Start by considering how much space you have and how much laundry you usually dry. An indoor airer avoids the need for an extra appliance, while a separate tumble dryer or washer-dryer lets you dry clothes mechanically. If you choose a washer-dryer, check its drying capacity, which is often lower than its washing capacity, and always check the installation and ventilation requirements for the model you choose.
You want to choose a capacity that suits your laundry loads, with a spin cycle that makes indoor drying easier. ADEME recommends checking the spin-drying efficiency class, rather than looking only at the maximum spin speed.
You’re considering combining washing and drying in one appliance. Compare the washing and drying capacities separately: a full wash load may exceed the amount that can be dried in one go.
You have room for a tumble dryer and want to check its capacity, stated noise level and installation requirements. Even without an external air vent, you must follow the instructions in the manual and any requirements for the room.
Choose this if: you can hang your laundry to dry at home and want to avoid adding a separate drying appliance.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to hang your laundry out to dry. Look for a capacity that suits your loads and check the spin-drying efficiency. ADEME recommends choosing class A to make indoor drying easier.
Choose this if: you have a suitable space and want to dry your laundry mechanically in a separate appliance.
Bear in mind: the appliance takes up extra space, and you’ll need to follow its ventilation instructions. A heat-pump tumble dryer does not require an external air vent.
Choose this if: combining washing and drying in one appliance suits your space requirements.
Bear in mind: the drying capacity may be lower than the washing capacity, so you may need to reduce or split a full load before drying.
| Priority | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Drying and ventilation | For indoor air-drying, compare the spin-drying efficiency class. For a tumble dryer, check the ventilation and temperature instructions in the manual. No external vent does not necessarily mean the appliance is suitable for a closed room. | If I dry my laundry at home, I want to take ventilation and room conditions into account. Around 20% of consumers put drying arrangements and ventilation first. |
| Load size | Compare the capacity with your usual loads and, for a washer-dryer, check the washing and drying capacities separately in kilograms. ADEME advises that the capacity should suit your needs. | If I want to handle my usual laundry loads without having to split them before drying, usable capacity matters more than the washing capacity alone. Around 20% of consumers prioritise the amount of laundry handled per load. |
| Space and access | Measure the space, the depth with the door included and the clearance needed to open it. Bosch’s specifications for the WAN2827FFR state 63.2 cm with the door included and 104.9 cm with the door open. | In a small home, I want to be able to install the appliance and open its door without blocking the way. Around 20% of consumers make size and access their priority. |
| Noise | Compare the stated noise emissions for the relevant cycle, without treating spin-cycle noise as equivalent to drying noise. Bosch states 72 dB(A) for the WAN2827FFR washing machine and 61 dB(A) for the WQG24502FR tumble dryer; these figures are not an overall ranking of how quiet the appliances are. | If the appliance is near a living area, I want to take its stated noise level during use into account. Around 20% of consumers prioritise noise disturbance. |
| Running costs | Check the energy and water use, as well as the duration of the programme that suits your needs. Washer-dryer labels provide this information using figures specific to each cycle. Miele notes that old and new tumble dryer labels cannot be compared directly. | To choose an appliance for everyday use, I want to compare the consumption figures for the wash-and-dry service I’ll actually use. Around 20% of consumers prioritise running costs. |
The Bosch WNA144V0FR and LG F964R35WR washer-dryers have stated capacities of 9/5 kg and 9/6 kg respectively. A full wash load may therefore exceed the drying capacity.
Compare the amount you need to dry with the second figure shown, and be prepared to reduce or split the load if necessary.
If the load is too large for drying, you may need to remove some clothes or run additional drying cycles.
Condensation or heat-pump technology means there’s no need for an external air vent, but you still need to follow the instructions for the room where the appliance is installed.
Check the manual for the exact model. For the tumble dryers covered by its support guidance, Electrolux advises against placing the appliance in an enclosed, unventilated cupboard.
For the Bosch WAN2827FFR, Bosch states a depth of 59.0 cm without the door, 63.2 cm with the door included and 104.9 cm with the door open.
Check the access route, the space available and the clearance needed to open the door before choosing a model.
If there isn’t enough room to access the drum, you may need to reconsider where the appliance will go or how it will be delivered.
For separate tumble dryers in France, the A to G energy label scale has applied since 1 July 2025. Miele explains that the old and new figures and classes cannot be compared directly.
Compare appliances using the applicable label and consumption figures based on a consistent method.
The Bosch models reviewed include a washing machine, a heat-pump tumble dryer and a washer-dryer.
The F964R35WR is an example of a washer-dryer.
The TWC640WP is an example of an 8 kg heat-pump tumble dryer.
This selection includes separate tumble dryers, washing machines for indoor air-drying and a washer-dryer. Compare capacities and installation space to suit the way you do your laundry.
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For mechanically drying a load in a separate appliance, provided you have a suitable space for it.
Stated capacity: 8 kg. The title lists propane refrigerant and the OptiSense function.
The description lists a water collection tank, a noise level of 66 dB(A), a reversible door and dimensions of 60 × 65 × 85 cm. Check the manual for installation requirements.
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For drying a load separately after washing, if you can set aside space for a freestanding appliance.
Stated capacity: 8 kg. The description lists a noise level of 64 dB and a 2-in-1 Easy Cleaning filter.
A drain hose is listed as connectable. Check the installation requirements in the manual for this model.
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For washing a load before air-drying it indoors. Check that there’s enough room for the appliance and to open the door.
Stated capacity: 7 kg; maximum spin speed: 1 400 tr/min. The stated spin-drying efficiency class is B.
The depth with the door included is listed as 63.2 cm. ADEME recommends choosing class A spin-drying efficiency to make indoor drying easier.
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For combining washing and drying in one appliance when saving space is a priority.
Stated capacities: 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. The energy class shown in the name is D.
The description lists dimensions of 600 × 850 × 590 mm, separate consumption figures for washing and the wash-and-dry cycle, as well as steam and Air Wash programmes. You may need to reduce or split a full wash load before drying.
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For washing laundry before drying it on an airer. Check that a top-loading design suits the space available.
Stated capacity: 7 kg; maximum spin speed: 1 200 tr/min. The stated spin-drying efficiency class is B.
The description lists 16 programmes, including a steam programme. ADEME recommends choosing class A spin-drying efficiency to make indoor drying easier.
No. Its stated drying capacity is 6 kg. For the Samsung WD10HG6U34BEU3, make sure the load you plan to dry stays within this limit, removing or splitting the laundry if necessary.
The lack of an external air vent doesn’t confirm that a closed cupboard is suitable. For the tumble dryers covered by its support guidance, Electrolux advises against placing the appliance in an enclosed, unventilated cupboard. Check the manual for the model you choose.
Yes. For the condenser and heat-pump tumble dryers covered by its support guidance, Electrolux specifies a temperature range of 5 °C to 35 °C. Check this requirement in the documentation for your chosen model; it doesn’t automatically apply to every brand.
No. TCL says delicate fabrics benefit from lower spin speeds, while LG recommends choosing a programme based on the care labels. Follow the instructions for the fabric and the washing machine.
According to the European Commission, separate tumble dryers have used the A to G scale since 1 July 2025. Washer-dryers are covered by a separate framework and have used this scale since 1 March 2021. Compare consumption figures on a like-for-like basis for the function you’re considering.