In a flat with no external vent, rule out vented tumble dryers: according to Que Choisir, a condenser dryer does not need a duct to the outside. If you’re buying new in France, focus on heat pump models, checking their installation and maintenance requirements. The European Commission states that, since 1 July 2025, only tumble dryers using the most efficient heat pump technologies can be placed on the EU market. An airer is still an option if you have a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor, as recommended by ADEME.
If you can’t connect an appliance to the outside, start by distinguishing between vented and condenser dryers. Que Choisir explains that a condenser dryer can be installed without an external air duct; the instructions for your model will determine which room is suitable.
For regular use, match the capacity to your usual loads, then check energy consumption, the Eco programme duration and how the condensed water is collected or drained. The model’s product information can also help you plan for maintenance.
If the dryer will be near a bedroom or living area, its stated noise level and the space needed with the door open matter just as much as capacity. If you prefer an airer, ADEME recommends using a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor to manage moisture from the laundry.
First, choose an option that suits the room. Then compare the practical considerations you’ll face with each load: drying time, noise, condensed water and maintenance.
Worth considering: if you’re buying a new tumble dryer and regularly dry laundry without an external air duct.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to allow for space, maintenance and water collection, and check that the cycle duration suits your household.
Worth considering: if you’re looking at an appliance already in your home or an older listing, as this technology also doesn’t require an external air duct.
Key point: if you’re buying new, check the model number and its documentation. The EU market requirements changed on 1 July 2025, according to the European Commission.
Worth considering: if you have a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor where you can hang your laundry.
Bear in mind: your laundry will take up space while it dries and release moisture into the air indoors, a point highlighted by ADEME.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Identify the drying technology and check the manual for clearance, room temperature and any plans to stack the appliance. Distinguish an external air duct from a possible water drainage hose. | I don’t have an external vent and want to install the appliance without making changes to my home. |
| Cycles and energy use | Compare weighted energy consumption and the Eco programme duration for the models you’re considering. Check their current A to G energy labels; the European Commission states that this scale has applied to tumble dryers since 1 July 2025. | If I dry laundry frequently, energy use matters, but the cycles also need to fit in with my household’s routine. |
| Noise and space | Compare the stated noise level in dB(A). Measure the width, height and depth, the door opening and the space needed to access the appliance. | The machine would be near living areas or installed in an alcove where I need to be able to open the door and take out the laundry. |
| Capacity and maintenance | Match the capacity in kg to your usual loads. Check access to the filters and condenser, as well as the model’s cleaning instructions. | I want to dry my usual loads without running multiple cycles and be able to carry out maintenance in the space available. |
| Water and humidity | For a condenser dryer, check for a tank or the option to connect a drainage hose. For an airer, consider the room size and ventilation; ADEME recommends a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor. | Am I happy to empty a tank, or do I have a suitable water outlet? If I don’t use a machine, can I hang my laundry in a properly ventilated room? |
A drainage hose carries away the water collected by a condenser dryer; it doesn’t replace the external duct needed for a vented tumble dryer, as Que Choisir explains.
If you don’t have an external vent, rule out vented models. With a condenser dryer, decide separately whether you’ll use the tank or a compatible hose.
A rating shown in an older listing may not correspond to the A to G scale that has applied to tumble dryers since 1 July 2025, according to the European Commission.
Look for the energy label and product information for the exact model being sold, then compare factors such as weighted energy consumption and the Eco programme duration.
Laundry drying naturally releases moisture into your home. ADEME recommends using a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor.
Before making it your regular solution, check where you can leave your laundry to dry and how well that room is ventilated.
A tumble dryer may fit into an alcove but leave too little room to open the door, access the filters or remove the tank.
Measure the space with the door open too, and check the installation and maintenance instructions for the model you’re considering.
These models highlight features to check on each appliance; they don’t represent every model from a brand.
Two heat pump models let you compare capacity, stated noise levels and condenser maintenance.
The 9 kg RH9B13WH is worth considering if water management and access to the filters are important for your installation.
Product information for several heat pump models offers useful points of comparison for capacity, noise and water collection.
The TEA525WP 8kg Active is a heat pump model worth looking at if you’re considering the two ways to manage condensed water.
These models represent the condenser dryer option for a flat without an external air duct. Three are described as heat pump models. For the Electrolux EDH1018CD, check the exact drying technology before comparing it with the others.
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An 8 kg option to consider if you want to dry laundry without an external air duct. Before installation, check the manual for the dimensions, required clearances and how to manage condensed water.
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Condenser technology means you won’t need an external air duct. Check the exact technology and energy label for this model before comparing its energy use or assuming it’s a heat pump model. Also check how much room you’ll need with the door open.
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This 8 kg model offers heat pump technology for homes without an external air duct. To assess installation and day-to-day use, check the noise level, dimensions, clearances and water management details in the product information and manual.
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Another heat pump model to consider for a flat without an external air duct. Check the capacity of the version being sold before matching it to your loads: the available information lists both 8 kg and 10 kg. Also check the noise level, overall size and water management.
No. On a condenser dryer designed for one, the hose drains away water collected by the appliance. A vented tumble dryer expels damp air and needs a duct to the outside; Que Choisir clearly distinguishes between these two connections.
If you’re buying new in France, check the current requirements rather than relying on an older listing. The European Commission states that, since 1 July 2025, only tumble dryers using the most efficient heat pump technologies can be placed on the EU market. Check the model number, product information and A to G energy label; an old listing alone isn’t enough to establish the status of the product being offered.
That’s not the set-up ADEME recommends for drying laundry indoors. The organisation highlights the moisture released during drying and recommends using a large, well-ventilated room or one with an extractor instead.
Start with the stated noise level, dimensions and space needed with the door open. To compare cycle performance and everyday use, also check capacity, weighted energy consumption, Eco programme duration and condensation efficiency in the product information for the models you’re considering, including those listed in the European EPREL database.
How often depends on the model and how you use it. Check the tank capacity, whether there’s an alert and whether a drainage hose can be fitted to the model you choose, then follow its maintenance instructions. Bosch, LG and Electrolux product information shows that these features vary between models.