If you have a large, well-ventilated room or one with mechanical ventilation extraction where you can dry your laundry, an airer is still worth considering. If you do laundry frequently and don’t have a suitable room, compare heat pump tumble dryers by load capacity, cycle times and condensate management. A dehumidifier can complement an airer, but its drying time is not directly comparable with that of a tumble dryer.
You regularly dry laundry indoors but don’t have a large, well-ventilated room or one with mechanical ventilation extraction. Where you dry your laundry is the first decision to make: ADEME recommends these room conditions for air-drying.
You need to plan how much space each load requires and when your laundry will be dry. For a tumble dryer, compare the capacity and Eco programme duration for the exact model, as listed in its product information.
You’re considering adding a dehumidifier and can manage a water tank or drainage. De’Longhi’s product information shows why it’s important to check the conditions used to measure extraction, as well as the tank and drainage options, rather than looking only at the litres-per-day figure.
First, check where your laundry can dry. Then consider how each option suits how often you do laundry and how much space you have.
Worth considering: in a large, well-ventilated room or one with mechanical ventilation extraction, in line with ADEME’s recommendations.
Bear in mind: your laundry will take up space while it dries and release moisture into the air indoors.
Worth considering: if you do laundry regularly, have space to install an appliance and can collect or drain away the condensed water.
Bear in mind: the space the appliance takes up and the Eco programme duration, which you’ll need to check for each model.
Worth considering: if you want to keep using an airer and remove some of the moisture from the room’s air.
Bear in mind: the airer will still take up space, and you’ll need to empty the appliance’s tank or arrange drainage.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Humidity and ventilation | Look for a large, well-ventilated room or one with mechanical ventilation extraction. If you’re considering a dehumidifier, check the conditions used to measure extraction and how water is managed. | If there’s no obviously suitable room, I want to plan how to dry my laundry without relying solely on limited ventilation. Around 40% of consumers put humidity and ventilation first. |
| Load size and drying time | For a tumble dryer, compare the capacity in kg and the Eco programme duration for a full load on the exact model. | When I have several loads to do, I want a clearly stated capacity and a cycle with a predictable duration. Around 30% of consumers prioritise load size and drying time. |
| Space and everyday maintenance | Measure the space and access routes. Depending on the appliance, make sure you can reach the tank or connect a drain hose. | In a small space, I want to be able to install the appliance and deal with the collected water without making every load more complicated. Around 30% of consumers put these practical considerations first. |
Not using an electrical appliance doesn’t solve the problem of humidity: ADEME describes air-drying as releasing particularly high levels of moisture into the air indoors.
Before choosing this option, look for a large, well-ventilated room or one with mechanical ventilation extraction. If there isn’t an obviously suitable room, reconsider how you’ll dry your laundry regularly.
The rating alone won’t tell you whether the load capacity and programme duration suit your laundry. Model-specific information published in EPREL lets you compare these features separately.
Compare the kg capacity, Eco programme duration, energy consumption declared on the same basis, noise level and condensate management in the product information for the models you’re considering.
A dehumidifier’s extraction rate is quoted under specific temperature and humidity conditions. For example, De’Longhi gives a figure for its DEP210 measured at 30 °C and 80 % relative humidity. This doesn’t tell you how long your laundry will take to dry.
Check the measurement conditions alongside the quoted figure, and look at the power rating, tank and drainage options.
Depending on the model, a condenser tumble dryer or dehumidifier may need its tank emptied, or may allow water to be drained away through a hose.
Before deciding where to place the appliance, check that you can access the tank, whether a hose can be connected and whether the hose is included.
These examples of ranges and models can help you identify features to compare; they don’t represent every appliance from each brand.
Its heat pump tumble dryers offer models to compare by capacity, programmes and water management.
The range includes heat pump tumble dryers to compare by capacity and condensate drainage.
Its dehumidifiers are worth considering if you want to keep using an airer and manage the water extracted from the air.
This Joybuy selection includes a heat pump tumble dryer for drying clothes in a drum, as well as dehumidifiers to consider alongside an airer. For each appliance, check that the installation and water management suit your home.
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Worth considering if you want to dry regular loads in a drum and have enough space. The product name gives a capacity of 8 kg and a C rating; also compare the Eco programme duration and the energy consumption declared for the exact model. If you plan to connect a drain hose, check that your installation is compatible and that the hose is included.
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Worth considering alongside an airer if you have space for the appliance and can manage the collected water. The product name states an extraction rate of 16 L/day, a 3.1 L tank and a hose for continuous drainage. Check the conditions used to measure extraction and the dimensions before deciding where to put it: litres per day doesn’t determine how long laundry will take to dry.
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Worth considering if you’re keeping an airer and want a dehumidifier with a Dry mode. The product name lists a 2.5 L tank and WiFi controls. Check the conditions used to measure extraction, the dimensions and the noise level for the version being sold: the noise figures given for this model are inconsistent.
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Worth considering alongside an airer if you can empty the tank or arrange continuous drainage. The product name states an extraction rate of 25 L/day, a 2.8 L tank and a drain hose. This rate depends on the measurement conditions and doesn’t predict drying time; also allow for the clearance required around the appliance.
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Worth considering if you’re keeping your airer and want the choice of emptying the tank or using continuous drainage. The product name lists an extraction rate of 12 L/day, a 3.8 L tank and a hose. Only compare this rate with figures measured under the same conditions. When planning your laundry, consider how long the appliance will actually need to run.
No. A condenser model collects water in a tank or drains it away, unlike a vented tumble dryer, which expels moist air outside, as the European Commission explains. Check the manual for the model you’re considering to confirm the connection options and whether a hose is included.
Compare the capacity, energy consumption declared on the same basis, Eco programme duration for a full load, noise level and condensation efficiency for the exact model. Product information published in EPREL lets you compare these features without assuming that the same rating letter means the same cycle duration.
A dehumidifier can help when you’re drying laundry on an airer by removing moisture from the air, but it doesn’t dry a load in a drum using a stated cycle. The extraction rate in L/24 h depends on the temperature and humidity conditions given by the manufacturer. Before choosing this combination, also check the power rating, tank and drainage options.
Follow the manual for your chosen model when cleaning the filter and managing the tank or drain connection. Before installing the appliance, make sure you can easily access anything the manual says you need to clean or empty.