If you can dry your laundry in a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor fan, start by checking your washing machine’s spin-drying efficiency: a tumble dryer isn’t essential in every home. If you do laundry frequently and need dry clothes without relying on an airer, compare tumble dryers based on where they’ll go and how much energy they use. If there’s no room for a second appliance, a washer-dryer could be an option, but check its drying capacity separately from its washing capacity. A dehumidifier may be worth considering as an extra, but it won’t replace airing the room or ventilation.
If your airer takes up space in a living room, bedroom or bathroom, its footprint matters just as much as how damp air is removed. A washer-dryer or a stacked pair of appliances could free up floor space, provided they can be installed properly. Neither option removes the need to check ventilation.
If drying time is your main concern, start by checking your washing machine’s spin-drying efficiency class. ADEME recommends class A when laundry needs to dry quickly indoors, in a well-ventilated room or one with an extractor fan.
If you regularly need dry clothes without waiting for them to dry on an airer, it’s worth comparing dedicated tumble dryers. You’ll need space for one, and should consider its capacity, energy use and installation requirements.
First, check where your laundry can dry and how well the room is ventilated. Then compare the capacity and usage information for appliances that will fit in the space.
| Priority | What to check | To suit my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Room humidity | Look for a large, well-ventilated room or a suitable mechanical ventilation extractor. ADEME notes that air-drying laundry adds a lot of moisture indoors; a dehumidifier is no substitute for fresh air. | I want to keep using an airer without neglecting the need to remove damp air. If ventilation is an issue, I won’t rely on a dehumidifier to replace it. |
| Spin-drying | Compare the washing machine’s spin-drying efficiency class on its label, not just its maximum spin speed. ADEME recommends class A when laundry needs to dry quickly indoors. | I can dry laundry in a suitable room, but I’d like to spend less time waiting for it to dry on the airer. |
| Space and capacity | Measure the available space. For a washer-dryer, check the washing and drying capacities separately: LG France lists a 9/6 kg model, while Electrolux France lists a 10/6 kg model. | I have room for just one appliance, but I need to know whether it can dry my usual load without splitting it. |
| How often you do laundry | For a dedicated tumble dryer, weigh up its capacity, programmes, noise and installation requirements against how often you do laundry. If you’re thinking of stacking it on top of your washing machine, check the manuals and make sure you have a compatible stacking kit. | When loads of laundry pile up, I’d rather consider a dedicated appliance than permanently give up a room to an airer. |
| Energy use | Compare the labels and product information for appliances in the same category, taking the stated cycles into account. The European Commission says the A to G label for household tumble dryers applies to appliances placed on the market since 1 July 2025. | I want to compare the energy needed for the use I have in mind, rather than judging energy use by a promise of speed alone. |
ADEME says that air-drying laundry adds a lot of moisture indoors, while mechanical ventilation removes moisture from the home. A dehumidifier won’t make up for a lack of fresh air.
First, check the airflow or extractor in the room where you dry your laundry. Only consider a dehumidifier as an extra in a room that is already properly ventilated.
Depending on the model, you’ll also need to consider the power supply, noise and whether you’ll need to empty the tank or set up drainage.
The two capacities can differ: LG France lists a model with a 9 kg washing capacity and 6 kg drying capacity, while Electrolux France gives the EW9W1166RA a 10/6 kg capacity. A full washing load may need to be split before drying.
Compare both figures with the amount of laundry you usually do, and check whether splitting loads would work for you.
Stacking appliances only saves floor space if the machines, stacking kit and location are compatible. Que Choisir recommends placing the tumble dryer on top of the washing machine, never the other way round.
Measure the space, check the manuals, and make sure the floor is stable and the stacking kit is compatible.
Installation requirements may include a suitable stacking kit and enough space around the appliances.
A programme’s duration doesn’t tell you how much energy it uses or how much laundry it can dry. Que Choisir notes, for example, that heat pump tumble dryers use less energy than traditional condenser models.
Compare appliances in the same category by checking their energy labels, capacity, programmes and product information.
These examples of product ranges and models show how to interpret manufacturers’ stated capacities; they are not a ranking of the brands.
Bosch Home Appliances France lists heat pump tumble dryers, including the WQG24502FR, which has a stated capacity of 8 kg.
LG France lists washer-dryers, including the F964R56MBRS, with a stated capacity of 9 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying.
Electrolux France gives the heat pump washer-dryer EW9W1166RA a capacity of 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying.
These options offer different ways to manage laundry indoors: wash it and hang it out to dry, use a dedicated tumble dryer, combine washing and drying in one machine, or use a dehumidifier alongside ventilation.
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This model combines washing and drying in one appliance, with a stated capacity of 11 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. If your washing load is over 6 kg, plan to reduce or split it before drying. Also check the figures for the wash-and-dry cycle.
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This dedicated 8 kg tumble dryer means you won’t have to rely on an airer for the loads you put in it. You’ll need space for an extra appliance. Compare its class C rating with its energy information and the programmes that suit your needs.
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This is another option if you want a single appliance, with a stated capacity of 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. The drying capacity is the figure to compare with your laundry loads. Check the product information to understand the stated class D rating and the figures for the cycle you’re interested in.
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If you’re keeping your airer, this 8 kg washing machine is worth considering before you add a separate drying appliance. Its maximum spin speed of 1 400 tr/min doesn’t tell you its spin-drying efficiency class, so be sure to check that too. Your laundry will still need to dry in a properly aired or ventilated room.
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Only consider this as an extra if your laundry is drying in a room that is already properly aired or ventilated. This model is described as suitable for drying laundry and has a 24-hour timer and continuous drainage. Check that the drainage system will work with your setup, and confirm the humidity range you can set for this model.
No. ADEME recommends drying laundry in a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor, and says mechanical ventilation removes moisture from the home. A dehumidifier may be used as an extra in a room that is already ventilated, but it won’t make up for a lack of fresh air.
Pay particular attention to its spin-drying efficiency class, then consider its capacity, energy use and noise levels for the way you use it. ADEME recommends class A for spin-drying when laundry needs to dry quickly indoors. You’ll also need a well-ventilated room or one with an extractor.
Not necessarily: check its washing and drying capacities separately. LG France lists a model with a 9 kg washing capacity and 6 kg drying capacity, while Electrolux France gives the EW9W1166RA a 10/6 kg capacity. So a full washing load may need to be reduced or split before drying.
Yes, as long as the manuals, dimensions, stacking kit and floor allow for a stable installation. Que Choisir recommends placing the tumble dryer on top of the washing machine, never the other way round. Check they’re compatible before you buy.
The European Commission says that an A to G energy label applies to household tumble dryers placed on the market since 1 July 2025. Compare models in the same category, checking their capacity and product information too, rather than relying on the rating alone.