Households that do laundry frequently
If you regularly need to dry clothes, towels and household linens without a balcony, compare the appliance’s capacity and energy use, as well as how much space it will take up.
Who are these options for?
People living in a small home
A tight space or an installation above the washing machine means you’ll need to measure the available room and check the required clearances, as well as whether the stacking kit is compatible.
Households with little laundry to dry
If you’re happy to wait for your laundry to dry, an airer may be all you need in a well-ventilated room. However, according to ADEME, air-drying laundry adds a lot of moisture to the air indoors.
How do you choose a drying solution?
Start by considering how often you do laundry and how well the room is ventilated, then check the space available and the installation requirements for the model you’re considering.
Heat pump tumble dryer
Worth considering: if you do laundry frequently and have an indoor space that meets the model’s instructions.
You’ll need: a ventilated room, space for the appliance and the maintenance specified by the manufacturer.
Conventional condenser dryer
A special case: you may still come across a second-hand appliance, or one that was already placed on the EU market before 1 July 2025, according to the European Commission.
Check: the energy label, condition, instructions and terms of sale for the specific appliance.
Indoor airer
Worth considering: if you have a small amount of laundry, don’t need it to dry quickly and have a well-ventilated room.
Keep in mind: ADEME identifies air-drying laundry as a significant source of moisture indoors.
| Priority | What to check | To suit your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Humidity and ventilation | Locate the air inlets and room extractor. If you’re considering an appliance, check its ventilation requirements in the manual. If you’re using an airer, don’t block ventilation openings, as ADEME advises. | I need to dry my laundry indoors without leaving it in a small, poorly ventilated room. |
| Energy use | To compare tumble dryers on a like-for-like basis, check the current A to G energy rating and kWh/100 cycles on the label, rather than an older A+++ to D rating. | If I do laundry frequently, I want to compare the energy use of the models I’m considering. |
| Available space | Measure the width, height and depth, and allow for the door to open; also leave the clearances specified in the manual. For a stacked installation, Bosch says to check that the appliances and stacking kit are compatible. | I need to be able to use my utility room or bathroom once the appliance is installed. |
| Water management | Check whether the water collects in a tank or whether the model allows direct drainage, and find out which accessories you’ll need. Whirlpool says that drainage connection options depend on the model. | Am I happy to empty a tank after each cycle, or do I need a compatible drainage connection? |
What should you watch out for before buying?
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Setting up an airer without considering ventilation
According to ADEME, air-drying laundry adds a lot of moisture to the air indoors, so a small, poorly ventilated room shouldn’t be your default choice of space.
Choose a well-ventilated room or one with a working extractor, and don’t block air inlets or extractor vents.
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Assuming a conventional condenser dryer is still the usual new option
According to the European Commission, since 1 July 2025, only domestic heat pump tumble dryers can be newly placed on the EU market. This does not apply to appliances that were already on the market before that date and are still in stock.
If you’re considering a conventional model, check the status of that specific appliance, its energy label, instructions and terms of sale.
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Relying only on the stated depth
The space you can actually use may be affected by the open door, required clearances and any accessories. Stacking also requires compatible appliances and a compatible kit.
Measure the space and check the installation instructions for the exact model before planning a stacked setup.
You may need to buy a compatible stacking kit in addition to the two appliances.
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Assuming direct drainage is always possible
If the model isn’t designed for a drainage connection, condensed water must collect in its tank. Whirlpool says that whether a dryer can be connected to a drain depends on the appliance.
Check the manual to see which connection is allowed and what accessories are needed. Don’t modify your home’s drainage based only on a product listing.
Which brands should you look at?
The details below relate to specific models or accessories, not to every product in a brand’s range.
Whirlpool
Worth looking at if the depth of your available space and how the condensed water is handled are important to your decision.
- Whirlpool’s product page for the C WSD 83M WWS FR lists an 8 kg capacity, a depth of 54,5 cm and direct drainage for the water.
- Whirlpool says that connecting a condenser dryer to a drain depends on the model and its instructions.
Electrolux
Its heat pump tumble dryer product pages let you compare the specifications of the exact model, rather than judging by brand alone.
- According to Electrolux, the 8 kg EW9HI783FC has an A energy rating and uses 73 kWh/100 cycles.
- According to Electrolux, the EDHF2804DC, also with an 8 kg capacity, has an E energy rating and uses 128 kWh/100 cycles. The first model’s figures don’t apply to the second.
Bosch
Worth looking at for guidance on stacking a tumble dryer on top of a washing machine.
- Bosch offers stacking kits for appliances listed as compatible.
- The Bosch 00576101 stacking kit is designed for a full-size washing machine with a depth of more than 55 cm. Bosch advises checking compatibility with the relevant model numbers.
Heat pump tumble dryers on Joybuy
These three heat pump tumble dryers are options to consider if you do laundry regularly in a flat. Before choosing one, check its dimensions and instructions against the space you have available.
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Hotpoint CHD84MWBSEE, heat pump, 8 kg
A heat pump tumble dryer worth considering if you do laundry regularly and don’t have an outdoor drying space.
The product name lists an 8 kg capacity and a C energy rating. Check the dimensions, clearances and ventilation requirements in the manual before deciding where to put it.
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Comfee CD08EHP05W-HR, heat pump, 8 kg
This heat pump model is worth comparing if you regularly dry laundry indoors.
Its name lists an 8 kg capacity and a D energy rating. Check its label for kWh/100 cycles, then consult the manual for dimensions and installation requirements.
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Comfee CD10EHP05W-HR, heat pump
This model may be an option if you’re choosing a tumble dryer for a flat without a balcony, provided you have a space that meets the instructions.
The product name lists a D energy rating. It states a 10 kg capacity, while another description for the same SKU lists 8 kg. Confirm the capacity of the CD10EHP05W-HR before choosing it for your laundry load. Also check its dimensions and kWh/100 cycles.
Frequently asked questions
Does a condenser tumble dryer need an outlet to the outside?
No, it doesn’t need an air exhaust hose leading outside. The water collects in a tank or, if the model allows it, drains away through a water outlet. You must still follow the ventilation and installation requirements in the manual.
Can you still buy a new conventional condenser dryer in France?
According to the European Commission, since 1 July 2025, only new domestic heat pump tumble dryers can be placed on the EU market. This does not apply to appliances that were already on the market before that date and are still in stock, so check the status and energy label of the conventional model you’re considering.
Is an indoor airer enough in a flat without a balcony?
It may be enough if you only have a small amount of laundry, can wait for it to dry and have a well-ventilated room available. ADEME identifies air-drying laundry as a significant source of moisture indoors, so avoid a small, poorly ventilated room and don’t block ventilation openings.
Can you put a tumble dryer on top of a washing machine?
Yes, but only if both appliances and the stacking kit are compatible. Bosch recommends checking the relevant model numbers. Also measure the depth and follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions before planning this setup.
How do you compare the energy use of two tumble dryers?
Compare their ratings on the current A to G scale and their energy use in kWh/100 cycles, using models measured on the same basis. Don’t compare an older A+++ to D rating directly with a rating on the new scale.