Are Bosch tumble dryers good?
Bosch tumble dryers have an average overall score of 6.6 and rank at position #12 among all tumble dryer brands. Their average user rating is 8.5, and they hold position #5 among the top brands by user rating.
A total of 14 brands were considered (brands with fewer than 6 products in the database were excluded).
The chart below ranks dryer brands based on their overall scores.
[horizontal-chart-33837636474424437]
The best Bosch tumble dryers (with the highest overall score) are as follows.
- Bosch WQG24509GB Serie 6 (Overall score: 6.73 points; capacity: 9 kg)
- Bosch WTH85223GB Serie 4 (Overall score: 6.49 points; capacity: 8 kg)
- Bosch WTX87EH9IT Home Professional (Overall score: 8.51 points; capacity: 9 kg)
Note: Products currently available are listed first.
What are the main advantages of Bosch tumble dryers?
Bosch tumble dryers have the following advantages over other brands:
- Heat pump technology: Most Bosch tumble dryers use heat pump technology, which provides more benefits compared to condenser or vented dryers.
- Higher energy efficiency: 32% of Bosch tumble dryers belong to energy class A+++ and 43% to class A++, making them more efficient than many other brands.
- Lower energy consumption at full load: Bosch heat pump tumble dryers use 1.87 kWh per cycle at full load on average, slightly lower than the market average of 1.93 kWh per cycle.
- Annual energy consumption: Bosch tumble dryers consume an average of 236 kWh per year (mix of full and partial loads), similar to the market average.
- Inverter motor in advanced models: More advanced Bosch tumble dryers include an inverter motor, which improves efficiency and durability.
- Lower noise levels: Bosch tumble dryers operate at 64 dB on average, slightly quieter than the market average of 65 dB.
- More drying functions: Many Bosch tumble dryers include Reduced Ironing, Delicate, Half load, and silent functions, which help adjust drying cycles based on your needs.
- Standard smart features: Almost all Bosch tumble dryers include a Humidity sensor (AutoDry), Delay start option (up to 24 hours), and selectable drying level.
- Improved drum design: Bosch tumble dryers have an antivibration design and a Sensitive drum in almost all models, while many also include the EasyClean filter for easier maintenance.
- Advanced features in high-end models: More advanced Bosch tumble dryers can include a self-cleaning condenser, bidirectional movement, Iron Assist, and Wi-Fi connectivity with features like Easy Start (Guided dry), memory function, ECO indicator, Consumption statistics, smart diagnosis, and SmartDry.
What are the main disadvantages of Bosch tumble dryers?
Bosch tumble dryers have the following disadvantages compared to other brands:
- No slim models: Bosch does not produce slim tumble dryers, while other brands offer them.
- Higher average price: Bosch tumble dryers cost £110 more than the market average (£590 vs £480).
- Smaller drum volume: Bosch tumble dryers have an average drum volume of 112 litres, lower than the market average of 118 litres.
- Missing drying programs: Bosch tumble dryers do not include Baby-Care or Jeans cycles, which are available in other brands.
- Limited Wi-Fi connectivity: Only a few Bosch tumble dryers have Wi-Fi connectivity, while more brands include this feature.
- Lack of advanced features: Bosch tumble dryers do not have a laundry detection system, ECO function, or Scan & Dry, which some competitors offer.
- Few models with a reversible door: Only a few Bosch tumble dryers have a reversible door, while other brands include this feature more often.
Who makes Bosch tumble dryers?
Bosch tumble dryers are manufactured by BSH Hausgeräte GmbH, Europe's largest home appliance producer and a leading global company in the sector. Established in 1967 as a joint venture between Robert Bosch GmbH and Siemens AG, BSH became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Robert Bosch GmbH in 2015. Headquartered in Munich, Germany, BSH operates approximately 40 factories worldwide, including locations in Europe, the United States, Latin America, and Asia.
BSH's product portfolio encompasses a wide range of home appliances under various brand names, with Bosch being one of its global flagship brands. The company employs around 60,000 people and reported annual sales of £12.6 billion in 2023. In addition to Bosch, BSH's brand portfolio includes Siemens, Gaggenau, Neff, and Thermador, among others.
What are the different series of Bosch tumble dryers?
Bosch tumble dryers are available in the following series:
Serie 4 is the entry-level range. It includes AutoDry technology, which uses sensors to control temperature and humidity to prevent overdrying. The Sensitive drying system circulates soft, warm air throughout the drum. The Hygiene Plus program removes allergens like pollen, pet hair, and dust mites.
Models include Post Drying Drum movement, anti-vibration sidewalls, and either a Sensitive or VarioSoft drum. Some models include heat pump technology, Inverter motor, EasyClean filter, interior light, and a wool basket for drying wool textiles and sports shoes.
Drying capacity ranges from 7 to 8 kg. Energy efficiency varies from A+++ to B. Most models have 11 programs. Prices range from £380 to £850.
Serie 6 includes all Serie 4 features. Most models include heat pump technology and Inverter motor. Some models add Iron Assist cycle, which uses warm steam to reduce creases by up to 50%, and a Half load program that shortens drying time for small loads.
Additional features include a Bed Linen program with bidirectional drum movement and a self-cleaning condenser, which cleans itself up to four times during each cycle.
Drying capacity ranges from 8 to 9 kg. Energy efficiency ranges from A+++ to B. Most models have 11 or 14 programs. Prices range from £470 to £1,020.
Serie 8 includes all Serie 6 features. All models have heat pump technology, a self-cleaning condenser, and an interior light. Most models include an Inverter motor.
Some models have Wi-Fi through the Home Connect app, which adds SmartDry, energy tracking, smart diagnosis, and Consumption statistics. Some models include a touch control display.
Drying capacity ranges from 8 to 9 kg. Energy efficiency ranges from A+++ to A++. Most models have 14 or 19 programs. Prices range from £550 to £1,400.
What is the warranty period for Bosch tumble dryers?
All Bosch tumble dryers come with a 24-month legal warranty starting from the delivery date, covering defects of conformity.
Bosch provides an additional one-year assistance on top of the two-year warranty if you register the product, except for Serie 2 models. You can also extend the standard warranty with Bosch Secure, which adds three more years to the 24-month warranty.
How much do Bosch tumble dryers cost?
Bosch tumble dryers cost between £380 and £1,400, with an average price of £590, which is higher than the market average of £480. They rank at position #9 in price classification out of 14 brands (ordered from most expensive to cheapest).
Serie 4 models are the cheapest, costing between £380 and £850. Serie 6 models are more expensive and can reach £1,020. Serie 8 models are the most expensive, with prices up to £1,400. Bosch heat pump dryers cost about £120 more than Bosch condenser dryers (£600 vs. £480). Bosch tumble dryers rank at position #13 in the quality-price ratio classification out of 14 brands, with an average of 6.5 quality-price points.
Bosch dryer prices are distributed as shown in the following chart.
[vertical-chart-11635911894115013]
What should you consider while choosing the best Bosch tumble dryer?
When choosing the best Bosch tumble dryer, consider drying technology (heat pump or condenser), capacity and drum volume, dimensions, energy consumption, motor type, and available programs and features. Heat pump models use less energy, while condenser dryers dry faster but consume more electricity. A larger drum volume improves airflow and prevents wrinkles. Check dimensions to fit your space. Energy-efficient models reduce electricity costs. Inverter motors last longer and run quietly. Specialized programs, such as Quick dry or Wool care, improve convenience and fabric care.
What is the most common type of Bosch tumble dryers?
The most common type of Bosch tumble dryers use heat pump technology (85%), while only some models (15%) are condenser dryers. Condenser tumble dryers are available in Serie 4 and 6, but Serie 8 models exclusively use the heat pump system. Heat pump dryers consume less energy and work efficiently at lower temperatures, which protects fabrics. Condenser dryers remove moisture through a built-in reservoir, so they do not require an external vent. If you prefer lower energy consumption, choose a heat pump model, but if you need faster drying, a condenser dryer may be a better option.
Bosch heat pump tumble dryers have the following advantages compared to Bosch condenser dryers:
- Higher energy efficiency: Over 80% of Bosch heat pump tumble dryers are rated A+++ or A++, while most Bosch condenser dryers are class B.
- Lower energy consumption: Bosch heat pump tumble dryers use 1.87 kWh per full load cycle and 1.14 kWh per partial load cycle on average, while Bosch condenser dryers consume 4.67 kWh per full load cycle and 2.56 kWh per partial load cycle.
- More common inverter motors: Bosch heat pump tumble dryers include inverter motors more frequently than Bosch condenser dryers, which improves durability and efficiency.
- Quieter operation: Bosch heat pump tumble dryers operate at an average noise level of 64 dB, while Bosch condenser dryers reach 65 dB.
- More drying programs: Bosch heat pump tumble dryers have 14 programs on average, compared to 11 programs in Bosch condenser dryers.
- More available cycles: Programs such as Shirt, Duvets, Hygiene, and AirRefresh are more commonly included in Bosch heat pump tumble dryers.
- More advanced features: Bosch heat pump tumble dryers include 9 advanced features on average, while Bosch condenser dryers have 7.
- More additional functions: Bosch heat pump tumble dryers more often include self-cleaning, bidirectional movement, WiFi, memory function, smart diagnosis, transparent door, silent function, and mini load option.
- Gentler on clothes: Bosch heat pump tumble dryers operate at lower drying temperatures, which is better for delicate fabrics.
Bosch condenser tumble dryers have the following advantages compared to Bosch heat pump dryers:
- Lower price: Bosch condenser tumble dryers cost on average £110 less than Bosch heat pump tumble dryers (£490 vs £600).
- Faster eco cycle: Bosch condenser tumble dryers complete the Eco cycle about 60 minutes faster than Bosch heat pump tumble dryers (145 min vs 205 min).
- Lighter weight: Bosch condenser tumble dryers weigh on average 12 kg less than Bosch heat pump tumble dryers (40 kg vs 52 kg).
- More frequent allergy cycle: Bosch condenser tumble dryers include the Allergy cycle more often than Bosch heat pump tumble dryers.
- Simpler mechanism: Bosch condenser tumble dryers have a less complex system, which can result in fewer potential repair issues.
The following chart provides an overview of drying technology types in Bosch dryers.
[pie-chart-15659415143416111]
What capacities are available for Bosch tumble dryers?
Bosch tumble dryers are available in capacities ranging from 7 to 9 kg. The most common capacity is 8 kg (64%), followed by 9 kg (25%) and 7 kg (11%).
Drum volume in Bosch tumble dryers is 112 litres, slightly below the market average of 118 litres. Depth ranges from 60 to 61 cm, so Bosch does not produce slim tumble dryers. If you need a slim model, you should consider other brands.
Bosch tumble dryers weigh between 39 and 57 kg and are on average 5 kg heavier than the market average (50 kg vs 45 kg).
The capacity range of Bosch dryers is displayed in the chart below.
[pie-chart-10848610660213141]
How energy-efficient are Bosch tumble dryers?
Bosch tumble dryers are energy-efficient, with energy classes ranging from A+++ to B. The most common rating is A++ (43%), followed by A+++ (32%), A+ (9%), and B (15%). Bosch does not have any models in class C.
Serie 4 and Serie 6 Bosch tumble dryers range from A+++ to B, while Serie 8 models are only available in A+++ and A++. Bosch tumble dryers have similar energy class distribution to the overall market, where 31% of all tumble dryers belong to class A+++, 36% to A++, 5% to A+, 18% to B, and 9% to C.
Bosch heat pump tumble dryers consume between 1.4 and 2.2 kWh per full load cycle, averaging 1.87 kWh per cycle (lower than the market average of 1.93 kWh). In half load cycles, they use between 0.8 and 1.3 kWh per cycle, averaging 1.14 kWh (similar to the market average of 1.1 kWh). Annual energy consumption for Bosch heat pump tumble dryers ranges from 170 to 270 kWh, with an average of 236 kWh, close to the market average of 235 kWh.
Bosch condenser tumble dryers consume more energy, as seen in all brands, with an average of 4.67 kWh per full load cycle and 2.56 kWh per partial load cycle.
Water recovery efficiency in Bosch tumble dryers falls into A or B class, with B being the most common. 19% of Bosch tumble dryers belong to class A, while 81% are in class B. No Bosch tumble dryers are class C. Compared to the market, Bosch has a slightly lower water recovery efficiency, as the market average consists of 23% in class A, 67% in class B, and 9% in class C.
Energy efficiency classes for Bosch dryers are represented in the following chart.
[pie-chart-18847818498618176]
How loud are Bosch tumble dryers?
Bosch tumble dryers have a noise level ranging from 61 to 65 dB, with an average of 64 dB, slightly lower than the market average of 65 dB.
Bosch tumble dryers rank at position #6 in noise level classification (from lowest to highest) among 14 brands.
How many drying programs do Bosch tumble dryers offer?
Bosch tumble dryers usually have 11-19 drying programs, with most models having 11 programs, which is fewer than the average of 14 programs found in most other brands.
The most common Bosch drying programs are as follows:
- Cotton
- Cotton Eco
- Synthetics
- Sports/Fitness
- Towels
- Mix
- Wool (with basket)
- Shirts
- Quick 40 min
- Duvets
- Delicates
The Eco cycle in Bosch tumble dryers takes between 120 and 240 minutes, with an average of 190 minutes, which matches the market average.
More advanced models (Series 6 and 8) include additional cycles such as AllergyPlus or Hygiene Plus. Some Series 8 models also have the Smart Dry cycle, which uses sensors to analyze the load and select the ideal drying program automatically.
Bosch dryers do not include cycles like Baby-Care or Jeans, which are common in other brands.
Which drying functions do Bosch tumble dryers have?
Bosch tumble dryers have the following drying functions.
- Reduced Ironing function (all models): The drum moves laundry at regular intervals after drying to prevent creasing.
- Delicate function (most models): Reduces temperature for delicate fabrics such as polyacrylic or elastane.
- Half load function (38%): Dries individual items or small loads.
- Silent function (55%): Operates at a lower noise level.
No Bosch dryer includes a fast function.
What features do Bosch tumble dryers include?
Bosch tumble dryers include 5 to 10 advanced features, with an average of 8, similar to the market average.
All or almost all Bosch tumble dryers have the following features:
- Humidity sensor – AutoDry: Sensors constantly measure temperature and moisture to protect laundry from high heat and over-drying, so clothes dry perfectly every time.
- Delay start option – up to 24 hours
- Selectable drying level
More advanced models (Serie 6 and 8) can also include the following features:
- SelfCleaning condenser (25% of models): Self-cleaning technology cleans the condenser up to 4 times during drying.
- Iron Assist (17% of models): Emits natural steam to remove creases from dry laundry, so some items may not need ironing.
The Serie 8 also includes WiFi connectivity (11% of Bosch tumble dryers) controlled through the Home Connect app. It adds the following features:
- Easy Start (Guided dry)
- Memory function
- ECO indicator
- Consumption statistics
- Smart diagnosis
- SmartDry: The dryer connects to the washing machine via WiFi, receives information about the last wash cycle, and suggests the most suitable drying program.
- 14 downloadable programs in the app
Bosch tumble dryers lack features like a laundry detection system, ECO function, and Scan & Dry. Very few models have a reversible door, which is more common in other brands.
Only 19% of Bosch tumble dryers perform bidirectional movement, which helps prevent clothes from tangling and bunching during drying. However, all models have a post-drying movement feature, which prevents creases if clothes are not removed immediately after the cycle.
Bosch tumble dryers include antivibration design and a special drum design (Sensitive drum: The drum’s drop shape dries while keeping clothes soft) in almost all models. Many models also have the EasyClean filter, which is easy to remove and clean, so maintaining the dryer is simple and quick.
About 30% of Bosch tumble dryers have an inverter motor.
