Available 
LG V7 FDV709W Connected 9Kg Heat Pump Tumble Dryer with Allergy Care, Gentle Care, A++ Energy Rating
from £599.
£599
Rated 4.8 / 5 from up to 861 reviews
Colours tracked: White
Guide
Do heat pump tumble dryers really save money to run?
Heat pump tumble dryers can reduce running costs, but the bigger question is whether the savings outweigh the upfront price for your household.
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Last verified: 2026-09-22
How heat pump tumble dryers work
Heat pump tumble dryers use a closed-loop drying system that reuses warm air instead of pushing heat out in the open. In practice, that means lower-temperature drying and a ventless setup, although you still need a way to collect or drain the condensed water. On the AO shortlist, the LG V7 FDV709W Connected 9Kg Heat Pump Tumble Dryer is £599, while the Bosch Series 4 WTH85225GB 8Kg model is £579, so you are comparing similar dryer types rather than different technologies.
Do they actually cost less to run?
The strongest running-cost case is for households that dry laundry often and pay higher electricity rates, because lower electricity use has more chance to matter over time. That said, lower running costs are not guaranteed for every tariff or usage pattern, and heat pump dryers can take longer to finish a load because they dry at lower temperatures. In this shortlist, the Bosch Series 4 WTH85226GB 8Kg Heat Pump Tumble Dryer at £549 is the price-led option, but the real value depends on how often you will use it.
Heat pump vs condenser dryers
Compared with condenser-style expectations, the main trade-off is usually upfront price versus lower running costs over time. For these AO examples, the price spread is narrow at £549 to £599, so capacity planning and installation checks matter as much as the headline number. Heat pump dryers are ventless, which helps if you cannot vent outside, but you still need to confirm dimensions, clearance and how the water will be handled on the live product page.
Who should buy one?
The 9kg LG V7 FDV709W is the better fit on paper for larger households or anyone who regularly dries bulkier loads, while the two Bosch Series 4 models are 8kg and may be enough for smaller homes. The LG also stands out as the only connected/smart option in the shortlist, and it carries a 4.8/5 visible rating with up to 861 reviews. The Bosch models both show 4.7/5 with up to 3,529 reviews, which is a stronger volume signal but still not proof of lower running costs.
What to check before you buy
Before you buy, verify the exact energy rating, dimensions and required clearance, because fit can matter more than a small price difference. Also check whether the dryer needs a drain connection or can be emptied manually, plus the delivery, installation and warranty details shown on AO. If smart features matter to you, confirm the LG V7 FDV709W’s connected functions on the live page rather than assuming every connected label means the same thing.
What the wider research shows
The core evidence is straightforward: heat pump tumble dryers use a closed-loop system, run at lower temperatures and are generally more efficient than conventional dryers. That lower heat can be gentler on clothes and may help reduce over-drying, but the trade-off is often longer cycle times. The evidence quality for this page is limited, so the retailer ratings here should be treated as confidence signals only: Bosch’s 4.7/5 with up to 3,529 reviews and LG’s 4.8/5 with up to 861 reviews do not prove energy savings or drying speed.
How to turn the advice into a shortlist
If price is the main driver, the Bosch Series 4 WTH85226GB at £549 is the most budget-led option in the group, with the Bosch Series 4 WTH85225GB at £579 sitting in the middle. If you want the largest capacity and a connected/smart description, the LG V7 FDV709W at £599 is the obvious comparison point, especially for bigger households or heavier laundry volume. There is no definitive winner here: occasional users may struggle to justify any heat pump premium, while frequent users are more likely to value lower running costs and the ventless setup.
Electricals to use as comparison examples
Available 
Bosch Series 4 WTH85225GB 8Kg Heat Pump Tumble Dryer
from £579.
£579
Rated 4.7 / 5 from up to 3,529 reviews
Colours tracked: White
Available 
Bosch Series 4 WTH85226GB 8Kg Heat Pump Tumble Dryer
from £549.
£549
Rated 4.7 / 5 from up to 3,529 reviews
Colours tracked: White
Retailer details used
Last checked 2026-09-22. The source list below is included to help you check the details behind the comparison. Always confirm the latest price, delivery cost, stock status and product details with the retailer before buying.
- Heat Pump Dryer | ENERGY STARHow heat pump dryers work, ventless use, lower-temperature drying, and savings context.
- Clothes Dryers | ENERGY STARAround 70% less energy claim, buying guidance, sensors, and lifetime cost framing.
- Home Upgrades | Department of EnergyDOE savings range and moisture-sensor guidance.
- Energy Saver: Tips on Saving Money and Energy in Your HomeHeat pump dryer savings range, high-usage/high-rate caveat, ventless/drain notes, and longer dry-time trade-off.
- Tumble Dryers - European CommissionEU energy-label/regulatory context and note that most efficient heat pump technology is more economical to run.
- New measures for more energy efficient household tumble dryers from 1 July - European CommissionPolicy context that accelerates heat pump tumble dryer adoption.
Helpful next reads
Use these related electricals guides and reviews to turn the advice into a practical shortlist.
Firmness questions
Are heat pump tumble dryers worth it for occasional users?
Often they are harder to justify if you only dry laundry now and then, because the higher purchase price has less usage to offset it. They make more sense for frequent laundry households where lower running costs have a better chance of adding up.
Should I choose 8kg or 9kg capacity for my household?
Choose 8kg if you mainly dry everyday family loads and space is tight; choose 9kg if you often dry bedding, towels or larger mixed loads. In this shortlist, the LG V7 FDV709W is 9kg and the two Bosch models are 8kg, so capacity is a real differentiator.
Do heat pump tumble dryers need a drain or can they be emptied manually?
They are ventless, but they still need somewhere for condensed water to go. Some models use a reservoir you empty manually, while others can be plumbed to a drain, so check the AO product page for the exact setup before you buy.
Are the AO review ratings enough to choose the better model?
They are useful as a confidence check, but not as proof of running costs or drying performance. The Bosch models’ 4.7/5 rating with up to 3,529 reviews and the LG’s 4.8/5 with up to 861 reviews show shopper sentiment, not verified efficiency results.
What should I check on the AO product page before buying?
Confirm the energy rating, dimensions, clearance needs, delivery options, warranty and whether the model needs drainage or can be emptied manually. If you are considering the LG V7 FDV709W, also check that the connected features shown on the live page are the ones you actually want.