Though a dryer may not be the most essential white good for your life at home, our picks of the best heat pump tumble dryers may change your mind. After all, tackling the laundry doesn’t just involve a washing machine. If you have a large household with lots of clothes and bedding to tackle, a tumble dryer will make your life easier. Your beloved clothes airer may be up for replacement. But fear not, a dryer can offer you time, convenience, and a sound laundry system.
Finding the right tumble dryer for your household doesn’t have to be a challenge – despite the market being so full of choices. If you’re strapped for cash, budget tumble dryer models are out there. Some can fall under £500, which can keep your laundry schedule spinning without breaking the bank. With lower-cost tumble dryers, you may run into a few issues. Mid-range to premium dryers will likely have larger drums, can run quietly and may keep energy bills down efficiently.
Best Heat Pump Tumble Dryer At A Glance
• Best Overall Heat Pump Tumble Dryer: LG FDC309W Dual Inverter in White – View Offer at LG
• Best Budget Heat Pump Tumble Dryer: Indesit Push&Go YTM1071R in White – View Offer at Appliances Direct
• Best Integrated Heat Pump Dryer: Beko Pro DTIKP71131W in White – View Offer at Currys
• Best Heat Pump Dryer For Energy Efficiency: SAMSUNG S5 OptimalDry DV80TA020AX/EU 8 in Graphite – View Offer at Currys
And, what are heat pump tumble dryers, you ask – and how do they work? Look no further. Thanks to the appliance experts at AO.com, we have some answers. Vented tumble dryers “remove moisture from your clothes and feed outside through a vent”, whereas the heat pump variety “recycle hot air crafted inside the drum to dry clothes, which makes them really efficient.” They may save you some energy – and with that, money on your bills, which is ideal.
Let’s not forget how your kitchen is laid out. Whether a renter or homeowner, your kitchen may be seamlessly tidy, with integrated appliances creating a clean look. Or, perhaps, you may need a freestanding tumble dryer to tackle your laundry, which is typically easier to install and cheaper, too. Even though tumble dryers are known to be the most expensive home appliance to run, they aren’t as costly as you think, with innovative technology for energy-efficient drying.
Best Heat Pump Tumble Dryer
Best Overall Heat Pump Dryer
www.lg.com
Experience cutting-edge drying technology with the LG FDC309W Dual Inverter in White. This innovative appliance delivers exceptional performance while conserving energy. With its advanced features, such as multiple drying programs and smart connectivity, this LG dryer ensures optimal drying results for all your laundry needs. Discover efficiency and convenience like never before.
Customer review: "Bought matching dryer as things have to match. Replacement for Samsung heat pump dryer which was rubbish. This dryer costs less to run than the Samsung heat pump is twice as fast yet cheaper to run and actually dries the clothes. Very quiet and love the auto-clean condenser and the design. A good solid machine. Both machines were easy to link to the internet unlike Samsung which never once connected."
Pros
- With plenty of special programs for all your clothes
- An excellent energy rating of A++ for low energy bills
- Connect to your smartphone for innovative programming
Cons
- May not suit your style
Best 9kg Heat Pump Dryer
www.currys.co.uk
The BEKO Pro B5T4923IG in Graphite features sensor drying programs that prevent over-drying, saving time and money. The automatic anti-creasing function separates clothes to prevent wrinkles. Additional benefits include IronFinish, heat pump technology, and an interior light for thorough unloading checks.
Customer Review: "Definitely cheaper to run than previous condenser dryer. Drying time starts high but corrects itself with the sensor dry and is as quick as the previous dryer."
Pros
- Sensor drying to save you time and energy
- Interior light helps you see if you've left anything
- Save energy with the eco-cycle and A++ rating
Cons
- May not suit larger households
Best 8kg Heat Pump Tumble Dryer
www.johnlewis.com
The AEG 8000 TR848A4B in White simplifies life with MixDry technology, eliminating the need for separate loads. Anti-Crease tech aids ironing, while sensors save time, energy and money. SensiDry and Heat Pump Venting enhance efficiency, and the digital display and low noise level add convenience to the experience. Save up to 50 per cent in energy costs with this superb premium tumble dryer.
Customer Review: "I have had lots of tumble dryers over the years and this one seemed eyewateringly expensive however it's a brilliant machine and I am so pleased with it. I would recommend it as it does all it claims to do with flying colours."
Pros
- Customised drying for delicates
- Hygiene cycle removes 99.9% bacteria
- ProSense+ adjusts time and energy
Cons
- Not many reviews
Best Budget Heat Pump Tumble Dryer
www.appliancesdirect.co.uk
Introducing the Indesit Push&Go YTM1071R in White. With a 7kg load capacity and 15 versatile programs, including Eco, Wool, and Xpress 45', it meets all your drying needs. The Push&Go technology simplifies operation, while sensor drying ensures fabric safety. Enjoy efficiency with the Inverter Motor and A+ energy rating.
Customer review: "I'm just getting to know the settings to use for what I need. I'm pleased with it so far."
Pros
- Inverter Motor makes it quieter and more efficient
- SensorDry prevents any damage to the fabrics
- Features 9-hour start delay and A+ energy rating
Cons
- Some customers say it's noisy
Best Smart Heat Pump Tumble Dryer
www.argos.co.uk
Although this tumble dryer from Haier is just over £500 it is a real winner all around. The Haier HD90 A2979 in White contains an impressive 14 drying programs, exceptional A++ energy efficiency rating and good drying performance all in one appliance. The innovative functions from Haier allow you to program your dryer to start a cycle at a time that suits you so you can plan your day accordingly.
Pros
- Contemporary design and smart features
- 14 programs and SensorDry for convenience
- Saves your bills with A++ energy rating
Cons
- May be loud for some
Best Value Integrated Heat Pump Dryer
Twice as efficient as a standard condenser dryer, this Candy BCTD H7A1TEB-80 in Black reuses hot air to dry your clothes efficiently. It boasts all the features of the newest tumble dryers, including wi-fi, sensor dry and delay start timer. In addition, it features an "Easy Case" in-door container that makes it very clear when you need to empty the water container. In terms of price, this is currently a fantastic deal from Amazon. Additionally, there is an option to have the appliance delivered and installed and your old machine taken away.
Customer review: "I used this tumble dryer for three loads yesterday, and all washing came out dry and ready for the wardrobe. The water reservoir could not be easier to empty as its inside the door. My only criticism is, why does it need a dozen different options for different materials etc, all that is required is a run time dial and two different temperature options, but that's modern over complication I suppose. Overall a very good machine and I can definitely recommend it."
Pros
- Easy to empty the water reservoir
- Energy-efficient drying
- Currently a very good deal
Cons
- Noisy for some
Best Integrated Heat Pump Dryer
www.currys.co.uk
This Beko Pro DTIKP71131W in White ticks a lot of boxes, as it has heat pump technology to save on your energy bills and a load of programs to make your life a little easier, including clever sensors that work out the perfect drying time for your clothes. Be aware you will need to get a professional fitter to fit your integrated tumble dryer.
Customer review: "Dries faster and better than my old vented model. Sensor drying is a real boon."
Pros
- Features an Eco-Cycle and A++ rating to help save energy and money
- SensorDry function will stop the load when everything is dry
- With an auto cool phase to make sure your hands are safe
Cons
- May be slower than some expect
Best Premium Heat Pump Dryer
www.johnlewis.com
This top-of-the-range Miele TED265WP in White uses the latest heat pump technology, which offers an A++ rating to save on your energy bills. All Miele appliances are tested to the equivalent of 20 years’ use, so you know they will last for years to come. Features settings you won't find on other machines, including anti-crease action, which helps reduce the ironing pile and FragranceDos, which lets you add a scent of your choice to laundry. You can also connect it to your smartphone and devices using the Miele@Mobile app. You can start a program while you’re out of the house, and it will alert you when it’s done.
Customer review: "The TED265WP is a very impressive dryer; it's not the quickest to warm up, but it does use a fraction of the energy, and if you're doing several loads back to back, it will save you a lot of money on energy costs. The device runs quietly and dries clothes perfectly, and I love the smartphone app to allow you to monitor the process from your phone. Overall a great device."
Pros
- Tested for 20 years of use and sensor technology
- Eco-friendly, energy-saving functions and cycles
- App compatible with Delayed Timer and AddLoad
Cons
- Miele machines are incredibly knowledgeable and will let you know when the filter needs to be cleaned, for example, so it's important to listen when it tells you to do something. If you ignore it, it will affect the machine's performance.
Best Heat Pump Dryer For Energy Efficiency
www.currys.co.uk
This SAMSUNG S5 OptimalDry DV80TA020AX/EU 8 in Graphite model is excellent if you are looking for a tumble dryer that is energy efficient, as this model boasts an A++ energy rating. The Samsung Series 5 is compatible with the Samsung SmartThings app, which allows you to control the device from anywhere and on your smart device. Plus, this model is quiet, too, at just 65dB. Plus, you also won't have to stress about when to take care of your dryer, as the fluff filter will let you know when it needs to be cleaned.
Customer review: "This is very quiet and easy to use. It has many different drying cycles, so you can choose the appropriate one for your clothes. Clothes are warm when the cycle is complete, not hot, which makes it easier to handle them. There is an interior light too. Easy to clean the fluff from the filter and the heat pump, both of which are at the front of the machine."
Pros
- Use the quick dry program for small loads
- Sensor drying to save you time and energy
- Energy efficiency and very quiet
Cons
- Programs are quite long (up to three hours)
Verdict: Which is the best?
If you’re asking: what is the best heat pump tumble dryer? You’ll, first, need to assess your needs – with your kitchen space and aesthetic, budget and laundry requirements. And, then you'll be able to find the best tumble dryer for you.
We’ve chosen the LG FDC309W Dual Inverter in White as our top pick. It comes with 9kg of space – primed to tackle heavy loads of clothes and bedding. Not only that, it won’t cost you much to run - with an A++ energy rating that will keep bills low.
Need some more information on tumble dryers? Read our tumble dryer buyers guide, which was written by previous editor Ellie Weaver, with plenty of detail to help you choose which is best.
FAQs
Do Heat Pump Tumble Dryers Need Plumbing?
No, heat pump tumble dryers do not require plumbing – or a vent. Even the integrated dryer models just need to be plugged in. Why? Unlike vented dryers, heat pump dryers use a closed-loop system, recycling hot air. As such, moisture builds into a tank that needs to be manually emptied.
We spoke to Homebase, who gave us some heat pump dryer installation tips:
Choose a suitable space – for your heat pump dryer, which is well-ventilated and at a normal temperature (between 5 and 35°c). Homebase adds to avoid carpets as “heat pump tumble dryers can get particularly hot which can be a fire hazard.”
Use a dedicated plug – as they, like condensers, shouldn’t be plugged in via an extension lead.
Don’t use it immediately after installing – says Homebase. Often, brands will suggest that you should leave your newly-installed dryer to settle a little before use – but, this can depend on make and model. So, the homeware brand recommends to “check your specific instructions.”
Seal the venting hole – if you’re replacing a vented dryer with a heat pump or condenser. Homebase says this will “prevent moisture, pests or any other unwanted things getting into your home” through the hole.
Are Heat Pump Tumble Dryers Cheaper To Run?
Yes – as these machines are much more energy efficient than condenser or vented dryers. Appliance brand Hotpoint says they’re “kinder on your wallet and the environment.” Why? Well, they use up to 60% less energy than their dryer counterparts – and reliably deliver the same performance. Plus, with no tricky plumbing to carry out, installation costs are low, too.
Piper Huxley is a Homes, Gardens and Wellness Product Writer for A Modern Kitchen, specialising in cookware. When she’s not cooking up a storm in the kitchen, Piper is re-watching a TV show or listening to a podcast.