Households with room for two appliances
If you regularly dry large loads, a standalone tumble dryer lets you choose a capacity independently of your washing machine. Measure the space and compare energy use, cycle times and noise levels.
Who are these options for?
People living in small flats
If there’s no room for a second appliance, a washer-dryer combines both functions. To wash and dry a load without taking out any clothes in between, make sure it fits within the drying capacity.
People who dry clothes in a living space
Moisture is worth considering: ADEME identifies air-drying clothes indoors as the activity that releases the most moisture into the home. If you keep using a clothes airer, consider the room’s ventilation; if you choose an appliance, check its installation and maintenance requirements.
How do the appliances compare?
First, check whether you can actually install a second appliance. Then compare the amount of laundry you need to dry and the cycle information relevant to how you’ll use it.
Conventional condenser
Consider it if: you have space for a separate tumble dryer and value shorter drying times.
The trade-off: according to UFC-Que Choisir, these models generally dry clothes faster than heat pump models, but use more electricity.
Heat pump
Consider it if: you have room for a standalone tumble dryer and use it frequently.
The trade-off: UFC-Que Choisir says they generally use less electricity than models with a heating element, but often take longer to dry clothes.
Washer-dryer
Consider it if: you only have space for one appliance and your load fits within its drying capacity.
The trade-off: according to UFC-Que Choisir, programmes take longer and drying can use a lot of water and energy. Check the figures for the model you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Space and capacity | Measure the space and allow for the clearances specified by the manufacturer. For a washer-dryer, compare the washing and drying capacities separately. | Will a single appliance fit in my home? If I want to wash and dry a load without taking out any clothes, the load must be within the drying capacity. |
| Energy use and cycle time | For tumble dryers, compare the Eco programme capacity, kWh per 100 cycles and Eco programme duration shown on the label, as GIFAM advises. For a two-in-one appliance, distinguish between the washing figures and the wash-and-dry figures. | I dry clothes often or need short cycles, so I want to compare the energy use and duration of the programme I’ll use, not just the name of the technology. |
| Installation and moisture | According to UFC-Que Choisir, depending on the model, a condenser tumble dryer collects water in a tank or sends it to a drain, with no external vent. Check the manual, connections and maintenance requirements. | Without an external air vent, I need to check how the appliance handles water and whether it’s suitable for my space. If I use a clothes airer instead, the room’s ventilation matters too. |
| Noise | Compare the noise level shown on the tumble dryer’s label and consider which room the appliance will be used in. | In an open-plan kitchen or near a living space, I want to check the stated noise level before choosing where to put the appliance. |
What should you watch out for?
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Relying on a two-in-one appliance’s washing capacity alone
The drying capacity is lower than the washing capacity. If the load is too large, you’ll need to reduce it before drying or split it across several cycles.
Check both capacities, and size a continuous wash-and-dry cycle according to the drying capacity.
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Choosing faster drying without comparing energy use
According to UFC-Que Choisir, conventional condenser tumble dryers generally dry clothes faster than heat pump models, but use more electricity.
If you use your tumble dryer often, compare the kWh per 100 cycles and Eco programme duration of the models you’re considering.
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Assuming a heat pump model will fit anywhere
The technology doesn’t determine the dimensions or clearance required. The manual for the Electrolux EW9W1166RA, for example, specifies that the plug must remain accessible after installation.
Measure the space and check the installation instructions for the exact model before ordering.
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Forgetting about moisture from air-drying clothes
ADEME identifies air-drying clothes indoors as the activity that releases the most moisture into the home. That doesn’t mean every household needs an appliance.
If you keep using a clothes airer, choose a well-ventilated room and take moisture levels into account when making your decision.
A guide to the brands
Bosch
Bosch lists the WQA23300FR as a standalone heat pump tumble dryer with an 8 kg capacity and dimensions of 842 × 598 × 613 mm.
- Bosch lists a half-load option and a 40-minute Express programme for smaller loads.
- Check the manual for the space required and how condensation water is managed for this model.
Miele
Miele describes the TEA525WP 8kg Active as a standalone 8 kg heat pump tumble dryer.
- The model’s product information lists a tank and a condensation water drainage system.
- Check the dimensions and installation requirements for this model before deciding if it’s right for you.
Electrolux
Electrolux lists the EW9W1166RA and EW9W1166RB heat pump washer-dryers with a 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity.
- A two-in-one format is useful when you only have space for one appliance.
- A 10 kg wash load exceeds the stated 6 kg drying capacity. Also compare the figures for the wash-and-dry cycle.
Appliances to compare on Joybuy
This selection includes washer-dryers for homes with space for just one appliance, and standalone condenser or heat pump tumble dryers if you have room for an additional appliance.
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Samsung WD11DG6B85BEU3, 11/6 kg washer-dryer
For a single appliance space: the model name indicates an 11 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity. Keep the load within the drying capacity if you want to run both cycles one after the other. Check the product information and manual for the drying system and installation requirements.
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Hotpoint CHD84MWBSEE, 8 kg heat pump tumble dryer
A standalone appliance to consider if you have space for a second machine. It has a stated capacity of 8 kg. Compare its energy use and Eco programme duration, then check the dimensions and clearances in the manual.
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Electrolux EDH1018CD GentleCare, 8 kg condenser tumble dryer
This model is described as an 8 kg condenser tumble dryer, a type that doesn’t need an external air vent. Check its product information for energy use and Eco programme duration, and the manual for how it handles water and the space required.
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Comfee CD08EHP05W-HR, 8 kg heat pump tumble dryer
This standalone option has a stated capacity of 8 kg. To compare it with other tumble dryers, check the kWh per 100 cycles, Eco programme duration and installation requirements for this model.
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Samsung WD10HG6U34BEU3, 10/6 kg washer-dryer
This two-in-one appliance is designed for homes with space for just one machine, with a stated 10 kg washing capacity and a 6 kg drying capacity. Before choosing it for a flat without an external vent, check its drying system, the wash-and-dry cycle information and the installation instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Does a condenser tumble dryer need an external vent?
No, it doesn’t need an external air vent. According to UFC-Que Choisir, the water extracted from clothes goes into a tank or, depending on the model, is sent to a drain. However, make sure you follow the instructions for positioning, connections and maintenance.
How can I compare the energy use of two tumble dryers?
Compare the figures for the same programme. GIFAM says tumble dryer labels show information including the maximum Eco programme capacity, energy use per 100 cycles, Eco programme duration and noise level. The technology name alone can’t replace these model-specific figures.
Can a 10/6 kg washer-dryer dry 10 kg of laundry?
No. 10 kg refers to the washing capacity and 6 kg to the drying capacity, as with the Electrolux EW9W1166RA and EW9W1166RB models. To run both cycles one after the other without taking out any clothes, keep the load within the drying capacity.
Is a washer-dryer suitable for every small home?
It’s mainly suited to homes where there’s no room for a second appliance. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the space-saving benefits, but also notes that drying capacity is lower than washing capacity and programmes take longer. Check the space available and the energy use figures for the model you’re considering too.
What maintenance does a drying appliance need?
Follow the manual for the model you choose: maintenance tasks depend on how it handles filters and condensation water. For example, Miele lists alerts for emptying the tank and cleaning the filters on its TEA525WP 8kg Active.