To dry a load without an external vent, consider a heat-pump condenser tumble dryer. If you only have room for one appliance, compare washer-dryers by their drying capacity, which is separate from their washing capacity. A dehumidifier can be used alongside a clothes airer, but it won’t dry laundry in a drum or replace the room ventilation recommended by ADEME.
If you want a freestanding tumble dryer without a vent to the outside, look at condenser models, particularly heat-pump dryers. UFC-Que Choisir and the European Commission distinguish this type of installation from that of a vented tumble dryer.
If you only have space for one appliance, a washer-dryer combines two functions. However, you’ll need to size the load according to its drying capacity, which is lower than its washing capacity, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
If you still dry laundry on a clothes airer, the room matters just as much as any additional appliance. ADEME recommends drying laundry in a well-ventilated room or one with an extractor fan.
To dry laundry without a clothes airer, first choose between a separate tumble dryer and an appliance that also washes your clothes. If you’re keeping the airer, focus instead on the room’s ventilation and the role of a dehumidifier as an additional appliance.
Consider this if: you have room for a separate appliance and want to dry laundry without an external air vent.
Bear in mind: depending on the model, condensed water must be collected or drained away. Also check how long the programmes you’re interested in take.
Consider this if: you need one space to serve for both washing and drying.
Bear in mind: the drying capacity is lower than the washing capacity. UFC-Que Choisir also found long cycles and water consumption during drying in most of the models it tested.
Consider this if: you want to keep drying laundry on an airer and treat damp as a separate issue from tumble drying.
Bear in mind: the airer will still take up space, and a dehumidifier doesn’t remove the need for the ventilation or extraction recommended by ADEME.
| Priority | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Drying without an external vent | Check that the tumble dryer uses condensation, and how the condensed water is collected or drained away. | I want to install a tumble dryer without a dedicated air vent and be able to manage the water it collects. Around 33% of consumers rank this installation requirement as their top priority. |
| Keeping electricity use under control | Compare the stated energy consumption and the duration of the same type of programme for similar-sized loads. | If I dry laundry regularly, I want to know how much electricity each cycle uses before I commit to its duration. This is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Making do with one space | Compare the washing and drying capacities in kg, then measure the space available for the appliance. | I only have room for one machine, and I need to be able to dry the amount of laundry I expect to wash. Saving space is the main priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Keeping the clothes airer | Check the room’s ventilation or extraction and where the airer will go. Check the specifications of any dehumidifier you’re considering separately. | I prefer to dry clothes on an airer, but I need to take account of the moisture produced in the room. Around 13% of consumers prioritise keeping their airer above all else. |
A condenser tumble dryer doesn’t need an external air vent, but that doesn’t solve the issue of moisture from laundry dried on an airer.
If you use an airer, choose a well-ventilated room or one with an extractor fan, in line with ADEME’s recommendations, and don’t block air inlets or vents.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a washer-dryer’s drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity. So, if you wash a full load, you may need to remove some items before drying.
If you want to run both cycles one after the other without removing any laundry, base your load size on the model’s stated drying capacity.
The duration alone doesn’t tell you how much laundry is dried or how much energy the programme uses. In its tumble-dryer testing, UFC-Que Choisir reports these figures per kilogram of laundry dried.
To compare two appliances, look at the duration and energy use of programmes designed for similar loads, then check the noise level and maintenance requirements.
In France, Bosch offers heat-pump tumble dryers, including models with capacities of 8 and 9 kg.
Miele offers heat-pump tumble dryers, including 8 and 9 kg models.
LG offers both separate tumble dryers and heat-pump washer-dryers.
In France, Beko offers heat-pump tumble dryers, including some models listed with a capacity of 12 kg.
These products suit three different needs: drying laundry in a separate appliance, combining washing and drying in one machine, or keeping a clothes airer and adding a dehumidifier. First compare the type of appliance, then consider the load, available space and conditions of use for each model.
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For drying laundry in a separate appliance without an external air vent. The stated capacity is 8 kg. Check the dimensions and how water is collected or drained away to make sure it suits your installation.
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For a separate tumble dryer with a stated capacity of 8 kg. Before deciding where to put it, check its dimensions and how the condensed water needs to be collected or drained away.
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For combining washing and drying in one appliance. The stated capacities are 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. If you run both cycles without removing any laundry, stick to the drying limit.
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For washing and drying with one machine. The stated capacities are 10 kg for washing and 6 kg for drying. Also check the dimensions and cycle times to make sure they suit the way you plan to use it.
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For use alongside a clothes airer, not for drying laundry in a drum. The product title lists a dehumidification rate of 25 L/day and a 2.8 L tank. Check the conditions attached to the stated rate and make sure the appliance is suitable for your room. Keep the room adequately ventilated or use an extractor when drying laundry on an airer.
Yes. A condenser tumble dryer doesn’t need a vent to carry air outside, unlike a vented model. Check how the condensed water is collected or directed to a drain for the model you choose.
No. Not needing an external vent relates to the appliance’s installation, while room ventilation remains a factor highlighted by UFC-Que Choisir. If you also dry laundry on an airer, ADEME recommends a well-ventilated room or one with an extractor fan.
Not if the load exceeds the model’s drying capacity, which is lower than its washing capacity according to UFC-Que Choisir. To run a wash cycle followed by a drying cycle without removing any laundry, limit the load from the outset to the stated drying capacity.
No. Don’t choose one as a replacement for ventilation or extraction. For laundry dried on an airer, ADEME recommends a well-ventilated room or one with an extractor fan. Consider a dehumidifier as an additional appliance, depending on the room’s features.