If you’re buying a new tumble dryer for regular indoor use without an external vent, choose a heat pump condenser dryer. According to the European Commission, only domestic heat pump tumble dryers have been allowed on the EU market since 1 July 2025. Then check the capacity, energy use per 100 cycles, programme times and maintenance requirements. A vented dryer needs an outlet to the outside, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Whether you can vent moist air outside, how much laundry you have and how often you wash all affect which features to prioritise.
If you regularly dry laundry indoors and don’t have a suitable opening or vent hose, rule out a vented tumble dryer: UFC-Que Choisir explains that it needs an outlet to the outside. For a condenser model, also check how the collected water is emptied or drained.
Look for a tumble dryer with a capacity close to that of your washing machine, then check the programme times and energy use for the cycles you’ll use. UFC-Que Choisir compares programme times and energy use per kilogram of dried laundry in its tests.
A standard condenser or vented model should be assessed differently from a new purchase. For a vented appliance, first check that there’s a suitable external vent. To compare the different technologies, look at the energy use of the specific model.
First choose a technology that suits your home, then compare models using the same load size and the programmes your household needs.
Worth considering: for a new purchase and indoor drying without an air vent.
Check: the programme times and maintenance requirements of your chosen model, as well as its energy use.
Worth considering: when comparing an appliance you already own or a second-hand option, rather than a model newly placed on the EU market.
Trade-off: Guide Topten France lists heat pump condenser models as the most energy-efficient; compare the energy use of the specific appliances you’re considering.
Worth considering: for an existing or second-hand appliance only if a suitable external vent is available.
Requirement: moist air must be vented outside, as UFC-Que Choisir and the European Commission point out.
| Feature | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Check for an external vent before considering a vented model. For a condenser model, check the space available and how the collected water is handled. | Without a vent to the outside, I’m looking for an appliance that doesn’t need to expel moist air outdoors. |
| Energy use | Compare kWh per 100 cycles using the same energy-label basis, and check the capacity and programme the figures refer to. | If I dry laundry often, each model’s energy use is an important factor in my choice. |
| Cycle times | Check the eco programme time and the load conditions. In its test protocol, UFC-Que Choisir reports programme times and energy use per kilogram of dried laundry. | When I have several loads to dry in a row, I need to know whether the programmes I plan to use fit my routine. |
| Capacity and maintenance | Look for a capacity in kg close to that of your washing machine, and check the permitted loads for different fabrics. Consult the manual to find out how to access the filters and maintain the condenser. | I want to dry my usual loads without running unnecessary extra cycles, and be able to carry out the required maintenance. |
A vented tumble dryer sends moist air outside. It isn’t a straightforward replacement for a condenser model in a room without a suitable outlet.
Check for an opening or vent hose before choosing this technology, then confirm the model’s installation requirements.
A programme’s duration alone doesn’t tell you how much energy it uses or what size load it can handle.
Compare programme times and kWh for cycles and loads that are relevant to your laundry routine.
UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of regularly cleaning the microfilter and condenser in appliances that have them.
Before buying, check the model’s manual to see which parts you can access and what needs to be cleaned.
These specifications relate to specific models listed by Guide Topten France; they don’t represent every product range from these brands.
Guide Topten France lists the YW9HI837DC as an 8 kg model with an A energy rating, an A condensation efficiency class and energy use of 73 kWh per 100 cycles.
The Guide Topten France listing for the WQH246CBFR specifies a 9 kg condenser model with energy use of 92 kWh per 100 cycles and a noise level of 59 dB.
These two 8 kg heat pump models suit households looking for an appliance to dry laundry regularly indoors without an air vent. Compare their capacity, energy rating and the programmes that suit your loads.
Image unavailable
For indoor laundry drying without an external air vent, this heat pump model offers a stated capacity of 8 kg and a C energy rating. Check that its capacity suits your usual loads, and look at the kWh per 100 cycles and the duration of the programme you plan to use.
Image unavailable
This 8 kg heat pump model has a D energy rating and is another option for indoor drying without an air vent. It has an LED display. If you often run several loads in a row, check the programme times for different load sizes and the energy use per 100 cycles.
No. Unlike a vented tumble dryer, it doesn’t need a hose to expel moist air outdoors. However, check how the water is collected or drained on the model you’re considering, along with its installation instructions.
According to the European Commission, since 1 July 2025, only domestic heat pump tumble dryers can be newly placed on the EU market. This market access rule doesn’t determine the status of an appliance you already own, a second-hand model or one from old stock. Check the specifications and circumstances of the appliance in question.
Start with the capacity in kg, energy use in kWh per 100 cycles and the programme time that matches how you’ll use the appliance. Also check the condensation efficiency class and stated noise level if they matter for the room where it’ll be installed. Make sure you’re comparing figures measured under equivalent conditions.
Your washing machine’s capacity is a useful guide, but base your choice mainly on the loads you actually plan to dry. Check the permitted loads for the fabrics and programmes you’ll use, as these may differ from the stated nominal capacity.
Follow the model’s manual for cleaning the filters and condenser. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of regularly cleaning the microfilter and condenser where the appliance has them. Check that these parts are easy to access before you buy.