If you don’t have an external air vent or a suitable duct, choose a condenser tumble dryer. According to UFC-Que Choisir’s buying guide, it doesn’t need to be connected to the outside, unlike a vented model. A heat pump dryer is a good option if you want to use less electricity and are happy with cycles that often take longer. A standard condenser dryer is also worth comparing if drying time is more important to you. Before buying, check the space available, how water is collected and what maintenance the specific model needs.
If you don’t have an external duct, that will guide your choice of technology. How often you do laundry and the maintenance you’re prepared to carry out will help you narrow down the options.
If your home doesn’t have an opening or a suitable duct, a condenser tumble dryer—with or without a heat pump—avoids the external connection required by a vented model. This distinction is set out in UFC-Que Choisir’s buying guide.
If you’d like to rely less on an airer, compare electricity use and programme times. Heat pump dryers generally use less energy, but their cycles often take longer than those of standard condenser dryers.
Check which filters and condenser need cleaning, following the model’s manual. In a test published in 2020, UFC-Que Choisir found that failing to clean the appliances could lengthen cycles and increase energy use on some of the seven models tested.
Worth considering: if you don’t have an external vent and lower electricity use matters more than a quick cycle.
The trade-off: cycles often take longer, and maintenance requirements vary by model.
Worth considering: if you don’t have an external vent and cycle times are a bigger priority.
The trade-off: this technology generally uses more electricity than a heat pump dryer. Compare the specific models you’re considering.
Requirement: you must have an external opening or a duct that’s compatible with the appliance.
Limitation: without this connection, this type of tumble dryer won’t meet your home’s needs.
Once you’ve chosen the type of appliance, compare the specifications of individual models with your room and laundry routine.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | Identify the technology, check whether an opening or duct is needed, and read the model’s installation instructions. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes condenser dryers, which don’t need an external connection, from vented models. | I don’t have an external air vent, so I need a condenser dryer, potentially including a heat pump model. |
| Energy use and cycle time | Compare the energy label, product information and stated eco programme duration for each model. A heat pump dryer generally uses less energy than a standard condenser model, but its cycles often take longer. | Do I need my laundry ready quickly, or can I accept longer cycles in return for lower electricity use? |
| Space available | Check the dimensions and clearance requirements in the manual. Also check the room’s ventilation requirements and any stacking instructions if you plan to stack the appliances. | I want to install the appliance in the space I’ve chosen without blocking access or overlooking the installation requirements. |
| Water management | Check whether the model uses a tank that needs emptying or can be connected to a drain hose, and whether any accessories are required. A drain hose connection option doesn’t mean a hose is included. | Am I happy to empty a tank, or should I look into connecting a drain hose in this room? |
| Maintenance | Check the manual to see how to clean the filters and, depending on the appliance, the condenser. Find out exactly what a self-cleaning function covers. | I’d prefer an appliance that I can maintain as required, with easy access to the parts that need attention. |
| Clothes dried on an airer | If you still air-dry some of your laundry, consider the size and ventilation of the room. The ADEME’s Q-WASH study, published in 2023, highlights the moisture released when drying clothes indoors. | I’ll sometimes use an airer. Where can I put it in a well-ventilated room or one with suitable extraction? |
A vented tumble dryer needs an outlet to the outside or access to a compatible duct. Without this installation, it won’t meet the requirements of your home.
Check that you can connect it before choosing this type of appliance. If not, compare condenser models instead.
A heat pump dryer generally uses less electricity than a standard condenser model, but your laundry may spend longer in the machine.
For the models you’re considering, compare the energy label, product information and eco programme duration together.
A less energy-efficient technology can add more to your electricity use over time.
Cleaning the filters and, depending on the model, the condenser is still important. In its 2020 test of seven models, UFC-Que Choisir found that leaving some appliances uncleaned for 20 cycles led to longer cycles and higher energy use. This finding doesn’t apply to every tumble dryer.
Read the instructions for the exact model and check which maintenance tasks a self-cleaning function actually reduces.
A tumble dryer doesn’t change the conditions in which you air-dry any clothes you don’t put in it. The ADEME’s Q-WASH study identifies indoor air-drying as a significant source of moisture.
If you’ll still use an airer, choose a large, well-ventilated room or one with extraction, in line with the recommendations reported by the ADEME.
These examples highlight features to check on a model-by-model basis. A feature listed for one model won’t necessarily be available across the whole brand.
Bosch offers heat pump tumble dryers in France, with drying and maintenance features that vary by model.
Some AEG Series 8000 and 9000 heat pump dryers have programmes designed for different fabrics.
Miele’s French heat pump tumble dryer range includes the TCA520WP and TED645WP.
These three appliances fit the brief of a condenser tumble dryer that doesn’t need an external air vent. Two are listed as heat pump models and one as a condenser model. Compare their product information and manuals to assess installation, cycle times and maintenance.
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This heat pump model is an option if you need a tumble dryer without an external air duct. The product title lists a capacity of 8 kg and class C. Compare its cycle times and energy information, then check the dimensions and maintenance instructions before deciding where to install it.
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The heat pump technology makes this model an option for homes without an external air vent. Confirm its capacity before buying: the information for this model lists both 8 kg and 10 kg. Also check the dimensions, cycle times and maintenance requirements for the version on offer.
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This condenser tumble dryer is worth considering if you don’t have an external air connection. It has a stated capacity of 8 kg. If electricity use or drying speed is a particular priority, compare its energy label and cycle time with those of heat pump models. Also check the model’s installation and maintenance requirements.
Yes. According to UFC-Que Choisir’s buying guide, a condenser tumble dryer—including a heat pump model—doesn’t need to be connected to the outside. A vented model, on the other hand, needs a suitable opening or duct. In all cases, follow the installation instructions in the manual.
A heat pump dryer is a good choice if you want to use less electricity and can accept cycles that often take longer. A standard condenser model is still an option if you don’t have an external vent and drying time matters more. Compare the labels and cycle times of the specific models rather than looking at the technology alone.
It depends on the tumble dryer and how it’s installed. Some models have a tank that needs emptying, while others can drain through a hose. The Bosch WRB247C0FR product information mentions this option, but that doesn’t mean it’s available on all appliances or that a hose is always included. Check the product information, accessories and manual for the model you choose.
Check the manual to find out how to access the filters and whether the condenser needs cleaning. In a test of seven tumble dryers published in 2020, UFC-Que Choisir found that failing to clean some models lengthened cycles and increased energy use. A self-cleaning function doesn’t necessarily mean you can skip other tasks listed by the manufacturer.
Check the energy label and product information for each household tumble dryer covered by European energy labelling rules, and look at the stated duration of its eco programme too. The terms “heat pump” and “condenser” are no substitute for comparing the exact models.