Households with frequent laundry loads
If you regularly need to dry several loads, choose a tumble dryer with a capacity close to your washing machine’s and check programme times before planning your laundry routine.
Who is this type of dryer for?
Households without an outside vent
A condenser dryer, particularly a heat pump model, does not need a vent to carry air outside. However, you will need to collect the water according to the model, either in a tank or through a drain.
Households with an existing outside vent
You should only consider a vented dryer if the room can genuinely vent the moist air outside. Even if installation is possible, you should still compare the energy consumption and specifications of the particular appliance.
Which features should you consider?
The type of dryer you choose depends first on whether you have an outlet for the air. If you’re buying in France, also bear in mind the rule highlighted by the European Commission: since 1 July 2025, only heat pump tumble dryers can be newly placed on the European Union market.
Heat pump
Worth considering: for regular drying, particularly if you don’t have an outside vent.
What to weigh up: consider the programme times of the model you’re interested in alongside its energy consumption.
Standard condenser
What to know: this technology collects water without needing an outside vent, but it is no longer the usual option for appliances newly placed on the European Union market.
What to weigh up: don’t assume that a potentially shorter cycle means energy consumption will be comparable to that of a heat pump model.
Vented
You’ll need: an opening or suitable vent in the room that leads outside.
What to weigh up: UFC-Que Choisir reports higher energy consumption for this technology. Also check whether the appliance in question complies with the rules on placing products on the market.
| Feature | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Compare the washing machine and tumble dryer capacities in kg, then check the load limits for each programme and fabric type. UFC-Que Choisir recommends basing your choice on the size of your household and your washing machine. | If I’m using the machines back to back, I want to avoid having to split every washed load before drying it. |
| Energy consumption | Compare the model’s A to G energy rating and its consumption in kWh per 100 reference cycles, as shown on the label and outlined by ADEME. Use the same scale for the appliances you’re comparing. | The tumble dryer will be used often, so I want to compare its stated energy consumption without confusing it with my actual usage. |
| Installation | Check whether the model needs an air outlet, a tank or a drain for the condensate, and make sure you have space for it. If you plan to stack the appliances, check that the stacking kit is compatible with both models. | I need to be able to install the appliance in the room I have in mind, without assuming that an existing vent, drain or kit will be suitable. |
| Programmes | Check how long the relevant programme takes for your load and which programmes are suitable for your fabrics. Also check the stated noise level if it matters where you plan to put the dryer. | When several loads are waiting, programme times matter. For wool or silk, I’ll also check the instructions and the care labels on my clothes. |
What pitfalls should you avoid?
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Choosing a vented dryer without planning an outside outlet
According to UFC-Que Choisir and the European Commission, this type of appliance vents moist air outside. Unlike a condenser model, it can’t be installed in a room without a suitable outlet.
Check the opening or vent route before choosing this technology. If there’s no suitable outlet, consider a heat pump model instead.
You may need to adapt the room if the planned outlet isn’t suitable.
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Choosing based only on the stated programme time
A short programme on its own doesn’t tell you how much energy an appliance will use if it’s used frequently, or how long it will take to dry every load.
Compare the time for a suitable load with the energy consumption on the model’s label, then check the limitations of the quick programme.
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Comparing an old energy rating directly with the new scale
The European Commission says the new tumble dryer energy label came into effect on 1 July 2025, and ADEME lists the current scale as A to G. An old A+++ rating therefore isn’t directly comparable with a rating on this scale.
To compare two appliances, check which labelling system applies to each and compare the energy consumption figures for the exact models.
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Planning to stack the appliances without checking both models
Choosing the right capacity doesn’t guarantee that the tumble dryer will fit in the space you have or can be stacked on top of your washing machine.
Check the dimensions and the stacking kit reference approved for the exact combination of appliances before planning the installation.
A guide to some of the brands
These examples relate to specific ranges or models. Your final choice will depend on the specifications of the appliance you choose.
Bosch
Bosch’s French range includes 8 and 9 kg heat pump tumble dryers.
- Bosch lists a 9 kg capacity, a noise level of 62 dB, AutoDry and a self-cleaning condenser for the WQG1450BFR.
- These specifications apply to the WQG1450BFR; compare the product information for other models separately.
Miele
The TWD640WP is an example of a 9 kg Miele heat pump tumble dryer.
- Miele lists DryCare 40 and HygieneDry functions for this model.
- Check the instructions for its programmes and conditions of use, rather than assuming they apply across the whole range.
Electrolux
The DelicateCare 700 EW7HI39R5BC gives you a chance to explore the fabric care programmes on a 9 kg heat pump model.
- Electrolux says this model adjusts the temperature and drum movements to suit the fabric, including wool, silk and outdoor clothing.
- Check the model’s programmes and the care labels on your clothes before drying these fabrics.
Heat pump tumble dryers on Joybuy
Compare these two 8 kg heat pump models with your washing machine’s capacity and the space available for regular drying.
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Hotpoint CHD84MWBSEE, heat pump, 8 kg
If you do laundry regularly, compare its 8 kg capacity with the loads you need to dry at home. Energy rating C; check the programme times, stated energy consumption and dimensions to make sure it suits your installation.
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Comfee CD08EHP05W-HR, heat pump, 8 kg
If you need to dry several loads one after another, compare its 8 kg capacity with that of your washing machine. Energy rating D; check the programme time for your load, stated energy consumption and dimensions before deciding where to put it.
Frequently asked questions
Can you install a vented tumble dryer in any room?
No. According to UFC-Que Choisir and the European Commission, it needs an opening or vent that allows the moist air to escape outside. If that isn’t possible, consider a condenser dryer, particularly a heat pump model.
Does it need to have exactly the same capacity as the washing machine?
Not necessarily. Choose a capacity that suits the loads you actually plan to dry. UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking your household and washing machine capacity into account. Also check the permitted load for each programme and fabric type.
How do you compare the energy labels on two tumble dryers?
Start by comparing appliances that use the same scale. The European Commission says the new energy label came into effect on 1 July 2025, and ADEME notes that the A to G scale includes energy consumption in kWh per 100 reference cycles.
Can you connect a heat pump tumble dryer to a drain?
It depends on the model. The European Commission says that water from a condenser appliance can be collected in a tank or directed to a drain. Check the model’s instructions to see whether it can be connected and which accessories you’ll need.