What is a self-cleaning condenser?
A self-cleaning condenser is a feature available to clothes dryers when they dry your laundry using a condenser. These are the heat pump dryer and the condenser dryer. Most clothes dryers with a self-cleaning condenser operate with a heat pump. This is also the most energy efficient dryer on the market today.
Normally, you will need to manually clean the heat exchanger of your dryer. It is generally recommended that you do this once a month. This will help your dryer last longer and keep it drying properly. If your tumble dryer has a self-cleaning condenser, you do not have to worry about this at all. The dryer will be able to clean the condenser itself, by rinsing it while it is drying.
Condender cleaning type
There are tumble dryers on sale with three different ways of cleaning the heat exchanger. We have just discussed the ‘automatic cleaning’ one, which automatically rinses the dryer’s condenser thoroughly during the drying process through the self-cleaning condenser. There are also ‘easy clean’ and ‘manual clean’ dryers available.
- With dryers that have a manual clean, you have to take care of cleaning the condenser yourself. Most dryers require you to remove the heat exchanger from the dryer, and rinse it under the tap or a showerhead. This option is most common with a conventional condenser dryer.
- If you choose a ‘simple clean’ tumble dryer, you will not need to remove the condenser from the dryer. It is fixed. Once a month, you can easily clean the filter with your vacuum cleaner. Most heat pump dryers have a simple clean or auto clean feature, which means a self-cleaning condenser that requires no maintenance at all.
Best dryer with a self-cleaning condenser of 2023
If you are looking for a new dryer, the heat pump dryer is usually the best choice. This is a relatively quiet dryer with low energy consumption. If you choose a heat pump dryer with a self-cleaning condenser, you will soon have a heat pump dryer that is energy efficient. Most models with a self cleaning condenser have energy class A++ or A+++. In the list below, you’ll find our selection of the best dryers with a self-cleaning condenser from 2023. In making this top 5, we looked at things like energy consumption, maximum fill weight (size of the drum), different drying programs, consistent performance and noise level.
1
Best self-cleaning condenser
The GE GFD55GSSNWW is a front load matching
gas dryer with a large maximum load capacity of 7.8 cu. ft. Use the optional stacking kit model GFA28KITN and pair it with the perfect GE washer. Weighing only 135 lbs., and with True32 Closet depth at 32 inches deep, 39.75 inches high and 28 inches wide, you can place this machine in the tightest laundry spaces. Have even more flexibility in placement because it has a reversible glass door that you can see through. The LED interior light lets you see even more clearly so you can find every little article of clothing. The vent can be extended up to 90 ft. long and you get 4-way exhaust options: rear, right, left and bottom for even more installation flexibility.
With 10 different dryer cycles, you can choose the right type of care for your every laundry need from delicates to bulky/bedding. This dryer is smart home enabled with Built-in Wi-Fi so you can control and monitor your laundry with any smart device. When in a hurry, you can finish small loads in 23 minutes or less with Quick Dry. Protect your family with the Sanitize Cycle which helps in sterilizing fabrics by using high temperature levels. The Wrinkle Care option lets you skip ironing by drying fabrics without heat to reduce creasing. Get notified when your load is at the ideal moisture level for ironing or final air drying with Damp Alert. Sensor Dry helps prevent over drying of fabrics thanks to the innovative dual thermistor technology which monitors temperature and moisture in the dryer continually. The Vent Sensor alerts you when it detects blockage and restricting in your vent. Enjoy 5 different temperature options, four separate dryness levels, timed dry and other
GE dryer features like My Settings, delay dry and much, much more.
The GE GFD55GSSNWW does not come with accessories.
Pair the GE GTD72GBSNWS top load matching gas dryer with your favorite GE washer, available in two finishes: Diamond Gray or White. This dryer comes with a total maximum capacity of 7.4 cu. ft., enough to handle up to 15 towels in one drying cycle. Enjoy the large capacity in a reasonable size. This dryer weighs only 118 lbs., and measures 30.5 inches deep, 46 inches high and 27 inches wide. The reversible glass door gives you the opportunity to place it in many different room configurations, and the interior light helps you look for specific articles of clothing when the cycle is done. Enjoy the flexibility of placing your dryer anywhere with up to 120 ft. venting, designed for optimal airflow, wherever you choose to place it.
With 12 different dry cycles, you can choose the right kind of drying for different kind of fabrics, from delicates to bulky/comforter, to mixed loads. The Sanitize Cycle reduced up to 99.8% of common household bacteria so you can keep your loved ones safe. Avoid repeatedly having to set up your dryer with the My Cycle Settings which lets you save your personal preprogrammed settings for future use.
The GE GTD72GBSNWS comes with Sensor Dry which helps prevent over drying of fabrics thanks to the innovative dual thermistor technology which monitors temperature and moisture in the dryer continually. The Wrinkle Care option lets you skip ironing by drying fabrics without heat to reduce creasing. With Quick Dry, you can dry a full load in less time so your clothes will be ready in no time. This dryer lets you choose from four different drying levels and four different temperature options. Heat up your clothes and release set wrinkles with the Warm Up feature. Never forget when it’s time to clean the vent with the Check Vent Alert, so you can keep your dryer functioning at its best.
The GE GTD72GBSNWS does not come with accessories.
With a massive capacity of 8.0 cu. ft., the Electrolux ELFE7637AW front load matching electric drier lets you spend less time on laundry and more time on things you love. Weighing only 139 lbs., and measuring 31.5 inches deep, 38 inches high and 27 inches wide, this vented drier will fit perfectly in smaller laundry rooms and closets. Stack it on your Electrolux washer to save even more space or put it on top of matching pedestal model number EPWD257UTT (sold separately). It has a four-way venting option to give you even more flexibility in placement. The reversible glass window lets you look at the drying action and With Luxury-Design® Lighting, loading and unloading clothes is easier because you can see the inside of the drier clearly.
Choose from any of the 11 dry cycles to handle every job you throw at it. Get garments ready in 15 minutes with Fast Dry. The Extended Tumble Option helps in keeping your clothes wrinkle free by continuing to tumble even after the cycle ends without using heat. Air Dry handles clothes with low heat to protect your most delicate garments. With 5 temperature options so you can give every load the right kind of dry. The Balanced Dry Technology prevents temperature spikes to keep fabrics cooler throughout the dry cycle. Special sensors monitor the temperature and dampness level during the cycle to prevent over drying or under drying with the LuxCare® Dry System. Know when the cycle will end in 90 seconds with Predictive Dry™, so you don’t have to keep checking if the cycle is done and you can get it out in time before creases and wrinkles set. With Perfect Steam™, the steam comes from the bottom up to release wrinkles and reduce static to keep your clothes looking great.
The Electrolux ELFE7637AW does not come with additional accessories.
The GE GFD85GSPNRS is a great looking, front-load matching gas dryer available in Sapphire Blue or White. The massive total load capacity is at 7.8 cu. ft., allowing you to comfortably dry bulky items like beddings and comforters. Place it in the tightest of spots because it is not only stackable, but also features a true closet depth at 32 inches deep, 39.75 inches high and 28 inches wide. Enjoy even more flexibility in placement with its see-through reversible glass door and 4-way exhaust options with 90 ft. of venting length. See the inside of your drier more easily with its LED interior light. The stainless-steel drum is not only durable but resists rust and prevents clothes from snagging.
Because you have 12 different dryer cycles available to choose from, you can choose the right type of drying for different fabrics. Enjoy the benefits of steam with PowerSteam. Remove wrinkles and static, refresh small loads and keep clothes looking fresh. This dryer is smart home enabled with Built-in Wi-Fi so you can control and monitor your laundry with any smart device. With Washer Link, choose the perfect settings in combination with your GE Washer in one go. Protect your family with the Sanitize Cycle which helps in sterilizing fabrics by using high temperature levels. When in a hurry, you can finish small loads in 23 minutes or less with Quick Dry. Reduce cling static on fabrics at the end of the cycle as a gentle mist spray near the end of the cycle. The Wrinkle Care option lets you skip ironing by drying fabrics without heat to reduce creasing. Get notified when your load is at the ideal moisture level for ironing or final air drying with Damp Alert. Standard features include end-of-cycle signal, adjustable legs, control lock, delay start, lint filter, and much more.
The GE GFD85GSPNRS comes with hoses and a power cord.
If you are looking for your next GE drier, the GTD45EASJWS might just be the one for you. This top load matching electric drier has a huge maximum capacity of 7.2 cu. ft. to let you do more laundry at once and save time in doing chores. It weighs just 101 lbs., and with compact measurements of 29.5 inches deep, 44 inches high and 27 inches wide, it will fit in many rooms with different configurations. Get more flexibility in placement with its long vent capability of up to 120 ft. and 4-way venting (rear, right, left and bottom). The reversible glass door allows you to peek inside and see the drying action. Know exactly when the cycle is completed with the adjustable end of cycle signal. The drum is made of aluminized alloy which improves energy efficiency and resists corrosion. With the adjustable end of cycle signal, you will know exactly when the cycle is completed so you don’t leave your clothes in the drier for too long and prevent creases and wrinkles from setting in. The interior light helps make loading and unloading laundry more convenient.
Doing laundry should be simple. Avoid overcomplicating things and too many choices with four dry cycles that can handle any job you theow at it. Four heat selections allow you to choose the right kind of temperature for different fabric types. Prevent creasing and wrinkling with Extended Tumble which programs the machine to keep tumbling without heat after the cycle is over. With Sensor Dry, your clothes will look great and fresh because dual thermistors continually monitor the temperature and moistures levels during the cycle to prevent over drying. Decide how long you want each load to tumble with Timed Dry. De-Wrinkle garments within 20 minutes or give your clothes a fast refresh with Quick Fluff. Discover all these must-have features and more.
The GE GTD45EASJWS does not come with additional accessories.
Wash dryers without a condenser
If you want a new dryer without a heat exchanger, you should look at the air-flow dryer. This only needs a heat element when drying your laundry. Because of this, it does not have a condenser. The airflow dryer is very cheap to buy, but in use, it is the least efficient of all the tumble dryers. So be aware that airflow dryers use considerably more energy than condensers or heat pump dryers. This is bad for the environment and will mean high energy bills. If you want to keep your energy use down, choose an energy-efficient heat pump dryer.
When to buy a heat pump dryer with a self-cleaning condenser, what should you look for?
There are a lot of things to consider when picking out a new dryer. Do you want to buy an energy-efficient heat pump dryer that’s low-maintenance? Then you’re well on your way! But of course, there are many more specifications and options to consider when buying a heat pump dryer. Keep the following tips in mind when shopping for a heat pump dryer with a self-cleaning condenser.
Fill weight
The fill weight of a dryer indicates how many pounds of laundry will fit inside the drum. We recommend that you buy a heat pump dryer that has at least the same fill weight as your washing machine. That way, you can always get all your wet laundry into the drum of your dryer. Buying a new dryer and washing machine? Use the chart below as a guide:
- a household of 1 or 2 people will need a 7kg capacity dryer.
- a household of 3 or 4 people will need a 8kg capacity dryer. Most heat pump dryers have a rim weight of 8 kg.
- a large household of 5 people or more would need a dryer with a rim weight of 9 kg or more.
Energy class
The heat pump dryer is more energy efficient than the other types. But there can still be a difference in how energy-efficient two different heat pump dryers are. For this, you look at the energy label. Most heat pump dryers with a self cleaning heat exchanger have energy class A++ or A+++. This can save up to 888 in energy costs over its lifetime, compared to the energy consumption of a conventional condenser tumble dryer.
Drying programmes
Like your washing machine, tumble dryers also have programmes for different types of laundry. There are special programs for wool, shirts, silk, baby clothes and towels. These programs ensure that your laundry dries perfectly and lasts as long as possible. Almost all new heat pump dryers also have an eco-setting, to further reduce energy consumption during drying, or a setting that makes your laundry ‘extra dry’.
Sound level
The sound level of a dryer indicates how loud it is when it is running its drying cycles. Almost all clothes dryers make a lot less noise than the average washing machine, but the noise can still be distracting. If you want a quiet tumble dryer, you should look for one that produces less than 65 dB (decibels). Dryers are divided into 3 categories when it comes to noise level: loud (67 dB or more), normal (65 dB or 66 dB) and quiet (64 dB and under). Most heat pump dryers are quiet, producing 64 dB or less.
Building Quality
The build quality of a dryer tells you something about its sturdiness and expected lifetime. Looking at build quality, all dryers are divided into basic, mid-range and top-range. If the build quality is not mentioned for a heat pump dryer, the brands and prices can also give an indication. According to the Consumers’ Association, these are the best brands for clothes dryers: Miele, Bosch, Siemens, AEG and Samsung. Brands that score better on price-quality ratio are Beko, Indesit and Zanussi.
