A tumble dryer is worth considering if you regularly dry laundry in a room that cannot be ventilated properly or fitted with suitable extraction. However, using an appliance does not remove the need to air your home. If you don’t have an external vent, compare heat pump and condenser models in terms of energy use, programmes and installation requirements. A washer-dryer is a better option if you don’t have room for two appliances, while a vented model needs a suitable outlet.
If you often dry laundry in a living room or small space, start by checking what ventilation options are available. For indoor drying, ADEME recommends using a large, well-ventilated room or one fitted with a mechanical ventilation (MV) extract vent.
A washer-dryer combines washing and drying in the same space. According to UFC-Que Choisir, its drying capacity is lower than its washing capacity, so you may need to remove some laundry from a full load before starting the drying cycle.
A vented tumble dryer may be an option if you have a suitable opening to the outside or an accessible vent duct. UFC-Que Choisir notes that this type of appliance needs such an installation, unlike a condenser model.
First work out where your laundry can dry and what installations are possible. Then compare appliances based on the space available, capacity and how you’ll use them.
| Factor | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor drying and ventilation | Check whether you can dry laundry in a large, well-ventilated room or one with an MV extract vent, as recommended by ADEME. If you’re considering an appliance, also check its manual for ventilation requirements and the space it needs. | I often dry laundry in a small room, so I need a solution that works with the ventilation my home actually has. I don’t want to rely on an appliance to make up for poor ventilation. |
| Type of tumble dryer | If you don’t have an external vent, compare heat pump and condenser models. UFC-Que Choisir describes heat pump technology as the most energy-efficient type of condenser drying; check the energy use and programme times for the specific models you’re considering. | I want to keep energy use down if I’ll be using the dryer regularly, while knowing how long my usual cycles will take. |
| Air outlet | For a vented model, make sure there’s a usable opening to the outside or a suitable duct. UFC-Que Choisir says this connection is essential; venting into another room won’t meet this requirement. | There’s an outlet in my home, and I want to check that it’s suitable before choosing a vented appliance. |
| Space and capacity | Measure the installation space, available depth and clearances specified in the manual. For a washer-dryer, compare washing and drying capacities separately: UFC-Que Choisir notes that the drying capacity is lower. | I only have room for one machine, or I want to dry my usual load without having to remove some of the laundry first. |
| Use and maintenance | Compare programme times, energy use and capacity on a like-for-like basis, then check access to the filters and how the appliance handles water. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing also looks at residual moisture and how evenly laundry is dried. | For everyday use, I want an appliance that’s easy to maintain, with programmes suited to the laundry I actually dry. |
It doesn’t need an external vent duct, but a room that’s too small or poorly ventilated can become damp with condensation. Electrolux recommends placing the appliance in a suitably spacious, well-ventilated room.
Before ordering, check the appliance manual against the room you plan to use, including ventilation, permitted temperature and the space around the machine.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, the drying capacity is lower. You may need to remove some laundry from a wash load before starting the drying cycle.
Compare the washing and drying capacities listed for the exact model with the amount of laundry you plan to dry in one go.
Moist air must be vented outside through a suitable opening or duct, as required by the installation guidance described by UFC-Que Choisir.
Check the route for the vent before you buy. If you’re considering creating an outlet, first check the rules that apply to your home.
The rating alone doesn’t tell you how long the cycles take, the appliance’s capacity or how well it dries. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing compares factors including energy use and drying time per kilogram of laundry.
For the models you’re interested in, compare the product information and programmes, along with any tests carried out on a like-for-like basis.
These brands offer useful points of comparison. Features vary from model to model, and the examples below don’t necessarily apply to the products listed further down.
The Bosch France catalogue includes 8 kg heat pump tumble dryers.
Miele France offers a range of heat pump tumble dryers that can be installed under a worktop or stacked, depending on your setup and with the appropriate kit.
Electrolux’s French range includes heat pump tumble dryers, including GentleCare models.
These four condenser and heat pump tumble dryers are for households considering a separate appliance rather than a washer-dryer, without a dedicated external air outlet. Check that each model is suitable for your room and laundry loads.
Image unavailable
This heat pump model is an option if you want to dry loads of up to its stated capacity of 8 kg without an external vent duct.
It has a stated energy rating of C. Check the manual for its dimensions and ventilation requirements, then consult the product listing for the energy use and programme times that matter to your household.
Image unavailable
With a stated capacity of 8 kg, this heat pump tumble dryer is for households looking to rely less on indoor laundry drying.
It has a stated energy rating of D. Before choosing it, check its dimensions and ventilation requirements, as well as the programme times and energy use for the cycles you’re interested in.
Image unavailable
Described as an 8 kg condenser tumble dryer, this model may be worth considering if you don’t have a dedicated external air outlet.
Check the condensation technology used in this model before comparing it with a heat pump dryer. Also check the installation requirements and the details of the programmes you plan to use.
Image unavailable
This heat pump model is worth considering if you’re looking for a separate tumble dryer, but its capacity for this specific model needs to be confirmed.
The title states 10 kg, while another description gives 8 kg. Don’t base your load size on either figure until you’ve confirmed the capacity. It has a stated energy rating of D; also check the dimensions, ventilation requirements and programme details.
No. ADEME recommends drying laundry in a large, well-ventilated room or one fitted with an MV extract vent, as drying laundry indoors releases a lot of moisture into the air. If these conditions are often not met, a drying appliance may help, but it doesn’t replace the need for suitable ventilation.
Whether a room is suitable can’t be determined by the lack of a window alone. A condenser model doesn’t need an external air outlet, but you must follow the space and ventilation requirements in its manual. Electrolux warns that a room that’s too small or poorly ventilated can encourage condensation.
First, compare its drying capacity with the size of your usual load: UFC-Que Choisir notes that it’s lower than the washing capacity. Then check the available depth, programme times and water and energy use during drying.
Compare their energy labels and product details, then look at programme times, energy use, noise, dimensions and maintenance requirements. For a fair comparison of drying performance, tests carried out on the same basis are more useful than a single advertised feature. UFC-Que Choisir looks at factors including residual moisture and how evenly laundry is dried.