Choose a washer-dryer if you genuinely have room for only one appliance and can limit each load to the drying capacity, which is usually lower than the washing capacity. Two separate appliances are more suitable if you have a second space or an explicitly compatible stacking arrangement, and want to dry more laundry without removing it from the drum. For air-drying, ADEME recommends a large, well-ventilated room or one fitted with mechanical ventilation extraction (VMC).
If you can only install one appliance under a worktop or in an alcove, a washer-dryer helps keep the footprint to a minimum. However, bear in mind that the drying load will be smaller than the washing load.
If you regularly dry bedding, towels or laundry belonging to several people, a separate washing machine and tumble dryer may be more practical, provided you can install two appliances or use a compatible stacking arrangement.
Air-drying on a clothes airer is still an option in a sufficiently large room that is well ventilated or fitted with mechanical ventilation extraction (VMC). This solution requires particular attention to indoor humidity.
Choose this if: you have room for only one appliance and want to run washing and drying consecutively without transferring the laundry.
Bear in mind: the drying capacity is lower than the washing capacity and cycles can be lengthy.
Choose this if: a second floor space or compatible stacking arrangement allows you to retain a drying capacity close to that of the washing machine.
Bear in mind: the dimensions, clearances and stacking kit must be checked for the exact models.
Choose this if: you have a large, well-ventilated room or one fitted with mechanical ventilation extraction (VMC).
Bear in mind: using a clothes airer indoors increases humidity in the home, particularly in a small, enclosed room.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Footprint and alcove | Measure the width, height and depth, including door opening and clearance requirements. For a stacked arrangement, check which kit the manufacturer permits. | I want to know whether the appliance will genuinely fit in my alcove, under a worktop or in the available space. |
| Drying capacity | Compare the washing and drying capacities separately. Check the maximum load for a continuous wash-and-dry programme. | I want to avoid removing part of the laundry, hanging it up or running a second drying cycle after a full wash. |
| Duration and consumption | Check the data for the wash-and-dry cycle separately from the washing-only data. Compare the duration, water and electricity consumption on a like-for-like basis. | I am happy to automate the process, but I want to understand what frequent drying means for my everyday routine. |
| Humidity and ventilation | For an indoor clothes airer, choose a large, well-ventilated room or one fitted with mechanical ventilation extraction (VMC). Check the installation requirements for a condenser or heat-pump tumble dryer. | I want to dry laundry without turning a small room into a permanently damp space. ADEME recommends using a suitable, well-ventilated room. |
A washer-dryer may be able to wash more laundry than it can dry. An oversized load will then need to be split, hung up or dried over several cycles.
Note how much laundry you usually wash and how much you actually want to dry continuously, then compare these figures with the two capacities listed for the model.
A second appliance requires additional floor space or an approved stacking arrangement. The dimensions and kit compatibility may rule out models that appear suitable on paper.
Measure the available height, width and depth, then confirm the compatible installation configuration and stacking kit in the manufacturer’s documentation.
Air-drying laundry releases a great deal of moisture into the indoor air. ADEME recommends a large, well-ventilated room or one fitted with mechanical ventilation extraction (VMC).
Keep the clothes airer in a room with suitable ventilation; otherwise, compare the available space with a washer-dryer or a condenser or heat-pump tumble dryer.
Indoor humidity can make the room less comfortable day to day.
Washing-only data and wash-and-dry cycle data describe different uses. The consumption shown for washing alone does not, by itself, tell you about cycles that include drying.
If you plan to dry laundry frequently, record the information for the Eco 40-60 programme and the wash-and-dry cycle separately for the same model.
Worth considering if you want a high-capacity washer-dryer in a single appliance. The French product sheet for the B3YDFT51044W specifies 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying.
Worth considering when an integrated appliance is required. The EW8W3816BI is an example of an integrated 8/4 kg washer-dryer.
Worth considering for a two-appliance configuration. The WQG24502FR is an 8 kg heat-pump tumble dryer sold in France.
These Joybuy options are washer-dryers: they combine washing and drying in a single appliance for homes where space is limited.
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A combined option for a single space, with the drying load limited to 6 kg.
Advertised capacities: 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying; advertised dimensions: 600 × 850 × 590 mm. Check the depth, door opening and required clearances.
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This washer-dryer is suitable if you are happy to dry part of a large wash rather than a full 11 kg load.
Advertised capacities: 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying; advertised dimensions: 60 × 85 × 60 cm. The advertised wash-and-dry cycle takes 7 h 32 min, with 308 kWh/100 cycles and 90 L/cycle.
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An option for a moderate regular load, provided you do not exceed 5 kg for continuous drying.
Advertised capacities: 8 kg for washing and 5 kg for drying; advertised 530 mm drum and BLDC 1400 RPM motor. Confirm the exact width on the technical sheet, as the dimensions provided are contradictory.
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This all-in-one model is aimed at households that want to wash and then dry their laundry without adding a second appliance.
Advertised capacities: 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying; low-temperature Zeo-Cycle drying, 27 washing programmes and automatic dosing advertised. Check the external dimensions and wash-and-dry cycle data before buying.
Yes, but only if the load does not exceed the stated drying capacity, which is usually lower than the washing capacity. UFC-Que Choisir highlights this difference: always compare both capacities before choosing a model.
This is not the configuration to prioritise. ADEME states that air-drying is a significant source of indoor humidity and recommends a large, well-ventilated room or one fitted with mechanical ventilation extraction (VMC).
Not necessarily: condenser and heat-pump tumble dryers collect moisture as water in a tank or through a drain, depending on the model. Check the instructions for your chosen model for the drain hose, clearances and installation requirements.