If you can only install one appliance, a washer-dryer may be a good choice, as long as the load you want to dry is within its drying capacity and you’re happy with the length of the full cycle. If you do laundry frequently, two separate appliances let you choose the capacities independently, but they need more space and, if stacked, a stacking kit that’s compatible with both models.
If you want to wash and then dry your laundry without an airer, and can only install one appliance, compare the drying capacity and the length of the full cycle. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a washer-dryer’s drying capacity may be lower than its washing capacity.
If you have room for two appliances, choose the washing and drying capacities to suit your usual loads. UFC-Que Choisir sets out the installation options and features to consider when choosing a tumble dryer.
If floor space is limited but you have enough height, stacking the appliances may be an option. UFC-Que Choisir and Bosch Electroménager France recommend checking that the appliances and stacking kit are compatible.
Consider this if: you can only install one appliance and want to wash and dry your laundry in one go, without having to move it.
Bear in mind: the load you can dry may be smaller than the load you can wash. Check the length and energy and water use of the full cycle too. UFC-Que Choisir highlights these differences.
Consider this if: you have space for two appliances and regularly dry large loads.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to transfer the laundry between appliances and find room for both. Choose each capacity to suit the loads you wash and dry. UFC-Que Choisir describes the installation options for condenser tumble dryers.
Consider this if: you have enough height and access, but not enough room for two appliances side by side.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to transfer the laundry, and you’ll need to check that the kit is suitable for both models. Bosch Electroménager France states that its 00717525 kit is not compatible with some Série 2 washing machines.
Whichever option you choose, compare the appliance dimensions with the space available, then check the loads you want to dry, the cycles you’ll use and the installation instructions in the manuals.
| Priority | What to check before buying | Who should pay attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Dimensions, access, door opening, connections and, for a stacked set-up, compatibility of the models and kit. | If I only have space for one appliance, I want to know whether it can actually be installed in my home. Around 36% of consumers prioritise installation requirements. |
| Laundry volume and frequency | Drying capacity and full-cycle duration; with two appliances, check each capacity separately. | When I dry loads regularly, I want to avoid splitting them up unnecessarily. Around 29% of consumers prioritise load size and frequency. |
| Energy, water and time | For a washer-dryer, distinguish full-cycle figures from wash-only figures; for two appliances, check the tumble dryer’s energy label too. | If I dry laundry often, I want to compare water and electricity use, as well as cycle times that reflect how I’ll use the appliances. Around 21% of consumers prioritise managing resource use. |
| Ventilation and maintenance | Ventilation, exhaust or condensate instructions and maintenance requirements; if stacking, check that you have the right kit. | In a room with limited options, I want to be sure that installation and maintenance are practical. Around 14% of consumers put these considerations first. |
The stated washing capacity may be higher than the load allowed for a wash-and-dry cycle. For example, the Bosch WNA13400FF and Haier HWD80-BP14357NTU1 are listed as 8 kg for washing and 5 kg for drying.
Check the drying capacity of the exact model against the amount you want to process without interrupting the cycle.
A condenser tumble dryer may not need an air outlet to the outside, but that doesn’t mean it’s suitable for an unventilated, enclosed room. For the appliances covered by its guidance, Electrolux advises against installation in a closed cupboard without ventilation.
Before buying, check the model’s manual for ventilation, clearance and connection requirements for your chosen space.
Compatibility depends on the appliances and the kit. Bosch states, for example, that kit 00717525 is not compatible with several Série 2 washing machines.
Before planning the installation, check both appliances, the exact kit, the available height and the required clearances.
Wash-only figures don’t tell you how much a washer-dryer uses for a complete cycle. UFC-Que Choisir also notes that some washer-dryers may use water during drying.
For a washer-dryer, compare the wash-and-dry cycle; for separate appliances, compare the relevant cycles on both. Take your frequency of use into account too.
The French-market X5 HWD80-BP14357NTU1 is an example of a washer-dryer listed as 8 kg for washing and 5 kg for drying. Haier France gives its dimensions as 595 × 530 × 850 mm.
Bosch Electroménager France lists the WNA13400FF as a washer-dryer with an 8 kg washing capacity and a 5 kg drying capacity, and offers stacking kits.
The French-market F964R71WRST is an example of a washer-dryer listed with a 9 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity.
Electrolux France describes the standalone EDHF5841EC tumble dryer as a heat-pump model with a stated capacity of 8 kg.
The French-market WD90DG5B15BEEF is an example of a washer-dryer listed as 9 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying.
This selection brings together washer-dryers that wash and dry in one appliance, with different stated capacities across the models.
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Worth considering if you want one appliance for washing and drying and regularly wash large loads.
Stated capacity: 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. Class A is stated in the product name.
The stated drying capacity is lower than the washing capacity. Check that it suits the loads you want to process in a continuous cycle.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a washer-dryer with a stated washing capacity of 10 kg.
Stated capacity: 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. Class D is stated in the product name.
The stated drying capacity is lower than the washing capacity. Check the load allowed for the full cycle.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a model described as suitable for built-in installation.
Stated capacity: 9 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. The product name also gives a spin speed of 1400 rpm.
The stated drying capacity is lower than the washing capacity. Check the dimensions and built-in installation requirements before buying.
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Worth considering if you want one appliance for washing and drying, with a stated washing capacity of 10 kg.
Stated capacity: 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, with 27 programmes listed in the product name.
The stated drying capacity is lower than the washing capacity. Check which load size is suitable for the cycle you plan to use.
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Worth considering if a washer-dryer suits your needs and its stated capacities are right for your loads.
Stated capacity: 8 kg for washing and 5 kg for drying. The product name gives a width of 465 mm.
The stated drying capacity is lower than the washing capacity. Check the full dimensions and the clearances required in the manual.
A condenser tumble dryer, including a heat-pump model, doesn’t need to be connected to an external air vent; a vented model does. In either case, follow the manual’s instructions on ventilation and clearances. For appliances covered by its guidance, Electrolux specifically advises against installation in a closed cupboard without ventilation.
No. Check that both models are suitable for stacking and choose a kit designed for them. Follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions; Bosch, for example, states that its 00717525 kit is not compatible with several Série 2 washing machines.
For a washer-dryer, look at the figures for the full cycle rather than the wash-only figures. If you have two appliances, check the tumble dryer’s energy label too. The European Commission states that washer-dryer labels include information such as energy use per 100 cycles, water use and cycle duration, while tumble dryers are a separate product group. To estimate costs, apply your usage frequency and energy and water tariffs.
Follow the model’s manual for cleaning the filters and managing condensate. For the Electrolux EDHF5841EC, the brand’s product information mentions filter and condenser cleaning indicators, as well as a full-tank indicator. These details apply to this model and don’t set a universal maintenance schedule.
Since 1 July 2025, the European Commission states that household tumble dryers displayed in shops and online must show an A to G scale. This rule relates to energy labelling and the market requirements it sets out; it doesn’t, by itself, mean that an older appliance you already own is prohibited from use.