If you only have room for one appliance on the floor, a washer-dryer lets you wash and dry in one go. However, its drying capacity may be lower than its washing capacity, so check the water use and duration of the full cycle too. If you regularly dry several loads, two separate appliances offer more flexibility, provided you have room to install them. Among dedicated tumble dryers, heat-pump models generally use less electricity than conventional condenser dryers, but their cycles are usually longer, according to Que Choisir Ensemble.
The space you have available isn’t the only thing to consider: how much laundry you need to dry and whether you can install two appliances will also affect your choice.
A washer-dryer combines both functions without taking up floor space for a second appliance. Check its washing and drying capacities separately, though, and look at the figures for the full cycle. Que Choisir Ensemble highlights, in particular, the water used during drying by many models.
With two separate appliances, you can wash one load while another is drying. If energy use matters more to you than drying speed, compare heat-pump tumble dryers: Que Choisir Ensemble reports that they use less electricity, while models with a heating element generally dry faster.
If an indoor clothes airer takes up too much living space, first check what room you have and how well it is ventilated. A stacked set-up can save floor space, as long as the manufacturer confirms that both appliances and the stacking kit are compatible. For indoor air-drying, ADEME recommends a well-ventilated room or one with suitable extractor ventilation.
Worth considering: when you only have room for one appliance on the floor and want to wash and dry without moving the laundry between machines.
The trade-off: the drying capacity may be lower than the washing capacity. Que Choisir Ensemble also notes that most models in its test use water during drying.
Worth considering: if you regularly dry several loads and have enough space, either side by side or stacked with a compatible kit.
The trade-off: you need room to install two appliances. Before stacking them, check the model numbers and the kit specified by the manufacturer, as illustrated by the restrictions for the Bosch WTZ20410 kit.
Once you’ve decided between a combined appliance and two separate ones, compare the installation requirements and the cycle data that best match how you do your laundry.
| Consideration | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Measure the space and check the connections. If stacking the appliances, check that the model numbers and kit are compatible. According to Que Choisir Ensemble, a vented tumble dryer needs an outlet to the outside. | I only have room for one appliance on the floor: a washer-dryer or a stacked set-up with confirmed compatibility would meet this requirement. |
| Electricity | Compare the energy use and duration shown for the programme you’ll use, rather than looking at the technology alone. According to Que Choisir Ensemble and Guide Topten France, heat-pump models generally use less electricity than conventional condenser dryers, which usually have shorter cycles. | If I dry laundry regularly, I want to check the energy use of the exact model without losing sight of how long it takes before I can dry another load. |
| Capacity and cycle duration | For a washer-dryer, check the washing and drying capacities separately, then look at the duration of the combined cycle. For two separate appliances, compare the tumble dryer’s load capacity and programme times. | A load of washing should fit in the drying capacity I need for my household, without having to split it every time. |
| Water and humidity | Check the water used per wash-and-dry cycle on the energy label or in EPREL, as explained by the European Commission. If you also air-dry laundry indoors, ADEME recommends a large, well-ventilated room or one with extractor ventilation. | I want to know how much water the full cycle uses and avoid leaving laundry to dry in a poorly ventilated room. |
A full load of washing may exceed the drying capacity of the same appliance. For example, LG France lists 9/6 kg and 10/6 kg configurations in its washer-dryer range.
Choose according to how much laundry you want to dry in one go, and check both capacities for the model you’re considering.
Que Choisir Ensemble says conventional condenser and vented tumble dryers are generally faster, while heat-pump models use less electricity.
Compare the cycle times and energy use of the programmes that suit your laundry and how often you use the appliance.
Compatibility depends on the model numbers and dimensions. Bosch specifies, for example, that its WTZ20410 kit requires a washing machine with a depth greater than 55 cm and is not compatible with certain Série 2 models.
Check the full model numbers, use a kit confirmed as compatible and follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
You may need to buy a compatible stacking kit as well as the two appliances.
According to Que Choisir Ensemble, a vented tumble dryer needs a suitable opening or duct leading outside, so it won’t work in a space without one.
If there’s no outlet, compare conventional condenser and heat-pump tumble dryers instead.
These examples show installation options and features to check for each model; they are not a selection of products available below.
Bosch Electroménager France offers kits for installing certain washing machine and tumble dryer combinations in a stack.
LG’s French range includes all-in-one washer-dryers as well as integrated WashTower set-ups.
Miele France offers a range of separate heat-pump tumble dryers. Whether they can be installed under a worktop or stacked depends on the model and, where applicable, the kit required.
These options include washer-dryers that combine both functions in one appliance, and heat-pump tumble dryers designed to be used with a separate washing machine. Compare capacities and installation requirements before choosing between these set-ups.
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Wash and dry in one go with a single appliance. The stated capacities are 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, so you may need to split a full load of washing before drying it. The listed figures for the wash-and-dry cycle are 90 L and 7 h 32. Check these against the specifications for the exact model.
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This model combines washing and drying in one appliance, with a stated capacity of 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. It lists 27 wash programmes and automatic dosing. Check its dimensions, as well as the water and electricity use and full-cycle duration, to make sure it suits your installation and laundry routine.
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A combined appliance to consider if you don’t have room for a second appliance on the floor. The stated capacities are 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, and the listed dimensions are 600 × 850 × 590 mm. Check the space needed for installation and the water and electricity use and duration of the wash-and-dry cycle.
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This dedicated 10 kg tumble dryer needs to be used with a separate washing machine. Its heat-pump technology is worth considering if energy use matters to you, but don’t assume how much energy this particular model will use: compare its consumption and programme times, then check its dimensions and any stacking compatibility you’re considering.
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A dedicated appliance for drying a load, to be used with a separate washing machine. It has a stated capacity of 8 kg; the listed features include an easy-access filter and the option to connect a drain hose for the collected water. Compare energy use, cycle times and dimensions for the exact model, and check that it’s suitable if you plan to stack it.
No. According to Que Choisir Ensemble, neither a conventional condenser tumble dryer nor a heat-pump model needs an outlet to the outside. A vented model, however, needs a suitable opening or duct.
No. Check that the manufacturer specifies a kit compatible with both model numbers, and follow its installation instructions. Bosch states, for example, that its WTZ20410 kit requires a washing machine with a depth greater than 55 cm and is not compatible with certain Série 2 models.
Not necessarily: its drying capacity may be lower than its washing capacity. LG France lists 9/6 kg and 10/6 kg models, for example. Compare both figures for your chosen model to see whether you’ll need to split a load before drying it.
Check the washing and drying capacities separately, then compare the energy and water use and duration of the wash-and-dry cycle. The European Commission says the energy label and the model’s EPREL record provide data on energy use, cycle duration and noise. Make sure you compare the same type of cycle across appliances.
Choose a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor vent, in line with ADEME’s recommendations. Air-drying laundry indoors releases moisture, so avoid relying on a small, poorly ventilated room as a regular drying space.