A washer-dryer can solve the problem of not having room for two appliances or a practical place to dry clothes, provided your loads stay within its drying capacity. Compare that capacity with the amount of laundry you usually do, then check the installed depth, cycle duration and information for the combined cycle. If you often dry several large loads and have enough space, it’s also worth considering two separate appliances.
A washer-dryer lets you wash and dry clothes in the space taken up by a single appliance. However, according to UFC-Que Choisir, its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity, so check how much laundry you want to dry without removing any items.
If you regularly need to wash and dry several loads, the amount you can dry per cycle and how long the only machine is occupied become key considerations. UFC-Que Choisir’s tests are a reminder that a washer-dryer doesn’t dry clothes in the same way as a dedicated tumble dryer.
Measure the width, height and depth, taking into account the connections and clearances specified in the manual. Darty and Haier list the Bosch WNG24402FR as 63.5 cm deep and the Haier HWD100-B14939 as 68.8 cm deep, respectively. Width alone isn’t enough to confirm that the appliance will fit.
Consider this if: you only have space for one appliance and your usual drying load is within the model’s capacity.
The trade-off: if you wash a full load, you may need to take some items out before drying; the combined cycle also keeps your only appliance in use.
Consider this if: you have room for both appliances and you regularly dry large loads.
The trade-off: you’ll need space and suitable connections for two appliances, and you’ll have to transfer the laundry between them.
Consider this if: drying clothes on an airer occasionally is still practical and your laundry routine allows for it.
The trade-off: you’ll still need somewhere to dry clothes. ADEME notes that air-drying laundry indoors adds moisture to the air.
| What matters to you | What to check before buying | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Drying the load you want | Compare your usual loads with the drying capacity in kg and the limit for the wash-and-dry programme. | If a load fills the drum, having to remove some items before drying can make it harder to manage your laundry. Being able to dry the whole load without splitting it would be the priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Fitting the appliance | Measure the space’s width, height and depth, then check the connections and clearances specified in the manual. | Under a worktop or between two units, I need to be able to install and open the machine without obstructing the connections. Fitting the available space would be the main requirement for around 29% of consumers. |
| Matching the cycle to your laundry routine | Check the wash-and-dry duration for the programme and load you’ll use, and don’t confuse it with a short cycle for a small load. | If I have several loads to do, waiting for the drying cycle to finish before using my only machine again could disrupt my routine. Having the appliance available would be a priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Keeping track of use and maintenance | Read the information for washing alone and for the wash-and-dry cycle separately, then check the model’s maintenance instructions. | If I plan to use the integrated drying function often, I want to understand the resources used by that cycle and what maintenance it requires. Keeping track of this would be the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Darty, Electrolux and Haier list the Bosch WNG24402FR, Electrolux EW7W3916DA and Haier HWD100-B14939 at 9/6 kg, 9/6 kg and 10/6 kg, respectively. So a full washing load may not be suitable for drying in one continuous cycle.
Start with the amount of laundry you want to dry each time and check the limit for the wash-and-dry programme you’ve chosen.
Depth varies between models: Darty lists the Bosch WNG24402FR at 63.5 cm, Electrolux gives a maximum of 65.8 cm for the EW7W3916DA, and Haier lists the HWD100-B14939 at 68.8 cm.
Compare the appliance’s exact dimensions with the available space, allowing for connections, the door opening and the specified clearances.
Bosch describes the WDU8H500FF’s 60-minute Wash&Dry programme as suitable for small loads. For a different model, the EW7W3916DA, Electrolux gives a full-load duration of 7 h 45 for the Eco 40-60 wash-and-dry cycle. These figures relate to different programmes and load sizes.
Check the stated duration for the load size and programme you actually plan to use.
Information for washing alone doesn’t describe the combined cycle. UFC-Que Choisir also found that most models in its test used water during drying.
Check the information for the wash-and-dry cycle on the model you’re considering. If you sometimes use an indoor airer, also bear in mind the moisture it can produce, as highlighted by ADEME.
The WNG24402FR can be a useful comparison if you have a space around 60 cm wide, but make sure you check its full depth.
The HWD100-B14939 lets you consider the trade-off between a stated washing capacity of 10 kg and the depth needed to install it.
The EW7W3916DA’s product information lets you compare washing and combined-cycle performance separately for a model listed at 9/6 kg.
The F964R76WSTA is worth considering if dispensing controls or the available programmes are important to you.
These appliances combine washing and drying in one machine. To find the right option for your home, first compare the drying capacity with your usual loads, then check the installation dimensions and information for the combined cycle.
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Worth considering if you want to wash a larger load than you usually dry. To run a wash and dry cycle without removing any items, stick to the stated drying capacity of 6 kg, not the 11 kg washing capacity. Check the installed dimensions and the information for the combined programme that suits your needs.
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This washer-dryer is worth considering if your priority is to wash and then dry clothes in one appliance. Its stated capacity is 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying, so adjust the load if you want to run both stages consecutively. Check the installation clearances and the information for the wash-and-dry cycle before making your choice.
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Worth considering if its stated drying capacity of 5 kg is enough for your usual loads; the stated washing capacity is 8 kg. The product name also mentions 1,400 rpm. If you’re considering it for a tight-fitting space, confirm the overall dimensions first: the width information given for this model doesn’t match. The quick wash mentioned in the name doesn’t tell you how long a full wash-and-dry cycle takes.
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This model may appeal if you want to run wash-and-dry cycles and are interested in its automatic dispensing and self-cleaning filter functions. The product name gives a washing capacity of 10 kg, a drying capacity of 6 kg and 27 wash programmes. To dry a load in one go, keep it within the 6 kg limit. Check the dimensions before planning to install it in an alcove, as well as the duration and information for the combined cycle.
Not with a model rated at 9/6 kg or 10/6 kg if the washing load is over 6 kg. Darty, Electrolux and Haier list these capacities for the models mentioned in this article. To run both stages without removing any items, stay within the drying limit for the model and programme you’re using.
Measure the available width, height and depth, then compare them with the model’s exact dimensions, allowing for connections and the clearances specified in its manual. Electrolux also recommends a flat, hard floor and correct levelling to reduce vibration and movement.
Look at the information for the wash-and-dry cycle, which is separate from the figures for washing alone, and compare like-for-like usage. For example, Electrolux gives the EW7W3916DA an A rating for washing alone and a D for wash-and-dry: the first rating doesn’t describe the combined cycle.
Follow the cleaning instructions in your model’s manual, including how often to carry them out. ADEME notes that using too much detergent can cause residue to build up in the washing machine and lead to unpleasant smells, so make sure you also follow the dosage instructions for your detergent and appliance.