Condenser vs vented dryers: how do they work?

Old-fashioned (traditional) vented dryers remove moisture through a ducting vent fitted to an
external wall or window. They typically come with a long hose that vents the hot air outside the
house. This means you have to ensure the vented dryer is placed close enough to a wall or
window for the hose to reach outside. Vented dryers will generally require professional
installation and will need to be placed in a room with good ventilation to prevent mould forming
on walls and ceilings.

Condenser tumble dryers extract moisture from your clothes and store it in a removable water
tank or reservoir fitted within the dryer itself. Some models will require you to empty the water
tank manually when it’s full, while others will have a hose that drains the water automatically.
The main benefit to condenser dryers is that you can plonk them pretty much anywhere you like.

Condenser vs vented dryer: which performs best?

A vented dryer will dry your clothes quicker than a condenser dryer because it vents
moisture directly outside. This means there is no damp build-up within the machine and no
need to empty a water reservoir. Vented dryers are also simpler machines both in terms of
settings and design, meaning they’re more eco-friendly and low maintenance, plus come in a
wide range of capacities ranging from 4.5kg to 10kg. Vented dryers are also cheaper to buy and
run than condenser dryers.

The most obvious benefit to condenser tumble dryers is that you can place
them anywhere in the house. They also come with more features and settings,
including tailored drying modes for different fabric types and variable drying
speeds, making them gentler on clothes. However, condenser dryers take a
little longer to dry clothes than vented tumble dryers, in turn, making them
less energy efficient.

Vented dryer pros Condenser dryer pros

Cheaper to buy and run (more energy Offer more advanced technology and
efficient) settings

Dry your clothes quicker Gentler on clothes and fabrics

 Simpler to use and repair Can be placed anywhere (ideal for
apartment living)

Vented dryer cons Condenser dryer cons

Must be installed somewhere with good Take longer to dry your clothes
ventilation

Can create lint and excess moisture in the More expensive to buy and run (less energy
home efficient)

Offer limited technology and settings Can get hot while operating

Condenser vs vented dryers: which is cheapest?

Vented dryers are cheaper to buy upfront than condenser dryers, by about
$200-$300 depending on the model or brand. This is partly because of the need for
professional installation, the limited technology available in vented dryers and the fact they’re
typically low maintenance. They’re also cheaper to run.

Here’s a quick price comparison for a 7kg condenser vs vented dryer from brands found on
Appliances Online.

Vented dryer prices Condenser dryer prices

Esatto 7kg Vented Dryer (EVD7): $399* Esatto 7kg Condenser Dryer (ECD7): $599*

Beko 7kg Vented Tumble Dryer (BDV70WG): Beko 7kg Condenser Dryer (BDC710W):
$599* $949*

Fisher & Paykel 7kg Vented Dryer Electrolux 8kg Ultimate Care Condenser
(DE7060G2): $829* Dryer (EDC804BEWA): $1,199*

*Prices are taken from Appliances Online, correct as of July 2021.

Condenser vs condenser dryer: which is more energy efficient?

Vented dryers are slightly more energy efficient as they can dry your clothes
quicker than condenser dryers by venting excess moisture straight outside, as opposed
to condensing it into a water reservoir. Condenser dryers consume more energy as they tend to
take more time to dry clothes. The energy consumed vs drying time ratio between the two dryer
types isn’t massive though, so you can expect about a 1-1.5kWh consumption difference per
load. Heat pump clothes dryers are the most energy-efficient dryers and typically have higher
efficiency ratings.

Condenser vs vented dryer: which has more features and functions?

In the way of features and functions, condenser dryers win over vented
dryers. They often come with the latest technology and nifty settings like auto-sensing that
automatically stops the drying cycle when your clothes are dry to prevent over-drying and save
on energy, as well as multiple drying settings for different fabrics like cotton and wool.