Tumble dryers come in two main types: vented and condenser. These two types differ in the way the dryer deals with the hot, damp air produced in the drying process.
Vented tumble dryers expel this air through a vent in a window or wall. In a condenser dryer the hot air is condensed into water which is stored in a container which you need to empty regularly. Heat pump tumble dryers are a particularly efficient kind of condenser dryer that reuse hot air.
Both condenser and vented tumble dryers have their own advantages and disadvantages.
The main disadvantage of using a vented tumble dryer is that you need a vent. If this isn’t a problem, vented dryers offer several advantages, including the following:
- Vented dryers are usually cheaper
- You don’t need to empty a water container
- Vented dryers usually dry clothes quicker than condenser dryers
If you’re looking for a vented tumble dryer that offers great performance at a reasonable price, here are some of the best models currently available in the UK.
Best Vented Tumble Dryers in the UK
1. Indesit I1 D80W UK 8 kg Vented Tumble Dryer
Load capacity: 8 kg
Energy rating: C
Dimensions: 85 cm high x 59.5 cm wide x 67 cm deep
This vented tumble dryer from Indesit is a simple appliance with no frills. This tumble dryer offers good drying power, and a choice of 16 drying programmes.
It can dry a full load of laundry in 129 minutes, and the reverse action drum helps to reduce wrinkles.
This dryer is affordable and easy to use, and dries clothes relatively quickly.
However, the fluff filter feels flimsy, and it can be quite loud (the noise level is 69 decibels).
The Indesit I1 D80W is an affordable and easy to use option that offers good drying times and performance without any frills.
2. electriQ Freestanding 7 kg Vented Tumble Dryer
Load capacity: 7 kg
Energy rating: C
Dimensions: 84 cm high x 59.5 cm wide x 55.5 cm deep
This electriQ freestanding vented tumble dryer is an affordable choice and a range of drying options that make tackling laundry easier.
The tumble dryer has features such as a mixed fabrics programme, anti-crease mode and even a dedicated cycle that protects synthetic fabrics.
You can select from a choice of three drying levels: Extra dry, Cupboard dry, and Iron dry.
Other features include an anti-crease mode and a child lock. The mixed fabrics option helps you save time on pre-sorting laundry.
This dryer has a smart black finish and offers good value for money.
However, the door opening could be a bit bigger, and it can seem loud.
Overall, this electriQ tumble dryer is an affordable choice with a sleek, modern design that will look right at home in any room.
This tumble dryer can reduce your ironing, and make tackling large amounts of washing easier.
3. Hotpoint H1 D80W UK 8 kg Vented Tumble Dryer
Load capacity: 8 kg
Energy rating: C
Dimensions: 85 cm high x 59.5 cm wide x 67 cm deep
This 8 kg vented dryer from Hotpoint is a straightforward appliance that will appeal to people looking for something simple and easy to use.
It has a simple “Drying Time” selection knob that lets you choose how long the dryer will stay on for. This is unlike some more complicated dryers that do everything using sensors rather than allowing you to control the drying time.
It offers 16 programmes including a Refresh programme that will air your clothes for about 10 minutes, helping remove odours and reduce the number of times you need to wash them.
Most people find that it dries clothes quickly and is relatively quiet (the noise level is 65 decibels).
Unlike many tumble dryers, it doesn’t make a sound when the cycle is complete, though people looking for a simple dryer that is literally “no bells and whistles” will like this!
If you want a straightforward, no-nonsense vented dryer, this is a great choice.
4. Candy CSEV9LG 9 kg Vented Tumble Dryer
Load capacity: 9 kg
Energy rating: C
Dimensions: 85 cm high x 60 cm wide x 60 cm deep
This tumble dryer from Candy has a large 9 kg capacity, so it offers plenty of drying space for families and people who do a lot of laundry.
It has a choice of 15 drying programmes including Super Easy Iron, Wool Finish, Rapid 45, Jeans and Synthetics. The Wool cycle has been approved by The Woolmark Company, so it should be safe for your woollen clothes.
Other features include a delay start function that lets you program the machine to start in 3, 6 or 9 hours. There’s also an alarm to let you know when the cycle is complete.
A common complaint is that this dryer is quite complicated, and there’s no option to simply set it to dry clothes for a certain period of time.
Some users also find that it dries clothes slowly, and clothes can end up tangled as the drum only turns in one direction.
5. Logik LVD7W18 7 kg Vented Dryer
Load capacity: 7 kg
Energy rating: C
Dimensions: 84 cm high x 59.5 cm wide x 55 cm deep
This affordable tumble dryer from Currys’ own brand Logik has a good selection of features including a 1-hour quick dry programme for when you’re in a hurry.
It also features a delay timer that lets you program the dryer to start in 3, 6 or 9 hours time.
This dryer is fairly quiet and offers good value for money.
However, you can’t set a custom drying time. Instead, you have to choose a programme. It also doesn’t show you how much time the cycle has left.
Overall, the Logik LVD7W18 is a good vented tumble dryer if you’re on a budget. Its programmes aren’t as customisable as those on some other products, but it dries clothes quickly and is quite cheap for a 7 kg dryer.
6. Montpellier MTD30P 3 kg Vented Tumble Dryer
Load capacity: 3 kg
Energy rating: C
Dimensions: 65.5 x 52 x 43.5 cm
If you’re limited on space but need to be able to dry laundry, this tiny 3 kg vented tumble dryer from Montpellier could be just what you’re looking for.
Despite the small size, the door still opens wide enough to make loading easy, and it can hold a surprising amount of clothes.
This dryer can dry a full load in 115 minutes, and has a noise level of 65 dB, which isn’t too loud.
The smal size makes it perfect for use on the countertop or a wall mounting, while the wide-opening door makes it easy to load.
If you are really limited on space, this Montpellier 3 kg tumble dryer can be a lifesaver.
Despite its small size, this tumble dryer is still easy to load and offers good drying performance too.
Vented Tumble Dryer FAQs
Are there any A rated vented tumble dryers?
Unfortunately, it is incredibly unlikely that you will be able to find a vented tumble dryer with an “A” efficiency rating.
The vast majority of vented tumble dryers have a C or D rating. If you have your heart set on a tumble dryer with an “A” rating, you’ll be better off looking for a heat pump tumble dryer.
Are vented tumble dryers being phased out?
Vented tumble dryers are the classic tumble dryer type. Condenser and heat pump dryers are replacing vented tumble dryers in popularity, as they can be more energy efficient and do not need to be placed near a window or vent.
Which is better: Vented or condenser tumble dryers?
There are pros and cons to both vented and condenser tumble dryers, and which is best for you will depend on your budget and circumstances.
The biggest benefit of a vented tumble dryer is that they tend to be cheaper to buy, and there is no water reservoir that needs emptying as the hot air is simply vented outside.
This does mean that vented tumble dryers offer the fastest drying option, but they must be placed next to a window or vent, which can restrict where they can be used.
Condenser tumble dryers, however, can be placed anywhere in a property as the moisture is collected in a condenser box.
This box does then need emptying regularly, and this type of tumble dryer can cost more too.
Which is more efficient: Vented or condenser dryers?
On average, typical vented tumble dryers use around 20% less energy than a condenser dryer would use for a full load.
However, more manufacturers are bringing out new condenser tumble dryers that are considerably more efficient than some vented tumble dryers are, which means you can find condenser tumble dryers with a “B” energy rating.
Vented Dryer Glossary
Here are some common technical terms you’ll encounter when researching vented tumble dryers.
Load capacity
The load capacity, given in kilograms (kg), refers to the dry weight of laundry you can put in the dryer.
The most common load capacity for a tumble dryer in the UK is 7 kg.
If you have a 7 or 8 kg washing machine, a 7 kg dryer is a good choice.
Energy rating
The energy rating refers to how energy efficient the dryer is. Most vented tumble dryers have a rating of B or C.
The highest possible energy rating is A+++, but no tumble dryers on the market come close to this.
Reverse action
Reverse action means that the drum spins in both directions. This helps to dry laundry more evenly and with less creasing.
Sensor drying
Sensor drying means that the dryer uses sensors to detect when the laundry is dry and then stop the cycle to save energy.
Conclusion
If we had to choose just one vented dryer to recommend for most homes, it would be the Indesit I1 D80W UK. It’s affordable and easy to use, and dries clothes relatively quickly. The 8 kg drum capacity is begin enough for families and people who do a lot of laundry.
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