People who use a clothes airer in a small flat
You want to limit damp while your clothes dry, without making room for a tumble dryer. The size of the room, noise and how you empty the tank matter just as much as the advertised laundry mode.
Who are these solutions for?
Households that do laundry frequently
If your priority is to dry full loads without having an airer take up a room for long periods, consider a tumble dryer’s capacity, location and maintenance requirements. Que Choisir highlights, in particular, the different installation requirements of each technology.
People dealing with persistent damp
If marks appear on the walls or damp remains even when there’s no laundry drying, choosing a supplementary appliance won’t identify the cause. France Rénov’ recommends investigating what is causing the marks.
Which factors should you compare?
Start by deciding whether you want to keep using an airer or dry loads without one. In either case, for air-drying laundry, ADEME recommends using a large, well-ventilated room or one with a mechanical ventilation extraction vent, preferably with humidity control.
Dehumidifier with a laundry mode
Worth considering: if you’re keeping your airer and have a room suited to using it.
Bear in mind: your laundry will still need to hang on the airer, while you’ll need to empty the tank or be able to set up continuous drainage.
Tumble dryer
Worth considering: if you want to dry full loads regularly without an airer and have a suitable place for the appliance.
Bear in mind: the appliance needs a dedicated space. According to Que Choisir, a vented model also needs an outlet to the outside or a suitable duct.
| Your concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Damp around the airer | For a dehumidifier, compare the stated floor area or room volume with your actual room, and check its extraction capacity and the conditions under which it was measured. | When my laundry dries on an airer, my main concern is stopping damp from building up in the room. Around 40% of consumers prioritise this need. |
| Frequent loads without an airer | Compare the tumble dryer’s capacity in kg with your usual loads, then check its dimensions and installation requirements. | When I do laundry regularly, I’d rather not have to set aside a room for every load. Drying without an airer is the main need for around 30% of consumers. |
| Space and day-to-day practicality | Check the dimensions and noise level in the mode you plan to use. For a dehumidifier, also check the tank or whether continuous drainage is possible. | In a small living space, I want to be able to move around and avoid an appliance that’s awkward to use every day. For around 30% of consumers, space and these practical considerations take priority over other factors. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a dehumidifier based only on its L/jour rating
The stated capacity alone doesn’t tell you how the appliance will perform in your room or how noisy it will be while drying laundry. Nor does it guarantee a particular drying time.
Also compare the test conditions, stated room size, laundry mode, tank and continuous drainage options.
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Treating persistent damp as just a result of doing laundry
An appliance used beside an airer isn’t a substitute for ventilation in your home. If marks remain visible on the walls outside drying times, it’s worth investigating what’s causing them, as France Rénov’ recommends.
Have the cause of the damp and the ventilation system checked rather than relying solely on a portable appliance.
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Buying a vented tumble dryer without a suitable outlet
Que Choisir explains that this technology needs an opening to the outside or access to a suitable duct, unlike condenser models.
Check that installation is possible before choosing a technology, then measure the space available.
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Placing an electrical appliance near a shower or bath
In a bathroom, the appliance’s position and the electrical installation are safety considerations. Being able to use it in another room doesn’t mean it’s safe to place near water.
Check the manual and, if in doubt, ask a qualified electrician to assess the location and installation.
Brands to know
Rowenta
The Extrême Dry Compact+ DH5260F0 is worth considering for a room that matches the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Rowenta states that this model has a capacity of 16 L/jour and is suitable for rooms up to 40 m² or 100 m³, with a laundry-drying mode.
- These model-specific figures alone don’t determine how it will perform in a colder room or one with different ventilation.
De’Longhi
The DEXD214RF and DD230P offer two different configurations to compare if managing collected water is part of your day-to-day routine.
- De’Longhi lists a clothes-drying function on the DEXD214RF and a continuous drainage hose on the DD230P.
- Check which mode is available on the model you choose and whether you can route the drainage hose where needed. The features of these two models aren’t interchangeable.
Meaco
The DD8L Pro is a desiccant dehumidifier that Meaco lists with a laundry mode.
- This mode is worth comparing if you dry laundry on an airer in a cool room.
- Before deciding whether it’s right for your room, check this model’s dimensions, noise level, power and drainage arrangements.
Bosch
The WRB247C0FR is a useful reference point when looking at a heat pump tumble dryer for regular loads.
- Bosch states that this model has a maximum capacity of 9 kg and a noise level of 57 dB(A).
- These specifications don’t apply to every Bosch tumble dryer. Make sure you also check how much space you have at home.
Dehumidifiers for drying laundry on an airer
These Joybuy models are intended for use near an airer in a room suited to drying laundry. If your priority is to do away with the airer, the criteria for choosing a tumble dryer are different.
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HUMSURE 16 L/jour, 1.4 L tank
Worth considering if you use an airer in a room that matches the stated coverage of 25 m². The title mentions a 24-hour timer and automatic shut-off. Check the exact modes available and the noise level while drying laundry.
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VINO 20 L/jour, 2.5 L tank
Worth comparing for airer drying if your room matches the stated coverage of up to 40 m². The title mentions Wi-Fi control and a Dry mode. Noise information varies across the product details, so check the sound level for the mode you’ll use.
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TRULIVA AP10-2012EE, approx. 32 m²
Worth considering if you use an airer and want a laundry-drying function with continuous drainage. The stated coverage is approximate. If you plan to use the appliance in a living space, check its noise level too.
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TRULIVA 25 L/jour, 2.8 L tank
Worth comparing if you’re keeping your airer and want a laundry mode and a continuous drainage hose, both of which are mentioned in the title. Check that it’s suitable for the size of your room and how noisy it is in laundry mode. The stated capacity doesn’t determine drying time.
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VINO 12 L/jour, 1.8 L tank
Worth considering for an airer in a room that matches the stated coverage of up to 24 m². The title mentions a Dry mode and Wi-Fi control. Noise information varies, so check the sound level in the mode you plan to use.
Frequently asked questions
Can a dehumidifier replace ventilation?
No. It can support airer drying, but it won’t fix poor ventilation. For this type of drying, ADEME recommends using a large, well-ventilated room or one with a mechanical ventilation extraction vent, preferably with humidity control.
What should I compare between two dehumidifiers with a laundry mode?
Compare the stated capacity in L/24 h and the conditions it was measured under, the stated room size, noise in the mode you plan to use, the tank and continuous drainage options. A rating in L/jour alone doesn’t guarantee how long it will take to dry your laundry.
When should I choose a tumble dryer instead of a dehumidifier?
Choose a tumble dryer if your main need is to dry full loads regularly without an airer and you have a suitable space for one. Check the capacity and installation requirements. According to Que Choisir, a vented tumble dryer needs an outlet to the outside or a duct, unlike a condenser model.
Can I use the appliance in a bathroom?
Don’t decide based solely on whether there’s a socket. The appliance’s position near a shower or bath and the electrical installation are key considerations. Check the appliance manual and ask a qualified electrician for advice if you’re unsure about the planned location.
What should I do if damp marks remain visible when there’s no laundry drying?
Find out what’s causing them rather than automatically blaming your washing. France Rénov’ recommends having damp marks investigated. Choosing a supplementary dehumidifier isn’t a substitute for doing this.