People with space for just one appliance
If your bathroom or kitchen can only fit one appliance, a washer-dryer combines both functions. Check that its depth and door clearance suit the space available.
Who is this option for?
Households looking to dry a load without transferring it
If you want to run a continuous wash-and-dry cycle, check the wash-and-dry capacity rather than the washing capacity alone. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the maximum load for drying is lower than for washing.
People who use the drying function regularly
If you often tumble-dry your laundry, the combined cycle time and energy and water use are important factors. Compare these figures for the programmes you plan to use, as well as the appliance’s dimensions.
Which factors should you compare?
Washer-dryer
Worth considering: when there’s room for just one appliance and the loads you want to dry are within the stated capacity for a combined cycle.
The trade-off: UFC-Que Choisir notes that drying capacity is lower than washing capacity, and that drying cycles can be long and use more energy and water. Check the figures before you buy.
Separate washing machine and tumble dryer
Worth considering: if you can make room for a second appliance and want to dry loads regularly without reducing them to the capacity of a washer-dryer.
The trade-off: you’ll need enough space and must meet the installation requirements for your chosen tumble dryer, particularly if it’s a vented model.
If you haven’t confirmed there’s room for two appliances, start by measuring the space. Then check whether the washer-dryer can handle the load you want to dry without removing any items.
| Factor | What to check | Relevant consumer priorities |
|---|---|---|
| Overall dimensions | Measure the height, width and depth, as well as the clearance needed for the door; also check the delivery route. | If there’s only one corner of the kitchen or bathroom available, I need to make sure the appliance will fit through the access route and that the door can open. Around 36% of consumers put the appliance’s size at the top of their list. |
| Load dried without transferring | Compare the capacities in kg for washing alone and for the wash-and-dry cycle, and check which fabrics the programme allows. | If I want to take out dry laundry without removing items between the two stages, the combined cycle needs to handle a load that suits my needs. This is a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Cycle time and energy and water use | Compare the time, water and electricity used by the wash-and-dry cycle across models, using the same basis for comparison. | If I often dry my laundry, I want to know how long the programme takes and how much it uses. This is the main priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Everyday convenience | Check the stated noise level, access to the door and how easy it is to reach the parts that need maintenance. | In a small room near the living area, I want to be able to load and use the machine without it becoming a regular nuisance. Convenience comes first for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming the drying capacity is the same as the washing capacity
If a washer-dryer is listed as 9 kg for washing and 6 kg for washing and drying, you can’t dry 9 kg in a single continuous cycle. The Bosch, LG and Samsung product specifications cited for specific models show this difference.
If you don’t want to remove any laundry after washing, size your load according to the capacity of the wash-and-dry cycle.
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Checking the width but forgetting the depth
An appliance might fit widthways but still block the door from opening or prevent it from getting through to its intended spot.
Measure the recess, the clearance in front of the machine and the delivery route, then compare these with the dimensions of the model and its packaging.
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Looking only at washing figures
How often you use the drying function affects how important cycle times and energy and water use are. UFC-Que Choisir assesses these figures across cycles and distinguishes between the requirements of washing and wash-and-dry cycles.
Compare the figures for the combined cycle on a like-for-like basis, rather than assuming how it performs from washing figures alone.
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Choosing a vented tumble dryer without checking for an air outlet
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a vented tumble dryer needs an outlet to the outside, unlike a condenser model.
If there’s room for two appliances but no external air outlet, check the installation requirements for a condenser model, particularly one with a heat pump.
Brands to consider when comparing models
Bosch
Bosch Électroménager France’s product page for the WNG24402FR lists two separate capacities: 9 kg for washing and 6 kg for washing and drying.
- For this model, Bosch lists dimensions of 848 × 598 × 590 mm and a stated noise level of 70 dB(A), which are useful when checking whether it will fit.
- Bosch’s advertised 60-minute wash-and-dry programme is for small loads; it doesn’t indicate how long a maximum load will take.
LG
LG France’s product page for the F96400WHR lists a washing capacity of 9 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg; the model is marked as discontinued.
- The product page gives dimensions of 60 × 85 × 64 cm with the top fitted, and lists consumption figures separately for each cycle.
- These specifications apply to the F96400WHR, not to the dimensions or capacities of every LG washer-dryer.
Samsung
Samsung France’s product page for the WD90DG6B85BKU3 lists a washing capacity of 9 kg, a drying capacity of 6 kg and dimensions of 600 × 850 × 600 mm.
- These figures let you compare this specific model with your expected laundry loads and the space available.
- Samsung says its AI Energy features require a Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account. The savings advertised by the brand depend on its usage conditions and won’t apply to every cycle.
Washer-dryers available on Joybuy
These appliances combine washing and drying in a single machine. First, compare their drying capacity with your usual loads, then check the dimensions and combined-cycle figures for the model you’re interested in. The small Roborock model is designed for much smaller loads.
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Samsung WD11DG6B85BEU3 washer-dryer, 11 kg / 6 kg
To wash and dry in one appliance, keep the load within the stated drying capacity of 6 kg, compared with 11 kg for washing. The title and description don’t give exactly the same model code, so check the variant and its specifications on the product page before choosing.
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Samsung WD10HG6U34BEU3 washer-dryer, 10 kg / 6 kg
For a wash followed by drying without transferring the laundry, stick to the stated drying limit of 6 kg, compared with 10 kg for washing. Also check that its depth suits your space, then check the combined-cycle time and energy and water use on the product page.
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Grey Roborock Zeo Lite washer-dryer, 10 kg / 6 kg
This model combines both functions, with a stated washing capacity of 10 kg and drying capacity of 6 kg, so a continuous load must stay within the lower limit. If space is tight, check its exact dimensions and the time and consumption figures for your chosen programme.
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Dark grey CHiQ JW85882HG washer-dryer, 8 kg / 5 kg
If you want to dry your laundry without removing any items after washing, bear in mind the stated drying capacity of 5 kg, compared with 8 kg for washing. The width given in the title and product page doesn’t match, so confirm the exact dimensions before relying on this model for a narrow recess.
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White Roborock Marshmallow Zeo Mini, 1 kg / 0.5 kg
This is worth considering for very small loads rather than a family wash: the title gives a washing capacity of 1 kg and a drying capacity of 0.5 kg. Check the dimensions and programme requirements if you plan to install it in a specific space.
Frequently asked questions
Can a 9 kg / 6 kg washer-dryer wash and then dry 9 kg without any input from you?
No. 9 kg is the washing capacity, while 6 kg is the stated limit for the wash-and-dry cycle. To run both stages without removing any laundry, stick to this lower capacity and follow the programme instructions for the fabrics you’re washing.
Will a washer-dryer always fit in a small space?
No. It saves you the space needed for a second appliance, but you still need to check its depth and the clearance required in front of the door. Also measure the doors and corridors along the delivery route, then check the dimensions of the specific model.
Which figures should you compare when assessing the wash-and-dry cycle?
Compare the capacities, cycle times and energy and water use listed for the wash-and-dry cycle, without confusing them with figures for washing alone. Compare cycles on a like-for-like basis and consider how often you’ll use the drying function.
If there’s room for two appliances, does the tumble dryer need an external air outlet?
It depends on the type of tumble dryer. According to UFC-Que Choisir, a vented model needs an outlet to the outside, unlike a condenser model. Check the installation requirements for the appliance you’re considering and make sure you have enough space.
What if some of your laundry still needs to air-dry at home?
A washer-dryer can only dry loads that fit within the limits of its programme. For laundry you hang indoors, ADEME recommends using a large, well-ventilated room or one fitted with a mechanical ventilation extract vent, preferably a humidity-controlled one.