11 Best Ventless Dryers in 2024 – Reviews & Buyer Guide

To effectively dry fabric, regardless of its type, three key elements are required: heat, air circulation, and low humidity. There are certain months in our country when these conditions naturally occur, allowing us to properly dry our clothes without the risk of mold.

The dryers create a mechanism whereby hot air and progressive reduction humidity dry clothes quickly and efficiently. All this takes place inside a rotating metal drum in which the hot and dry air is blown on one side while, by twirling the clothes around, it is simultaneously extracted wet steam on the other side.

With time, dryers have undergone a gradual and constant evolution, reducing two problems that prevented their purchase, namely a high cost and the tendency to shrink and damage clothes slowly.

Here we had listed out the best clothes dryers that are present below.

Buyer Guide to Choose the Best Ventless Dryer

How does Dryer work?

The operation of a dryer requires a delicate balance of elements: it all starts with hot and dry air, which can be generated by ventilation or with a special heat pump.

Thanks to the presence of a thermostat, it is possible to control the switching on and off of this heating element to prevent overheating or excessive drying of clothes. Hot air enters the basket, which is rotated by the motor and, while the basket spins, wet clothes are pushed towards the top and therefore towards the hot air.

In the case of domestic tumble dryers, the drum rotates in one direction for about thirty seconds, then turns in the other direction and prevents clothes from accumulating. However, for this phase to take place in the best possible way, particular attention must be paid not to overload the laundry, since it would tend to form a tangle, taking much longer to dry.

The outgoing air passes through a fluff filter that captures dust and remnants to be finally eliminated through a vent. As we will see below, in some dryers the wet waste air is condensed and discharged, while the heat contained in it is correctly reused.

Technology and Operation

As seen in the previous paragraph, the principle that regulates the operation of the dryer requires that the air be heated and ventilated inside the drum. However, there are two notable differences in how a dryer can generate hot air, which translate into differences in energy consumption.

On the one hand, the ventilated dryers, the first models to come out on the market, take air from the outside, pass it through an electrical resistance and then put it into the basket. This is undoubtedly a cheaper option at the time of purchase, as it is simpler, but which translates into poor energy performance.

On the contrary, the heat pump dryers represent a more advanced version, in which hot air is generated thanks to a special pump inside the appliance.

From a mechanical point of view, this is a more complex and therefore, more expensive mechanism; however, the cost can be easily amortized thanks to reduced energy consumption.

Another significant difference concerns the expulsion of air: condensing dryers use a condenser to eliminate the steam generated during the process and transform it into the water, which is accumulated in a tray to be emptied periodically.

In the case of evaporative (or expulsion) dryers, the steam is pushed out of the house through a pipe that emits smoke. Finally, a hybrid type provides for the cooling of the steam through a condenser, which however discharges outside, but in the form of water.

Drying Programs and Cycles

An important component to evaluate is related to the number and type of settings available for the various cycles. Among the most common programs, there are certainly those dedicated to cotton, recommended for everyday use.

The one reserved for jeans, which provides a very high temperature for perfect drying of the denim in a short time, as well as the specific one for wool, which must be approved by the Woolmark consortium and dedicated to gently drying the thread, preventing felting.

The traditional programs also include the one for the drying of synthetic clothes, to more moderate temperatures, and that for the mixed garments, perfect to obtain a consistent result even starting from leaders in different tissues.

An excellent quality dryer can make the difference in a domestic environment thanks to the programs considered unique, such as gentle drying, designed for those garments that have particular applications or prints, timed drying but above all drying for the fabric softener cycle.

Which uses the steam released during the process to soften clothes naturally. The latter is a particularly appreciated feature, which reduces the potential undesired effect of the dryer, i.e. excessive drying of the garments.

Finally, among the most critical special programs there is the wardrobe cycle, designed for shirts; the antiallergic cycle; the plush cycle, ideal for drying toys that come into contact with children and finally the duvet cycle, present only on the most capacious dryers and essential for drying your winter clothes.

Traditional and Smart Features

The functions of a modern dryer could be divided between traditional and smart, which employ a higher technological level. Among the features considered traditional, there are the selection of the drying level, the quick-drying, the safety setting and finally the temperature regulation.

With the evolution of models, functions such as automatic shutdown, which is activated a few minutes after the end of the cycle, have become increasingly common; the progress indicator, which allows you to evaluate the remaining time.

The memory function, which retains the latest settings as well as those used most frequently for truly optimal use; automatic cleaning, essential for the safety of the fluff filter; the anti-noise function, which reduces vibrations and finally the anti-crease function, which allows you to obtain clothes ready for ironing.

In most modern models, all these settings are manageable and adaptable thanks to a touch screen display and, more and more often, through a dedicated app also remotely.

Energy Saving

The consumption and performance aspect is another element that plays a vital role in the process of purchasing a dryer. By reading the energy label, you can understand consumption, noise level and condensation class (if applicable), three aspects that define the product’s performance.

The cycle duration shown on the energy label is essential to understand the actual time savings. In the most modern dryers, in the case of a standard cycle, it can even go down to an hour and a half.

The energy label also defines consumption: the highest class, which implies the lowest energy consumption, is A +++. The best dryers are all between class A and A +++.

In the case of small models, with a maximum load of 5 kg, consumption is further reduced, while increasing capacity translates into greater consumption.

Maintenance

Proper maintenance begins with emptying the fluff filter: this operation is necessary after each cycle, in order to promote airflow and prevent overheating of the machine.

Furthermore, on an annual basis, it is recommended to vacuum the surrounding area more deeply, to eliminate stubborn residues that may have passed the filter. For greater accuracy, you can detach the vent tube on the back of the dryer and vacuum the inside.

Checking the exhaust venting capacity outdoors every six months helps keep the whole process monitored. While the dryer is running, air should easily escape from the external vent.

If the airflow is weak, make sure that there are no visible residues that obstruct the exhaust and, if you do not find the cause, it could be a low clogging. Finally, if over time the clothes take longer to dry, you may have to check the fluff filter and the vent system by a professional to avoid potential damage, even quite serious.