If you haven’t confirmed that you have an outdoor air vent, start by looking at a condenser tumble dryer. A heat-pump model is worth considering if you dry laundry frequently and want to keep electricity use down. Then compare models based on your washing machine’s capacity, the space available, programme times and the installation requirements in the manual. Only consider a vented model if its duct can lead outside.
If you often dry laundry indoors and can’t install a duct to the outside, condenser tumble dryers are a good place to start. Que Choisir distinguishes this type of installation from that of a vented tumble dryer, which needs an outdoor air vent.
If you’re doing several loads in a row, choose a tumble dryer capacity that matches your washing machine and the loads you typically dry. Programme times also matter if you need to empty the drum quickly for the next load.
Whether it’s going in a kitchen, bathroom or narrow utility room, measure the depth, delivery access and door clearance, not just the width. Check the manual for the clearances and ventilation requirements for your chosen model.
First check whether an outdoor air vent is possible. Then compare models that will work in your room, taking into account your laundry loads and how often you use the dryer.
Worth considering : for regular indoor drying without an outdoor air duct.
Bear in mind : Que Choisir says these models generally use less energy than conventional technologies, but their cycles can take longer.
Worth considering : if you need a model without an outdoor duct and faster drying is a priority.
Bear in mind : according to Que Choisir, these models are generally faster than heat-pump dryers, but use more electricity.
Worth considering : only if you have a suitable route for venting the air outside.
Bear in mind : a Bosch manual recommends a duct that vents directly outdoors ; a condensate drain hose cannot be used as a substitute.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it for ? |
|---|---|---|
| No outdoor duct | The exact type of tumble dryer ; for a vented model, check that the air duct can lead outside. | If there’s no way to install a dedicated air vent, I want to be able to fit the appliance without an outdoor duct. Around 36 % of consumers prioritise this installation requirement. |
| Electricity use | Compare the model’s stated energy consumption and programme duration on a like-for-like basis. | If I dry laundry regularly, I want to keep the electricity used per cycle down. This is a priority for around 29 % of consumers. |
| Amount of laundry | Choose a rated capacity close to that of your washing machine ; check the programme time for your usual load. | When I have several loads to get through, I need a suitable capacity so I’m not left waiting between loads. Around 21 % of consumers put capacity first. |
| Space and noise | Check the depth, door clearance and space required in the manual ; look at the stated noise level. | In a small room close to living areas, I need to be able to open and use the appliance without overlooking how noisy it is. How well it fits into the home is a priority for around 14 % of consumers. |
A hose on a condenser tumble dryer can carry the collected water to a drain. It isn’t the air outlet needed by a vented tumble dryer.
Check the appliance type in the manual, then separately confirm whether the water connection is suitable and, if needed, whether an outdoor air duct can be fitted.
Fitting into the available depth isn’t enough if the door can’t open properly or the connections take up the remaining space.
Measure the installation space and delivery access, then check the depth, door clearance and required clearances for your chosen model.
The rating alone won’t tell you how long it will take to get through your laundry. The information sheet published in EPREL by the European Commission also explains that actual energy use depends on the conditions of use.
Compare energy figures on a like-for-like basis, and check the stated programme duration, capacity and noise level too.
This type of appliance needs to vent air outside. The recommendation in a Bosch manual for a duct that leads directly outdoors doesn’t mean you can assume an existing mechanical ventilation system will be suitable.
Before choosing this type of appliance, confirm the duct route, check it meets the requirements in the manual and find out what conditions apply to your home.
Bosch’s range includes heat-pump tumble dryers, with installation requirements that vary by model.
Whirlpool offers heat-pump tumble dryers worth comparing based on the capacity and space you need.
Electrolux product details let you compare capacity, stated energy consumption, noise and temperature requirements by model.
Beko manuals are useful for checking installation requirements, particularly if you’re considering a vented appliance.
These two condenser models are worth considering if you want to dry laundry indoors without an outdoor air duct. Both have a stated capacity of 8 kg ; check the manual for each model to make sure it’s suitable for your space.
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Worth considering if you do laundry regularly and want an 8 kg heat-pump condenser model. The product name indicates an energy rating of C. Before choosing it, check its dimensions and the requirements in the manual against your space, then look at the energy label for its consumption and programme duration.
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Worth considering if you need an 8 kg condenser tumble dryer without an outdoor air duct. The product name mentions OptiSense and propane as the refrigerant ; on its own, it doesn’t tell you whether this is a heat-pump or conventional condenser model. Check the technology in the manual, along with the dimensions, clearances and energy label figures.
No : the heat-pump models described by Que Choisir use condenser technology and don’t need an outdoor air duct, unlike vented models. However, follow the manual’s instructions for the room, clearances and condensate management.
Yes, if the model accepts a compatible hose or kit and there’s a suitable drain point nearby. Bosch, for example, says its WTZ1110 kit drains condensate from compatible tumble dryers, with or without a heat pump ; it isn’t for venting air from a different type of appliance.
Compare the energy rating, stated consumption, programme duration and noise level of each model on a like-for-like basis. The European Commission’s energy labelling framework requires this information for household tumble dryers ; the EPREL information sheet notes that actual consumption varies with use.
For indoor air-drying, ADEME recommends using a large, well-ventilated room or one with a mechanical ventilation extract vent. This advice is for air-drying laundry and doesn’t replace the tumble dryer’s installation instructions.