Without an external opening or ventilation duct, choose a condenser tumble dryer, either a standard model or a heat pump model. A vented dryer needs a suitable connection. If electricity consumption is a key concern, compare heat pump models by checking their energy labels and cycle times. Also check the space available, the capacity you need and the installation instructions for the model you choose.
You need to install the tumble dryer inside your home, but can't connect a duct to the outside. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes condenser dryers, which don't need this connection, from vented models. You should still check that the chosen location meets the manufacturer's instructions.
If you dry several loads regularly, the energy consumption shown on the label could influence your choice. Compare heat pump models and their programme times on a like-for-like basis, rather than relying on the technology name alone.
You may alternate between large and small loads, or dry fabrics that need a specific programme. Match the tumble dryer's capacity to your washing machine and your usual load sizes, then check which programmes are available on each appliance.
First rule out appliances that aren't suitable for the room, then compare capacity, energy consumption and day-to-day requirements. The priorities below are for shoppers who need to dry their laundry at home without an external vent.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it's relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Installation in the room | Check the drying technology, the dimensions with the door open and the location requirements in the instructions. | Without an air outlet, I want to be able to install the appliance in the available room without assuming there's a duct. Around 33% of consumers make this compatibility their top priority. |
| Electricity consumption | Compare consumption in kWh/100 cycles and the time taken by the corresponding programme, using labels based on the same scale. | If I dry laundry often, the electricity used for each cycle matters to me. For around 27% of consumers, it's their main concern. |
| Capacity and fabrics | Match the capacity to your washing machine and check the load limits for the programmes suited to your fabrics. | With loads of different sizes, I want to dry my usual laundry without assuming every programme can handle the maximum capacity. Around 20% of consumers put this match first. |
| Cycle time, noise and maintenance | Check the programme duration, noise level and instructions for cleaning the filter and condenser. | When the appliance runs near living areas, I consider the wait, the noise and the maintenance involved. Around 20% of consumers prioritise these practical considerations. |
A vented tumble dryer needs an opening to the outside or access to a ventilation duct, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. Having space indoors doesn't necessarily mean you can install one.
Check the route for the duct before buying. If a connection isn't possible, look at a condenser model and check its own installation instructions.
An older A+++ rating and a rating on the A to G scale aren't like-for-like scores. The National Consumer Institute (Institut national de la consommation) highlights this change to tumble dryer energy labels.
Compare labels using the same scale, and also check consumption in kWh/100 cycles and the stated programme duration.
Cleaning is part of regular use. Electrolux, for example, advises cleaning the filter at the end of every cycle.
Before choosing a model, check where the filter is and read the instructions to find out what condenser checks apply to that specific model.
Placing a tumble dryer on top of a washing machine requires an installation designed for the appliances. For example, the Bosch WQG24502FR instructions require the manufacturer's stacking kit for this setup.
Before choosing a stacked installation, check the dimensions, compatible appliances and the kit specified in the instructions.
The details below apply to the models mentioned, not every tumble dryer from each brand. Use them as a starting point when comparing product information and instructions.
The WQG24502FR is a useful example of what to check in an 8 kg heat pump tumble dryer, particularly condenser maintenance and installation options.
The EDHF5841EC product information lets you consider capacity, stated energy consumption and operating conditions together for a heat pump model.
The TEA525WP 8kg Active is worth considering if stacking options and fabric programmes are important to you.
The D3H211393W is worth considering if filter access and operating specifications are among your priorities.
Yes. A condenser tumble dryer, including a heat pump model, doesn't need an air duct to the outside, unlike a vented model, according to UFC-Que Choisir. However, check the appliance's dimensions, electrical connection and location requirements in its instructions.
Consider a heat pump model if energy consumption is a priority, but compare the figures for the specific models and their programme times before deciding. A standard condenser dryer is also an option if you don't have an external duct, provided its features better suit your other requirements.
Start with the capacity of your washing machine and the amount of laundry you usually dry. Then check the load limits for the programmes you'll use: the maximum capacity shown may not apply to every fabric.
Clean the filter as directed in the instructions; Electrolux advises cleaning it at the end of every cycle. How you check or maintain the condenser depends on the model. Read the instructions and make sure the relevant parts will remain accessible once the appliance is installed.
No. These ratings belong to different scales, so they can't be compared directly. To choose between two appliances, use information presented on the same basis, including consumption in kWh/100 cycles and the duration of the corresponding programme.