Who are these options suited to?

Someone in a small home who dries part loads

With just one machine, you don’t need to find space for a second one. To run a wash and dry cycle without taking any laundry out, you can keep the load within the machine’s drying capacity.

A household with lots of laundry to dry

If you often wash a full load, the lower drying capacity may mean splitting the laundry or drying some of it another way.

Someone buying for an alcove or narrow space

Before comparing programmes, check the machine’s overall depth, the space needed to open the door and how easy it will be to access. It needs to be practical to load as well as fit in the alcove.

What sets these options apart?

Washer-dryer

Consider it: if one appliance needs to do both jobs and you mainly dry part loads.

Bear in mind: the drying capacity is usually lower than the washing capacity, so a continuous wash-and-dry cycle may not dry a full wash load.

Washing machine and separate drying

Consider it: if your laundry can dry outside the machine while you start another wash.

Bear in mind: an indoor airer takes up space, and drying laundry indoors means managing moisture, as ADEME points out.

Separate tumble dryer

Consider it: only if you have room for a second appliance or can safely stack compatible machines.

Bear in mind: having space for one machine on the floor doesn’t confirm that there’s enough height or that the installation will be compatible.

What matters What to check Who this matters to
One machine only Compare washing and drying capacities in kg, rather than looking at washing capacity alone. I want to wash and dry a small load without installing two machines or moving laundry between them; around 36% of consumers prioritise this all-in-one convenience.
Amount of dry laundry Check the load allowed for the drying programme and whether you can run the cycles one after the other. I often wash large loads and don’t want to run multiple drying cycles or hang the rest out; the amount dried per cycle matters most to around 29% of consumers.
Water, energy and time Check the wash-and-dry cycle figures for kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle and duration. These are separate from the wash-only figures. With one machine, a long cycle can delay the next wash, while water and electricity affect running costs; around 21% of consumers prioritise the full-cycle figures.
Usable space Measure the alcove and check the connections, then make sure there’s enough clearance for the door and access to the machine. If the machine is in an alcove or beside a narrow passage, I need to open the door and load the laundry without obstacles; around 14% of consumers put these installation constraints ahead of other criteria.

What should you watch out for before buying?

  • Choosing based on washing capacity alone

    UFC-Que Choisir points out that a washer-dryer’s drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity. So a full wash load may need to be split before drying.

    If you want to run a continuous cycle without stopping to intervene, follow the drying limit for your chosen programme and compare both capacities.

  • Comparing only the wash label

    Wash-only figures don’t tell you how the machine performs in a cycle that includes drying. The European Commission lists these separately on washer-dryer energy labels.

    Compare the wash-and-dry figures across models, including energy, water and duration.

  • Measuring the machine only with the door closed

    The door and connections can take up space in front of the machine, even if its dimensions seem to fit the alcove.

    Measure the clearance in front of the machine and ask for the installation diagram for the model you’re considering.

  • Assuming an indoor airer will work in any room

    According to ADEME, air-drying laundry increases indoor humidity. Replacing machine drying with an airer therefore requires a suitable room.

    Before choosing this option, check you have enough space and that the room is well ventilated or has suitable extraction.

Brands to consider for your installation

Bosch

Bosch’s range in France includes several washing/drying capacity combinations, including 8/5 kg and 9/6 kg, depending on the model.

  • A range of capacities makes it easier to choose a model to suit the amount of laundry you wash.
  • Washing capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much laundry you can dry, so check both figures for your chosen model.

AEG

AEG offers models such as the LWR98B166X heat pump washer-dryer, with a stated capacity of 10/6 kg.

  • The drying technology on this model gives you another option to compare with other machines.
  • Its stated overall depth is 660 mm. Check your available space and the full-cycle figures, rather than assuming consumption based on the technology alone.

LG

LG offers models such as the F852SV50WRS, a slim washer-dryer with an 8.5/5 kg capacity.

  • LG lists figures for this model’s full cycle: 314 kWh per 100 cycles, 80 L per cycle and 7 h 50 at full load.
  • The stated 475 mm chassis depth alone doesn’t show how much space you’ll need to install and open the machine.

Electrolux

The Electrolux EW8W3816BI is an example of a built-in washer-dryer with a stated capacity of 8/4 kg.

  • Its built-in design makes it a useful option to compare with models designed to fit into cabinetry.
  • The stated 4 kg drying limit and installation dimensions need to suit your loads and your cabinet.

Samsung

Samsung’s range includes models such as the WD90DG5B15BEEF, with a stated capacity of 9/6 kg.

  • This capacity combination helps you work out how much laundry to put in for a continuous cycle.
  • The monitoring and consumption estimates highlighted by the brand don’t replace the figures on the model’s energy label.

Joybuy products related to this choice

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can a 9/6 kg washer-dryer dry a 9 kg wash load in one go?

No, not in a continuous cycle with 9 kg of laundry: the figures mean 9 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. To avoid taking anything out between the two stages, stick to the drying limit for the programme you’re using.

Which energy and water figures should I compare for washer-dryers?

Compare the wash-and-dry cycle figures, not the wash-only ones. The European Commission’s energy label shows the class, energy use per 100 cycles, water per cycle and duration. Use the same figures to compare each model.

Will a slim washer-dryer always fit in a small alcove?

No. The chassis depth alone doesn’t confirm that the machine will fit. Also measure the space needed for connections and to open the door. For the LG F852SV50WRS, LG lists a chassis depth of 475 mm, an overall depth of 535 mm and a depth of 1 015 mm with the door open at 90°.

Can a washing machine and an airer replace a washer-dryer?

Yes, if you have the space and a suitable room for drying laundry. ADEME points out that air-drying releases moisture into your home, so check the ventilation or extraction before choosing this set-up.