A washer-dryer is a practical solution when there’s no room for a second appliance, provided your load fits its drying capacity, which is generally lower than its washing capacity, according to UFC-Que Choisir. If you can fit two appliances and often dry large loads, consider a separate tumble dryer instead. If you use an indoor clothes airer, ADEME recommends paying attention to the spin cycle and ventilation in the room.
If there isn’t enough room in your home for a separate washing machine and tumble dryer, a washer-dryer lets you wash and dry your clothes in one appliance. However, you’ll need to size your loads according to the drying capacity, which is lower than the washing capacity on these appliances, and factor in the time needed for a full cycle, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
If you regularly need to dry towels, bedding or several loads of laundry, a separate tumble dryer is worth considering if you have room for one. This option means you don’t have to limit each wash to a washer-dryer’s drying capacity, but it does require space and transferring the laundry between appliances.
If you can still hang your laundry to dry at home, compare the washing machine’s spin efficiency and consider which room you’ll put the airer in. ADEME notes that air-drying laundry releases a lot of moisture into the air indoors, and recommends using a well-ventilated room or one with suitable extraction.
Start by looking at the space you actually have and how much laundry you need to dry. Then compare cycle times and the conditions for using each option.
Consider this if: you can’t fit two appliances and can adjust your wash load to suit the drying capacity.
The trade-off: UFC-Que Choisir notes that drying capacity is lower than washing capacity, drying takes a long time, and many models use water during the drying cycle.
Consider this if: you have room for a tumble dryer and often need to dry large loads.
The trade-off: you’ll need to transfer the laundry and maintain the tumble dryer. UFC-Que Choisir says heat pump models use less electricity, but generally take longer to dry than the conventional models mentioned in its guide.
Consider this if: you can hang your laundry in a suitable room and would prefer to have a washing machine only.
The trade-off: you’ll need to hang your laundry up and take indoor humidity into account. ADEME recommends a large, well-ventilated room or one with a mechanical ventilation extraction vent.
| Criteria | What to check | What matters to me |
|---|---|---|
| Drying capacity | For a washer-dryer, compare the washing and drying capacities in kg separately. Check how much laundry can go through a full cycle without removing any items. | I want to run a wash and drying cycle back to back without having to take some laundry out because the load is too large. |
| Cycle time | Check the full wash-and-dry cycle time for the model’s reference programme. For a separate tumble dryer, compare the duration of the programme you plan to use. | When I’m doing several loads in a row, I need to know how long each appliance will be in use. |
| Water and electricity | Compare the label figures for the same type of cycle, including energy per 100 cycles and water per cycle for washing machines and washer-dryers. According to UFC-Que Choisir, heat pump technology reduces a separate tumble dryer’s electricity use compared with the conventional technologies mentioned in its guide. | I want to compare the energy and water use for the wash-only or wash-and-dry cycle I’ll actually use, without confusing the two. |
| Indoor humidity | If you’re using a clothes airer, check the spin efficiency and whether you can dry your laundry in a large, well-ventilated room or one with mechanical ventilation extraction, as ADEME recommends. | If my laundry dries indoors, I need a room where moisture from the laundry won’t build up. |
| Installation | Measure the available space and check access and door clearance. If you plan to stack two appliances, check their manufacturers’ instructions before deciding on this set-up. | I need to be able to install and use the appliances in the space I have, not just squeeze them into the room. |
| Maintenance | For a separate tumble dryer, check the manual for instructions on the fluff filter and, if the model has an accessible condenser, how to inspect it. Electrolux warns that a blocked condenser can increase energy use and damage the appliance. | Regular maintenance needs to fit in with the way I use my tumble dryer. |
A washer-dryer may be able to wash more laundry than it can dry. For example, AEG lists a washing capacity of 9 kg and a drying capacity of 5 kg for the AEG LWR7G944B. This means a 9 kg wash load can’t be dried in one go at that capacity.
Compare both capacities for the model you’re considering, and size your load to the drying capacity if you want to run a continuous cycle.
The time and energy or water use to consider for a washer-dryer depend on the cycle you choose. UFC-Que Choisir particularly highlights the water these appliances use during drying.
Check the figures for washing and for the full wash-and-dry cycle separately on the label or product information, then compare like-for-like cycles.
ADEME describes air-drying laundry as a significant source of indoor humidity. The room you have available is therefore just as important as the space taken up by the airer.
Check the ventilation or whether there’s a mechanical ventilation extraction vent, and look at the washing machine’s spin efficiency before choosing this option.
According to Electrolux, fluff can block the filter or condenser. A blocked condenser can increase energy use and damage the appliance.
Follow the instructions for your model to clean the filter and check the condenser if it’s accessible.
The details below apply to the ranges or models mentioned by their manufacturers. Always check the product information for the model you’re interested in.
The LWR7G944B washer-dryer is a useful example of the figures to compare before choosing a two-in-one appliance.
LG’s French catalogue includes washer-dryers and a WashTower combining a washing machine and tumble dryer in a stacked unit.
Bosch’s French range includes separate heat pump tumble dryers, which are worth considering if you have room for a second appliance.
These models are for adding a separate tumble dryer if you have room, or for washing your laundry before drying it on an indoor clothes airer. Check the installation requirements and cycle information for the model you’re considering.
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Worth considering if you can install a separate drying appliance alongside your washing machine. The product title lists a capacity of 8 kg and energy class C. Compare the cycle time, energy use for your preferred programme and the dimensions before deciding where to put it.
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This separate 8 kg tumble dryer is an option if you have a dedicated space for it. Its stated energy class is D. Check the energy use and cycle time for the programme you’re interested in, as well as the installation dimensions.
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This washing machine is a good fit if you plan to hang your laundry out to dry after spinning: the product title lists an 8 kg washing capacity and a spin speed of 1 400 tr/min. It doesn’t replace a tumble dryer. For indoor drying, use a well-ventilated room or one with extraction, as ADEME recommends.
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Worth considering if you want to dry your laundry in a separate appliance: the product title lists a capacity of 8 kg and the OptiSense function. If heat pump technology is important to you, check which technology this model uses. Also compare the cycle time and energy use for a programme that suits your loads.
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This separate model is worth considering if you have room to install it. Its descriptions list a capacity of either 8 kg or 10 kg, depending on the source. Confirm the capacity for the CD10EHP05W-HR before planning your loads. Also check its dimensions and the cycle time and energy use for your preferred programme.
Yes, as long as the load doesn’t exceed the model’s drying capacity. UFC-Que Choisir points out that this is generally lower than the washing capacity, so you’ll need to take some laundry out before drying a larger load.
A heat pump model is worth considering if you have room for a separate tumble dryer. According to UFC-Que Choisir, this technology uses less electricity than the conventional condenser or vented tumble dryers mentioned in its guide, but generally takes longer to dry. Compare the capacity and figures for the specific model.
Choose a suitable spin setting and a room where moisture can be extracted. ADEME recommends drying laundry in a large, well-ventilated room or one with a mechanical ventilation extraction vent, preferably with humidity control.
Compare the washing and drying capacities, then check the information for the cycle you plan to use. The European Commission says that the labels for washing machines and washer-dryers in the European Union show, among other details, an A to G rating, energy use per 100 cycles, water per cycle, cycle time and noise. For a washer-dryer, distinguish between the wash-only cycle and the full wash-and-dry cycle.
Follow the instructions for your model on cleaning the filter and condenser. For the appliances concerned, Electrolux recommends cleaning the filter after every cycle and checking an accessible condenser at least once a month. Always follow the instructions for your specific model.