As is the case with most large domestic appliances, choosing the right tumble dryer can be a baffling experience. There’s price to consider, features to consider and even specific brands to consider. After all, you could spend ages just comparing machines from one manufacturer alone. We agree, it would make things so much simpler if manufacturers produced only a small handful of machines and perhaps gave them easier-to-grasp monikers instead of a long stream undecipherable numbers.
Well, we’ve done all the research for you. We’ve scoured the portfolios of each and every individual manufacturer, number crunched the various models, read hundreds of user and professional appliance reviews and watched a plethora of demonstration videos in order to alight on the five rosy choices below.
How to choose the best tumble dryer for you
What’s the difference between a condenser and vented tumble dryer?
With a condenser dryer, the hot moisture vapour within the unit condenses into droplets of water which are then ported to a removable collection tank that needs to be regularly emptied by hand, usually after every drying cycle. Condenser dryers are more expensive than vented machines but much easier to install – all you need is a nearby power outlet. Aside from regular emptying, the only other drawback is that some moisture inevitably escapes the machine causing a slightly humid atmosphere in the room in which it’s sited. The walls, too, may show signs of condensation but nothing more than one would expect from having had a hot shower or bath. This humidity can be greatly reduced with the addition of a wall-mounted extractor fan.
Vented tumble dryers are cheaper to buy and more practical in the long run because all of the hot, moist air is ported outside through a four-inch wide hole in the wall. This means you won’t have to worry about continually emptying a tank of water into the sink and your utility room’s walls will remain dryer to the touch. The only major drawback is that you will need to have the machine placed against an outside wall with an AC power outlet nearby and you will almost certainly need to employ the services of an expert with a wall-penetrating 12-inch drill. It’s worth bearing in mind that an builder’s installation costs combined with the price of the vented machine could easily amount to more than the cost of a condenser dryer. Swings and roundabouts.
What is a heat pump tumble dryer?
If energy efficiency is of prime concern, then consider a heat pump dryer. This style of dryer is the most expensive to buy (up to more than a third of the price of a typical condenser) but it can reduce annual energy costs by as much as 50%. Heat pump dryers pass the moist air collected during the drying cycle through an evaporator that removes the moisture before reusing the same hot air for the rest of the drying process. Heat pump dryers, like their condenser counterparts, still port condensed moist air to a collection tank that will require emptying from time to time.
However, it’s not all sweetness and light since one should weigh up the extra cost of the machine against the electricity savings made. Some experts have calculated that it could take up to 11 years of ownership before a heat pump dryer equals the cost of a cheaper condenser or vented machine. But perhaps the biggest argument against heat pump dryers is that they operate at lower temperatures and therefore take much longer to dry your clothes. Also, they will not operate properly in ambient temperatures less than 10˚C so you can rule out installing one in an outhouse of garage, especially if you plan on using it during a typical UK winter.
What is a sensor dryer?
It’s safe to say that almost all but the very cheapest of tumble dryers will have onboard sensors programmed to estimate the amount of moisture left in the clothing. When the sensor detects that the clothes are, say, ‘cupboard’ or ‘iron’ dry, the machine will end its cycle. Sensors can dramatically reduce energy costs in the long term as the dryer switches off when the job is done. A non-sensor machine will carry on until it reaches the end of its timed cycle, leaving your garments bone dry and, in some cases, possibly even a little damaged.
What size dryer should I get?
It goes without saying that you should ideally consider a tumble dryer that’s the same capacity as your washing machine. In tumble dryer parlance, the capacity of a dryer refers to the dry weight of clothes you can fit inside the drum. The most common sizes of drums are between 6kg and 10kg but the bigger the better since that extra space provides better hot air circulation and therefore a more efficient drying process. If you have a large family and king-size duvets to dry then consider a 9kg model, otherwise a 6-8kg drum will likely suffice.
What do the energy ratings mean?
To some users, running costs are extremely important as a machine that’s cheaper to run could cost you less in the long term even if it’s more expensive to buy. The EU Energy Rating system grades appliances from A+++ down to D, with the higher grades being the most energy efficient. Most of the machines reviewed below enjoy an energy rating of B and higher so you shouldn’t see too much of a difference in long-term running costs; we’re talking savings of just a few pennies in some instances. However, an A+++ rated machine will most definitely be more energy efficient than one rated with a B.
The best tumble dryers to buy
1. Miele T1 (TMR840 WP SFinish&Eco XL): The ultimate tumble dryer
Price: Around £1,499
If money’s no object and you’re in the market for high-end machine furnished with every conceivable feature, then make this newly launched, heat pump-equipped Miele your first port of call. Just be prepared to bury your head in the manual because there’s quite a learning curve involved, especially if you want to take advantage of everything it has to offer.
Let’s start with its PerfectDry system. Where other dryers roughly calculate the general level of moisture in clothing before ending the program, this one uses mineral sensors to precisely measure the calcium content of your local water (ie whether it’s hard or soft). It then adjusts the selects the appropriate drying period. According to Miele, this high-tech method ensures that every drying cycle produces perfect results time after time. The T1’s EcoDry technology, meanwhile, saves a small bundle on leccy bills by dint of a filtered, maintenance-free heat exchanger that never gets clogged with fluff and therefore operates at optimum status for the life of the machine which, given it’s a Miele, is likely to be in excess of ten years.
Those who love slipping on a cashmere that smells fresh and sweet scented will adore this machine’s FragranceDos feature. Simply load one of five fragrance capsules into a portal just behind the drum door and your clothes will come out smelling rosy. What’s more, the scent is said to linger for up to four weeks.
The T1 is A+++ rated for energy efficiency and is perfect for eco-minded users since its LED display also provides estimated energy consumption figures for every one of its 20 drying programs. However, given that it’s a heat pump model, bear in mind that drying times will be longer than a normal condensing machine. Miele provides excellent after-sales service so, should anything go awry (unlikely), you can be sure an engineer will be round within a day or two.
Key specs – Type: Heat pump condenser; Capacity: 9kgs; Rated efficiency: A+++
2. Beko DCB93166: The great condenser tumble dryer for under £350
Price: Around £325
Turkish brand Beko specializes in the design and manufacture of budget-priced machines that offer excellent value for money. In fact, some Beko appliances come with the sort of features you’d expect to see in machines at twice the price. Granted, they’re perhaps not as well made as some of the Teutonic brands like Miele, Siemens and Bosch but, in the main, the company’s ever-growing flock of users seem very happy with their purchases.
This B-rated condenser model represents excellent value as it comes with a large 9kg drum (rare at this price level), full sensor control, a reverse action drum for more efficient and gentler drying, an anti-crease function, electronic control with digital display, a reversible door and an interior LED light for those who like to be mesmerized by the hypnotic sight of clothes floating around in a vortex. It also offers direct drainage which means you can by-pass the hassle of having to empty the water collection tank.
Users have noted excellent drying times with this machine and are generally very pleased with their purchase. It’s easy enough to use and performs very well though it’s not the most energy efficient model in this roundup. It is, however, available in three colours – red, white and black – so that can be considered a bonus.
Key specs – Type: condenser; Capacity: 9kgs; Rated efficiency: B
3. Zanussi Lindo300 ZDC8203W: Another top-notch budget option
Price: Around £329
Zanussi specializes in low- to mid-priced domestic appliances and here’s a prime example of a great-value condenser machine that many users have praised for its speedy drying capabilities – about 90 minutes for a small pile of heavy towels – and large capacity 8kg drum. The Zanussi also comes equipped with an extra large reversible door for easy loading and an efficient Easy Iron program that dries shirts and Ts to just the right texture for a quick iron.
Being just B-rated, it’s not the most energy efficient model on this page but at least you can take advantage of night-time electricity tariffs by making use of the delay-start timer. Some users have expressed concern about the build quality, the slightly cluttered digital interface and the poorly written manual which scoots over features without much explanation. But in the main, the vast majority of users have been thrilled with their buy. And you should too.
Key specs – Type: Condenser; Capacity: 8kgs; Rated efficiency: B
4. Samsung DV8000 (DV90H8000HW): A feature packed tumble dryer
Price: Around £619
Let’s face it, no large domestic appliance is ever going to win a prize for looks, but this Samsung comes very close. The DV8000 comes with an impressive array of features, too, including useful indicators that let you know when its time to clean the filter and empty the water reservoir. It also features a smartphone diagnosis system that detects problems at an early stage and even allows the user to operate the machine remotely.
This model is equipped with a heat pump so you can expect a decent saving on electricity bills. It also dries clothes quicker than many other heat pump models though you may notice a little dampness on some clothing items; a common anomaly with heat pump dryers since they operate at much lower internal temperatures. The upside is that heat pump dryers – especially this one – are so gentle on fabrics that they come out feeling wonderfully soft and almost entirely crease free.
Buy the Samsung DV8000 from John Lewis
Key specs – Type: Heat pump condenser; Capacity: 8kgs; Rated efficiency: A++
5. Bosch Serie 4 WTH85200GB: A brilliant energy-efficient dryer for less than £600
Price: Around £579
Bosch is a solid brand in terms of reliability, competency and energy efficiency. This heat pump condensing model is highly rated by both users and professional reviewers though some have said its interface could do with being made a little easier to understand. Others have also noted that it takes quite a long time to complete its drying process, a typical trait of many energy-efficient, heat pump-equipped models. Remember, though, that with a machine like this you’ll be saving as much as 50% on the annual electricity bill so having to wait a little longer shouldn’t be that much of an issue.
The Bosch comes with the usual gamut of drying programs, from woolens, sportswear and shirts to towels, pillows and mixed loads. It also features a SuperQuick 40-minute cycle for those in a hurry. Given that this machine is of German origin, you can be sure it’s extremely well built and reliable enough for many years of regular use.
Key specs – Type: Heat pump condenser; Capacity: 8kgs; Rated efficiency: A++