A washer-dryer is a practical choice when you only have room for one appliance, provided the load you want to dry in one go is no larger than its drying capacity, which is usually lower than its washing capacity. Before choosing a model, compare the figures for the full wash-and-dry cycle — duration, water and energy use — then check the appliance’s dimensions, door opening and route to its final position. A separate tumble dryer is only an option if your space genuinely allows for it.
If your washing and drying need to fit in the same spot, first check the actual depth, access to the space and how much laundry the appliance can dry. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the space-saving benefits of two-in-one models.
If you want to take your laundry out dry without removing some of the load between the two stages, size your wash according to the drying capacity, not the washing capacity alone.
If you expect to use the dryer regularly, compare the figures for the full cycle. The European Commission lists information for washing alone separately from wash-and-dry figures.
When you only have space for one appliance, first make sure it will fit and work in the space available. Then consider the load you need to dry and the figures for the full cycle, rather than looking only at the washing capacity.
| What matters | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fitting into the available space | Compare the width, height and depth with the space available. Also measure the door opening and delivery route. | If the machine has to fit into one specific nook, it must clear the access points and leave enough room for the door to open. Around 31% of consumers prioritise how well it fits. |
| Completing a cycle without removing laundry | Compare your usual load with the wash-and-dry capacity in kg, which is different from the washing capacity alone. | To start a wash and take your laundry out dry without having to intervene, the load must stay within the drying limit. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Cycle time and consumption | For the full cycle, compare the duration, kWh per 100 cycles and litres of water per cycle on a like-for-like basis across models. | If you use the dryer often, the time the machine is in use and its consumption are important factors. Around 25% of consumers put these considerations first. |
| Large loads | Check the drying capacity in kg, then the depth of the model you’re considering. | If you regularly need to dry large loads, you may have to split them, even if they fit in for washing. Drying capacity is the main concern for around 19% of consumers. |
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a washer-dryer’s drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity. So if you wash a full load, you may need to remove some of the laundry before drying.
For a cycle that runs without intervention, compare the amount of laundry you want to take out dry with the wash-and-dry capacity shown in kg.
The figures for a full cycle differ from those for washing alone. The European Commission lists energy consumption per 100 cycles, water per cycle and cycle duration separately for each use.
If you plan to dry laundry regularly, compare the figures for the full wash-and-dry cycle across models on a like-for-like basis.
The depth, space needed for the door to open or a narrow access route could prevent you from installing the machine where you planned. Samsung advises checking doors, corridors and lifts to make sure the packaged appliance can get through.
Before you order, measure the usable space, the clearance needed in front of the machine for the door to open and the delivery route.
Insufficient access could prevent delivery or mean you have to alter the layout.
A manufacturer’s feature may depend on the programme and specific conditions of use. It doesn’t replace comparing the same figures across appliances.
Check the wash-and-dry figures on the energy label and product sheet, then check the conditions for the feature you’re interested in separately.
A useful reference for understanding the washing and drying capacities of a 9/6 kg front-loading model.
Worth looking at if you want to compare washing and full-cycle figures separately on a 9/6 kg model.
A model to consider if 9/6 kg capacity and access to your home are important factors in your choice.
A model to consider if you’re looking for an 8 kg drying capacity in a single appliance.
These appliances combine washing and drying in the same space. Their drying capacities range from very small loads to 6 kg. Compare them with your usual laundry loads before checking each model’s dimensions and full-cycle figures.
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Worth considering if you wash loads of up to 11 kg but don’t need to dry more than 6 kg in one cycle. Check that this difference works for the way you do your laundry, then measure the space, door opening and access route.
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For a continuous wash-and-dry cycle, keep the load to 6 kg or less, even though the stated washing capacity is 10 kg. Before choosing this model for a tight space, check its dimensions, the clearance needed in front of the door and the full-cycle figures.
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This model combines both functions if a 6 kg drying capacity is enough for the loads you want to take out dry. Its stated washing capacity is 10 kg. Before choosing it for your space, check its dimensions and the water, energy and duration figures for the full cycle.
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If you want to wash and then dry in the same appliance, use the 6 kg limit for a continuous cycle as your guide, rather than the 10 kg washing capacity. The model name mentions app control and the LintClear system; check the dimensions and full-cycle figures separately.
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This model is only suitable as your sole appliance if very small loads are enough: it has a stated washing capacity of 1 kg and a drying capacity of 0.5 kg. Check its dimensions and full-cycle figures, rather than assuming it will fit because it’s called “Mini”.
The first figure is the washing capacity and the second is the amount of laundry the appliance can dry. If you want to run both stages without removing laundry in between, go by the second figure: on a 9/6 kg model, the full-cycle load must not exceed 6 kg.
Compare the figures for the full wash-and-dry cycle: energy class, energy use per 100 cycles, water per cycle and duration. The European Commission lists these separately from the figures for washing alone, so check the values for each model you’re considering.
Measure the width, height and depth of the space, the clearance needed to open the door and every access point on the way to the room. Samsung advises checking doors, corridors and lifts to make sure the packaged appliance can get through.
In France, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a trader to a consumer, including when an item doesn’t match its description, as explained by the Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control. Report the discrepancy to the seller. This remedy for non-conformity is separate from returning an item because you’ve changed your mind.