Before choosing an appliance, consider where your washing can dry and how air circulates there. ADEME recommends drying clothes indoors in a large, well-ventilated room or one with a mechanical ventilation extract vent. An effective spin cycle helps in any case. If you want to avoid hanging out every load, compare tumble dryers by capacity and where they can be installed. A dehumidifier can also complement a drying rack, but it won’t replace ventilation in your home.
If your drying rack takes up a large part of the room, compare the space it occupies while your clothes are drying with the permanent space an appliance would need. For drying clothes indoors, ADEME recommends a large, well-ventilated room or one with mechanical ventilation extraction.
If you want to reduce the time between loads, start by checking spin efficiency. For a tumble dryer, make sure the capacity, dimensions, noise level and energy label information suit your loads and the space you have in mind.
If your main concern is managing humidity in the room where you dry clothes, you could consider using a dehumidifier as well. Check the conditions used to measure its performance, its noise level and how the collected water is drained, without overlooking room ventilation.
First, decide whether the room is suitable for drying clothes, then think about what you want to change: drying time, the space taken up or electricity use. A good spin cycle can help both before clothes go on a drying rack and before they go in a tumble dryer.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Humidity and ventilation | Is the room large enough and well ventilated, or does it have a mechanical ventilation extract vent? If ventilation doesn’t seem to be working properly, an appliance won’t remove the need to get it checked. | If I’m keeping a drying rack, I want to choose a room where moisture from the washing can be removed. Managing humidity is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Drying time | Check your washing machine’s spin efficiency. For a tumble dryer, compare its capacity with your usual loads and check the duration of the reference programme. | When I do laundry frequently, I mainly need to avoid having wet washing waiting around for a long time between loads. Around 29% of consumers prioritise drying time. |
| Available space | Measure the space and clearances required in the instruction manual. Stacking appliances requires compatible models and a manufacturer-approved stacking kit. | When a drying rack encroaches on my living space, I also need to know where I could install or store the appliance I’m considering. Available space is the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Electricity use | Compare tumble dryer energy consumption figures using equivalent energy labels, and take your frequency of use into account. Also check the specifications of any dehumidifier you’re considering. | If I dry clothes often, I want to understand how much electricity the appliance uses, rather than rely on a general claim about energy savings. This is the main priority for around 21% of consumers. |
A dehumidifier can reduce humidity in the room where it’s used, but it doesn’t replace air circulation. For drying clothes indoors, ADEME recommends a large, well-ventilated room or one with mechanical ventilation extraction.
Work out where the washing will go and identify the air inlets and outlets. If you’re concerned they aren’t working properly, have your home’s ventilation checked rather than relying on a new appliance alone.
According to the European Commission, the revised A to G energy label has applied to the tumble dryers covered by the scheme in the European Union since 1 July 2025. A letter from the old scale and one from the new scale aren’t directly comparable.
Check the label for the model you’re considering, then compare the energy consumption and duration shown for the reference programme, as well as the capacity you need for your loads.
A dehumidifier’s capacity depends on the conditions specified by its manufacturer. For example, De’Longhi France states that the DD230P extracts 30 l/24 h at 30 °C and 80% relative humidity. This figure doesn’t predict how long your clothes will take to dry at home.
Read the measurement conditions and also check the noise level, space required and how the tank or drainage works.
Washing that comes out of the machine less wet can dry more quickly, whether you hang it up or put it in the tumble dryer. ADEME recommends choosing spin efficiency class A when drying speed matters.
If you’re replacing your washing machine, check its spin efficiency class on the label and choose a capacity that suits your usual loads.
The French range includes heat pump tumble dryers. Their product specifications let you check installation requirements and noise levels for each model.
Miele France offers heat pump tumble dryers, including the 8 kg T1 TEA525WP.
Beko France offers a range of heat pump tumble dryers to consider based on the amount of washing you do and the space available.
The Tasciugo range includes dehumidifiers designed to reduce humidity in a room.
This selection includes dehumidifiers to consider alongside a drying rack, and a tumble dryer for drying clothes in the drum. For dehumidifiers, compare the conditions behind their stated capacities. For all appliances, check the space available and ventilation in the room where you’ll dry your clothes.
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Worth considering if you’re keeping a drying rack and want to manage humidity in the room. The product description lists automatic, drying and sleep modes, Wi-Fi control and a 2.5 L tank.
Check the conditions behind the stated capacity, along with the dimensions and noise level in the mode you’ll use. Extraction capacity alone doesn’t determine drying time.
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Designed to complement a drying rack in a room where you can install the appliance. The product title mentions a laundry mode, a 2.8 L tank and a continuous drainage hose.
Check the measurement conditions for its 25 L/day capacity, and allow for the clearances specified for installation.
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Consider this for managing humidity in the room where you keep your drying rack. The product title lists a 3.1 L tank, continuous drainage and a 24-hour timer.
Check the measurement conditions behind the stated capacity, and make sure the noise level and dimensions suit the space you have in mind.
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For drying loads in the drum instead of hanging them around the room. The product title lists an 8 kg capacity and energy rating C.
Before deciding where to put it, check the dimensions and required clearances. Consult the model’s energy label to compare the duration and energy consumption of the reference programme.
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Worth considering if you’re keeping your drying rack and want an appliance with a laundry mode. The product title mentions a 24-hour timer and continuous drainage.
Check the room size this model is designed for and the conditions behind its extraction capacity before comparing it with other models.
No. A dehumidifier works in the room where it’s used, but it doesn’t replace air circulation throughout your home. For drying clothes indoors, ADEME recommends a large, well-ventilated room or one with a mechanical ventilation extract vent. If the ventilation seems faulty, have it checked separately.
First, check its spin efficiency class on the energy label. ADEME recommends choosing spin efficiency class A when clothes need to dry quickly indoors or in a tumble dryer. You should also choose a capacity that suits your usual loads.
Compare the energy labels and reference programme figures for appliances in the same category, then take your frequency of use into account. According to the European Commission, the revised A to G energy label has applied to the tumble dryers covered by the scheme in the European Union since 1 July 2025. Don’t compare an old rating directly with one from the new scale.
If air inlets or outlets seem to be missing, blocked or ineffective, have your home’s ventilation system checked. A tumble dryer or dehumidifier can’t confirm that it’s working properly. You can then choose a drying solution that suits the room and your laundry routine.