Best 220-240V Compact Dryers [Buying Guide]

The majority of compact dryers in the 220-240V category are ventless condensing or heat pump dryers. These are the most energy-efficient dryers on the market with heat pump dryers taking the crown for most efficient. There are compact 240V dryers that are the conventional vented style, but there aren’t a whole lot of options for that category.

If you live in an urban apartment where space is tight, heat pump dryers are your best bet if you don’t have a dryer vent. They release the least amount of heat back into your living space while also being the most efficient dryer, but they do take longer to dry laundry than conventional dryers.

• Most Efficient Ventless: Blomberg DHP24412W 24″ Ventless Heat Pump Dryer
  • Blomberg was the first company to bring heat pump dryers to the U.S. market and they are one of the leading manufacturers of high-end dryers designed for urban apartments when venting isn’t an option.
• Top Pick Condensing Dryer (ventless): Bosch WTG865H2UC 800 Series Smart Electric Dryer
  • Bosch has been a household name when it comes to many appliance categories and their condensing dryers are some of the most advanced and efficient available.
• Top Compact Vented Dryer: Samsung DV6800 4.0 cu. ft. Vented Compact Dryer
  • If you have access to a vent but are lacking space, then this compact vented dryer is the style you should consider. You get quick drying times with a compact 24-inch wide dryer.
• Top Stacked Laundry Center (vented): GE Unitized Spacemaker Washer/Dryer
  • This is a stacked laundry center with a 3.8 cu. ft. washer and 5.9 cu. ft. dryer. This unit is a standard vented dryer that’s 26.8″ W x 30.9″ D x 75.9″ H. While it is wider than other compact models it saves floor space by having the dryer on top.

The advantage 240V dryers have over more portable 120V dryers is that they dry faster, however, they are generally more expensive. These units are best for apartments or homes that only have enough space for a 24″-wide dryer. A 24-inch width is about as small as you can go with tumble dryers, and you’ll need to be sure to check how deep the space you have available is as the height and depth vary between models and whether or not you’re getting a washer/dryer combo or just a dryer.

 

Condensing, Vented, or Heat Pump?

One of the glaring inefficiencies of a standard vented dryer is that it pulls your climate-controlled air into the dryer, heats it up, then exhausts that air outdoors.  It’s effectively a vacuum cleaner that’s sucking out your comfortable, conditioned air.

Here’s how a condensing dryer works.

1. A small amount of ambient air is pulled into the unit for heating, which is less air than a typical vented dryer would use.
2. Heated air is circulated through the drum to evaporate water from your laundry
3. That hot, humid air is circulated through the condenser which cools it and captures the water.
4. The water is kept in a container that may be emptied by you, or most models allow for the water to automatically be drained.
5. The cooled air is then circulated back into the heater and then the drum, and more ambient air isn’t required.

One of the biggest pros about condensing dryers is that the internal temperature of the drum doesn’t reach as high as that of a typical vented dryer.  This is actually really good for your fabrics and helps to avoid shrinking or damaging clothes.

The downside of a condensing dryer is they release warm humid air back into the space where the dryer is installed.  This is true for all ventless dryers, and attempting to vent a standard 240V dryer (that isn’t condensing or a heat pump) into your living space using an indoor dryer vent is not recommended.  It’s just too much heat.

Condensing dryers are a significant improvement when it comes to ventless dryers, but if you want minimal heat and moisture released back into your living space then you should consider a heat pump dryer.  The heat pump design is much more energy efficient as well.

So, how do heat pump dryers work?

Heat pump dryers are relatively new in the U.S. market, but they’re the most efficient dryer available.  They are capable of drying at lower temperatures than a condenser dryer and consume around 50% less energy than a conventional dryer.

Heat pump dryers have a lot of similarities to condensing dryers, in fact it’s nearly identical to the process we described above.  However, the major difference that sets them apart is that the heat generated by the refrigerant system that cools the air as it exits the drum is reused to warm up the cool air before it enters the drum.  This recycling of energy makes heat pumps the most environmentally friendly and energy efficient dryer available.

Condensing

Pros

• More energy efficient than a standard vented dryer
• 240V and 120V models available
• Ventless

Cons

• Not as energy effient as a heat pump
• Released more hot and humid air back into the room than a heat pump dryer
• Longer drying time than a standard vented dryer
• More expensive than standard vented dryers

Heat Pump

Pros

• About twice as efficient as a condensing dryer
• Gentle on clothes as it dries at a lower temperature
• Emits less heat into the surrounding air
• Ventless

Cons

• Longer drying time than a standard vented dryer
• More expensive than condensing dryers

For drying speed, condensing and heat pump dryers are the slowest.  You can expect it to take twice as long to dry the same load with these types when compared to a standard vented dryer.

The reason for this is the lower temperature at which these operate, which shouldn’t surprise you since condensing and heat pump dryers are vented into the space they are installed.  You wouldn’t want the hot and humid air from a vented dryer to be dumped into your living space.  If you’ve ever had the vent piping come loose then you know just how hot it gets.

 

Top Picks Comparison Table

Here’s an overview of the specifications for the top picks we outlined at the beginning of this article.

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Compact Ventless Heat Pump Dryers

Here is a quick overview of some ventless heat pump dryers that you should also consider.

There are some condensing and heat pump dryer models that require a drain hose while others use a water reservoir.  Type with a water reservoir mean you have to empty the reservoir after each use.  Often times if you’re in a situation where you don’t have the option of a vent, then you may not have access to a drain either.  Keep this in mind if you do have access to a vent, or if you need a dryer with a water reservoir.

Blomberg – 4.1 Cu. Ft. Heat Pump Dryer

 

Blomberg is one of the first manufacturers to bring heat pump dryers to the U.S. market.  One interesting feature about this dryer is the anti-creasing option.  Activating this feature makes the dryer periodically tumble the laundry after the dry cycle has finished to keep creases from settling into your clothes.  If you can’t get to your laundry right away then you don’t having to worry about having to cycle them before pulling them out to be put away.

With the flexibility of a reversible door and the optional stacking kit, this 24-inch wide compact dryer is designed with an urban lifestyle in mind where space it at a premium.  

Blomberg estimates an 8.45 lb. load will be dry in less than an hour.  For this dryer, the maximum capacity is about double that, so for a full load you can expect around 2 hours for it to be completely dry.  But as you can see if you’re in a hurry and forgot to throw some laundry in the dryer you can get it dry (or at least partially) fairly quickly.

As we mentioned before, some condensing and water pump dryers hold the extracted water in a reservoir that you have to empty after each load.  Instead, this Blomberg dryer has an automatic water drain that detects the water level and automatically starts draining if a certain level is exceeded.

Whirlpool – 4.3 Cu. Ft. 10-Cycle Compact Dryer

This compact dryer from Whirlpool requires no venting and is a super-efficient heat pump dryer.  If you don’t have much floor space available, then you can use a Whirlpool Stack Kit for 24″ Front Load Washer/Dryer to stack your washer and dryer.

• Model# WHD5090GW
• Front-loading Design
• Reversible Door
• Lint Filter Indicator
• Compatible with a Pedestal
• Stackable
• 1-year Warranty
• Water Reservoir – optionally use no drain hose
• 220-240V / 60 Hz

The reversible door on the Whirlpool is a feature that people sometimes overlook and get an unpleasant surprise after unboxing their dryer.  You should be sure to plan ahead and make sure your space can handle opening/closing doors and still have room for you to load or unload laundry.  Obviously, it’s a major hassle to unbox a 100 lbs dryer and then have to return it, or deal with an inconvenient washer/dryer arrangement.  Laundry is already bad enough, right?

Keep in mind this dryer has the option to use a water reservoir to hold the extracted water from your laundry, or you can use the drain system by routing the white hose to a floor drain, standpipe, or laundry tub.  If you need to use the reservoir, then you will have to empty the reservoir after each cycle.  For some people, this is exactly what they need since there may not be a drain available, but if you have a drain you can simply choose to take advantage of the drain system.

It’s a small detail, but one of the nice things about the Blomberg above is that it has an interior light.  The Whirlpool does not.  Not a huge deal, but it can be helpful when making sure you got all the laundry out of the dryer.

 

Samsung – 4.0 Cu. Ft. Heat Pump Dryer with Smart Care

One of the features that many Samsung dryers have is App connectivity.  The SmartCare system allows you to use a phone app to interact with the dryer to diagnose problems and get solutions quickly.  This dryer has Sensor Dry option which optimizes the cycle time and temperature to dry clothes thoroughly, but gently.  Sensor Dry is a much better option than relying on timers that end up running longer than necessary which can damage your laundry and waste energy.

• Model# DV22N6800HW
• 4.0 Cu. Ft. Capacity
• Reversible Door
• Interior Drum Light
• Child Lock
• Water Reservoir
• 220-240V / 60 Hz

Samsung provides an estimate of energy usage per cycle for this dryer of 0.49 kWh to complete a 2-hour cycle.  In our dryer tests of 120V dryers we saw that a 2.65 cu. ft. capacity vented dryer used 1.91 kWh over a 2-hour cycle.  That means a 240V heat pump dryer uses nearly a quarter of the power an even smaller 120V dryer used to dry a full load of laundry.  

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Compact Ventless Condensing Dryers

Here are some more ventless condensing dryer options you should consider.  We’re not aware of any condensing dryers that aren’t considered “compact,” which is one of the differences between condensing and heat pump dryers as there are normal and compact size heat pump dryers.  Since condensing dryers are vented indoors, it’s not surprising that manufacturers want to keep load sizes relatively small to avoid heating up your living space too much.  Condensing dryers to output more heat than heat pump dryers, but are generally more affordable.

LG – 4.2 Cu. Ft. Compact Electric Dryer

This LG dryer has LoDecibel Quiet Operation feature which means it has an anti-vibration motor and one-piece cabinet structure that reduces noise.  This is a condensing dryer that requires no ventilation.

• Model# DLEC888W
• Sensor Dry
• Stackable
• Automatic Temp Control
• Vibration Reduction
• Stackable
• Water Reservoir – no drain hose required
• 220-240V / 60 Hz

This dryer has a water reservoir, but you can also use a drain hose if you have a drain available.  Keep in mind that you will have to empty the reservoir after each cycle.  Water reservoirs are great for people that don’t have access to a drain, but if you do have a drain know that most ventless dryers with a reservoir can be used with a drain as well.  This is the ideal dryer for many urban living situations, especially in cities like New York.

LG’s SensorSure technology measures the moisture and temperature inside the drum and adjusts the drying time automatically to make sure your laundry isn’t over dried.  This helps preserve fabric and saves energy by avoiding extra unnecessary drying time.

One of the nice features about newer dryers with digital displays is that you get an exact readout of the time remaining on the current cycle.  It’s much easier to read than a knob where you have to guess the remaining time.

Electrolux – 4.0 Cu. Ft. Condensing Dryer

This condensing dryer from Electrolux has a lot of the convenient features we like to see such as reverse tumble, reversible door, interior light, and it’s stackable.  It is not compatible with a pedestal and has a fewer specialty cycle options than some of the other dryers we’ve looked at, but it has most of the necessities.  The reverse tumble feature alternates the rotation direction of the drum to avoid tangling and wrinking.

• Model# EFDE210TIW
• 7 Dry Cycles and 4 Temp Settings
• Reversible Door
• Reverse Tumble
• Weighs 140 lbs
• Stackable
• 220-240V / 60 Hz

This compact 240V condensing dryer from Electrolux has the reverse tumble feature which is also included with some of the other condensing and heat pumps dryers we’re looking at here, however it’s a feature that’s easily overlooked.  You often see complaints from customers about dryers that don’t have a bi-directional drum and laundry ends up in one big ball that not only slows down drying time but can make clothes more wrinkled. 

As for cycle options you get many of the typical settings as well as jeans and wool cycles.  One thing to keep in mind is that condensing dryers in general are much gentler on clothes than a conventional vented dryer and reach a lower maximum temperature.  One thing to be careful about is timed dry cycles that could overheat your laundry.  It’s much less likely to happen with a condensing dryer, but you want to avoid leaving laundry in the dryer longer than necessary.  The extra heat isn’t good for your fabrics and wastes energy (money).

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Compact Vented Dryers

Dryers in this section are compact, but aren’t meant to be vented indoors.  They’re the closest thing you’ll get to a conventional dryer in terms of drying time, but are smaller in size.  These are also the least energy efficient dryers in the compact category, but they do tend to be relatively affordable.

Samsung DV6800 – 4.0 Cu. Ft. Compact Vented Dryer

Samsung tends to put pack a lot of tech in their appliances.  This dryer is capable of connecting to a smartphone for diagnosing problems quickly and getting solutions.  The Sensor Dry feature means you don’t waste time and energy drying laundry longer than necessary or damaging fabric.

• Model# DV22K6800EW/A1
• Sensor Dry
• Smart Care – connects to smartphone
• Reversible Door
• Interior Light
• Child Lock
• Weighs 89.1 lbs
• 220-240V

Compact 240-volt dryers that are meant to be vented are a little tough to find.  Most compact dryers are either 120-volt mini dryers, 240-volt condensing or heat pump dryers.  This is because most compact dryers are made with the assumption you don’t have access to the usual connections in your living space, such as in high-population urban areas where space is at a premium.  

This compact vented dryer from Samsung is highly-rated and comes with all the convenient features we like to see such as Sensor Dry and a reversible door.  

A compact vented dryer will dry quicker than a condenser or heat pump dryer, so if you are just concerned about space but have access to a dryer vent, then this style is your best option for drying speed.  With that said, the energy savings with heat pump dryers is significant as they require about 50% less energy to dry the same load.  However, it does take longer.

Blomberg – 3.7 Cu. Ft. Compact Vented Dryer

This Blomberg dryer has a less sophisticated knob and buttons that you use to adjust settings instead of a digital display.  You get 15 cycle programs, bi-directional drum action, and many other popular features.

• Model# DV17542
• 15 Drying Programs
• Bi-directional Drum Rotation for even drying
• Child Lock
• Noise Level: 66 dBA
• Weighs 89 lbs
• 208-240V / 60 Hz

Some people may find the lack of a digital display more user-friendly and desirable.  You still get LED indicators for the current status of the cycle, but you don’t get a estimated time remaining on the load.  You have the option to turn off the alarm notifying you the cycle is finished if you don’t want it going off late at night.

One downside to this model is that you can’t reverse the door direction.  This model is stackable and comes with the required kit.  

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Feature Guide – What’s Most Important

This is a growing list of common, and not-so-common, features found on dryers we’ve researched in this article.

Sensor Drying

Put simply, this feature detects the moisture and temperature of the laundry inside the dryer and automatically shuts off when it has determined the laundry to be dry.

This is the ultimate hands-off approach to drying and makes things super simple.  The number of options dryers with digital displays have can be a bit intimidating at first, but you can always rely on sensor drying to make sure the dryer only runs as long as necessary.

The benefit of this is twofold: your laundry isn’t exposed to unnecessary heat and you don’t waste energy drying clothes that are already dry.  Timed dry cycles can be a double-edged sword in that you may run the dryer way longer than necessary and excessively heating fabric does cause damage in the long run.  You will find your clothes last longer and look better if you don’t overdry them.

Reverse Tumble

This feature means the direction of the rotation of the drum changes during the cycle.  The benefit is that it helps prevent laundry from tangling up, or forming a “ball” that prevents laundry caught inside from properly drying.  Often large sheets or blankets wrap up around laundry and form a ball and the items stuck inside aren’t exposed to the air circulating within the drum.

You might see this feature called bi-directional drum action or something similar.

Wrinkle Guard

This feature has a different name depending on which manufacturer you’re looking at, but the jist of it is the dryer continues to periodically spin the drum after the cycle is completed to prevent wrinkles from setting in on the laundry before you remove it from the dryer.

The idea is that you may not be immediately available to remove the laundry right when the dryer finishes.  The longer laundry sits in the dryer after it cools down the more likely creases and wrinkles may form.  Selecting this option will make the dryer fluff the laundry for up to a couple of hours after the cycle has finished.

“Wrinkle Guard” is Whirlpool’s version of this feature but you might see it as “Anti-Creasing Option” or some other reference to preventing wrinkles.

Steam Function

Dryers with this feature generate steam to soften fabric and reduce wrinkles.  Most importantly this is to avoid you having to iron your clothes.  

Some dryers with this function release steam directly into the drum while others spray a mist of water that is then vaporized by the heat within the drum.  Both effects work well and you get the same result.  If your dryer doesn’t have this convenient feature, then you can simply keep a water bottle nearby and spray down any clothes that come out wrinkled and dry them for 20-30 minutes to help reduce wrinkles.

Stackable

Stacking kits are usually sold separately from the washer and dryer.  Also, you typically have to purchase the matching washer with your dryer to be able to stack it.  You can’t put any old dryer on top of any washer.

Stacking kits come in a variety of styles, but their main purpose is to distribute the weight of the dryer evenly across the top of the washing machine.  This creates stability and prevents damage to either unit or your home.  Simply setting a dryer on top of a washing machine would lead to it eventually falling off due to vibrations and damaging the washing machine.

You can only stack machines that are front-loading, obviously.  We highly recommend only stacking washers and dryers that are from the same manufacturer and are intended to be paired together.

An important step in stacking your washer and dryer is to make sure the washing machine is level.  Since it bears the  weight of the washing machine and is subject to shaking when a load of laundry isn’t evenly distributed, you want to make sure the washer is stable before setting the dryer on top of it.

Child Lock

Keeping kids from playing around on or in a dryer is very important.  Many dryers have a child lock feature where you press a button and the dryer door locks and the buttons don’t respond.

Stacking Kit

When stacking a dryer on top of your washer you generally need to purchase the matching washing machine.  Sometimes the stacking kit is included, but most of the time you will likely need to purchase it separately.  Not all dryers are stackable either, so be sure to read the specifications carefully.

Carefully measure your space when planning out purchasing a stackable washer and dryer.  You generally need 5 to 6 inches of clearance above and behind the units for hoses, cords, and some airflow.

App Connectivity – “Smart” Dryers

You can connect to your dryer with your smartphone for monitoring the status of a laundry cycle or diagnosing problems with your dryer.  In fact, some dryers can connec to smart home devices such as Amazon’s Alexa or Google’s Nest.

This is a great way to streamline the troubleshooting process if a problem does arise.  Information from your phone can be easily sent to support professionals that help you diagnose and solve problems quickly.