What Are The Different Tumble Dryers Types Available?

There are three main tumble dryer types available, these being condenser tumble dryers, heat pump tumble dryers and vented tumble dryers.

The main differences between these appliances centre on the way each model extracts hot air. While condenser tumble dryers convert hot air into water, ready to be removed by the user, vented tumble dryers expel hot air through an external vent. Conversely, heat pump tumble dryers conserve and reuse hot air, keeping energy consumption to a minimum.

Keep reading for more distinguishing features of these different types of tumble dryers:

Condenser tumble dryers

If you need a tumble dryer that dries your laundry slightly quicker, consider our range of condenser tumble dryers.

Similarly to heat pump tumble dryers, condenser dryers do not need an externally vented hose, meaning you will be able to install your appliance anywhere in your home. However, a condenser dryer does need a constant supply of cool air to function. When installing your tumble dryer, make sure you place the dryer in a well-ventilated room, where warm air can easily escape.

A condenser tumble dryer uses high temperatures to dry your clothes, reaching a maximum temperature of 70-75°C. In comparison, the maximum temperature reached in a heat pump tumble dryer is 50°C. Although the drying times for cycles in condenser tumble dryers are shorter than cycles in heat pump dryers, the high temperature combined with the expulsion of hot air means the appliance uses significantly more energy.

Heat pump tumble dryers

Using a closed-loop heat exchange system, heat pump tumble dryers dry clothes at a lower temperature, keeping energy usage low and providing better protection for your laundry.

Although drying times are slightly longer when compared to condenser tumble dryers, heat pump tumble dryers offer great energy savings, keeping your utility bills to a minimum. A heat pump tumble dryer uses hot air to absorb moisture from your clothes. After this air passes through the drum, it goes through the evaporator, which removes the moisture. This is then collected as condensation and stored in a tank. The remaining air is reheated and used to continue drying your clothes. While both condenser dryers and vented tumble dryers release the hot air used to dry clothes, heat pump technology conserves and reuses it.

A selection of our heat pump tumble dryers also feature our RapiDry™ technology, which shortens the length of the drying cycle while maintaining the overall energy efficiency. Using a small additional heater, along with the heat pump appliance’s closed-loop heat exchange system, our RapiDry™ technology greatly reduces your dryer’s cycle duration; without compromising the appliances energy rating. So, you can achieve perfectly dry clothes in less time.

Vented tumble dryers

If you are after great drying results on a budget, consider our range of vented tumble dryers.

Unlike condenser dryers, which convert hot air into water, vented tumble dryers expel hot air through an external vent. This keeps your utility bills to a minimum, as the appliance does not covert hot air into water; it simply expels the air from your home. Although vented tumble dryers are energy-efficient, heat pump tumble dryers are the most energy-efficient dryers on the market.

When purchasing a vented tumble dryer, you must make sure that there is a suitable location in your house for the appliance. The dryer needs to be installed near an external vent that has been fitted into an external wall, allowing the damp air to escape outside. Thanks to the external vent, there is no need to worry about emptying water from the machine.

Heat pump tumble dryers vs condenser tumble dryers

Both a heat pump tumble dryer and a condenser dryer are both designed to dry clothing efficiently. However, the main difference between the two is how they generate heat to do the job.

A condenser tumble dryer, which is what a large portion of customers are used to, uses a heater element to generate heat, which dries clothing. When compared to a heat pump dryer, a condenser dryer can be costly and is less energy efficient.

Using a closed-loop heat exchange system, heat pump tumble dryers will dry clothes at a lower temperature, keeping energy usage low and providing better protection for your laundry. 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. Although it takes slightly longer to dry a load, compared to a standard condenser dryer, it can help to significantly reduce your energy consumption.

Looking for more advice before adding a tumble dryer to your selection of laundry appliances in your home? Check out our in-depth tumble dryer buying guide to find all the information you need on capacity, sizes, energy ratings and more. Alternatively, browse our range of tumble dryers here if you know which type is perfect for your requirements.

If you’ve already selected a tumble dryer, have you considered which washing machine would best suit your everyday washing needs too? Explore our range of washing machines.