Sunday evening, a mountain of towels, soccer uniforms and bedsheets, and an old dryer that heats the whole laundry room while it pumps warm air out a vent. A heat pump dryer does the same job with no vent at all, at lower temperatures that are kinder to your clothes, and with a fraction of the electricity. It’s one of the easiest efficiency upgrades in the house, and it can go where a regular dryer can’t.

The best heat pump dryer for most homes is the LG DLHC5502W: a full-size 7.8 cubic feet, CEF 9.0 on ENERGY STAR’s Most Efficient list, and only an 830-watt draw on a 15-amp, 240-volt circuit. For the most efficient dryer on ENERGY STAR’s list, the 24-inch Beko HPD24414W (CEF 11.0). For a plain 120-volt outlet, the GE Profile UltraFast Combo washes and dries in one machine.
Below: six heat pump dryers, full-size and compact, with their ENERGY STAR ratings, power needs and real trade-offs (mostly longer cycles and a water drain). We researched and compared them from ENERGY STAR data, maker spec sheets and retailer listings; we did not test them. These are sold mostly by appliance stores and the makers, so the cards link to each maker.
Prices change often. The prices below are what we saw at the maker or a major retailer in October 2026; check the current price before you buy.
Our top picks
LG DLHC5502W 7.8 cu ft Heat Pump Dryer
- Full-size 27 in, 7.8 cu ft
- CEF 9.0, ENERGY STAR Most Efficient
- 240V, 15A, 830 W
Samsung DV45DG6000HW 7.5 cu ft Hybrid Heat Pump
- 7.5 cu ft, CEF 9.1
- ENERGY STAR Most Efficient
- About $1,499 at Samsung
Beko HPD24414W 24 in Heat Pump Dryer
- 4.5 cu ft, CEF 11.0
- Top CEF on ENERGY STAR's list
- 208–240V, 30A
Samsung DV25B6900HW 24 in Compact Heat Pump
- 4.0 cu ft, CEF 6.8
- 125 kWh a year (ENERGY STAR)
- 240V, 30A, stackable
LG DLHC1455W 24 in Compact Heat Pump
- 4.2 cu ft, CEF 6.4
- ENERGY STAR
- 208/240V, 30A
GE Profile UltraFast Combo (PFQ97HSPVDS)
- Washer and heat pump dryer in one
- 4.8 cu ft, standard 120V outlet
- Wash + dry about 2 hours (GE)
Heat pump dryers compared
| Dryer | Width, capacity | CEF (higher is better) | Energy per year | Power | About (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG DLHC5502W | 27 in, 7.8 cu ft | 9.0 | 266 kWh | 240V, 15A | $1,349 sale (reg. $1,799) |
| Samsung DV45DG6000HW | 27 in, 7.5 cu ft | 9.1 | 263 kWh | 240V | $1,499 |
| Beko HPD24414W | 24 in, 4.5 cu ft | 11.0 | 217 kWh | 208–240V, 30A | $1,399–$1,549 |
| Samsung DV25B6900HW | 24 in, 4.0 cu ft | 6.8 | 125 kWh | 240V, 30A | $899–$1,299 |
| LG DLHC1455W | 24 in, 4.2 cu ft | 6.4 | Not confirmed | 208/240V, 30A | $1,099 sale (reg. $1,299) |
| GE Profile UltraFast Combo | 28 in, 4.8 cu ft (washer + dryer) | Not confirmed | Not confirmed | 120V, 11A | $1,999–$2,199 sale ($2,999 list) |
CEF (combined energy factor) is pounds of laundry dried per kWh, the federal dryer rating. Energy per year is the ENERGY STAR figure for each model under its standard test, so a compact dryer uses less partly because it dries smaller loads. Prices are what retailers and makers showed; sale prices come and go.
How a heat pump dryer works, and what it saves
A regular electric dryer heats air with a big element, blows it through the clothes once and pushes the hot, wet air outside. A heat pump dryer works in a closed loop: it heats the air with a small heat pump, passes it through the drum, then runs the moist air over a cold coil that pulls the water out as liquid, and reuses the same warm air. ENERGY STAR says heat pump dryers use around 70% less energy than conventional dryers and that every heat pump dryer meets its Most Efficient criteria. Because there’s no exhaust, there’s no dryer vent.
What that means in dollars (an estimate): at an example rate of 16 cents per kWh, the LG DLHC5502W’s 266 kWh a year comes to about $43 a year. ENERGY STAR estimates a heat pump dryer can save more than $500 in electricity over its life, and a combination washer and heat pump dryer about $130 a year compared with conventional units. Use the rate on your own bill; savings grow with big families and high rates.
The trade-offs: cycles run longer than a hot vented dryer (ENERGY STAR cites typical dry times of 37 to 70 minutes), the condensed water has to go somewhere (a drain hose to a standpipe or sink, or a tank you empty), and there are lint filters, and on some models a condenser, to keep clean. Lower drying temperatures are gentler on clothes, ENERGY STAR notes.
The best heat pump dryers
1. LG DLHC5502W: best overall
Most heat pump dryers are compact 24-inch models, so a full-size one matters if you’re replacing a standard dryer next to a big washer. The LG DLHC5502W is 27 inches wide with 7.8 cubic feet of drum, rated CEF 9.0 and on ENERGY STAR’s Most Efficient list, using 266 kWh a year. It draws 830 watts at 240 V (820 W at 208 V) on a 15-amp circuit, a fraction of a conventional dryer’s element. LG lists an auto-cleaning condenser, 23 cycles, an infrared sensor dry, and up to 65% less energy than conventional vented dryers. It’s 39 inches tall and 32¼ inches deep, and the door needs 52¾ inches of depth to open. It was $1,349 on sale (regular $1,799) at Home Depot and Best Buy.
- Good: full-size capacity for family loads; low power draw; self-cleaning condenser.
- Watch out: the power cord is not included; budget for one and match it to your outlet.
- Best for: families replacing a full-size vented dryer.
2. Samsung DV45DG6000HW: best full-size runner-up
Samsung’s 7.5 cubic foot ventless dryer is a “hybrid” heat pump model: it pairs the heat pump with a heating element option for faster drying when you need it. It’s rated CEF 9.1 and 263 kWh a year, and models in the DV45DG60**H* family are on ENERGY STAR’s Most Efficient list. It has Wi-Fi with SmartThings, can be stacked with a kit, and Samsung.com showed it at $1,499 in October 2026; reviewers have seen it lower on sale.
- Good: full-size drum; the highest CEF among full-size picks here; the option of faster, hotter drying.
- Watch out: using the faster mode uses more energy; Samsung’s page didn’t list the circuit amperage, so check the install guide.
- Best for: households that want heat pump savings most days and a quicker cycle sometimes.
3. Beko HPD24414W: most efficient
Beko’s 24-inch heat pump dryer has the highest CEF on ENERGY STAR’s Most Efficient list, 11.0, tied with the Blomberg DHP24404W and Summit LDHP24W3. Its drum is 4.5 cubic feet, which ENERGY STAR classifies as standard size even though the cabinet is 24 inches wide, and it uses 217 kWh a year on 208–240 V and a 30-amp circuit. Dealers showed it at $1,399 to $1,549.
- Good: the most laundry per kWh of any dryer on ENERGY STAR’s list; fits a 24-inch space.
- Watch out: smaller drum than a full-size 27-inch; mostly sold by appliance dealers.
- Best for: anyone who wants the lowest running cost in a compact footprint.
4. Samsung DV25B6900HW: best compact
For a closet, a condo or a stacked pair under the stairs, Samsung’s 24-inch compact dryer holds 4.0 cubic feet, is rated CEF 6.8 and uses 125 kWh a year according to its ENERGY STAR rating. It runs on 240 V and a 30-amp circuit, stacks with Samsung’s compact washer, and has an AI Smart Dial, Wi-Fi, 15 cycles including a 40-minute express dry, and three dry levels. It’s about 23⅝ inches wide and weighs 110 lb. Retail prices ranged from about $899 to $1,299.
- Good: lowest yearly energy among our picks; stackable; widely sold.
- Watch out: a compact drum means more loads for a family; needs a 240V outlet, not 120V.
- Best for: apartments, condos and laundry closets with no vent.
5. LG DLHC1455W: compact runner-up
LG’s 24-inch compact heat pump dryer holds 4.2 cubic feet, a bit more than the Samsung, and is rated CEF 6.4. It was on ENERGY STAR’s Most Efficient list in 2021 and is still ENERGY STAR certified, on 208/240 V and a 30-amp circuit. LG had it at $1,099 on sale (regular $1,299).
- Good: slightly bigger drum than most compacts; pairs with LG compact washers.
- Watch out: lowest CEF among our picks; not on the current Most Efficient list we read.
- Best for: LG compact washer owners who want a matching ventless dryer.
6. GE Profile UltraFast Combo: best 120-volt
Most heat pump dryers still need a 240-volt outlet. GE’s PFQ97HSPVDS is a washer and ventless heat pump dryer in one 28-inch machine that plugs into a standard 120-volt outlet (11 amps). It holds 4.8 cubic feet, and GE says it washes and dries a large load in about two hours (Normal wash plus Eco Dry, 10-lb test load) or about 90 minutes on Quick Wash and Dry. It’s ENERGY STAR certified. Dealers showed it at $1,999 to $2,199 on sale, $2,999 list.
- Good: no 240V, no vent, one machine; ENERGY STAR estimates combos like this save about $130 a year over conventional units.
- Watch out: one load at a time (you can’t wash the next load while the last one dries); the priciest pick.
- Best for: renters and small homes with a 120V outlet and a water hookup but no dryer vent.
Also worth a look: the Miele TWI180WP is a rare 24-inch heat pump dryer that plugs into 120 V (CEF 6.37, 133 kWh a year), but several dealers now list it as discontinued, so check before you set your heart on it.
How to choose a heat pump dryer
- Check your outlet. Most heat pump dryers use a 240V dryer outlet (15 or 30 amps; check the model). A 120V-only spot narrows it to combos like the GE Profile or the rare 120V compact. Any new circuit is a job for a licensed electrician, with a permit where required.
- Plan the water. Run the drain hose to a standpipe, a laundry sink or the washer’s drain, or empty the tank after each load. ENERGY STAR lists all three options.
- Pick the size you’ll use. Full-size 27-inch models (7.5–7.8 cu ft) handle family loads; compact 24-inch models (4.0–4.5 cu ft) fit closets and stack.
- Compare CEF and kWh a year. Use the ENERGY STAR product finder for the exact model; higher CEF means more laundry per kWh.
- Help it along. A high-spin washer sends wetter clothes to the dryer less often; ENERGY STAR suggests pairing with an ENERGY STAR front-loader, using sensor dry and the lowest heat setting, and cleaning filters regularly.
- Look for rebates. There was never a federal tax credit for dryers. The state-run Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates include up to $840 for a heat pump dryer for income-qualified households, where a state has launched its program, and some utilities pay their own rebates. Check your state energy office, the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder and DSIRE.
Keep exploring
Heat pump dryers use the same trick as a home heat pump: our heat pumps guide explains how. In the same section, the best heat pump water heaters can cut a bigger slice of the bill, and the best window heat pumps heat and cool one room. See what uses the most electricity at home, find rebates in our home energy rebates guide, read about thermal energy, or browse the heat pumps section.
Heat pump dryer questions
What is the best heat pump dryer in 2026?
For most homes, the LG DLHC5502W: full-size 7.8 cubic feet, CEF 9.0, ENERGY STAR Most Efficient and an 830-watt draw. For the highest efficiency on ENERGY STAR’s list, the 24-inch Beko HPD24414W (CEF 11.0). For a compact closet dryer, the Samsung DV25B6900HW, and for a 120V outlet, the GE Profile UltraFast Combo.
Are heat pump dryers worth it?
For many homes, yes. ENERGY STAR says they use around 70% less energy than conventional dryers and can save more than $500 over their life, and they need no vent. They cost more than basic dryers and run longer cycles, so they pay off best for big families, high electric rates or laundry spots without a vent.
Do heat pump dryers take longer?
Usually somewhat longer than a hot vented dryer, because they dry at lower temperatures. ENERGY STAR cites typical dry times of 37 to 70 minutes. Hybrid models like the Samsung DV45DG6000HW add a faster, hotter option at the cost of more energy, and a high-spin washer shortens every cycle.
Do heat pump dryers need a drain?
They need somewhere for the water to go. ENERGY STAR lists three options: empty a built-in tank by hand, run the maker’s drain hose to a sink or standpipe, or connect to the washer’s drain. They do not need an outside vent.
Can a heat pump dryer plug into a regular outlet?
Most need a 240V dryer outlet, though they draw far less power than a conventional dryer. A few run on 120V: the GE Profile UltraFast Combo washer-dryer, and the Miele TWI180WP compact, which several dealers now list as discontinued. A licensed electrician can tell you what your outlet supports.

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