/Tumble dryer buying advice
Condenser tumble dryer, or a vented tumble dryer?
The first decision you must make when buying a tumble dryer is whether to buy a vented or a condenser dryer. As you'd expect, there are pros and cons for both. This page helps you understand all of the differences, including the reliability and repair implications.
Tumble dryer buying advice
- What's the difference between a condenser tumble dryer and a vented tumble dryer?
- What are the pros and cons of a condenser tumble dryer and a vented tumble dryer?
- What are the maintenance and repair differences between a condenser tumble dryer and a vented tumble dryer?
- Which is best, a condenser or vented dryer?
What's the difference between a condenser tumble dryer and a vented tumble dryer?
Vented tumble dryers blow the hot damp air out through a venting pipe, ideally straight outside through an open window or through an outside wall using a venting kit. Condenser tumble dryers divert the damp air into a condensing chamber where it hits a metal condenser. The steam turns into water and is collected in a plastic tank, which you have to manually empty. It may be possible to plumb in some condenser dryers so that the water goes to a drain.
Go to top of pageWhat are the pros and cons of a condenser tumble dryer and a vented tumble dryer?
Vented tumble dryers are cheaper, more reliable and cheaper to run, but they will cause condensation in a room unless they are properly vented to an open window or through an outside wall. If using a window, it may be inconvenient to have to push the vent hose out and to keep the window open while in use - especially in winter when it's cold outside. It may even be impossible if the vent pipe won't physically reach. If vented properly through an outside wall it can be awkward to refit the dryer after getting it out to clean behind or for repair (depending on where it is fitted).
A condenser tumble dryer can be sited in more places because it doesn't have to be near a window or outside wall. You just load it and switch it on. If you buy a good quality condenser dryer there should be no steam escaping into the room. However, some cheap, or just poorly designed condenser dryers can leak damp air into the room and cause condensation or mould.
Condenser dryers also need the plastic reservoir emptying regularly and the condenser chamber needs removing and cleaning regularly too.
Related:
Which? reviews of 101 tumble dryers from brands like Hotpoint and White Knight including 25 Best Buy dryers. Running times, energy use and convenience all independently tested and rated by Which?
Reviews of 101 tumble dryers from brands like Hotpoint and White Knight - Plenty of free information but will need to be a subscriber to see everything (30 day trial available)
What are the maintenance and repair differences between a condenser tumble dryer and a vented tumble dryer?
Having repaired many tumble dryers, both vented and condenser, I have the following opinions regarding the repair side of things –
Vented tumble dryers
- The flexible venting hose can be awkward to deal with, they are sometimes either not long enough to reach a window, or they are too long to vent directly outside behind the dryer. If vented at the back of the dryer the vent hose needs cutting down otherwise it kinks and traps fluff and water. Having done that, the dryer can then (depending on siting) be awkward to get out and then refit.
- The vent hose is usually delicate and easily damaged so it can wear or tear easily causing leakage of fluff and damp air.
- If not straight, the vent hose can trap fluff, and even water causing loss of function and overheating.
- If the filter isn't cleaned very regularly, or it is damaged, fluff can accumulate inside the dryer and cause a fire risk
Condenser tumble dryers
- Some models of condenser dryers can still let damp air escape into a room and cause some condensation or mould. [ Which? best buys ]
- They are more complicated, and less reliable although overall, tumble dryers are reliable.
- Stripping some of them down to do repairs can be more awkward and expensive.
- If not looked after by regular cleaning of filters, condenser chamber and water reservoir they can quickly become inefficient
Which is best, a condenser or vented dryer?
Vented tumble dryers are cheaper than condenser dryers, they are also simpler, more reliable and cheaper to run. According to Which? “on average, vented tumble dryers use about a fifth less energy than condenser dryers to dry a full load of cottons.“
So why bother with a condenser tumble dryer? Condenser tumble dryers are a convenience product but they do offer a solution to a genuine problem for some. My advice would be that if your tumble dryer can be sited somewhere that allows you to vent it outside, either through a wall or through a window, then a vented dryer is probably best. If this would be particularly awkward, then buy a good quality condenser dryer, which should condense the steam into water.