Every Bosch freestanding tumble dryer here is a heat pump condenser model, from the Series 4, Series 6 and Series 8 lines. As condenser dryers, they collect moisture rather than venting it through a wall, so they can go anywhere with a socket and space. A heat pump reuses warm air through a heat exchanger and dries at lower temperatures, which is kinder to fabrics and cheaper to run, though it costs more to buy and cycles take longer than with a conventional dryer.

Drum size and efficiency are the first split. Series 4 dryers take 8 kg and are rated A++, and one has a glass door. Series 6 and Series 8 move up to a 9 kg drum and A+++, handy for larger households. Where listed, Series 6 models offer 14 drying programmes and quote 60 to 61 dB, with the Series 8 at 59 dB. Standard cotton cycle times range from 3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 25 minutes. Some Series 6 models and the Series 8 are internet connected, useful if you like to check on laundry from your phone, while others are not. Series 6 comes in white or graphite; the rest are white.

To narrow it down, settle on 8 kg or 9 kg first, then decide whether connectivity, a quieter running figure or a graphite finish matters. The same models also appear under Bosch heat pump tumble dryers and Bosch tumble dryers, while all Bosch products covers the full range.