Bosch Series 4 8kg Heat Pump Tumble Dryer - White vs 8kg Heat Pump Tumble Dryer - White — Comparison

The Bosch WTH85225GB Series 4 costs £629, while the Bosch WTH85226GB is priced at £499. Both are 8kg front-loading heat pump dryers with 15 programmes and A++ energy ratings. The dearer model adds a filter-full indicator, a final cool cycle, an LED display and an anti-vibration design, and it offers a maximum timer of 205 minutes. The cheaper model offers two dryer temperature settings against one, and it includes a Super Quick 40 programme that the dearer model lacks.

Running figures favour the cheaper machine. The WTH85226GB is rated at 216 kWh a year against 235 kWh for the WTH85225GB, and its full-load cycle runs to 159 minutes rather than 205. Noise is 63dB on the cheaper dryer and 65dB on the dearer one. In daily use a full load of towels or bedding should finish around 45 minutes sooner on the cheaper model, and the annual saving adds up if you dry most days.

Owners are consistently positive. Buyers describe quiet running, soft towels and shirts that come out ready to hang without ironing, and several say the heat pump cycle is not much slower than the vented dryers they replaced. Two things take some getting used to: the programme menu needs a little learning, and the early time estimate runs long until the cycle settles down.

Bottom line: choose the WTH85225GB if you want the filter-full indicator, the final cool cycle and the LED display, and can accept a longer drying cycle; choose the WTH85226GB if you want the lower price, faster full loads and slightly lower running costs.