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Tumble dryers: How to buy the best tumble dryer Tumble dryer programs 

Laundry baskets

Separate fabrics before tumble drying

Tumble dryers use different heat settings for different types of load, and they can be controlled by either a drying sensor or a timer. So the program you set your dryer to should match the type of load inside.

Timer and sensor tumble dryer programs and settings

Timer tumble dryers 

Timer-controlled tumble dryers don’t have programs, but do come with guidelines for drying times for different types and weights of fabrics.

Sensor tumble dryers 

Sensor tumble dryers have programs that automatically choose the drying time for different types of fabrics. 

Standard tumble dryer programs

Cupboard dry

The cupboard dry program leaves clothes dry enough to store straight away. For synthetic fabrics, use a half-load setting.

Extra dry 

Extra dry is a longer tumble dryer program for multi-layered or thick fabrics such as sheets, towels and socks.

Wool/delicates

This is for tumble drying woollens or delicate fabrics with gentle heat and minimal tumbling.

Iron-friendly tumble dryer programs and settings

Iron dry

The iron dry program leaves clothes slightly damp, which makes them much easier to iron.

Cool 

This is used to cool the clothes at the end of drying so they're cool enough to handle. 

You can use this program to refresh clothes that haven’t been washed – tumbling with cool air knocks the smells and lived-in feel out of clothes, which is ideal if you've been in a smoky atmosphere, for example.

Easy-iron

The easy-iron tumble dryer program features heat followed by a quick cool tumble, which helps to remove creases.

Anti-crease 

This helpful program makes the drum move occasionally at the end of drying cycle, which helps prevent creases – handy if you forget the tumble dryer is running.

Tumble dryers reviewed by Which?

Which? has tested and reviewed over 100 tumble dryers from manufacturers including AEG, Beko, Bosch, Candy, Hotpoint, Indesit, John Lewis, LG, Miele, Siemens and Zanussi.

Check out the Which? tumble dryer reviews for the latest Which? Best Buys.