How to Choose a Tumble Dryer

What would we do without tumble dryers?

Fresh dry clothes when we want them, saving time and effort – plus no damp washing hanging around for days.

But how do you know which type is right for you?

Vented, condenser or heat pump… the choice can be confusing. Here’s how to choose the right tumble dryer for your home.

Tumble dryers – what’s your type?

The main difference is how each tumble dryer generates heat, their running costs and where each can be installed.

Vented tumble dryers

Vented tumble dryers draw in air from the room, heat it and pass it around the drum. The hot air absorbs moisture from your clothes, creating damp air which is expelled through an external vent.

Vented tumble dryers are cheaper to buy than other dryers, but must be installed close to an external wall or window as their vent hose needs a route outside.

Condenser tumble dryers

Condenser tumble dryers also generate hot air to dry your clothes. But they deposit the moisture into a water tank which must be emptied, unless you plumb the dryer in.

Although condenser tumble dryers are more expensive to buy and run than vented tumble dryers, they’re easier to install. They just require a well-ventilated room.

Heat pump tumble dryers

Heat pump tumble dryers work in a similar way to condenser tumble dryers. But, after depositing the moisture in a water tank, they reuse the remaining warm dry air to continue drying your laundry.

This means that although heat pump tumble dryers are (currently) the most expensive to buy, they’re up to 50% cheaper to run.

Five things to check before buying a tumble dryer

1. Energy efficiency and running costs

We’d all love cheaper energy bills so (if your budget allows) it’s worth investing in a more energy-efficient heat pump tumble dryer as this will pay back its initial extra cost over time.

The Haier I-Pro Series 5, 9kg Heat Pump Tumble Dryer has a A+++ energy efficiency rating, as well as hOn app connectivity and Hygiene function to remove up to 99% bacteria from your load.

Or check our range of AEG, Beko, Bosch, Hoover, Hotpoint and Miele tumble dryers.

2. Capacity of the tumble dryer drum

Tumble dryer capacity is how much you can fit into the drum in one go. It’s measured in kilogram (kg) weight of dry clothes.

Choosing the right capacity tumble dryer will help you avoid over-filling or under-filling loads.

A 7kg capacity drum is good for smaller households, while 8kg to 9kg is ideal for standard family-size loads. Larger families might prefer the 10kg to 12kg option.

3. Drying speed and range of programmes

Sometimes you need clean, dry clothes in a rush. Sometimes laundry days are more zen.

Either way, look for a tumble dryer with a range of features you’ll actually use.

Most tumble dryers have fast dry cycles for smaller ‘must have now’ loads – like the Hoover HLEV9TG 9kg Vented Tumble Dryer whose 14 programmes include a handy 45-minute Quick Dry option as well as sensor dryer and wi-fi tech, a 10-year parts warranty, optional stacking kit and washing label assistance.

In general, heat pump tumble dryers take slightly longer to dry as they run at a lower heat. However, many offer special extra features, including speedy cycles and anti-crease tech.

4. Tumble dryer noise

If noise is an issue for you, check the decibels (dB) level of your tumble dryer before buying. As a guide, 50 to 65 dBs is the typical level of a conversation.

Some tumble dryers have ‘super quiet’ cycles – useful for open plan living or if you want to run your dryer off-peak at night.

5. Where your tumble dryer will go

It’s important to think about the room’s ventilation, temperature (at least 5°C but not too hot either) and flooring to ensure your tumble dryer can work safely and well.

Plus don’t forget that vented tumble dryers need a route outside for their vent hose.

Alternatively, if space is tight, you could choose a washing machine with dryer instead. Check our range of Beko, Bosch and Hotpoint washer dryers.

If you’re thinking of buying a new dryer, check out our range, or for more advice, pop into your local store to talk to one of our experts.