Households that often dry laundry indoors
If you regularly use a clothes airer at home, compare spin speeds and noise levels. Make sure you also have a well-ventilated room for drying, as recommended by ADEME.
Who are these options for?
People living in smaller homes
In a kitchen, bathroom or narrow utility space, check the appliance’s depth, access to the laundry and the space needed to open it. If you’re considering two appliances, check that they’re compatible for stacking.
Households that need to dry laundry regularly
If a clothes airer takes up space for too long or you need your laundry dry sooner, compare tumble dryers by capacity, noise level, energy label and condensate management.
What should you compare first?
Start with the space available and how much laundry you usually wash. Then choose between drying on an airer in a well-ventilated space and adding a tumble dryer. Spin performance matters either way: ADEME highlights its role in both indoor drying and tumble dryer use.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor drying | Compare spin performance and noise levels. If you’re using a clothes airer, make sure the room is well ventilated. If you choose a tumble dryer, check how it handles condensate too. | If I often dry laundry at home, I want to avoid leaving it on the airer for a long time. Around 31% of consumers prioritise getting their laundry dry sooner. |
| Space | Measure the width and depth, and allow room to open the appliance. Check the instructions for any requirements for installation under a worktop or in a stack. | In a narrow space, I need to be able to install the appliance and access the laundry without blocking the way. For around 25% of consumers, a compact design is the top priority. |
| Energy use and durability | Check the energy use on the label for the exact model. For washing machines covered by the scheme, also check the durability index displayed in France. | If I do laundry often, I want to compare resource use and get an idea of how long the appliance may last. Around 25% of consumers share this priority. |
| Capacity | Compare the capacity in kg with your usual loads and, if you’re adding a tumble dryer, with its capacity too. | When loads are large or laundry is frequent, I’m looking for a suitable capacity without losing sight of the space available. Capacity is the main consideration for around 19% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Comparing an old A+++ rating directly with an A rating for a tumble dryer
The European Commission says that, for tumble dryers placed on the EU market from 1 July 2025, the energy label scale changes from A+++ to D to A to G. So you can’t compare a letter on one scale with a letter on the other in isolation.
Check the label for the exact model and compare energy use, capacity, noise and programme duration on a like-for-like basis.
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Assuming an indoor clothes airer is a hassle-free solution
Drying laundry indoors adds moisture to your home. ADEME recommends drying laundry outside or in a well-ventilated room, and not blocking air inlets or ventilation grilles.
Before relying on an airer as your main drying solution, decide where it will go and make sure the room is properly ventilated.
A clothes airer takes up space while your laundry dries, and you’ll need to wait until it’s dry.
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Choosing a capacity without measuring the depth and opening space
A washing machine’s dimensions and access to its drum can determine whether it will fit, even if its capacity suits your laundry. Stacking two appliances also means checking that they’re compatible.
Measure the space, allow room to open the appliance and check the clearances specified in the instructions before ordering.
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Assuming a feature applies to an entire brand’s range
A particular depth, condensate collection method or feature described for one model won’t necessarily apply to other appliances from the same brand.
Check the exact model you’re interested in, including its product details, label and instructions, rather than relying on a general description of the range.
Brands to consider
Beko
Beko offers front-loading and top-loading washing machines, as well as shallow models to consider if space is limited.
- According to Beko, some of its front-loading models combine a depth of 44 cm with a 6 kg capacity, or a depth of 49 cm with a 7 kg capacity.
- These dimensions apply to specific models. Check the dimensions, door opening space, energy label and durability information for the model you choose.
Bosch
Bosch offers heat pump tumble dryers, including 8 kg and 9 kg models to compare if you dry laundry regularly.
- The Bosch range lets you compare different capacities and, for some models, published energy use per cycle.
- For the model you choose, check the energy label, noise level, dimensions and condensate management. The brand’s descriptions of its technology don’t replace these details.
Miele
Miele’s range includes 8 kg and 9 kg heat pump tumble dryers, with different configurations to consider depending on the space available.
- Miele’s product information for the TEA525WP 8kg Active lists a condensation container and an integrated drainage kit.
- These features apply to the specific model named. If you’re installing appliances in a stack or side by side, check the instructions and dimensions for the models concerned.
Washing machines and tumble dryers to consider on Joybuy
These two appliances suit different needs: a top-loading washing machine for a space you’ve checked will fit, and a heat pump tumble dryer if you’d like to add a dedicated drying appliance. You can also consider using a clothes airer and explore other washing machine configurations to suit your home.
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Hotpoint CHD84MWBSEE, white 8 kg heat pump tumble dryer, class C
Worth considering if you’d like an additional appliance for drying laundry regularly.
Capacity listed: 8 kg. Class C appears in the product name; check the label for the exact model to compare its energy use.
Before installation, check the dimensions, required clearances and how the appliance handles condensate.
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Candy TCA464TM4-S ProWash 500, 6 kg top-loading washing machine, 1 400 tr/min
Worth considering if a top-loading model suits your space better and you sometimes dry laundry on an airer.
Capacity listed: 6 kg; maximum spin speed shown in the name: 1 400 tr/min. The name also mentions class B: check the model’s label to see which rating this refers to.
Check the depth, the space needed to open the lid and the durability index for the model concerned.
Frequently asked questions
Which labels should you check on a washing machine sold in France?
Check the A to G energy label and, where it applies to your chosen washing machine, the durability index. The French ministry responsible for ecology says that the index has been mandatory for eligible washing machines since 8 April 2025. Its score out of 10 provides information on factors including repairability and reliability, but it doesn’t replace checking the model’s specifications.
Can you compare an old tumble dryer’s A+++ rating with a current A rating?
No, not directly. The European Commission says the change from the old A+++ to D scale to the A to G scale took place on 1 July 2025 for tumble dryers placed on the EU market from that date. Older appliances may still be available, so check the label for each model before comparing energy use.
Can you dry laundry on an airer indoors?
Yes, as long as you have a well-ventilated room for drying. ADEME recommends drying laundry outside where possible. If you dry it indoors, don’t block air inlets or extraction grilles.
Can you install a tumble dryer on top of any front-loading washing machine?
No. A front-loading door alone doesn’t guarantee that the appliances are suitable for stacking. Check the instructions for both models, the stacking kit required, the dimensions, the stability of the support and the clearances specified by the manufacturers.
Why check the durability index as well as the warranty?
France’s durability index offers another way to compare eligible washing machines, particularly for repairability and reliability. Check the score for the exact model alongside its care and spare parts information, rather than treating it as a guarantee of how long the appliance will last.