For regular indoor drying in a room without an external vent, look for a heat pump condenser tumble dryer, then check the manual for the required clearance and how it handles condensed water. UFC-Que Choisir notes that these models generally use less electricity than conventional dryers, although their cycles are often longer. A vented model, on the other hand, needs an opening to the outside.
If you can’t run a vent to the outside, consider heat pump condenser models. Check their dimensions, the airflow requirements in the manual and how the condensed water is collected. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a vented appliance needs an opening to the outside.
Choose a drum capacity that suits your usual loads, then compare the energy use per cycle and the duration of the eco programme across the models you’re considering. This balance matters more to your household routine when you use the dryer frequently.
A vented dryer may be an option if the room is large enough and the vent can expel air outside in accordance with the manual. UFC-Que Choisir says these appliances generally dry clothes faster than heat pump models, but use more electricity.
Start by checking what the room can accommodate. Then compare load capacity, cycle times and the specifications of each model.
Consider it: for regular drying without an external vent, provided you can install it according to the manual and are happy with how it handles water.
The trade-off: according to UFC-Que Choisir, these models generally use less energy, but their cycles are often longer than those of conventional appliances.
Consider it: particularly if you already have one, provided the room’s airflow meets the requirements in the manual.
The trade-off: UFC-Que Choisir describes these models as generally having shorter cycles than heat pump dryers, but using more energy.
Consider it: only if there’s a suitable opening to expel moist air outside and the room is appropriate for the appliance.
The trade-off: UFC-Que Choisir notes that these models generally have shorter cycles than heat pump dryers, but use more energy and are more demanding to install.
| Priority | What to check | What matters to me |
|---|---|---|
| Installation and humidity | Check the clearances and airflow specified in the manual. Find out where the water tank is and whether the model can be connected to a drain. For a vented model, check the external outlet and the route for the vent. | I can’t install a vent to the outside, and I want to know where the water removed from my laundry will go. UFC-Que Choisir reminds us that a vented tumble dryer needs an opening to the outside. |
| Energy use and cycle time | Compare the weighted energy use per cycle and the eco programme duration for specific models. UFC-Que Choisir says heat pump models generally use less energy, but often have longer cycles. | If I dry several loads a week, I want to factor in energy use without choosing a programme that takes so long it disrupts my routine. |
| Capacity | Compare the stated capacity in kg with your washing machine’s capacity and the loads you actually plan to dry. Check the model’s guidance for the fabrics and programmes you’ll be using. | I’d like to dry my usual loads without having to split them across several cycles every time. |
| Size | Measure the width, height and depth, then check the depth with the door open. Also make sure you can access the water tank and have enough space in front of the appliance. | In a small room, I need to be able to open the door and move around in front of the tumble dryer, not just fit the appliance itself in the space. |
| Noise | Compare the noise emissions in dB for specific models on their energy labels or in the European Commission’s EPREL database. Consider where you plan to place the appliance and when you’ll use it. | If the appliance is near a living space, its stated noise level matters more to me than a vague claim that it’s ‘quiet’. |
| Energy label | Compare labels that use the same scale. The European Commission says the A to G scale has applied to tumble dryer labels since 1 July 2025; check the per-cycle figures too. | I want to compare models on a consistent basis, rather than directly comparing an old A+++ rating with a letter on the new scale. |
Hot, moist air needs to be carried outside through a vent. UFC-Que Choisir notes that this type of appliance needs a room that’s large enough and an opening to the outside.
Before choosing this type of tumble dryer, check the available outlet, the route for the vent and the requirements in the manual.
Depending on the model, condensed water must be collected or drained away. You’ll still need to check the manual for airflow requirements and the clearances around the appliance.
Find out where the water tank is and explicitly check whether a drain connection is compatible. Don’t assume that a hose or kit is included.
An old A+++ rating and a rating on the A to G scale aren’t based on the same system. The European Commission says the new scale came into effect on 1 July 2025.
Compare labels from the same generation, and check the weighted energy use per cycle as well as the eco programme duration.
You may need considerably more space when the door is open. For example, LG lists a depth of 660 mm for its 9 kg RH9V72IXN and 1 115 mm with the door open at 90°.
Measure the access route, door clearance and space needed to reach the water tank before choosing where to put the appliance.
These examples of product ranges and manufacturer specifications can help you identify what to check. The features mentioned don’t apply to every model from each brand.
Bosch’s French heat pump tumble dryer range includes models with capacities of 8 kg and 9 kg.
Miele France offers heat pump tumble dryers in various series, including 8 kg and 9 kg models.
LG France’s product listing for the RH9V72IXN heat pump tumble dryer gives it a maximum capacity of 9 kg.
These two 8 kg heat pump tumble dryers are worth considering if you want to dry laundry indoors without an external vent. However, capacity alone won’t tell you how much space they need, how noisy they are or how long their programmes take. Check these details for each model and your room.
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Worth considering for loads suited to its stated 8 kg capacity in a room without an external vent. The product name gives it a C energy rating. Before deciding where to put it, check the model’s dimensions and installation requirements in its product details.
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This heat pump model has a stated capacity of 8 kg, making it suitable for loads of that size. Its name gives it a D energy rating. Check the dimensions, noise level and how it handles condensed water to see whether it’s right for your room.
Not for the condenser operation described by Miele: depending on the model and installation, water is collected in a tank or directed to a drain. Even so, check the manual, the required clearances and how the water is handled. Don’t assume a connection or kit will be compatible.
This option requires a room that’s large enough and an opening that allows a vent to carry hot, moist air outside, as UFC-Que Choisir explains. If you don’t have a suitable outlet, consider a condenser model instead and check its installation instructions.
Compare the noise emissions in dB for each model on its energy label or in the European Commission’s EPREL database. Think about how close it will be to your living spaces; the word ‘quiet’ alone doesn’t give you a comparable measurement.
No: they use different energy labelling scales. The European Commission says the A to G scale has applied to tumble dryers since 1 July 2025. To compare models, use the same scale and also check the weighted energy use per cycle and the eco programme duration.
Check the weighted energy use per cycle, the eco programme duration and the noise level for the exact model in its energy label details or in EPREL. Also check its dimensions with the door open, the installation instructions and whether any stacking or connection kit you need is compatible.