A washer-dryer is a practical choice when you can only install one appliance and your usual loads fit within its drying capacity, which is always lower than its washing capacity. You should also measure the overall depth and door opening, then compare the figures for the wash-and-dry cycle itself. If you often dry large loads, two stackable appliances may be more suitable where ceiling height allows.
If there is room for only one appliance and you want to avoid having a clothes airer permanently on display, check the actual footprint, depth and door access—not just a nominal width of 60 cm. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the space-saving benefits for smaller homes.
This solution works well if your daily or weekly load stays within the stated drying capacity—for example, 5 or 6 kg rather than the 8 to 11 kg that may be possible for washing.
Compare the wash-and-dry cycle information if you dry clothes frequently. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between duration, water and electricity in its testing protocol, and reports water consumption during drying for most of the models tested.
Choose this if:you have space for only one floor-standing appliance and can keep the load within the drying capacity, or remove some laundry before drying.
Bear in mind:the drying capacity is lower, and you need to check the cycle duration, consumption and door clearance.
Choose this if:you regularly dry full loads and have enough height for two compatible appliances.
Bear in mind:this setup requires two machines and an installation suitable for the models selected.
Choose this if:you have acceptable space for air-drying and prefer to avoid frequent use of mechanical drying.
Bear in mind:this option does not replace mechanical drying and requires both time and space to hang laundry.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| One appliance space | Measure the width, height, depth, connections and protruding parts. Compare these measurements with the housing space and delivery route. | I want to wash and dry without allocating a second floor space. |
| Actual drying capacity | Note the washing and drying capacities separately. For a combined programme, the load must not exceed the stated drying limit. | I want to dry my usual laundry load without having to remove damp clothes after washing. |
| Access to the drum | Check the depth with the door open, the door angle and the space available in front of the machine. These measurements vary by model. | The machine must be easy to load in a kitchen, bathroom or narrow cupboard. |
| Wash-and-dry cycle | Compare the duration, water, electricity and class stated for the wash-and-dry cycle, rather than estimating them from the wash-only cycle. | I want to know whether regular drying suits my lifestyle and habits. UFC-Que Choisir measures these figures separately in its testing protocol. |
A 9/6 kg machine can wash 9 kg, but it can only run a continuous drying cycle for loads of up to 6 kg. A larger load means removing some laundry, drying it in batches or giving up on the automatic wash-and-dry sequence.
Start by choosing a drying capacity that suits your usual load, then compare the washing capacity.
Depth varies from one model to another, and the door needs clear space to open. An appliance may fit into a housing space while still being awkward to load.
Before ordering, note the product depth, protruding parts, door clearance, connections and delivery route.
Drying can significantly increase the time, water and electricity used. UFC-Que Choisir measures these uses separately, and the specifications for some models also distinguish between wash-only and wash-and-dry cycles.
Compare the figures explicitly provided for the wash-and-dry cycle, based on the number of drying cycles you expect to run each week.
Results advertised for rapid, smart or connected features may depend on the programme, load, temperature or test conditions.
Consider these features secondary to drying capacity, dimensions and full-cycle data, and read the conditions specified by the manufacturer.
A useful reference for households looking for a 9/6 kg model with a stated product depth of 590 mm, such as reference WNG24402FR.
A useful range for comparing several washing/drying capacities, including 9/6 kg, 10/6 kg and 11/7 kg.
A 9/6 kg option to compare when your space allows a nominal depth of 600 mm and you want to review the wash-and-dry cycle information.
Joybuy options for freestanding front-loading washer-dryers that let you wash and dry in one appliance, with drying capacities to compare against your usual loads.
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Worth considering if you can limit washed and subsequently dried loads to 6 kg.
Stated capacity: 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. Check the space required for connections and door opening.
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For households looking for a two-in-one appliance while keeping the continuous drying limit to 6 kg.
Stated capacity: 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying; class D indicated. Check the model label for the wash-and-dry cycle figures.
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This option suits you if your priority is washing and drying in one machine, with dried loads limited to 6 kg.
Stated capacities: 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, with 27 programmes and app control. Low-temperature Zeo-Cycle drying is a feature advertised by the brand.
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Worth considering for smaller loads, provided that 5 kg of drying capacity suits your everyday needs.
Stated capacities: 8 kg for washing and 5 kg for drying; BLDC motor at 1 400 RPM. Confirm the dimensions on the technical sheet for the exact model before installation.
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Designed for very small amounts of laundry rather than regular washes weighing several kilograms.
Stated capacities: 1 kg for washing and 0,5 kg for drying, with more than 20 programmes. Check the dimensions, connections and door-opening space before buying.
No. The 6 kg limit applies to the load that can be dried during the automatic sequence. Load the machine according to this capacity, remove some laundry after washing or plan several drying cycles.
Measure the width, height and depth, including connections and protruding parts, then measure the clearance in front of the door. For example, LG states that the F964V72WRHT has a chassis depth of 565 mm, 620 mm including all parts and 1 100 mm with the door open to 90°; these figures do not automatically apply to another model.
Duration and consumption figures can differ considerably between the two uses. For the LG F964V72WRHT, the specifications distinguish 90 L and 7 h 50 for the wash-and-dry cycle, compared with 50 L and 3 h 48 for Eco 40-60 washing only. Compare the cycle you will actually use.
Yes, if you dry clothes frequently. UFC-Que Choisir states that drying involves significant water consumption and that its testing protocol measures water, electricity and duration separately. Check these figures for each model you are considering, based on how often you expect to dry clothes.
The household washer-dryers concerned are covered by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2014 on energy labelling. When comparing a purchase in France, check the label and specifications for the exact model, then follow the electrical and plumbing installation requirements in its manual.