Are heat pump dryers good?
Heat pump dryers are energy efficient, consume less electricity than traditional vented or condenser dryers, and operate at lower temperatures, which helps protect fabrics. They recycle warm air instead of releasing it, reducing energy use. Many models include features like humidity sensors, smart diagnosis, and anti-crease functions. Although they take longer to dry clothes, they save energy and lower electricity costs over time.
The best heat pump tumble dryers (with the highest overall score) are as follows.
- Samsung DV90T6240LH Series 6 Overall score: 9.08 pointscapacity: 9 kg
- Samsung DV90T5240AN Series 5+ Overall score: 9.08 pointscapacity: 9 kg
- Samsung DV90T5240AW/S1 DV5000T Overall score: 9.08 pointscapacity: 9 kg
The following list includes the best heat pump tumble dryers with the highest user rating.
- LG RH80V9AVHN capacity: 8 kg
- Siemens WT47W5W0 iQ700 capacity: 8 kg
- Beko DRY833CI capacity: 8 kg
Note: Products currently available are listed first.
What are the main advantages of heat pump tumble dryers?
Heat pump tumble dryers have the following advantages compared to condenser and air-vented dryers:
- Better energy efficiency: 44% of heat pump tumble dryers have an A+++ energy rating, while none of the condenser or air-vented dryers reach this class. Heat pump tumble dryers recycle hot air to dry clothes at lower temperatures.
- Lower energy consumption: Heat pump tumble dryers use 1.85 kWh per full load cycle, while condenser dryers use 4.74 kWh and air-vented dryers use 4.45 kWh. Annual energy consumption is 227 kWh for heat pump tumble dryers, 561 kWh for condenser dryers, and 510 kWh for air-vented dryers.
- More inverter motors: 53% of heat pump tumble dryers include an inverter motor, compared to 4% of condenser dryers and less than 0% of air-vented dryers.
- More specialized drying cycles: Heat pump tumble dryers more often include cycles like Duvet and Hygiene compared to condenser and air-vented dryers.
- More advanced features: Heat pump tumble dryers more often include an ECO function, ECO indicator, Wi-Fi, smart pairing, interior light, special drum design, reversible door, antivibration design, and a special filter type.
- Gentler on clothes: Heat pump tumble dryers dry at lower temperatures, which protects delicate fabrics.
- Quieter operation: Heat pump tumble dryers operate at 65 dB on average, which is 2 dB quieter than condenser dryers (67 dB) and 1.5 dB quieter than air-vented dryers (66.5 dB).
What are the main disadvantages of heat pump tumble dryers?
Heat pump tumble dryers have the following disadvantages compared to condenser and air-vented dryers:
- Higher price: Heat pump tumble dryers cost an average of 630 €, which is 250 € more than condenser dryers (380 €) and 350 € more than air-vented dryers (280 €).
- Heavier weight: Heat pump tumble dryers weigh an average of 48 kg, which is 13 kg more than condenser dryers (35 kg) and 20 kg more than air-vented dryers (28 kg).
- Longer ECO cycle: The ECO cycle in heat pump tumble dryers takes an average of 205 minutes, which is 55 minutes longer than condenser dryers (150 min) and 65 minutes longer than air-vented dryers (140 min).































