A washer-dryer is a good choice if you can only fit one appliance and your usual laundry load does not exceed its drying capacity. If you often dry larger loads and have enough height, consider stacking two separate appliances instead, using a kit confirmed as compatible with their exact model numbers. Keeping a compact washing machine, on the other hand, means having a genuinely practical way to dry your laundry.
If you want to wash and then dry your laundry without transferring it, compare the appliance depth and, above all, its drying capacity. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a washer-dryer’s drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity.
If you have room for a stacked pair, it’s worth considering two dedicated appliances. This avoids having to remove some laundry when the load is too large for a washer-dryer to dry. Available height and stacking-kit compatibility are still crucial.
A compact washing machine may still be an option if you have somewhere to hang your laundry and suitable ventilation. ADEME notes that drying laundry indoors adds a lot of moisture to the air, so check whether this is practical in your home.
Consider this if: you can only fit one appliance and want to wash and dry your laundry in one go, without transferring it.
Bear in mind: its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity. UFC-Que Choisir also notes that it takes longer to dry clothes than a separate tumble dryer.
Consider this if: you often dry large loads and have enough height.
You’ll need: a front-loading washing machine, a tumble dryer and a stacking kit that the manufacturer confirms is compatible with both exact model numbers.
Consider this if: you don’t use a tumble dryer regularly, or have a ventilated space where you can genuinely hang your laundry.
Limitation: a compact washing machine alone won’t solve the problem if you don’t have space to dry your laundry.
| Consideration | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous wash-and-dry cycle | Check that the programme washes and dries without intervention, and that your intended load is within the drying capacity. | I want my laundry to be dry without having to move it between two appliances. |
| Drying capacity | Check the washing and drying capacities separately, in kg. Also compare the full cycle time for the load you plan to dry. | If my usual load is larger than the drying capacity, I’ll need to remove some laundry or find another way to dry it. |
| Water, electricity and cycle time | For a washer-dryer, compare the figures for the wash-and-dry cycle: energy rating, energy per 100 cycles, water per cycle and cycle time. The European Commission lists these separately from the wash-only figures. | I plan to use the drying function regularly, so the wash-only figures aren’t enough to help me choose. |
| Installing a stacked pair | Measure the available height and depth. Ask the manufacturer to confirm that the kit is compatible with the exact model numbers and check whether anchoring is required. | I’m interested in a stacked pair if it fits in the room and both appliances can be stacked in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. |
| Maintenance | Check that you can access the filters, door seal and detergent drawer, then read the instructions for the model. | If I dry my laundry regularly, I want to be able to carry out the required maintenance without access being difficult. |
A washer-dryer may be able to wash more laundry than it can dry. So a full washing load may not be able to go through a complete drying cycle without you intervening.
Choose based on how much laundry you want to dry in one go, and compare the two capacities shown.
The rating and consumption figures for washing alone don’t reflect how the wash-and-dry cycle performs.
If you’ll use the drying function, compare the figures for the full cycle, including energy per 100 cycles, water per cycle and cycle time.
Frequent wash-and-dry cycles use water and electricity, so factor this into your intended use.
Bosch and Electrolux specify size and compatibility requirements for their kits. Having two front-loading appliances isn’t enough to confirm that they can be stacked.
Note down the exact model numbers, measure the space and check with the manufacturer which kit is designed for that particular combination.
ADEME identifies indoor laundry drying as a significant source of moisture in the air. You’ll also need enough room to leave your laundry hanging until it’s dry.
Before choosing a compact washing machine without a tumble dryer, check where you’ll hang your laundry and how you’ll ventilate the space.
Worth considering for a stacked front-loading washing machine and tumble dryer, provided you check that the kit is suitable for both appliances.
Worth considering for a washer-dryer or a stacked pair, but check the exact model numbers of the appliances.
Worth considering if limited depth makes a shallow washer-dryer a more suitable choice.
These four appliances combine washing and drying in one machine. Compare their drying capacity with your usual load. If you’re considering a stacked pair, check the installation requirements separately.
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This model combines washing and drying in one appliance. It’s listed with an 11 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity, so base your load on the drying limit if you want to run both cycles one after the other.
Check the installation dimensions, connections and clearance required for your chosen space.
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With a listed washing capacity of 10 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg, this model lets you compare how much laundry you can wash with how much you can dry in one go.
If you plan to use the drying function regularly, check the consumption and cycle-time figures for the wash-and-dry cycle, along with its corresponding rating.
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This washer-dryer is listed with a washing capacity of 10 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg. Compare the 6 kg capacity with your usual load before relying on a continuous cycle without removing any laundry.
Also check the installation dimensions, then compare the consumption and cycle time for the wash-and-dry cycle based on how you plan to use it.
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This model combines a listed washing capacity of 8 kg with a drying capacity of 5 kg. Don’t assume that a load of more than 5 kg can go straight from washing to drying in one continuous cycle.
Confirm the exact dimensions before deciding where to put it. If you’ll use the wash-and-dry function regularly, check its consumption figures and cycle time too.
Only if the load is also within the drying capacity. UFC-Que Choisir says this is lower than the washing capacity, so if your load exceeds the drying limit, remove some of the laundry before drying.
According to the European Commission, a condenser tumble dryer doesn’t need an air vent to the outside. However, check the installation requirements for your chosen model and make sure you have enough space at home.
No. Check that the kit is compatible with the exact model numbers of both appliances. For example, Bosch’s 00717524 kit has a depth requirement and excludes certain models in its range; Electrolux requires you to check compatibility by PNC for its 9029802551 kit.
Compare the figures for the wash-and-dry cycle rather than the wash-only figures. The European Commission explains that the energy label includes details such as energy per 100 cycles and water per cycle. Also check the cycle time for the programme you plan to use.
Follow the instructions for your model and make sure its filters are easy to access. For the relevant washer-dryers, Electrolux recommends cleaning the main fluff filter after every drying cycle and the secondary filter when the appliance indicates it’s time.