If you regularly dry laundry but don’t have an outlet to the outside, a heat pump tumble dryer is a good place to start. According to UFC-Que Choisir, it uses less electricity than other types, but its cycles are generally longer. A conventional condenser dryer may suit you better if cycle times matter more; a vented dryer, meanwhile, needs a suitable room and an outlet to the outside.
The type of appliance to consider mainly depends on how much space you have, how often you do laundry and where the tumble dryer will be used.
If a clothes airer takes up a room or balcony for long periods, first check where you could put the tumble dryer and how you’ll manage the water removed from your laundry. If there’s no suitable outlet to the outside, compare condenser dryers rather than vented models.
If you need to dry several loads one after another, look for a tumble dryer with a capacity that matches your washing machine. Compare programme times and the stated energy consumption of the models you’re considering, too.
If the dryer will be near a living room or bedroom, pay particular attention to its noise level. In a small utility room, also measure the depth needed with the door open and check the clearances specified in the manual.
First, work out which types of tumble dryer are suitable for your home. Then compare models with similar capacities and programmes.
Consider this if: you often dry laundry but don’t have an outlet to the outside, and you’re happy to accept generally longer cycles.
The trade-off: UFC-Que Choisir reports lower electricity consumption than with other types. You’ll still need to maintain the filters and any other components specified in the manual.
Consider this if: you don’t have an outlet to the outside and cycle times are a higher priority for you.
The trade-off: according to UFC-Que Choisir, dryers without a heat pump generally dry clothes faster, but use more electricity.
Consider this only if: the room and an opening to the outside allow you to install a suitable vent.
The limitation: an outlet for the air is essential. UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking the room’s layout before choosing this type of appliance.
| What to consider | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Space and water | Measure the appliance, the space needed to open the door and the specified clearances. For a condenser dryer, check whether the water goes into a tank or whether the model can be connected to a drain. | I want to free up the space taken by my clothes airer without installing an appliance that blocks a walkway or needs an outlet to the outside that my home doesn’t have. |
| Capacity and laundry routine | Compare the stated capacity with that of your washing machine, then look at the programmes for the loads you usually dry. | I often do several loads of laundry one after another, so the capacity and drying time need to suit my routine. |
| Energy use and cycle time | Compare kWh/100 cycles and the duration of similar programmes, taking the load into account. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses factors including energy use and drying time per kilo of laundry. | If I use the tumble dryer often, energy consumption matters. If I need to use the laundry again quickly, cycle time matters too. |
| Noise | Check the stated noise level in dB(A) and, where available, an independent assessment with clearly specified testing conditions. | If the dryer will be near a living room or bedroom, I’d rather compare the noise levels of different models before deciding where to put it. |
| Maintenance | Read the manual to find out which filters need cleaning and what maintenance the condenser requires. Check exactly what a self-cleaning system covers. | I want easy access to the parts that need maintenance and to be able to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. |
According to UFC-Que Choisir, this type of tumble dryer needs a sufficiently large room and an opening to the outside connected to a vent. Having enough floor space doesn’t, by itself, mean installation is possible.
Check whether there’s a suitable route for the vent and read the model’s installation requirements. If there’s no suitable outlet, focus on condenser dryers instead.
UFC-Que Choisir highlights the lower energy consumption of heat pump models compared with the generally faster cycles of other types. One figure alone doesn’t tell you the whole story.
Compare capacity, kWh/100 cycles and programme times under similar conditions, then consider how they fit with how often you dry your laundry.
In tests published in 2020, UFC-Que Choisir found that a build-up of dirt could extend cycle times and increase energy consumption in some of the models tested. This finding doesn’t apply to every tumble dryer.
Follow the maintenance instructions in the manual. If you’re interested in a self-cleaning condenser, check which filters still need to be cleaned by hand.
The French specifications for the Bosch WQA23300FR and LG RH9V72IXN give different depths: 613 mm and 660 mm respectively. You’ll also need enough space to open the door and access the parts that need maintenance.
Measure the space, then compare it with the installation diagram for the exact model, taking the open door and required clearances into account.
These models illustrate features you can compare on the manufacturers’ French websites. Each detail applies to the model named, not to the brand as a whole.
The WQA23300FR is an example of an 8 kg heat pump tumble dryer listed by Bosch Électroménager France.
The RH9V72IXN is an example of a 9 kg capacity heat pump tumble dryer in LG France’s range.
The EW7H5142SC is an example of an 8 kg heat pump tumble dryer listed by Electrolux France.
These two options are for drying laundry at home without a vent to the outside: one heat pump model and one model described as a condenser dryer. Check the exact technology used by the second model before comparing their cycle times and energy consumption.
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This heat pump tumble dryer is designed for drying laundry at home without a vent to the outside. Its stated capacity is 8 kg. Before choosing it for a small space or frequent loads, check its dimensions, the clearance needed with the door open, its kWh/100 cycles and how the water is managed.
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This 8 kg condenser model is worth considering if your home doesn’t have a vent to the outside. Its product name mentions OptiSense and propane refrigerant. Check whether it uses a heat pump or conventional condensation, then compare energy consumption on a like-for-like basis and check maintenance requirements and the space needed with the door open.
No. According to UFC-Que Choisir, it needs a sufficiently large room and an opening to the outside for its vent. If your home doesn’t have this set-up, consider condenser dryers instead and check their installation requirements.
Not necessarily. UFC-Que Choisir says that the water removed from laundry can be collected in a tank or, depending on the model, sent to a drain. If you want to connect it to a drain, check the manual and find out which accessories you’ll need for your chosen model.
Compare kWh/100 cycles, capacity and the duration of equivalent programmes rather than focusing on the technology alone. According to UFC-Que Choisir, heat pump models use less electricity, while other types generally dry clothes faster.
No. Depending on the model’s design, this feature looks after the condenser; you should still check which filters and other parts need attention, as set out in the manual. UFC-Que Choisir found that a build-up of dirt could extend cycle times and increase energy consumption in some models tested.
Check the manual’s requirements and your home’s electrical installation before plugging in the appliance. Promotelec says that the NF C 15-100 standard requires a dedicated circuit for a tumble dryer. If you’re unsure whether your installation is suitable, ask a qualified professional to check it.