
- Vented Tumble Dryers. They’re the original, and some might say they’re still the best. Vented tumble dryers use an airing tube to vent out the steam they produce while drying.
- Condenser Tumble Dryers. These days, you’re more likely to be sold a condenser or heat pump dryer. Condenser dryers don’t expel the steam they produce while drying.
- Heat Pump Tumble Dryers. Heat pump tumble dryers are the most recent addition to the tumble dryer compendium. Heat pump dryers are a more energy efficient version of condenser dryers.
- Vented vs. Condenser vs. Heat Pump Dryers. If you’re still trying to decide which type of tumble dryer to buy, allow me to crown a winner in several important categories, ...
- Conclusion. Vented tumble dryers are the classic dryer model, gradually being phased out by condenser and heat pump dryers.
Which tumble dryers are cheapest to run?
Tumble dryer type: Heat pump tumble dryers are typically cheaper to run than regular condenser or vented tumble dryers since they are more energy efficient. Gas vented tumble dryers are also relatively economical. Drum size: The bigger the drum size, the more the tumble dryer will cost per cycle.
Which tumble dryers are safe to buy?
When your tumble dryer is beyond repair, to help you find the most sustainable tumble dryer for your home, we’ve started recommending Eco Buy tumble dryers. To be an Eco Buy a tumble dryer must be among the most energy efficient we’ve tested, do a good job of drying clothes and be long-lasting.
What is the cheapest tumble dryer to run?
Which Tumble Dryers Are Cheapest To Run?
- Energy Ratings & How They Work. In order to understand which tumble dryers cost the least to run, first you need to know how energy ratings work.
- Cheapest Tumble Dryers To Run. When you shop for dryers, you may assume that they’re all more or less the same. ...
- FAQ. How much does electricity cost on average in the UK? ...
Are heat pump tumble dryers worth the money?
Heat pump tumble dryers are considered the best as they are super-efficient, but to save the most energy, programmes may take a little longer to dry your clothes than on standard dryers.

Which is better vented or condenser tumble dryer?
The key benefit to buying a vented tumble dryer is that they cost less than condenser dryers, and so the upfront costs are lower. The other advantage that vented tumble dryers hold over condenser dryers is that since they vent moisture straight outside, there is no water reservoir to empty.
Which is better heat pump or condenser dryer?
While both condenser dryers and vented tumble dryers release the hot air used to dry clothes, heat pump technology conserves and reuses it. Using a lower temperature to dry clothes, a heat pump tumble dryer offers better protection for your clothes.
What is the difference between different types of tumble dryers?
Heat pump tumble dryers recycle hot air created inside the drum to dry clothes, which makes them really efficient. Condenser tumble dryers remove moisture from your clothes and store it in a removable tank. Vented tumble dryers remove moisture from your clothes and feed it outside of your home through a vent.
Which type of tumble dryer is more efficient?
Tumble dryer type: Heat pump tumble dryers are typically cheaper to run than regular condenser or vented tumble dryers since they are more energy efficient. Gas vented tumble dryers are also relatively economical. Drum size: The bigger the drum size, the more the tumble dryer will cost per cycle.
What is the difference between a condensing and heat pump tumble dryer?
A conventional condenser dryer uses a heating element to warm the drum and dry the clothing. Drying at a lower temperature, and therefore using less energy, a heat pump tumble dryer takes slightly longer to dry the clothing but at a lower cost. This also means the drying cycle is kinder on your clothes.
Are heat pump dryers worth the extra money?
Heat pump tumble dryers are much better for the environment and cheaper to run, with heat pump technology using almost 50% of the energy used by conventional models (C-rated). They aren't any noisier either.
What are the 3 types of tumble dryers?
There are three dryer types of tumble dryer to choose from:Vented. Vented models pump out the hot and damp air from the drum through a flexible hose to the outside, so you will need the dryer to be next to a wall or window. ... Condenser. ... Heat pump. ... Sensor technology. ... Manual and timed tumble dryers. ... Programming. ... Drum size.
How do I choose a drying machine?
Dryer efficiency is measured by a great performance at a low operating cost. Choose a high-performance and efficient dryer by selecting a dryer with moisture or dryness sensors, wrinkle-free options for less ironing, temperature options, and the lowest possible dryer Energy Star rating.
Are vented tumble dryers being phased out?
Vented tumble dryers are the classic dryer model, gradually being phased out by condenser and heat pump dryers. Vented dryers use a vent tube to expel steam, so you'll need to feed their tube through a window or door or have a vent plumbed into the wall.
Do condenser dryers take longer than vented?
The biggest drawback to condenser dryers is time. Simply put, they take longer to dry your clothes than vented tumble dryers. Condenser tumble dryers are also less energy efficient to run. This means it costs you more money and takes a longer time to get your clothes dry.
Are condenser dryers cheaper to run?
Vented dryers are cheaper than condenser dryers as they are more economically friendly to run as they are not having to convert the moisture, they are simply just expelling it from your home.
Which dryer uses the least energy?
Heat pump clothes dryers are the most efficient dryers and have high efficiency ratings.
Do heat pump dryers leave clothes damp?
If you have a condenser dryer or heat pump dryer, no. The moisture from your clothes is condensed into water, which must either be emptied from a special tank at the end of the drying cycle, or set up to automatically empty the water down a nearby drain. For a vented dryer, the answer is a resounding “maybe”.
Do condenser dryers use more electricity?
The difference is that the warmth from the air is recycled and reused, rather than being dumped outside. By reusing the hot air, condenser tumble dryers are a lot more energy efficient than any other type, but they can take longer to operate.
How long does it take for a heat pump dryer to dry clothes?
Drying a full load in a heat pump dryer can take up to 4 hours - that's up to an hour slower than a condenser dryer would take. If you need to dry multiple loads per day, then drying times may be a dealbreaker.
Do you have to empty water from a heat pump dryer?
Do you need to empty water from a heat pump dryer? Yes. The dryer works by pumping warm air through the clothes and collecting the condensed water in a tank. You can easily empty the tank out into the bath or sink.
Condenser Tumble Dryers
These days, you’re more likely to be sold a condenser or heat pump dryer.
Heat Pump Tumble Dryers
Heat pump tumble dryers are the most recent addition to the tumble dryer compendium.
Vented vs. Condenser vs. Heat Pump Dryers
If you’re still trying to decide which type of tumble dryer to buy, allow me to crown a winner in several important categories, such as energy efficiency, advanced technology, and upfront cost.
Conclusion
Vented tumble dryers are the classic dryer model, gradually being phased out by condenser and heat pump dryers.
What are the different types of tumble dryers?
There are 3 main types of tumble dryer: Vented. Condenser. Heat pump.
What is a vented tumble dryer?
Vented tumble dryers are among the most affordable to buy, however they're not suitable for all homes. As your laundry dries, all that water from your clothes has to go somewhere.
How does a condenser dryer work?
Instead of expelling air through a hose, condenser dryers lift the moisture from the clothes and collect it in a container that sits inside the machine. Some models pump out the water through the washing machine plumbing, but if you have a standard model, you simply empty the container after every couple of loads.
How does a heat pump dryer work?
The main difference between the two is that heat pump tumble dryers work more efficiently by re-heating the air that is passed through the drum.
Can you hang clothes in a tumble dryer?
It can be so frustrating when you do a big wash, only for the weather to turn so you can’t hang your clothes out on the line. A tumble dryer is ideal if you have little space to dry your clothes in your home or you wash several loads a week.
Do you need a hose for a condenser dryer?
A condenser dryer works differently to a vented dryer and has no need for a hose. This means you have total freedom over where you choose to place it.
What is the difference between a condenser dryer and a tumble dryer?
The difference is that the warmth from the air is recycled and reused , rather than being dumped outside. By reusing the hot air, condenser tumble dryers are a lot more energy efficient than any other type, but they can take longer to operate. This is changing, however, with newer models offering faster programmes.
What is the most common type of dryer?
Condenser dryers . Condenser dryers are the most popular type of dryer. They operate by blowing air over a heating coil into the tumble drum. The hot, damp air is expelled into a container as vapour and condensed into water.
What is the cheapest dryer?
Heat-pump dryers. Heat-pump dryers are the cheapest in terms of running costs. But, being the most expensive in terms of the initial price, they’re also more of an investment. They’re particularly suitable as a long-term solution for those who frequently tumble-dry their clothes. Heat-pump dryers are similar to condenser dryers in terms ...
What size drums do condenser dryers come with?
Size-wise, condenser dryers tend to come with medium (7-9kg) or large drums (10kg and up). They’re also usually heavier and not really suitable for mounting on a wall.
Is a vented dryer more efficient than a condenser dryer?
Vented dryers are, on average, the fastest drying option. However, like condenser dryers, vented dryers aren’t very energy efficient . They’re available in various sizes, including smaller drums with 4-6kg limits. For those lacking space, they can also be stacked or mounted on a wall.
Can a vented dryer be installed in a room?
Unless you have a penchant for DIY, you may need the help of a professional. Not all vented dryers are created equal.
Can a dryer be wall mounted?
Size-wise, they’re only available with medium (7-9kg) or large drums (10kg and up), and can’t be wall-mounted. For efficiency, a family household is likely to require a dryer sized 8kg and up. However, if you were constantly letting the machine run at half capacity, you’d be spending more on energy than you should.
What are the two types of tumble dryers?
There are two main types of tumble dryer: manual and sensor. Manual models have at least two or three settings: cottons, synthetics, and delicates. Sensor dryers usually have more programmes, allowing you to set the most suitable setting for whatever you’re drying.
How big is a tumble dryer?
Tumble dryers can range in drum size from as small as 4kg, up to 10kg. As a general rule of thumb, 4-6kg models are a good option for couples, 7kg suit families of three, 8kg dryers are ideal for families of four and 9-10kg are perfect for large households. The models we tested range in size from 7kg - 10kg.
How does a tumble dryer work?
These sensors monitor the humidity in the drum throughout the cycle and stop the dryer as soon as your laundry is dry, saving you time and money. On test, we found that on some models, the laundry still came out slightly damp. While tumble dryers with sensors are generally more expensive, when they work well they should help you save on running costs in the long run.
How many degrees of dryness does a tumble dryer have?
On most tumble dryers you’ll see three degrees of dryness for both the cotton and synthetic settings: Iron dry: This leaves the laundry slightly damp, to make ironing easier – but you’ll have to do the ironing as soon as the cycle has finished.
What is the least expensive dryer?
Vented dryers are the least expensive models. These need a hose or vent to expel the warm air, and you need to put them by an external wall or window. There's also a third type, condenser dryers. These work by condensing the warm air from wet clothes into water, which then collects in a removable reservoir.
Can you dry clothes in the UK?
Good Housekeeping UK. You can’t rely on the great British weather to allow you to dry your clothes on the line outside all year round, so it often ends up taking over your indoor space on clothes airers. A tumble dryer can dry your laundry faster and leave it with fewer creases so that you spend less time ironing.
What are the dimensions of a tumble dryer?
The standard dimensions of a tumble dryer is 85cm x 60cm x 60cm (height x width x depth). Make sure you compare how much space you have to the dimensions of the dryer as depths can vary. If you choose a vented dryer, allow extra space for the vent hose.
How many shirts can a tumble dryer dry?
Usually, 4kg capacity can dry up to 10 shirts and 9 kg capacity can dry up to 26 shirts. However, when shopping for a tumble dryer, it's worth keeping in mind that capacities differ ...
How long does it take to tumble dry clothes?
Our tumble dryer tests have uncovered massive differences between the fastest and the slowest machines. The slowest tumble dryers take nearly 35 minutes per kilo of clothes – that’s more than twice as long as the quickest tumble dryers, which can take as little as 14 minutes per kilo.
Why do you need a sensor in a tumble dryer?
A good sensor reduces the risk of opening the drum to find your clothes still wet, but should also prevent your tumble dryer from running for longer than necessary, which is good news for your energy bills. However, our tests have found several sensor dryers that stop programs too early, leaving clothes wet.
Is a mini tumble dryer better than a bigger tumble dryer?
Mini or compact tumble dryers are slower and less efficient than bigger tumble dryers. Nearly all of the models available right now are vented. There aren't many of them around, so choice is limited. Almost all use an old-fashioned timer control rather than a sensor.
Is a gas tumble dryer cheaper than an electric dryer?
Gas tumble dryers. Pros Much cheaper to run than electric dryers as they use gas rather than electricity. Cons Need to be installed by a Gas Safe-registered engineer, which can be pricey. There are very few available in the UK, (White Knight is one of the few brands still selling them).
Is a tumble dryer sustainable?
But some tumble dryers are much more sustainable than others and will reduce the impact drying clothes in a machine has on the environment. When your tumble dryer is beyond repair, to help you find the most sustainable tumble dryer for your home, we’ve started recommending Eco Buy tumble dryers.
How many settings does a tumble dryer have?
Tumble dryers are simple to operate. There are two main types: manual and sensor. Manual models have at least two or three settings: cottons, synthetics, and delicates. Sensor dryers usually have more programs, allowing you to choose the most suitable setting.
How to dry clothes faster in a tumble dryer?
Shake out your clothing and sheets before putting them in the tumble dryer. This will help your clothing dry faster, as clumped-together fabrics take longer to dry. Don’t overload your tumble dryer and avoid adding really heavy items like duvets and blankets.
How does a tumble dryer work?
These sensors monitor the humidity in the drum throughout the cycle and stop the dryer as soon as your laundry is dry, saving you time and money. On test, we found that on some models, the laundry still came out slightly damp. While tumble dryers with sensors are generally more expensive, when they work well they should help you save on running costs in the long run.
What does "mixed" mean in tumble dryer?
Mixed: This is the setting to use when you’re drying a variety of different materials. Shoes: Some tumble dryers come with a shoe rack – these will suspend the shoes in the middle of the drum as the drum rotates.
How does a dryer work?
The ‘dryer’ part works like a heat-pump tumble dryer. They reheat the air that's sucked out of the laundry during the cycle and cools it so it condenses back to water, which is then drained.
Is a manual dryer cheaper than a sensor dryer?
Manual and timed tumble dryers. These are generally cheaper than sensor dryers, but you’ll have to program the machine yourself and may find you’re drying the load for longer than necessary. Overdrying laundry can add extra costs to your energy bills and damage your clothing.
Can you hang a dryer hose out of a window?
Or you can temporarily hang a flexible hose out of a window when the machine is in use. This is a temporary method that’s not ideal during cold or wet weather. Vented tumble dryers are the more traditional type of dryer, and tend to be the cheapest models.
