Condenser or vented tumbly?

[Willabywallaby]

We've been without a drier for over a year but now have a new kitchen with space for the tumbly.

I've been wondering about getting a condenser instead of a vented which I've always have before. Do they heat the clothes up? I like to finish things off in the drier and fold for my no iron lifestyle .

Any recommendations for either type?

TIA

I prefer vented, they are simpler and have less to go wrong, also cost less for equivalent quality. There are people who complain about internal fluff blockages in condensers.

However you do need to have a suitable hole in the wall to vent the steam. It is not difficult to make one if you haven't; a core drill can be hired or a small builder or plumber will probably have one.

If you are prosperous you can now get a heat-pump condenser drier. They do cost more than double to buy, but use about half the electricity. If you calculate that it would take more than five years to recoup the extra cost, I expect they will be better and cheaper in five years. It is too early to say how reliable they will be.

If a condenser, I prefer it to be plumbed in so that the collected water goes down the drain without intervention.

I have a five year old AEG heat pump condenser and I'm very pleased with it. I'd much prefer one that I could vent outside but ours lives in the airing cupboard in the middle of the house (we just open the door when we run it). There are loads of different filters to clean but it still seems to be working well.

I didn't notice a jump in our fuel bills when we got it either.

So vented is the way to go if we can? Which we can.

I was told PJ's first paragraph when we got ours - we had the vent already so it was a no brainer. Cheaper to buy, less to go wrong, and also cheaper to run and faster than a condenser because the condensing itself takes time and energy.

The best efficiency ratings on Which were for condensers, which was weird because if you looked at the actual energy consumption, the vented ones used a lot less.

go for vented if you can. no hassle emptying the tub after every use! does my head in. I also hate having to take the condenser unit out and wash it all, and then be without the dryer for a day or 2 while it dries out. very annoying.

the fluff filter is easy to change though and I assume you have to do this on a vented anyway?

I have a Miele condenser dryer which is great. Has several programmes and detects when clothes are dry etc.
The water collects in a container that slides out but like the Pieter drawer in washer, and is easy to empty and the fluff filter is easy to clean each time.
I love it.