Which dryer? Vented, condenser and heat pump, explained
All dryers do the same job. Wet washing goes in, dry washing comes out. The big difference is what each one does with the water. Pick the wrong one and you get a steamy laundry, a huge power bill, or both.
The big idea: where does the water go?
A load of wet washing holds a few litres of water. A dryer has to get rid of all of it. Each type does that in a different way.
Vented dryer
Think of a hairdryer pointed out the window.
It heats air, blows it through your clothes, then pushes the warm, wet air out through a hose.
- Cheapest to buy
- Simple and quick
- Must vent outside, or the room gets damp
- Uses lots of power
Best for: a laundry with a window or outside vent, used now and then.
Condenser dryer
Think of breath on a cold window. The steam turns back into water.
It cools the wet air so the water drips out. The water goes into a tank you empty, or down a drain hose.
- No vent needed
- Can live in a cupboard
- Costs more than vented
- Uses about the same power as vented
Best for: a laundry with no window or vent.
Heat pump dryer
Think of a fridge working backwards.
It keeps reusing the same warm air instead of throwing it away. That saves a lot of power.
- Cheapest to run, often around half the power
- Gentler on clothes
- No vent needed
- Costs the most to buy
- Loads can take a bit longer
Best for: busy laundries that run every day.
Help me choose
Answer two quick questions.
Jargon buster
| kg | How much dry washing it fits. Pick the same size as your washing machine, or bigger. |
|---|---|
| Energy stars | More stars means it uses less power. |
| Sensor drying | It stops when the clothes are dry, so it doesn't waste power. |
| Lint filter | A screen that catches fluff. Clean it every load. A blocked filter wastes power and can be a fire risk. |
| Stacking kit | A frame so the dryer can sit on top of the washing machine. It has to suit both models. |
Which one suits you?
Check before you buy
- Measure the space: width, height and depth. Leave room for the door to open.
- Is there a window or an outside vent?
- Is there a power point close by? Don't run a dryer on an extension lead.
- Will it sit on the floor, on the wall, or on top of the washer?
- How many kg is your washing machine?
Mistakes to avoid
- Venting a dryer into a closed room. Hello, mould.
- Buying the cheapest dryer for a laundry that runs all day. The power bill makes it the most expensive one.
- Forgetting to clean the lint filter.
- Getting a dryer that's smaller than your washing machine.
Questions people ask
Which type of dryer is cheapest to run?
A heat pump dryer. It reuses warm air instead of throwing it away, so it often uses around half the power of a vented dryer.
Does a condenser dryer need a vent?
No. It turns the steam back into water and collects it in a tank or sends it down a drain hose.
Can I put a dryer on top of my washing machine?
Usually, yes, with a stacking kit that suits both machines. Tell us both models and we will check for you.
Why is my laundry damp or mouldy?
Often it is a vented dryer with nowhere for the wet air to go. Open a window, add a vent, or switch to a condenser or heat pump dryer.
Know what you need? Or still not sure?
Either way, send us what you've got. We'll come back with options that fit, and explain them in plain English.
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