Households short on floor space
If your utility room or bathroom is narrow, stacking two appliances can free up floor space while keeping laundry and drying at home. However, you’ll need enough height and a suitable spot, as Que Choisir points out.
Who is a washer-dryer stack for?
People replacing just one appliance
If you’re keeping your washing machine or tumble dryer, the new model must be compatible with that appliance and the chosen stacking kit. Similar widths aren’t enough: the requirements and exclusions vary between the kits offered by Electrolux, Bosch and Miele.
People living in a bathroom or rented home
Pay particular attention to the location and connections. For a bathroom, have the room’s electrical safety requirements checked. Before changing an installation in a rented home, check the relevant documents and obtain any necessary permissions.
What should you check before choosing?
First, check whether a stack is practical in your room and compatible with the appliances you’re considering. If it isn’t, your choice will depend on whether you need to dry your laundry using an appliance.
Two stacked appliances
Consider this if: you want two separate appliances and have a compatible pair of front-loaders and a suitable stacking kit, as well as an appropriate space.
Bear in mind: the tumble dryer’s controls will be higher up, and accessing the washing machine may be more difficult if it needs attention.
Washer-dryer
Consider this if: you can’t stack two appliances but still need to dry your laundry using a machine.
Bear in mind: Que Choisir’s tests found that the drying performance of the models tested doesn’t necessarily match that of a separate tumble dryer. Compare capacities, cycle times and energy and water consumption.
Drying without a tumble dryer
Consider this if: there’s no suitable space for a stack and you can set aside an area to air-dry your laundry.
Bear in mind: this option doesn’t provide machine drying and you’ll need to make room for laundry to dry on a rack.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Appliance compatibility | Note down the full model numbers of both appliances and check they’re compatible with the kit, including any exclusions and weight limits. | If I’m keeping one appliance, I want to be sure the new one can be stacked with it using a kit approved by the manufacturer. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise this compatibility. |
| Whether the room is suitable | Check the floor, dimensions and clearances, then make sure the necessary connections are available. In a bathroom, have the electrical safety of the location confirmed. | In a narrow room, I need a space that works in practice, not just one that’s tall enough to fit two machines. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise whether the room is suitable. |
| Access to laundry and controls | Measure the height of the tumble dryer’s control panel and check there’s enough space to open the doors and handle your laundry. | If I use the tumble dryer often, I need to reach the controls and load the laundry easily. Around 21% of consumers would put everyday access first. |
| Alternative option | If stacking isn’t possible, compare the washing and drying capacities of a two-in-one appliance, or consider how much space you’ll need to air-dry your laundry. | If I can’t install a stack, I want to choose between drying my laundry in one appliance and making space to air-dry it. Around 14% of consumers would make this their priority. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Choosing a kit based only on the width of the appliances
Similar widths don’t guarantee compatibility. Electrolux and Bosch specify depth ranges and exclusions for their kits.
Write down the full model numbers of both appliances and check them against the manufacturer’s instructions or compatibility tool before choosing a kit.
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Relying on a mat to stabilise the stack
A soft or sloping floor can affect stability. Que Choisir advises against using carpet to deal with vibration, as it compresses under the machine.
Make sure the floor is flat, rigid and strong enough. Follow the instructions for positioning the appliances rather than trying to make up for an uneven floor with a mat or cardboard.
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Forgetting about the height of the controls
While stacking saves floor space, it raises the tumble dryer’s control panel. Access to the washing machine underneath may also be more difficult if it needs attention.
Measure the height of the controls and check that the doors can open fully. A pull-out shelf can make some tasks easier, as long as the kit it’s built into is compatible with your chosen pair.
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Choosing an empty corner in the bathroom without checking the electrics
Available space alone doesn’t mean a location is suitable for electrical appliances in a room with water. Promotelec highlights the importance of earthing, residual-current protection and the positioning of appliances.
Before you buy, ask a qualified professional to check the location and electrical installation if you’re not sure they’re suitable.
Brands and stacking kits to consider
Electrolux
Worth considering if you’re looking at a pair of front-loading Electrolux appliances and want a kit with a pull-out shelf.
- Electrolux says the E1WYHSK2 kit is compatible with its front-loading washing machines and tumble dryers with a depth of 52 to 67 cm, and includes a pull-out shelf.
- This range alone doesn’t confirm compatibility with your exact models or with an appliance from another brand.
Bosch
Worth considering for a Bosch stack if you’d prefer a kit without a shelf and can check the exact appliance model numbers.
- Bosch lists the WTZ27410 / 00717525 kit for stacking a tumble dryer on a washing machine with a depth of more than 55 cm.
- Bosch excludes some Series 2 models, so the depth and brand alone aren’t enough: check compatibility by model.
Miele
Worth considering for a Miele stack with an integrated drawer, provided the series of both appliances match the kit you’re considering.
- Miele specifies that the WTV 511 is designed for Chrome Edition T1 and T1 Classic tumble dryers and includes a Push-Pull drawer.
- Miele says it’s compatible with its washing machine series except WTZH/WTW. Check the model numbers before choosing this combination.
Joybuy products for your project
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can two appliances of the same width be stacked?
Not on that basis alone. For a stack, check that both appliances are front-loading and that the kit is compatible with their exact model numbers. Manufacturers may specify exclusions even when the dimensions seem suitable.
Which appliance should go at the bottom of the stack?
The washing machine should go at the bottom, with the tumble dryer on top. Que Choisir explains that this arrangement takes account of the weight of the washing machine when full of water and the vibrations during the spin cycle. Follow the instructions for the appliances and the kit too.
Can you install a stack in a bathroom?
Only consider a stack if the location and electrical installation are suitable for your bathroom layout. Promotelec draws particular attention to earthing, 30 mA residual-current protection and the position of the appliance. If you’re unsure, ask a professional to assess the room.
What should you check before changing connections in a rented home?
Check your tenancy agreement, the property documents and, where applicable, the building’s rules before considering any work. Whether you can alter a socket, water supply or waste connection depends on the type of work and the permissions required. Don’t go ahead just because there’s enough space.
Can a washer-dryer replace a stack of two appliances?
It can provide machine drying when a stack isn’t practical, but it won’t work in quite the same way as two separate appliances. In its tests, Que Choisir found that the drying performance of the models tested doesn’t necessarily match that of a separate tumble dryer, and that most use water during drying. Compare capacities, cycle times and consumption figures to find what suits your laundry.