You need an effective and reliable machine. But which one is best for you? Read on to see which is the best clothes dryer for your needs.
A clothes dryer is one of those household appliances that you don't know how much you actually need until you've got one. Whether it be bad weather or not enough time, a clothes dryer can be a real lifesaver.
Since it's a popular product and there are many variations on the market, its not easy find which dryer suits your needs best. So, we got our experts on the case! We've gathered our top 10 models plus everything else you need to know about clothes dryers, so you can pick your next household appliance with confidence.
Our top 10 clothes dryers
1. Simpson 4kg Vented Dryer
Size: 800mm high x 602mm wide x 525mm deep
Cost: $298
Where to buy: eBay
This dryer is the perfect choice for those who are on a budget but are still after a quality machine that gets the job done. There are five settings so you can custom program each load of drying. This clothes dryer features reverse tumbling, plus heavy duty, time dry, towels and delicates programs. It’s important to note that while the Simpson 4kg Vented Dryer is more affordable to purchase, it only has a 1.5-star energy rating as vented dryers do cost more to run. You also need to ensure it’s placed in a well-ventilated room or leave enough space for ducting to send the moist air outside. A downfall of this dryer is that some reviews say it does run a little on the loud side.
2. Electrolux 5.5kg Sensor Dryer
Size: 795mm high x 600mm wide x 600mm deep
Cost: $389
Where to buy: eBay
The perfect dryer for a one- or two-person household (and therefore less ideal for a large household or family), this dryer assesses the moisture and weight within each load and the time needed to complete the cycle. In doing so it avoids over-drying, which can damage clothes and rack up a nasty power bill. In saying that, it only has a 2-star energy rating so it isn’t one of the most economical dryers, but for the price it will still get the job done reasonably efficiently. There are four programs and users report that it’s quiet and that the sensors generally work well. Plus the machine even lets you know when to clean the filter, a bonus as forgetting to clean it regularly makes your dryer less efficient and also poses a fire risk.
3. Fisher & Paykel DE6060G1 6kg Vented Dryer
Size: 830mm high x 600mm wide x 572mm deep
Cost: $528
Where to buy: eBay
This is the dryer that cares for your clothes. To avoid under- or over-drying it uses moisture sensor levels located inside the drum in order to detect when clothes are dry. Not only does this reduce energy consumption but will preserve your clothes for longer. The door opens a full 180 degrees for easy access and loading. It can also ventilate from either the front or back.
4. Electrolux EDV6552 6.5kg Vented Dryer
Size: 795mm high x 600mm wide x 620mm deep
Cost: $471
Where to buy: eBay
Perfect for a smaller household of two to four people, this dryer vents from the front or back, giving flexibility in where it can be placed. Not only that but its moisture sensor detects when your clothes are dry so you won't waste energy. It also has some of the features that you'll see on more expensive models, like a child safety device on the door, delay start, and anti-crease, delicates and quick-dry settings. A possible drawback is that if you needed to place it on an uneven surface you can’t adjust the feet, so packers would be required to stop it rocking while in use.
5. Haier 8kg Condenser Dryer
Size: 845mm high x 595mm wide x 648mm deep
Cost: $799
Where to buy: eBay
This dryer, while on the more expensive side, does have some extra benefits. With a large 8kg capacity, you can dry a bulk load of your laundry all in one go. From gentle to intensive modes, it has 16 programs to dry your clothes, such as Refresh, Sport, Baby Care, Express, and more. The Haier dryer's anti-crease option helps reduce wrinkling of your clothes while drying, and condensed water is removed via its built-in and easy to empty tank or a drain-away hose. The dryer also features a shoe and bag rack, so your drying options aren’t just limited to fabrics and clothes.
6. Fisher & Paykel 8kg Condensing Heat Pump Dryer
Size: 850mm high x 600mm wide x 645mm deep
Cost: $1,498
Where to buy: eBay
This large dryer uses heat pump technology to dry your clothes efficiently at lower temperatures, which is kinder on your clothes. With 13 program settings, the machine has multiple options for drying a variety of fabrics and loads, including air dry, rack dry, heavy, freshen, bulky and towels. A benefit of heat pump dryers is that they don't vent moisture or hot air into the room, so there are no ventilation concerns. It has an impressive 6-star energy rating, but note that cycles can take a little longer than other dryers due to the large load size.
7. LG TD-C902H 9kg Heat Pump Hybrid Dryer
Size: 850mm high x 595mm wide x 680mm deep
Cost: $1,568
Where to buy: eBay
With an energy efficiency rating of 7 stars in Eco mode, it's difficult to overlook the LG TD-C902H 9kg Heat Pump Hybrid Dryer. While it does sit at the more expensive end of the spectrum to buy, it aims to save you money in the long run as the machine is more energy efficient to run. Plus, there's no need for ventilation as the condenser drying process removes the moisture from your clothes without increasing the humidity in the room. With both the efficient Eco heat pump mode and hybrid Speed mode with a traditional heating element added for quicker drying time to choose from, you can customise each cycle to suit not only your drying needs but your budget as well. Plus with 14 programs, there are even more options to get what you need out of every drying cycle.
8. Bosch WTW87565AU Series 8 9kg Heat Pump Dryer
Size: 842mm high x 598mm wide x 599mm deep
Cost: $1540
Where to buy: eBay
While it’s also on the expensive side, this dryer will save you money over time. The Bosch Serie 8 has a 7-star energy rating, so this is a good option for those who are wary of hefty electricity bills. And while it saves in energy it doesn’t lack in power as it’s the fastest dryer in the Bosch Heat Pump range. The dryer has a self-cleaning condenser to provide optimal economic and energy performance. However, due to the mechanics, some reviews on Appliances Online report that sheets and doona covers can be slightly damp in the centre due to them balling up while drying.
9. Samsung AddWash 13kg/7kg Washer Dryer Combo
Size: 990mm high x 686mm wide x 1030mm deep
Cost: $1,639
Where to buy: eBay
The Samsung AddWash Washer Dryer Combo is again at the steeper end of the price scale, however this product stands on a pedestal of its own. With both washing and drying features, you can have the best of both worlds, although it's important to note it does not possess as many features as a standalone dryer may. It has a hefty 13kg capacity for washing and 7kg for drying, but only five drying programs. Suggested for households of five or more due to the large capacity, the cycle times are longer than most dryers due to the heavy lifting it is doing. However, you can expect your small load to be done in about 15 minutes. The digital inverter motor has an 11-year parts warranty.
10. Speed Queen ADGE9BSS 198L Platinum Gas-powered Dryer
Size: 1027mm high x 683mm wide x 704mm deep
Cost: $3595
Where to buy: eBay
Achieve commercial-grade drying in your own home with the Speed Queen Platinum Gas-powered Dryer. Ideal for bigger households, this dryer has an 8.2kg capacity, commercial-grade stainless steel cabinet built for durability and an energy-efficient and heavy-duty design. You also choose whether to power your dryer with LPG or natural gas. There are four temperature options and auto-dry features, which ensure your items do not over- or under-dry. The Speed Queen also has eight cycles to choose from and an embedded Whisper Quiet Air Flow system, so you shouldn't be listening to a loud racket.
Which clothes dryer is best for me?
This is a very individual choice. A household of one or two with smaller washing loads wouldn't need a 9kg dryer as the cost to run it would be excessive. On the other hand, a family of four or more would need a machine big enough to handle the pressure of the occasional large load on a wet day. So it's all about considering exactly what you need. Some things you may want to consider when purchasing a clothes dryer:
- Size of the machine
- Energy rating/cost to run
- Type of machine and the environment it's being placed in
- How often you will be using it
- What you want to use it for
Types of clothes dryers
As we've outlined, there are several types of clothes dryers on the market for you to choose from. They differ in features, environmental impact and, of course, price. Some types of dryers are more expensive to buy than others but can be cheaper to run and gentler on your clothes. So understanding what the four main types of clothes dryers do can help you decide which type suits your needs best.
Vented dryer
A vented clothes dryer is the simplest and most common form of dryer. These are typically cheaper to buy (hence their popularity) but more expensive to run in comparison to other dryers. All clothes dryers need to release the moisture that is taken from your clothes somewhere, and with vented dryers this is usually straight into the surrounding area, so it needs to be placed it in a well-ventilated room (or a venting hose installed to direct the hot, moist air outside).
Condenser dryer
Condenser dryers are equipped with heat exchangers that condense the moisture from your clothes into water and either collect it in a reservoir or drain it away. The reservoirs are easily taken out and emptied. While the air that is released into the room from a condenser dryer will still be warm, it won't be moist as it is with vented dryers, so there won't be water dripping down the walls. As a result, these dryers do tend to be a bit more expensive as ventilation is not as big an issue.
Heat pump dryer
A heat pump clothes dryer works in a similar way to a reverse-cycle air conditioner by recycling the warm air produced by the drying cycle and using it to dry out the clothes. These dryers are more expensive to buy but they are also much more energy efficient and thus less costly to run – in fact, they use 63% less energy than a vented dryer of the same size. And while they do tend to take a little longer to dry clothes than other types, they condense moisture and don't vent any warm air at all, so there are no ventilation concerns. Their more expensive price is a turn-off for some buyers, but the rising cost of energy in Australia is likely to make these dryers more appealing and popular in the future.
Gas dryers
Last but not least are gas clothes dryers. These work in a similar way to electric clothes dryers but the main difference is that they use gas as the energy source. Like heat pump dryers, these appliances are more expensive to buy but cheaper to run as they use less energy and often heat clothes up faster than most electric dryers. A gas dryer's drum motor and controls are still powered by electricity, although this contributes only 10% of the energy cost. You'll need to have a gas line running to the laundry and the dryer must be vented to the outside. Gas dryers are only just starting to become popular in Australia and are therefore not available from many manufacturers apart from Speed Queen and Rinnai.
Gas dryer vs electric dryer
Gas and electric dryers each have their pros and cons. When deciding on a clothes dryer, consider the needs of your household, the cost efficiency and the features that are most important to you.
Gas dryers cost less to operate over their lifetime and dry clothes faster, however they are more expensive to buy and you will probably need to have a gas line installed into your laundry. Electric dryers are cheaper to buy and are easier to get up and running, however they are usually less energy efficient and more expensive to run.
Both electric and gas dryers use electricity to spin the drum the clothes are placed in, however gas is used to heat the air and power the fan that blows hot air onto the clothes in gas dryers. A standard gas dryer uses approximately 50% less power per load than an electric dryer.
After a refrigerator, clothes dryers are the most costly appliance in your home, so choosing the most energy-efficient model you can afford makes sense.
This article does not include every clothes dryer or brand available but rather is a general summary of some of the most popular and efficient brands and products.
These prices and details were checked on the 17/01/18 and may have changed since.
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