Tumble dryers: How to buy
Which type will suit you?
Before choosing a tumble dryer you need to make two decisions:
1. Whether you want your tumble dryer to get rid of the water from your washing through a hose or vent, or to collect it.
2. Whether you want to set the drying time yourself or leave the machine to work it out.
Vented vs. condenser
Vented models
These take the damp air produced by drying clothes and get rid of it usually through a flexible exhaust hose hung out of an open window or connected to a permanent vent through a wall.
- Pros: They're cheaper and generally use less energy than condenser models
- Cons: You'll need to install the dryer near a window or outside wall, the exhaust hose must be kept short and straight to prevent a fire risk. Installing a permanent vent is a pain
Condenser models
With this type of dryer, the moist, hot air is cooled inside the machine and the resulting water is collected in a removable water reservoir. Alternatively, with a bit of plumbing know-how, most condenser dryers can also be plumbed straight into a drain.
- Pros: You have more freedom over where you install the dryer – it needn't be near a window or wall
- Cons: They're more expensive. Choose a poor model and you'll still have to cope with damp air and the possibility of mildew. You need to empty the reservoir regularly
Timer vs sensor
It's useful to know when your drying will finish
It's useful to know when your drying will finish
Timer models
With timer models, you decide how long drying will take by setting the machine to a specific time or program, such as cupboard-dry.
- Pros: They're the cheaper type. You select drying time, so you know how long it'll take
- Cons: You can accidentally choose drying times which are too long. Over-drying clothes makes them stiff and harder to iron. It can take a while to learn what times work best for different sizes of load and types of fabric
Sensor models
These can detect how much moisture remains in your washing and stop the drying automatically when it's dry.
- Pros: They're particularly simple to useand drying times tend to be shorter than with timer models. There's less danger of your clothes ending up over-dried and stiff than with timer models
- Cons: They're more expensive. You might be limited to a few set periods if you want to choose your own drying time.
Other types of dryer
Compacts
Compact dryers are about 80% of the size of a full-sized tumble dryer, but can only dry half as much washing in a full load.
They are slower and inefficient to use if you want to dry a lot of clothes. They're not easy to load because they have small doors, and pushing clothes inside them can make the tumble dryer shift position.
You can buy the same basic dryer under several different brands. The Creda, Hotpoint, Indesit and Crusader compacts are all the same basic model.
Built-in
Built-in models hide behind a kitchen cabinet door giving a sleeker look, but there are fewer models to choose from. Again, the same basic model is available under several different brand names.
Installation
Vented driers need to be placed near a window or somewhere you can create a permanent vent through the wall. Exhaust hoses should be as short and straight as possible for good airflow through the machine, which reduces the risk of overheating and minimises running costs.
Condenser dryers are more flexible; some can be plumbed straight into a drain, while others rely on you emptying the water reservoir regularly. Unfortunately, some condenser machines don't collect as much water as we would like, so they should be used in a well-ventilated area to avoid creating mildew.
Capacity
Most machines take either 6kg or 7 kg of cotton washing at most. Dryers that can take up to 10 kg are available. Each kg is equivalent to about 5 t-shirts.
Most people don't fill their washing machine to its capacity, so if you have only a 6kg capacity washing machine it's very unlikely you'll make best use of a 7kg dryer.
Most machines leave clothes fairly creased. Even those that have the best creasing scores still leave clothes needing to be ironed.
| Washing machines: What size drum do you need? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Typical load | Verdict |
| 6kg | 6 small towels, 2 pillowcases, 6 T-shirts, 2 sheets, 2 pairs of jeans, 14 socks | A 6kg load is usually large enough for most households |
| 7.5kg | 6 small towels, 2 pillowcases, 10 T-shirts, 2 sheets, 4 pairs of jeans, 14 socks | 7.5kg provides an opportunity to squeeze in an extra pair of jeans or two |
| 10kg | 8 small towels, 5 pairs of jeans, 30 socks, 4 pillow cases, 3 sheets, 15 T-shirts | 10kg is over double what a Which? member would do in one go |
Notes
* A typical Which? member washes 4.5kg of clothes in every load
Performance factors to consider
Drying time
There can be differences of up to an hour in how quickly dryers get the job done. The quickest machine we've tested takes just an hour and 29 minutes to dry a 6kg load of cottons.
Models that can dry larger loads generally take a bit longer than smaller ones when they're full. The slowest ones generally take between 30 minutes and an hour longer than the fastest ones.
Condensation
If you go for a condenser, it's vital to pick the right one. Some do a pretty dismal job of capturing the moisture, which means they let damp air into the room. Over time, the damp can end up causing mildew on your walls.
Most condenser machines retrieve between 83-93% of the water from the air. But some machines we've tested let enough water escape to fill two or more wine bottles. If you bought one of these machines you'd probably have to install it near a window to avoid condensation in your kitchen or utility room.
Track down a model
The convenience of online shopping is the key factor for our members
There are a number of ways to buy your chosen dryer:
- Place an order Many retailers, such as John Lewis and Currys, will order a model for you. If it's not in stock, ask if a model can be transferred from another branch or whether it’s available to buy from the shop's online catalogue. If you order via John Lewis you might get a free extended warranty.
- Go independent Smaller independent electrical stores normally pride themselves on being able to track down any model and might offer free installation as an incentive to buy with them.
- Call a helpline Many manufacturers keep lists of dealers to help customers find their machines in local stores. Use the contact information on at the bottom of our reviews to phone them.
- Get on the web Online retailers can offer significant savings, but check delivery charges and customer reviews before clicking ‘buy’.
Extended warranties
You'll normally be offered an extended warranty as peace of mind. But we've done the sums, comparing the average repair cost of a range of products from our survey with the costs of extended warranties.
For a warranty to be of value, a machine would probably have to break down more than three times during the warranty period – something that’s very unlikely.
The manufacturer’s guarantee should cover repair costs in the first 12 months anyway. And after the guarantee has run out, you have your legal rights to fall back on. Depending on how old the machine is, you may be able to claim against the retailer for a repair or replacement.
Many manufacturers offer free extended warranties on selected models for up to 10 years or an extra 12 months cover on parts if you register with them.
If you want to take out an extended warranty, you have up to 30 days to buycover after your initial purchase. There's also a 45-day cooling off period when you can change your mind and get a full refund on an extended warranty.
Delivery and disposal
Delivery charges are usually around £15 to £20.
Check with the retailer whether they will take away an old model for you and how much they charge.
Otherwise you'll need to use your local council's service- either by organising collection (for which they might charge), or by taking the machine to your local tip, which should be free.