When you have room for just one appliance, a washer-dryer could be a good fit if your usual loads are within its drying capacity, which is often lower than its washing capacity, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. If you already have a washing machine and suitable space, or can install two compatible appliances in a stack, compare separate heat pump tumble dryers. Check each model’s dimensions, how it handles condensed water and its energy data.
If washing and drying both need to fit in the same spot, a washer-dryer could be a practical solution. Compare its drying capacity with its washing capacity and the size of your usual loads, as recommended by UFC-Que Choisir and LG France.
If you already have a washing machine and often need to dry laundry, a separate tumble dryer is worth considering. Stacking the appliances can free up floor space, but only if both appliances and the stacking kit are compatible, as Bosch advises.
If you want to avoid leaving laundry to dry in the room, compare appliances based on your installation options and how they handle condensed water. Drying laundry and ventilating your home are separate issues, as ADEME and the QUALITEL association point out.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Measure the appliance, doorways and access to connections. For a stacked set-up, check the compatibility of both appliances and the kit in their manuals. | If I only have one space available or want to free up the floor by stacking two appliances, installation is my first priority. Around 33% of consumers prioritise space and installation compatibility. |
| Capacity and laundry routine | Compare washing and drying capacities in kg, then check the duration of programmes suited to your usual loads. | If I want to dry a load without taking some of it out after washing, I check the drying capacity before the washing capacity. Around 27% of consumers prioritise capacity and the pace of their laundry routine. |
| Damp and ventilation | Check how condensed water is collected or drained, as well as the installation instructions. Persistent damp needs a separate ventilation check. | If I want to avoid damp laundry sitting in a poorly ventilated room, I check how the appliance handles condensed water without confusing this with home ventilation. Around 20% of consumers prioritise damp and air circulation. |
| Electricity and water | Compare consumption figures by cycle and programme. With a washer-dryer, distinguish between washing only and washing-and-drying. | If I want to keep drying-related consumption under control, I compare similar cycles and laundry loads. Around 20% of consumers put electricity and water consumption first. |
Its drying capacity may be lower, so you might need to reduce a load after washing before you can dry it.
Compare the washing and drying capacities, as well as the programmes suited to your usual loads.
Splitting a load also means extra planning between washing and drying.
A condenser tumble dryer collects water or drains it away, depending on the model. It won’t solve inadequate ventilation in your home.
Check how condensed water is handled in the manual, and have any persistent damp investigated separately.
A safe, stable stack depends on the compatibility of the exact models and stacking kit, not just how the appliances look.
Check the manuals for both appliances and the kit before buying and installing them.
The rating for washing only does not tell you the rating for a wash-and-dry cycle. For tumble dryers, the current A to G scale replaced the old A+++ to D scale on 1st July 2025, according to the European Commission.
Compare the product information for the programme and amount of laundry you’ll actually use.
An example of a washer-dryer to compare if you only have room for one appliance.
An example of a separate heat pump tumble dryer, with manufacturer information on stacking.
The BM3DT48501W is another washer-dryer example to compare by capacity and function-specific data.
Another washer-dryer to consider when washing and drying need to share a single space.
This selection brings together washer-dryers and compact or portable tumble dryers, so you can compare options for homes with limited floor space.
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This washer-dryer format could suit you if you have space for just one appliance and your loads are within its drying capacity.
Stated capacity: 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. Your drying load must therefore stay within the 6 kg limit.
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This washer-dryer is worth considering if you want both functions in one space and can adjust the load to suit the drying capacity.
Stated capacity: 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying.
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Its compact design is worth comparing if you need a tumble dryer with a small capacity.
Stated capacity: 3 kg. Your chosen set-up must leave room to fit the supplied drain hose.
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Its stated 3 kg capacity makes it worth comparing with other compact options, depending on the size of the loads you want to dry.
The product name specifies floor or wall installation. Check that your preferred set-up is suitable for your home.
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A portable, foldable appliance is worth considering if you want to put it away after use, provided you have a suitable place to set it up while drying.
The product name specifies a timer and a foldable frame with wheels.
A condenser model doesn’t need an external vent to release moist air: depending on the appliance, water is collected in a tank or drained away. Check how condensed water is handled and follow the installation instructions. This doesn’t replace ventilation in your home.
Yes, but only if the load is also within the drying capacity of the programme you choose. For example, LG lists a washing capacity of 9 kg and a drying capacity of 6 kg for the F964R35WR. Check both capacities for the model you’re considering.
Check the manuals to make sure the exact washing machine and tumble dryer models can be stacked and that the chosen kit is compatible with them. Bosch’s guidance for its appliances and kits doesn’t apply to every brand.
Compare the figures for the cycles you’ll use and for similar amounts of laundry. On a washer-dryer’s label, washing only and washing-and-drying are separate functions. For a tumble dryer, use the current scale specified by the European Commission.
No. Choosing a drying appliance alone won’t identify the cause of persistent damp or confirm whether your home is properly ventilated. ADEME recommends continuous air circulation. If damp or signs of mould persist, have the ventilation and possible causes investigated separately.