Heat Pump vs Vented vs Condenser Dryer: Which Is Right for You?

Three Dryer Technologies: How to Choose

Clothes dryers in Australia use three main technologies — heat pump, vented, and condenser. Each has different strengths, costs, and installation requirements. This guide compares them so you can choose the right type for your home.

For detailed guides on each type, see our heat pump dryer guide and vented dryer guide. See our complete dryer buying guide for a full overview.

Vented Dryers

A vented dryer draws in room air, heats it, passes it through the tumbling drum, and exhausts the warm moist air outside via a hose. The exhaust hose must be connected to an external vent at all times — running a vented dryer without its vent hose connected exhausts moist air into the room, causing condensation and damp, and should never be done.

Advantages

• Lowest purchase price
• Simple, proven technology
• Fast drying cycles

Considerations

• Requires a vent hose connected to an external outlet at all times
• Least energy efficient of the three types
• Cannot be used in rooms without access to an external vent

Browse our vented dryers.

Condenser Dryers

A condenser dryer heats air and passes it through the drum, but instead of venting outside, it passes the moist exhaust air through a condenser that cools it and extracts the moisture as water. The water is collected in a reservoir or drained via a hose. No external vent is required.

Advantages

• No external vent required — can be placed anywhere
• More flexible installation than vented
• Mid-range energy efficiency

Considerations

• More expensive than vented
• Less energy efficient than heat pump
• Reservoir must be emptied regularly if not plumbed to drain

Heat Pump Dryers

A heat pump dryer uses a refrigeration cycle to dry clothes. Warm air circulates through the drum, picks up moisture, passes through a heat exchanger that condenses the moisture into water (collected in a reservoir or drained), then the now-dry air is reheated and recirculated. No moist air is vented outside.

Advantages

• Most energy efficient — uses around 50 to 60 percent less electricity than a vented dryer
• No external vent required
• Lower fabric temperatures — gentler on clothes
• Lowest long-term running costs

Considerations

• Highest purchase price
• Heat exchanger requires periodic cleaning
• Slightly longer cycle times than vented on older models (current models are comparable)

Browse our heat pump dryers.

Head-to-Head Summary

Which Should You Choose?

• You want the lowest running costs and dry frequently: Heat pump. The energy savings offset the higher purchase price within 2 to 4 years.
• You want a compromise on price and don't have an external vent: Condenser.
• Budget is tight and you have an external vent: Vented.
• You're in an apartment without an external vent: Condenser or heat pump only — never run a vented dryer without its hose connected to an external outlet.

Ready to Shop?

Browse our complete dryers range, including heat pump dryers and vented dryers.