If you want to get regular loads off the airer quickly, a condenser tumble dryer dries laundry directly in the drum. Compare its capacity, energy label, noise level and maintenance requirements. If you’re keeping your laundry on an airer and damp air in the room is your main concern, a dehumidifier can complement suitable ventilation. When replacing your washing machine, a more effective spin cycle can reduce the water left in your laundry before it dries.
Without usable outdoor space, laundry takes up a room while it dries. Your choice will mainly depend on how long you can leave the airer up, how well the room is ventilated and whether you have space for an appliance.
If you keep your airer in a utility room or another indoor space, a dehumidifier can help control the humidity. Check its extraction conditions, noise level and how to drain the collected water.
If you don’t want to add a separate drying appliance, compare washing machines’ spin efficiency. Under the European regulation on energy labelling, this class is based on residual moisture, not just the maximum spin speed shown.
Worth considering: if you want to dry laundry in a drum rather than keep an airer up at home for long periods.
The trade-off: you’ll need to set aside space for it and maintain the parts specified in the instruction manual.
Worth considering: if you’ll continue to dry laundry on an airer and humidity in that room is your main concern.
The trade-off: you’ll still need the airer, and the appliance doesn’t remove the need for a suitable drying space.
Worth considering: when replacing your washing machine if you plan to keep drying laundry on an airer.
The trade-off: even after a more effective spin, your laundry still needs to dry and releases moisture into the room.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Room humidity | If you’re keeping your laundry on an airer, consider the size of the room and how well it’s ventilated or extracted. For a dehumidifier, also check the humidity settings and how to drain the water. | I’m keeping my airer, but want to account for the moisture it adds to the room. ADEME identifies air-drying laundry as a major source of indoor humidity. |
| Time and space | Compare the tumble dryer’s capacity with your usual loads. For a washing machine, check its spin efficiency class, which is based on residual moisture under the European energy-labelling regulation. | When I have several loads in a row, I need to free up the space taken by the airer. If I keep it, I at least want to reduce the water left in my laundry after washing. |
| Electricity | For a tumble dryer, compare the energy labels of the exact models rather than looking only at the technology. For a washing machine, distinguish between programme energy use and the time needed to fit your routine. | I plan to use the appliance regularly and want to compare data for the models I’m considering, without assuming that a shorter cycle uses less energy. |
| Installation and maintenance | Measure the available space and check the stated noise level, as well as how water is collected or drained. Consult the instruction manual for filter and condenser maintenance, where applicable. | If the appliance will run near living areas, its noise and size matter just as much as how to empty the water and access the parts that need cleaning. |
Laundry on an airer continues to release moisture. For this type of drying, ADEME recommends a large, well-ventilated room or one fitted with an extractor.
First check how you can ventilate the room. Choose a dehumidifier as an additional measure if you also need to control its humidity.
De’Longhi states that the DDSX225 can extract up to 25 l/24 h at 30 °C and 80% relative humidity. This figure doesn’t necessarily reflect how much it will extract in your room.
Compare the conditions behind the stated figure, then check the noise level, humidistat and drainage options for the space you have in mind.
Compare energy consumption using the data for the exact model. Electrolux says that a condenser clogged with fluff can increase energy consumption and damage the appliance.
Check the energy label, then consult the instruction manual to find out how to clean the filters and condenser.
Under the European regulation on washing machine energy labelling, the spin efficiency class is based on residual moisture. Bosch says the maximum spin speed of the WGE02406FR may be reduced if the load is unbalanced.
Compare the spin class and cycle conditions, and always make sure you have a suitable room if you’re drying laundry on an airer.
These ranges offer points of comparison for the three ways of managing indoor drying. The specifications quoted relate to the models listed.
Tumble dryers and washing machines to consider, depending on whether you want to dry laundry in a drum or keep using an airer.
Miele T1 heat pump tumble dryers and front-loading washing machines offer a range of capacities to compare.
A range of heat pump tumble dryers to compare by model specifications and maintenance instructions.
Dehumidifiers to consider if you’re keeping your laundry on an airer and want to control the humidity in the room.
This selection includes tumble dryers for drying laundry directly in the drum and dehumidifiers for rooms where laundry stays on an airer. For a washing machine, compare the spin efficiency labels of the models you’re considering separately.
Image unavailable
Dry laundry in the drum instead of on an airer. It has a stated capacity of 8 kg, energy rating C and noise level of 64 dB. Direct connection for a drain hose and a door-accessible filter are also mentioned. Check the energy label and dimensions to make sure it suits your intended space.
Image unavailable
An option for drying regular loads in the drum, with a stated capacity of 8 kg and energy rating D. Several programmes and three dryness levels are listed. Before choosing a spot for it, check the noise level, dimensions, water management and energy label for this model.
Image unavailable
Dry laundry in the drum without having to keep the airer up for the whole drying time. It has a stated capacity of 8 kg, energy rating E, a noise level of 66 dB(A), dimensions of 60 × 65 × 85 cm and a reversible door. Check the exact drying technology and how water is collected or drained to make sure it suits your installation.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’re keeping your laundry on an airer in a damp room: a laundry drying mode and continuous drainage are listed. The stated extraction rate is 16 l/day at 95 °F and 90% relative humidity, conditions that may not reflect your room. The tank capacity is listed as 1.35 l. Check the humidity adjustment range, which is described differently across listings, and the noise level during typical use.
Image unavailable
For a room where laundry is still drying on an airer, this model features a laundry mode and a continuous drainage hose. The 25 l/day figure applies at 95 °F and 90% relative humidity; it doesn’t guarantee the same extraction rate in your home. Handles and castors are listed. Allow for a stable surface and the clearance of at least 10 inches specified in the description. The stated noise level applies to sleep mode, so check the noise level of other modes if you’ll use it near a living area.
No. For air-dried laundry, ADEME recommends a large, well-ventilated room or one fitted with an extractor. If you’re keeping your airer, a dehumidifier can help manage humidity, but it doesn’t replace these suitable drying conditions.
A conventional condenser or heat pump tumble dryer doesn’t need to vent air outdoors, unlike a vented model. According to UFC-Que Choisir’s buying guide, heat pump models use less electricity than the other types mentioned. However, compare the labels of the specific models you’re considering.
Check the energy label and product fiche for the exact model to compare details such as its energy consumption and capacity. The European Union regulatory summary published by EUR-Lex states that household tumble dryers sold in the EU have an energy label.
No. Under the European regulation on washing machine energy labelling, the spin efficiency class is based on residual moisture. Compare this class on the energy label: the maximum speed, such as the 1,400 rpm stated for the Bosch WGE02406FR, may also be reduced if the load is unbalanced.
Clean the filter as instructed in your model’s manual and check the guidance for its condenser. For models with an accessible condenser, Electrolux recommends inspecting it at least once a month. A clogged condenser can increase energy consumption and damage the appliance.