If you only have room for one appliance on the floor, a washer-dryer lets you wash and dry in the same machine, but its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity. If you regularly dry large loads, a separate tumble dryer gives you dedicated drying capacity. You can stack it above your washing machine if both appliances and the stacking kit are compatible. UFC-Que Choisir highlights these differences in capacity and notes that stacking requires a stable floor, with the tumble dryer placed on top.
A washer-dryer combines both functions without taking up floor space for a second appliance. However, check that your usual loads are within its drying capacity, which is generally lower than its washing capacity, according to UFC-Que Choisir.
If you have room for a separate appliance or a compatible stacking setup, a standalone tumble dryer gives you dedicated drying capacity. You’ll also need to consider access and the connections specified in its instructions.
A stacked setup lets you fit two appliances without placing them side by side. UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking their dimensions, compatibility and stacking kit, and placing the washing machine on a flat, rigid, solid floor, with the tumble dryer above it.
Worth considering if: you have room for a separate appliance or compatible stacking setup and want dedicated drying capacity.
Bear in mind: a condenser model doesn’t need an external air vent, but you’ll need to check access, how condensation water is handled and the installation requirements for that specific model.
Worth considering if: you can only fit one appliance and your drying loads are within its drying capacity.
Be prepared for: a drying capacity that’s lower than the washing capacity, and longer drying times than with a conventional tumble dryer, according to UFC-Que Choisir.
Worth considering if: you’re short on width but have enough height for two separate front-loading appliances.
Bear in mind: the appliances and stacking kit must be compatible, the floor must be suitable, and you’ll need practical access to the controls and connections.
| Consideration | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Space required | Compare the appliance’s overall width, height and depth with the space available. Allow room to open the door and access the controls; for a stacked setup, check the total height too. | I need to be able to load the laundry and move around the room once the appliances are installed. |
| Drying load | For a washer-dryer, check the washing and drying capacities separately. For two appliances, compare your usual load with the tumble dryer’s capacity. | If I wash a full load, I want to know how much of it can go into the dryer without removing any laundry. |
| Installation | Check the plug socket, water supply, drainage and clearances specified in each appliance’s instructions. According to UFC-Que Choisir, a vented tumble dryer needs an opening or duct to the outside, unlike a condenser model. | My chosen spot must allow for the necessary connections, while keeping the access points and ventilation openings specified by the manufacturer clear. |
| Energy use and noise | Compare the energy label figures for equivalent cycles; for a washer-dryer, also check the wash-and-dry cycle. If the laundry room is next to a living space, check the noise level too, as recommended by ADEME. | The laundry room is close to rooms that are in use, so noise and energy use during operation matter to me. |
A washer-dryer may not be able to dry a full load of everything it can wash. For example, Electrolux lists a washing capacity of 8 kg and a drying capacity of 4 kg for the EWW8416DB.
Compare the drying capacity with your usual loads, and check the length of the wash-and-dry cycle for the model you’re considering.
If your load exceeds the drying capacity, you may need to remove some laundry or run another cycle.
The appliance’s depth, connections and door opening can make it awkward to use in an alcove, even if the width is right.
Measure the space in all three dimensions, then compare it with the overall dimensions and clearances specified in the instructions for the exact model.
Similar widths alone don’t mean two appliances are compatible. UFC-Que Choisir recommends front-loading appliances of similar dimensions, on a flat, rigid, solid floor, with the tumble dryer above the washing machine.
Before choosing a stacked setup, check the instructions for both appliances, the weight limits and the stacking kit designed for that combination.
Also consider whether you’ll be able to access the condensation tank, controls and connections once the appliances are in place.
The Bosch WQG13500FR heat pump tumble dryer is a useful example of what to check in a standalone appliance: Bosch lists a 9 kg capacity and dimensions of 842 × 598 × 613 mm.
Electrolux lists a washing capacity of 8 kg and a drying capacity of 4 kg for the EWW8416DB washer-dryer, along with an overall depth of 534 to 557 mm, depending on how it’s measured.
Whirlpool France lists the freestanding EFFWDB864349BVFR washer-dryer with a washing capacity of 8 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg.
This selection includes washer-dryers for spaces with room for just one appliance on the floor, and standalone tumble dryers for a separate or compatible stacked setup. Check the dimensions and instructions for your chosen models before deciding where to put them.
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This two-in-one model is a practical option if you only have room for one appliance on the floor. The model name indicates a washing capacity of 11 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg. Adjust your load to suit the latter, and check the required clearances in the instructions.
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This washer-dryer lets you fit both functions into one appliance. Its listed capacities are 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. Check that you have enough room for the door, connections and ventilation.
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This standalone tumble dryer has a listed drying capacity of 8 kg. Before making room for it on the floor or in a stacked setup, check its dimensions and installation requirements, and confirm that the appliances and stacking kit are compatible.
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This separate appliance has a listed drying capacity of 8 kg. Check its dimensions, door opening and the clearances specified in its instructions against the space in your laundry room.
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This model combines washing and drying in one appliance, with 8 kg for washing and 5 kg for drying indicated in its name. If you’re fitting it into a narrow alcove, confirm the dimensions of the exact model before choosing a spot: the width information associated with this product is contradictory.
No. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes condenser models from vented tumble dryers, which need an opening or duct to the outside. You should still follow the clearances and ventilation requirements in the instructions for your chosen model.
Only if the load is within its drying capacity. For example, Electrolux lists a washing capacity of 8 kg and a drying capacity of 4 kg for the EWW8416DB, so an 8 kg wash load needs to be reduced before drying.
No. UFC-Que Choisir says the appliances should be front-loading and similar in size, with the tumble dryer on top and the washing machine standing on a flat, rigid, solid floor. Check the instructions to confirm the two models are compatible, along with the weight limits and suitable stacking kit.
You’ll need a water supply, waste-water outlet and electrical supply that meet the requirements in the instructions for your model. The Electrolux EWW8416DB instructions specifically state that the plug socket must remain accessible after installation and that the ventilation openings at the base must not be blocked.