Households that regularly dry full loads
If you do several loads of washing in a row and your airer is often occupied, start by considering the tumble dryer’s capacity, where it will fit in your home and what’s needed to install it.
Who are these solutions for?
People who use a clothes airer
If you need to dry laundry on an airer indoors, bear in mind the moisture it releases into the room. For indoor drying, ADEME recommends using a large, well-ventilated room or one with suitable mechanical ventilation.
People dealing with persistent damp
If condensation, stains or damaged surfaces persist even when you’re not doing laundry, look for the cause before choosing an appliance. Qualitel recommends getting the problem properly assessed if the damp persists.
How do the options compare?
First decide whether you want to dry your laundry in a drum or continue using an airer. Then check the space available, how water is managed and how noisy the model is.
Tumble dryer
Consider it: if you regularly dry full loads and have a suitable space for one.
Bear in mind: it needs a permanent space, and you should compare the model’s electricity consumption on its energy label.
Dehumidifier with a laundry mode
Consider it: if you still use an airer and need to manage moisture in the room while your laundry dries.
Bear in mind: it works on the air, rather than drying laundry directly in a drum; you’ll need to empty its tank or arrange for continuous drainage.
Airer and suitable ventilation
Keep using one: if you have a large, well-ventilated room or one with suitable mechanical ventilation where you can put the airer.
Bear in mind: your laundry and airer take up space while everything dries, and this option won’t solve persistent damp in your home.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Regular full loads | Match the capacity in kg to your usual laundry loads; also compare tumble dryer dimensions and energy use in kWh/100 cycles. | If you regularly need to dry several loads, freeing up the space taken by an airer may be a priority; around 46% of consumers would put laundry throughput first. |
| Moisture around the airer | Check the space available, noise levels and how you’ll empty the tank or set up continuous drainage. | If you still need an airer, managing moisture in the room may matter more than choosing a tumble dryer; this would be the priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Persistent damp | Check whether condensation, stains or damage keep returning when you’re not drying laundry; if they persist, find out what’s causing them. | If signs of damp return even when there’s no laundry on the airer, this changes the decision: around 18% of consumers would prioritise finding a lasting solution. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Buying a dehumidifier to cover up persistent damp
Using an appliance near your laundry won’t help you identify a leak or poor ventilation. Stains or recurring condensation need to be addressed separately from drying a load of washing.
If these signs persist, find out what’s causing them before relying on dehumidifying the air alone.
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Comparing only the litres extracted per day
A dehumidifier’s stated extraction capacity won’t tell you whether the appliance, airer and space to move around will all fit in the same room, or how you’ll drain the water.
Measure the space with the airer fully open, then check the model’s dimensions, tank, drainage options and noise level.
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Choosing a tumble dryer based on capacity alone
Two appliances with a similar capacity can differ in energy use, noise levels and installation requirements. Capacity doesn’t tell you everything about how they’ll work for you.
Check the energy label, dimensions and manual for the exact model, and compare energy use on the same basis.
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Forgetting about ventilation once the appliance is installed
ADEME notes that air-drying laundry releases a significant amount of moisture into the air indoors. Choosing an appliance doesn’t mean you can overlook ventilation in the room.
If you’re using an airer indoors, choose a well-ventilated room or one with suitable mechanical ventilation, and don’t block any vents.
Brands to know
Electrolux
The EDHF5841EC model featured by Electrolux France offers a point of comparison for heat pump tumble dryers, but it doesn’t represent the entire range.
- The specifications for this model list an 8 kg capacity and a noise level of 66 dB.
- Check the dimensions, energy label and installation instructions for the model you’re actually considering.
De'Longhi
De'Longhi France’s Tasciugo range is designed to dehumidify enclosed rooms, including spaces where you use an airer.
- The brand describes appliances that extract moisture from the surrounding air.
- Compare the features, noise level, tank and drainage options for the specific model; a dehumidifier won’t help you find the cause of persistent damp.
H.Koenig
The DSH520 is an example of a portable dehumidifier whose specifications have been reviewed by Les Numériques.
- For this model, Les Numériques list a stated capacity of 20 L/day and a 5 L tank.
- These figures don’t guarantee how well it will dry your room, and don’t reflect the specifications of other H.Koenig models.
Appliances for two different needs
These Joybuy models cover two options: drying loads in a tumble dryer or continuing to use an airer with a dehumidifier that has a laundry mode. Whichever you choose, check that the room and installation are suitable for the model.
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Hotpoint CHD84MWBSEE, 8 kg heat pump tumble dryer
Worth considering if you regularly dry full loads and can set aside space for a tumble dryer.
The title lists an 8 kg capacity and a C energy rating. Before deciding where to install it, check the dimensions, required clearances and energy use shown on the label.
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Electrolux EDH1018CD GentleCare, 8 kg condenser tumble dryer
Another tumble dryer option for regular loads. Compare it based on the space available and installation requirements.
The title lists an 8 kg capacity. Check the clearances required in the manual and compare its energy use with other models on the same basis. Don’t confuse this EDH1018CD with the EDHF5841EC mentioned above.
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TRULIVA, 25 L/day dehumidifier with laundry mode
Worth considering if you still use an airer and have room for an appliance that works on the air in the room.
The title lists a 2.8 L tank and a continuous drainage hose. The stated capacity of 25 L/day is based on conditions of 95 °F and 90% relative humidity; it doesn’t determine how long your laundry will take to dry at home. Also check the clearance required around the appliance. The stated noise level in sleep mode may not apply to laundry mode.
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ELECCI, 16 L/day dehumidifier with drainage hose
If you dry laundry on an airer indoors, consider this model if you have space for a dehumidifier in the room and can arrange to collect the water.
The title lists a 3.1 L tank, four modes and continuous drainage. The 16 L/day capacity is stated at 95 °F and 90% relative humidity. Check the dimensions and noise level before deciding where to put it.
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TRULIVA AP10-2012EE, dehumidifier with laundry mode
Worth comparing for a room where laundry is dried on an airer, particularly if you can set up continuous drainage.
The title lists continuous drainage and a laundry mode. Before choosing this model, check its dimensions and noise level for your room, as well as the humidity settings available on the AP10-2012EE.
Frequently asked questions
Can a dehumidifier solve persistent damp in your home?
No. It won’t fix a leak or poor ventilation. If stains, mould or condensation keep returning, Qualitel recommends finding out what’s causing the problem and taking appropriate action. You can still consider a dehumidifier to manage moisture while your laundry dries.
Should you ventilate the room when using a dehumidifier near laundry?
Yes. A dehumidifier doesn’t replace proper ventilation. For laundry dried indoors on an airer, ADEME recommends using a large, well-ventilated room or one with suitable mechanical ventilation. Also check that the ventilation in your home isn’t blocked.
Which figures should you compare between two tumble dryers?
Compare capacity in kg, dimensions, noise level and energy use in kWh/100 cycles, then check the installation requirements. For the tumble dryers covered in the European Union, the European Commission explains the revised energy label that has applied since 1 July 2025. Use the same energy-use basis to compare two models.
How do you check how much space a dehumidifier needs?
Measure the room with the airer fully open, allowing for walkways, access to the tank and space to fit a drainage hose. Then check the dimensions and clearances required in the manual for your chosen model, rather than relying only on a stated room size.