The 7 Best Periscope Dryer Vents
Special Honors
Bosch 800 Series Condenser Tumble Dryer Forego ventilation altogether, with this compact unit from Bosch that uses condensation techniques to eliminate the need for ducting. It even has a companion app, if you'd like to be notified remotely when your next load is done. bosch-home.com
US Appliance If you're looking for household appliances of any sort, this website is one place worth checking out. They offer major brand names at discounted rates, and feature categories for electric dryers, gas dryers and washer/dryer combinations. us-appliance.com
Editor's Notes
March 09, 2021:
All of our previous choices were still available, and most were still sensible picks for the category, but we decided to eliminate the BetterVent ADR1BVC, feeling that it wasn’t quite a fit for this list. Since, as an indoor lint filter, this option from BetterVent can be thought of as an alternative solution for users dealing with difficult dryer runs, it seems that the last editor these rankings felt that it made enough sense to include it here.
However, recognizing that it actually presents a solution to a completely different problem – indoor lint filters are a boon to those without access to a viable exhaust line, while periscope dryer vents are the answer for those with little available clearance behind their dryer – to me, the ADR1BVC didn’t quite qualify as a candidate for these rankings, so I decided to replace it with two alternatives.
The first, the Dundas Jafine UD48S, was selected because I liked that it only presents one 90-degree obstacle, which makes it a good choice for anybody who just needs to get their periscope out from behind their dryer so they can connect it to a longer run. It would actually be a good choice to combine with an option like the ADR1BVC, if one wanted to install a lint filter directly above their dryer, for example.
The second choice, the Whirlpool 4396014, was selected because of its notably long expansion range of 29 to 50 inches. My goal was to find a model that was tall enough to get straight from your dryer to a basement-window exhaust port, but it should be noted that this will still likely be a bit short for this purpose, at least in some circumstances. Out of curiosity, I checked the length of the rigid ductwork I ran for my own dryer, and it was 56 inches (six inches longer than this periscope could’ve managed). I don’t have an absolutely ideal setup, but my basement is a pretty typical height, my dryer’s on a pedestal and said window is reasonably adjacent to it. All this to say that, if it wouldn’t work for me, there’s also a chance that it won't work for you, so do your due diligence and double check your measurements before ordering.
If you’re already at the point of purchasing venting hardware, I’m guessing you’ve already purchased a dryer. But, if not, we do have lists of combination washer/dryers and gas dryers that you might be interested in.
January 08, 2019:
Examined models from popular maker Whirlpool, selecting the 0-to-5 Inch and 0-to-18 Inch as all-purpose solutions for a variety of size needs. Also added the Lambro Tite Fit for those looking for something longer and the BetterVent Indoor as a useful alternative for people who are considering venting their dryers indoors.