Vented vs condenser tumble dryer

How each type gets rid of water

A vented dryer heats air, tumbles the clothes through it and blows the hot, moist air out through a flexible hose about 10 cm wide. That hose should run to a permanent wall vent or out through a window. Nothing is collected inside the machine apart from lint.

A condenser dryer heats air the same way but passes the moist air over a heat exchanger, where it cools and the water condenses. The water collects in a tank you empty after each load, or runs through a hose to a sink waste or drain. There is no need for an outside vent.

Installation and where each can go

A vented dryer needs to be near an outside wall or window. Keep the hose as short and straight as the manual allows, because long runs and kinks slow drying and trap lint. A permanent wall vent with a flap keeps draughts and insects out when the dryer is off.

A condenser dryer can go in an internal cupboard, under a worktop or on top of a washing machine with the correct stacking kit. It does need air to circulate, so check the clearance and ventilation guidance in the manual before closing it into a cupboard. Some models can be plumbed to a drain so you never empty the tank.

Damp and condensation risk

A vented dryer used with its hose hanging into the room is one of the quickest ways to cause condensation on windows and cold walls. A full load of washing carries several litres of water, and all of it ends up in your home's air. If you cannot get the hose outside, a vented dryer is the wrong choice.

A condenser dryer keeps most of that water in the tank, but it warms the room and lets a little moisture escape. Ventilate the room while it runs. Our guides on how to stop condensation on windows and dew point explain why warm, moist air causes problems on cold surfaces.

Note:Never vent a tumble dryer into a loft, wall cavity or under floor. The moisture can cause damp and lint is a fire risk. Clean lint filters after every load.

Energy use

Vented and standard condenser dryers both heat air with an element, so their energy use per load is broadly similar for the same size. Both sit well below a heat pump dryer on efficiency. The kWh figure on the energy label is the best way to compare the exact models you are looking at, and our tumble dryer running costs explainer shows how to turn that into pence.

Sensor drying matters more than the type. A dryer that stops when the clothes are dry avoids wasting electricity on a timed cycle that runs on too long.

Which to choose

Pick a vented dryer if it will sit beside an outside wall, you can fit a permanent vent, and you want the lowest purchase price and the simplest machine. Pick a condenser dryer if the dryer has to go in an internal room, cupboard or flat without an easy outside wall. If neither suits, or you only dry laundry occasionally, a dehumidifier in a closed room is another option.

• Utility room with outside wall: vented
• Internal kitchen or cupboard: condenser
• Rented flat, no drilling: condenser
• Occasional winter loads only: consider a dehumidifier

Compare dehumidifiers for laundry →

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a vented tumble dryer without a vent? It will run, but the hot wet air goes into the room and can cause heavy condensation. Use a window kit at minimum, or choose a condenser dryer.

Is a condenser dryer worse for damp? It is better than an unvented vented dryer because the water stays in the tank. It warms the room a little, so keep some ventilation.

Which dries faster? They are broadly similar for the same capacity. Heat pump dryers are the slower type.