AEG 8000 AbsoluteCare TR849P4B (9kg heat pump)

Which? reports that all its top-scoring heat-pump dryers are AEG, with a 9kg model earning five stars for both dryness and energy efficiency — the two things this category is judged on. The 8000 AbsoluteCare range is AEG's gentle-drying line: a low-temperature SensiDry system and precise drum movement aimed at delicates, plus ProSense+ humidity sensing that trims time and energy to the actual load size. It carries a registration-based 5-year parts-and-labour warranty (two years as standard, extended to five free if you register within 90 days) and a Swissatest-certified hygiene cycle. Retailers still print an old-scale A++ rating, so treat this as an accuracy-and-gentleness pick rather than the lowest-kWh option; running cost sits in line with the roughly £54-a-year class average. The main trade-off versus the Bosch is price — you pay around £140–160 more for top-of-test delicate care you may not need.