Choose a washer-dryer if you only have one available space and can adapt each load to a lower drying capacity than washing capacity. A stacked setup with separate washing machine and tumble dryer is more suitable if the height, compatible stacking kit and available space allow you to dry full loads while starting another wash.
You have the necessary connections and width for one appliance, but not enough room to install a washing machine and tumble dryer separately. Usable drying capacity, depth and cycle duration then become the deciding factors.
You are short on floor space but have sufficient height and can confirm that a compatible stacking kit is available. This configuration offers greater flexibility if you often dry full loads or want to wash and dry at the same time.
Your doorway, cabinet or recess mainly limits the available depth. Measure the appliance with its protruding parts and the door open, then check whether a slim model’s drying capacity suits your usual laundry loads.
Choose this if:only one space is available and a smaller drying load is acceptable.
Bear in mind:drying capacity is lower than washing capacity; compare the full-cycle specifications, not just those for washing.
Choose this if:a stacked setup is possible with a kit explicitly confirmed as compatible with both appliances.
Bear in mind:this solution requires more overall space and confirmed mechanical compatibility.
Consider this if:the dimensions rule out both a standard washer-dryer and a stacked setup, and smaller loads are realistic.
Check that:a shallow depth does not eliminate the door swing or the clearances needed for installation.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Drying with one appliance | Compare washing and drying capacities separately, then note the overall dimensions and clearance with the door open. | I want to run a wash and dry cycle without installing two machines, while knowing how much laundry can actually be dried. |
| Capacity and laundry routine | Check the difference between the two capacities in kg, the duration of the full cycle and the tumble dryer’s capacity if you choose two appliances. | I do frequent or large loads: I want to avoid having to remove laundry before drying every time. |
| Water, energy and noise | Compare label or EPREL data for the same cycle: washing only on one side, and the complete wash-and-dry cycle on the other. | I want to compare the way I will actually use the appliance, rather than estimating drying costs from the washing cycle alone. |
| Installation and durability | Measure the depth, connections and clearance with the door open. For a stacked setup, confirm that the kit suits both appliances; also check the durability index where applicable. | My recess or doorway is narrow, and I want to avoid an appliance that is difficult to install or maintain. |
On a washer-dryer, drying capacity is lower than washing capacity. A fully loaded wash may therefore need to be split before drying.
Choose according to the amount you want to dry in one go, and always check both figures: kg for washing and kg for drying.
A slim appliance may be deeper once the connections are attached or when the door is open. This can obstruct a passageway or make loading uncomfortable.
Measure the cabinet depth, the stated overall depth and the clearance with the door open, then allow for the margin specified in the model’s manual.
For a washer-dryer, the figures for washing only and for the complete wash-and-dry cycle are separate. The former does not by itself show the duration, water consumption or energy use of the integrated drying cycle.
Compare complete wash-and-dry cycle figures between models, using data covering the same type of cycle.
Whether appliances can be stacked depends on factors including the brand, the type of front-loading appliance, the depth and sometimes the products’ exact model references.
Before buying the tumble dryer or accessory, confirm the kit recommended by the manufacturer for both appliances and check the applicable dimensions.
LG offers standard and slim washer-dryers, among other models. The F852SV52IRS is listed with 8.5 kg washing capacity, 5 kg drying capacity and a depth of 47.5 cm.
Bosch offers freestanding and integrated washer-dryers. The WNG25402FR has a washing capacity of 10.5 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg, with a standard width of 60 cm.
AEG offers washer-dryers, including the heat-pump LWR98B166X, with 10 kg washing capacity and 6 kg drying capacity.
These Joybuy options are for the combined solution: washing and drying with one appliance in a small home.
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Worth considering if you have a space 60 cm deep and want a washer-dryer for regular laundry loads.
Stated dimensions: 60 × 85 × 60 cm. Drying capacity is 6 kg and the stated complete cycle lasts 7 h 32; a full washing load may need to be reduced before drying. Check the connections and clearances specified in the manual.
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This washer-dryer combines washing and drying in a 600 × 850 × 590 mm appliance, suitable for a standard space.
Its 6 kg drying load is lower than the 10 kg washing capacity. The product information lists steam functions and Air Wash; check the energy label, full-cycle data and required clearances.
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Worth considering when the available depth is around 52 cm and an integrated dryer for smaller loads is sufficient.
The stated dimensions are 600 × 520 × 847 mm, with 8 kg washing capacity and 5 kg drying capacity. The product information also mentions a width of 465 mm: confirm the overall width, door swing and full-cycle data before buying.
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This model is designed to run a wash-and-dry cycle in one appliance, with 10 kg washing capacity and 6 kg drying capacity.
The product information lists low-temperature Zeo-Cycle drying, 27 programmes, automatic dosing and a LintClear system. Confirm the dimensions, clearances and label data before choosing it for a precise recess.
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This option combines 10 kg washing capacity and 6 kg drying capacity for households without room to install two appliances.
The product information mentions Zeo-Cycle, LintClear, automatic dosing and app control. As drying capacity is limited to 6 kg, plan to split some loads and check the installation measurements and complete-cycle label.
A washer-dryer should not be chosen based solely on its washing capacity: UFC-Que Choisir states that drying capacity is lower than washing capacity. If you fill the drum for washing, you will often need to remove some laundry before starting the drying cycle.
Measure the width, height and depth including protruding parts, as well as the clearance with the door open. For the LG F852SV52IRS, LG states a cabinet depth of 47.5 cm, 53 cm including protruding parts and 101.5 cm with the door open at 90°: measuring the recess alone is not enough.
No. Choose a stacked setup approved with a kit compatible with both appliances. For example, Electrolux states that its E1WYHSK2 kit is intended for certain front-loading Electrolux appliances measuring 52 to 67 cm deep and requires you to check the PNC number; these conditions do not automatically apply to other brands.
Compare indicators that correspond to the same type of use. For a washer-dryer, check the complete wash-and-dry cycle figures, which are separate from washing-only figures in EPREL; for a separate tumble dryer, look at weighted consumption per cycle, capacity and the duration of the eco programme.
For appliances sold in the European Union, the European Commission states that the energy label for washing machines and washer-dryers includes the class, consumption per 100 cycles, water consumption, duration and noise level, among other details. In France, according to ADEME, the durability index has also applied to washing machines since April 2025; check that it is shown when it applies to the product you are considering.