If you have a generously sized, well-ventilated room or one with mechanical ventilation (MV) extraction, start by considering a clothes airer and your washing machine’s spin cycle. This is the set-up recommended by ADEME for drying laundry indoors. If an airer takes up too much space for too long, a tumble dryer may be suitable depending on the space available, cycle times and energy consumption. A dehumidifier can be used alongside an airer, but it does not replace fresh-air ventilation.
The space available while your laundry dries and how well the air circulates in the room will guide your choice before you even start comparing appliances.
If you can leave laundry to dry in a generously sized, well-ventilated room or one with mechanical ventilation extraction, consider using an airer before buying an appliance. This is the type of location ADEME recommends for indoor air-drying. You’ll also need to be happy with the laundry taking up that space while it dries.
A tumble dryer could meet this need if you can install one. Compare its capacity with your usual loads, then consider cycle times, energy consumption, where the appliance will go and how you’ll manage the condensed water.
If moisture from drying laundry is occasionally a problem, you could consider using a dehumidifier alongside your airer. Make sure you have space for it, and bear in mind the noise and the need to empty the collected water. It is not a substitute for ventilation, which refreshes the air in your home.
Start with the room where your laundry will dry, then weigh up how long it will be occupied against the installation and day-to-day requirements of each solution.
| Factor | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Humidity and ventilation | If you’re using an airer, consider the size of the room, whether you can ventilate it and whether it has mechanical ventilation extraction. ADEME recommends a generously sized, well-ventilated room or one with this type of extraction. A dehumidifier does not refresh the air. | I want to be able to hang out my laundry without overlooking the extra moisture it adds to the room. |
| Space and installation | Measure the space and check the clearances specified for your chosen model. Depending on the appliance, allow room for an airer or dehumidifier, as well as a tank to empty or a drain connection. | The room needs to remain usable while the laundry dries, and the appliance must be suitable for installation there. |
| Drying time | Compare tumble dryer cycle times using similar loads and programmes. UFC-Que Choisir says that conventional condenser dryers generally have shorter cycles than heat pump models. For laundry dried on an airer, consider the washer’s actual spin-drying performance, not just its maximum stated spin speed. | I need to get the space back at a pace that fits in with my laundry routine. |
| Electricity | Compare energy consumption figures based on the same criteria and take into account how often you’ll use the appliance. According to UFC-Que Choisir, heat pump tumble dryers generally use less energy than conventional condenser models, but their cycles are usually longer. | I’d rather consider the appliance’s repeated use than focus on just one of its features. |
| Maintenance and noise | Check the manual for instructions on the filters, tank and, depending on the model, condenser or drain. If the appliance will run near a room you use, also check its noise level under the stated conditions. | I can carry out the required maintenance, but noise and emptying the water matter in a small room. |
Laundry drying on an airer releases moisture into the room. A dehumidifier collects water, whereas ventilation refreshes the air and continuously removes moisture, as ADEME points out.
First, check the ventilation and extraction available in the room. Then consider a dehumidifier as an extra if it’s suitable for the way you’ll use the space.
You’ll also need to allow for the electricity the appliance uses and emptying its tank, unless a suitable drain connection is installed.
According to the European Commission, tumble dryers placed on the market from 1 July 2025 use an energy label scale from A to G, replacing the old scale from A+++ to D. Ratings from the two scales therefore cannot be compared directly.
To compare two models, check their energy consumption and cycle time figures using equivalent labelling or test criteria.
A washing machine’s maximum spin speed does not tell you everything about its spin-drying performance: UFC-Que Choisir’s tests show that performance varies between appliances. Likewise, a dehumidifier’s stated extraction capacity alone won’t tell you how long a load of laundry will take to dry on an airer.
Look for measurements that reflect the way you plan to use the appliance and the conditions under which it was tested. Also check the space required, noise level and how the water is drained.
These examples highlight features to check on specific models; they are not representative of every product in each brand’s range.
The WTN85V07FF condenser dryer is an example of why it’s worth checking dimensions and features on a model-by-model basis. Bosch says this model is no longer available.
The MDX20P dehumidifier is a useful example to consider when looking at how an appliance placed near a laundry-drying room handles water.
The Bora 20L DXDH20 is worth considering if you’d find app control useful in your room.
Les Numériques lists the Aqua Dry 12 among the dehumidifiers intended for smaller rooms.
The AriaDry Multi DEXD216RF is a dehumidifier tested for use in a medium-sized room.
These models let you explore two options for a flat without outdoor space: dry your laundry in a machine, or keep your airer and pair it with a dehumidifier. Check that you can install the appliance in your room before choosing.
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Worth considering if you’d rather dry your laundry in a machine than set aside space for an airer. The model name indicates an 8 kg capacity, propane refrigerant and OptiSense function. Check the dimensions and installation requirements for this model in your room.
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This 8 kg model is worth comparing if you have space for a heat pump tumble dryer. Its name indicates an energy rating of C. Also check the energy consumption and cycle time figures on the current label, then make sure you have the clearance needed for installation.
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Its stated 10 kg capacity is worth comparing with the size of your usual loads and the space available. The model name indicates an energy rating of D. Compare its energy consumption and cycle times with other models on the same basis, and check the noise level if it will be near a living space.
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This 8 kg model offers another capacity to consider for machine drying. Its name indicates an energy rating of D. Compare its energy consumption and cycle times with other models on the same basis, and check the noise level for the intended location.
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Consider this alongside an airer, not as a replacement for ventilating the room. The product name lists an extraction capacity of 25 L/day, a 2.8 L tank and a continuous drainage hose. This stated capacity does not determine how long a load of laundry will take to dry. Plan where to put the appliance and how to drain the collected water.
Not necessarily. For indoor air-drying, ADEME recommends a generously sized, well-ventilated room or one with mechanical ventilation extraction. So first consider where you could dry your laundry and how well the air circulates. This practical advice is not a survey of your home.
No. According to UFC-Que Choisir, condenser tumble dryers, including heat pump models, can be installed without an air exhaust duct to the outside. Even so, check the manual for your chosen model for guidance on space, clearance, room conditions and draining condensed water.
No. It can remove water from the air around your airer, but it does not refresh the air in your home. ADEME recommends considering ventilation to remove moisture. Think of a dehumidifier as an extra, and take into account its noise, the space it needs and how you’ll drain it.
Compare consumption figures based on the same criteria, then consider how often you’ll run a cycle. The European Commission says tumble dryers placed on the market from 1 July 2025 use the A to G scale. Don’t compare an old A+++ rating directly with a rating on the new scale. Also check cycle times.
Follow the manual for your model to clean the fluff filters and manage the water tank, as well as the condenser if applicable and accessible. Bosch provides filter-cleaning instructions, but don’t assume a model has an automatic cleaning function unless it is specifically equipped with one.