If you can’t fit a vent hose, start by comparing condenser tumble dryers, particularly heat pump models. UFC-Que Choisir says they don’t need to be connected to an external vent, unlike vented models. If there isn’t room for two appliances, a washer-dryer is another option, but check its washing and drying capacities separately. In either case, compare the capacity with your usual loads, then check energy use, eco-cycle duration and the installation requirements for the model.
If your home doesn’t allow you to connect a vent hose to the outside, condenser tumble dryers should be your first port of call. UFC-Que Choisir says these appliances don’t need an external connection, whether or not they have a heat pump.
If you still need to air your washing indoors, room ventilation matters too. ADEME recommends air-drying laundry in a large, well-ventilated room or one with a mechanical ventilation extract vent (VMC).
A washer-dryer is worth comparing with a separate tumble dryer if there isn’t room for two appliances. Check its drying capacity: Whirlpool, for example, lists a 9 kg washing capacity and a 7 kg drying capacity for the FFWDB976258BCVFR.
Start by checking the available space and whether a vent hose can reach outside. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes vented models from condenser dryers on this point. If there’s no room for a second appliance, compare washer-dryers too, but don’t assume they can dry a full washing load in one go.
| Priority | What to check | What suits my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | For a vented model, check whether a hose can reach outside. For a condenser dryer, check the available space, the clearances specified in the manual and how water is handled: in a tank or via a drain, depending on the model. | If there’s no way to run a vent hose outside, I’ll compare condenser dryers rather than choosing a vented model just because it fits on the floor. |
| Humidity | For tumble dryers, compare the condensation efficiency listed in the European EPREL register. If you still air some laundry indoors, take the room’s ventilation into account too. | If I often dry laundry indoors, I want to consider the humidity in the room. ADEME recommends air-drying in a large, well-ventilated room or one fitted with a mechanical ventilation extract vent (VMC). |
| Energy use and cycle time | For comparable tumble dryers, check the weighted energy use per cycle and the duration of the full-load eco programme on the energy label or in EPREL. For a washer-dryer, check the figures for its wash-and-dry cycle. | I’d rather compare how much energy each cycle uses and how long it takes than choose based only on the technology name or energy rating letter. |
| Load capacity and space | Compare the drying capacity with your usual loads and your washing machine’s capacity. For a washer-dryer, check the washing and drying capacities separately. Also measure the space available and allow room to open the door. | If I dry full washing-machine loads, I want to know whether they’ll fit in the tumble dryer. With a washer-dryer, you may need to reduce or split a load before drying it. |
A vented tumble dryer sends moist air outside, so having a plug socket and a clear space isn’t enough to confirm that this type of appliance is suitable for your home.
Before ordering, check that there’s a suitable route for the hose and read the manual’s requirements. If you can’t confirm the route, compare condenser models instead.
The European Commission says that new tumble dryer energy labelling requirements have applied since 1 July 2025. So a rating shown on an old product listing isn’t enough to compare two models on a like-for-like basis.
Check the labels that apply to the models you’re comparing, and note their energy use per cycle and eco-programme duration too.
For the FFWDB976258BCVFR washer-dryer, Whirlpool lists a 9 kg washing capacity but a 7 kg drying capacity. So a load that fills the machine to its washing capacity is too large to dry in this model.
Check both capacities for the model you’re considering, then adjust the load or remove some laundry before drying.
Splitting the laundry may mean running an extra drying cycle.
ADEME points out that air-drying laundry adds moisture to the indoor air. Buying an appliance doesn’t solve the issue for the laundry you still hang up to dry.
For that laundry, choose a large, well-ventilated room or one fitted with a mechanical ventilation extract vent (VMC), as ADEME recommends.
The WTH85V02FF is an example of a heat pump tumble dryer in Bosch France’s range.
Miele France offers tumble dryers with maximum capacities of 7, 8 and 9 kg.
The RH9V57WH is an example of the 9 kg heat pump tumble dryers featured by LG France.
Whirlpool washer-dryers are worth comparing when there isn’t room for two appliances.
These three heat pump models are options to consider if you’re looking for a separate tumble dryer and can’t regularly dry laundry outside. Compare their capacities and installation requirements with your usual loads and the space available.
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Its stated 8 kg capacity is worth comparing with your usual loads. The heat pump technology makes this model an option to consider if you need an appliance that doesn’t require an external vent hose.
The product name indicates a C rating. Also check its energy use per cycle, eco-programme duration and the clearances specified in the manual.
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This model has a stated capacity of 8 kg. If you want to dry full washing-machine loads without an external vent hose, compare its capacity with that of your washing machine.
The product name indicates a D rating. Check its energy use per cycle, eco-programme duration and the manual to make sure it’s suitable for your room.
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This heat pump model is worth considering if your room can’t accommodate an external vent hose, but confirm its capacity before comparing it with your usual laundry loads.
The product name indicates a capacity of 10 kg, while other information for the same model indicates 8 kg. Check the capacity of this variant, along with its energy use per cycle, eco-programme duration and installation clearances.
No. This type of appliance needs an opening to the outside or a suitable vent hose to remove moist air. UFC-Que Choisir makes this distinction between vented models and condenser tumble dryers. Check the hose route and the manual before choosing.
No. According to UFC-Que Choisir, condenser models don’t need an external connection, whether or not they have a heat pump. The collected water can go into a tank or, depending on the model, down a drain. Check the manual to see what connections are possible.
Choose a tumble dryer capacity that suits your usual loads and, where possible, matches your washing machine’s capacity. For a washer-dryer, check the two figures separately: Whirlpool lists a 9 kg washing capacity but a 7 kg drying capacity for the FFWDB976258BCVFR.
For comparable tumble dryers, check the weighted energy use per cycle and the duration of the full-load eco programme, as well as the energy rating. The European EPREL register lists these figures, along with capacity, noise level and condensation efficiency for the models concerned.