Dehumidifier vs tumble dryer for winter laundry

How each approach works

A dehumidifier and airer dry clothes by evaporation. The dehumidifier keeps the room air dry and blows it across the washing, then collects the water in its tank. Many models have a laundry mode that runs the fan harder for a set time; Meaco says the Arete Two runs for six hours in laundry mode and then switches off.

A tumble dryer heats and tumbles the clothes. Vented dryers blow moist air outside through a hose, condenser dryers collect the water in a container, and heat pump dryers recycle heat to use much less electricity per cycle than the other two types.

Energy per load

For a dehumidifier, multiply the listed watts by the hours it runs and divide by 1,000. The Bosch Dry 1000 is listed at 175 W and the Meaco Arete Two 20L at 350 W. A 350 W unit running for six hours uses 2.1 kWh, though it does more than dry the washing in that time: it lowers humidity in the whole room.

For a tumble dryer, the energy label gives kWh for a standard full load, and heat pump models are rated well below condenser and vented ones. Compare like with like by putting both figures into the running-cost calculator with your own unit rate.

Drying time and practical setup

A dryer finishes a full drum in a few hours. A dehumidifier and airer usually take several hours or overnight, depending on the load, the room size and the spin speed. To speed things up, use the highest spin your fabrics allow, space the clothes so air can pass between them, close the door and point the dehumidifier's outlet at the washing.

Our guide on how to dry clothes indoors quickly sets this out step by step.

Condensation and the rest of the house

A tumble dryer only deals with the washing. If your home already gets streaming windows or damp patches, a dryer does nothing about that. A dehumidifier dries the washing on laundry days and protects the rest of the house the rest of the time, which is why many people find it the more useful appliance.

If condensation is the main worry, see how to stop condensation on windows and our pick of dehumidifiers that suit it.

Best dehumidifiers for drying clothes →

Who should choose which

There is no single right answer, but the deciding questions are how many loads you dry, whether your home has condensation, and whether you have a permanent space for a dryer. Remember a dehumidifier also needs emptying, unless it has a drain hose you can run to a sink or drain.

• Small household, a few loads a week, some condensation: dehumidifier and airer
• Large family, daily towels and bedding: heat pump tumble dryer
• Flat with no space for a dryer: dehumidifier, which can move from room to room
• Lots of delicates and wool: dehumidifier and airer
• Both damp problems and big loads: own both, use the dryer for towels

Note:Clean the lint filter in a tumble dryer after each load, and never leave a dryer running while you are out or asleep unless the maker says it is safe to do so.

Frequently asked questions

Is a dehumidifier cheaper than a tumble dryer? It can be per load, especially compared with a condenser or vented dryer, but it takes longer. Compare the dehumidifier's watts times hours with the dryer's kWh per cycle from the energy label.

Can a dehumidifier replace a tumble dryer? For many smaller households, yes, as long as you can wait several hours for a load to dry. It is slower for towels and bedding.

Which dehumidifier size is best for drying clothes? A 10 to 20 litre a day unit with a laundry mode suits most homes. Our guide to what size dehumidifier you need explains the ratings.