREL, the European Commission lists the capacity, energy and water use, and duration of a complete cycle separately from the washing information.
Only if a stacking kit is confirmed as compatible with the model numbers and dimensions of both appliances. Requirements vary by kit: Bosch specifies that the washing machine must be more than 55 cm deep for kit 00717524, while Electrolux requires you to check the PNC for STA8GW4.
You’ll need a drying area, time and a way to ventilate your home. ADEME points out that air-dried laundry releases moisture into the air indoors. This is particularly important if the airer needs to stay in a room you use regularly.