Ventless Dryers: Heat Pump and Condenser Models Explained
Ventless dryers dry clothes without an outside vent. Compare heat pump and condenser models from GE, Bosch, LG, Samsung and Blomberg by size, capacity and drain needs.
A ventless dryer dries clothes without a duct to the outside. Instead, it pulls moisture out of the air inside the drum and sends the water to a drain or a container. That makes it a good fit for apartments, closets and rooms where running a vent is hard.
There are two main types: condenser dryers and heat pump dryers. This guide explains the difference and compares six ventless models using the details on each product page. You can also browse all ventless dryers.
- Ventless dryers do not need an outside vent, so they can go in closets and interior rooms.
- Condenser models in this guide come from GE and Bosch; heat pump models come from LG, Samsung and Blomberg.
- Most models here are compact, with 4 to 4.5 cu. ft. of capacity.
- The LG DLHC5502W is a full-size heat pump dryer with 7.8 cu. ft. of capacity.
- Some models need a drain and some do not, so check the product page before you install.
Our top picks at a glance
Compare them side by side
Condenser Pick: GE GFT14ESSMWW Compact Ventless Condenser Dryer
GE GFT14ESSMWW 24 inch Front Load Ventless Condenser Electric Dryer with 4.1 cu. ft. Capacity, Stainless Steel Basket, Energy Star, in White
The GE GFT14ESSMWW is a compact ventless condenser dryer with 4.1 cu. ft. of capacity and 13 cycles. It is 23 7/16" wide, with a stainless steel basket, a sanitize option, a reversible door and Energy Star certification. Its product page says a drain is required.
- Condenser drying
- Sanitize option
- Reversible door
- Drain required
15-Cycle Condenser Pick: Bosch WPA12100UC 300 Series Condensation Dryer
Bosch WPA12100UC 300 Series 24 inch Compact Condensation Dryer with 4 cu. ft. Capacity, Energy Star, ADA Compliant, in White
The Bosch WPA12100UC is a 300 Series condensation dryer with 4 cu. ft. of capacity, 15 cycles and a stainless steel drum. It is 23 1/2" wide and Energy Star certified, and its title lists it as ADA compliant. A drain is required.
- 15 cycles
- Stainless steel drum
- ADA compliant
- Drain required
No-Drain Heat Pump Pick: LG DLHC1455W Smart Heat Pump Dryer
LG DLHC1455W 24 inch Smart Compact Dryer with 4.2 cu. ft. Capacity, Dual Inverter HeatPump Technology, in White
The LG DLHC1455W is a 24" heat pump dryer with 4.2 cu. ft. of capacity and 14 cycles. It has smart features, digital and knob controls and a stainless steel drum, and its product page says no drain is required.
- Heat pump drying
- No drain required
- 4.2 cu. ft. of capacity
- No steam cycle
Sensor Dry Pick: Samsung DV25FG62B0BE Smart Heat Pump Dryer
Samsung DV25FG62B0BE 24 inch Smart Heat Pump Dryer with 4 cu. ft. Capacity, AI Smart Dial, Sensor Dry and Stainless Steel Drum in White
The Samsung DV25FG62B0BE is a compact heat pump dryer with 4 cu. ft. of capacity, 15 cycles and 5 temperature settings. Its product page lists an AI Smart Dial, sensor dry, a sanitize option, a stainless steel drum and a reversible door. A drain is required.
- AI Smart Dial
- Sensor dry
- Sanitize option
- Drain required
Stacking Kit Pick: Blomberg DHP24404W3 Ventless Heat Pump Dryer
Blomberg DHP24404W3 24 inch Ventless Heat Pump Dryer with 4.5 cu. ft. Capacity, Includes Stacking Kit
The Blomberg DHP24404W3 is a compact heat pump dryer with 4.5 cu. ft. of capacity, 15 cycles and a stainless steel drum. It includes a stacking kit, lists a 66 dBA noise level and needs no drain.
- Stacking kit included
- 4.5 cu. ft. of capacity
- No drain required
- Reversible door not shown on its page
Full-Size Heat Pump Pick: LG DLHC5502W Smart Ventless Heat Pump Dryer
The LG DLHC5502W is a full-size ventless heat pump dryer. It is 27" wide with 7.8 cu. ft. of capacity and 23 cycles, plus smart features, a reversible door and digital and knob controls. A drain is required.
- 7.8 cu. ft. of capacity
- 23 cycles
- Reversible door
- Drain required
- Larger footprint
Ventless dryer comparison
GE Condenser | Bosch Condenser | LG Heat Pump | Samsung Heat Pump | Blomberg Heat Pump | LG Full-Size | |
| Model | GFT14ESSMWW | WPA12100UC | DLHC1455W | DV25FG62B0BE | DHP24404W3 | DLHC5502W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,093 | $1,349 | $1,345 | $1,195 | $1,099 | $1,345 |
| Drying Type | Condenser | Condenser | Heat pump | Heat pump | Heat pump | Heat pump |
| Capacity | 4.1 cu. ft. | 4 cu. ft. | 4.2 cu. ft. | 4 cu. ft. | 4.5 cu. ft. | 7.8 cu. ft. |
| Width | 23 7/16" | 23 1/2" | 24" | 23 5/8" | 23 5/8" | 27" |
| Cycles | 13 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 23 |
| Drain | Required | Required | Not required | Required | Not required | Required |
| Drum | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Not listed |
| View | View | View | View | View | View |
Heat pump vs condenser dryers
Both types are ventless. A condenser dryer heats air, then cools it to pull out moisture. A heat pump dryer reuses warm air in a closed loop, which is why heat pump models are often chosen for lower energy use. For a deeper look, read our heat pump dryers guide.
Do ventless dryers need a drain?
Water has to go somewhere. Some models send it to a drain hose, and others collect it in a container you empty. On the product pages in this guide, the GE GFT14ESSMWW, Bosch WPA12100UC, Samsung DV25FG62B0BE and LG DLHC5502W say a drain is required. The LG DLHC1455W and Blomberg DHP24404W3 say no drain is required.
Compact or full-size?
Most ventless dryers are compact models for spaces about 24 inches wide. The compact models here are 23 7/16" to 24" wide, with 4 to 4.5 cu. ft. of capacity. That suits apartments and small households. If you want a bigger drum without a vent, the LG DLHC5502W has 7.8 cu. ft. of capacity. For small-space planning, see our guide to compact laundry sets for apartments.
What to check before you order
Measure your space and check the installation details on each product page.
- Width, depth and height of the opening, plus door swing.
- Whether a drain is nearby, if the model needs one.
- The electrical outlet the model calls for.
- A stacking kit, if you plan to stack the dryer on a washer.
How to Choose a Ventless Dryer
- 01
Measure the spaceCompact models in this guide are 24" wide or slightly less, and the full-size LG DLHC5502W is 27" wide. Compare your opening with the listed width plus the clearance on each product page.
- 02
Pick a drying typeChoose a condenser or a heat pump model.
- 03
Check the drainSee whether the model needs a drain and whether you have one nearby.
- 04
Pick a capacityAbout 4 cu. ft. suits small loads; 7.8 cu. ft. suits family laundry.
- 05
Plan the setupDecide whether you will stack it and get the right kit.
Our picks by budget
Compare ventless dryers by type, size and drain needs, and check each model's installation details before you order.
Shop ventless dryersFrequently Asked Questions
How does a ventless dryer work?
It removes moisture from the air inside the dryer and sends the water to a drain or a container, so no outside vent is needed.
What is the difference between a heat pump and a condenser dryer?
A condenser dryer heats and then cools air to remove moisture. A heat pump dryer reuses warm air in a closed loop. Both are ventless.
Do ventless dryers need a drain?
Some do. In this guide, the LG DLHC1455W and Blomberg DHP24404W3 list no drain required, while the other four list a drain as required.
Is there a full-size ventless dryer?
Yes. The LG DLHC5502W is 27" wide with 7.8 cu. ft. of capacity.
Can you stack a ventless dryer?
Many compact ventless dryers can stack on a matching washer with a kit. The Blomberg DHP24404W3 includes a stacking kit.
