When you buy a tumble dryer, youâll want it to last many years so naturally youâll want to choose the best tumble dryer for your needs. But with so many tumble dryers in the UK to choose from, it can be hard to know what type would be best. To help you decide, this guide gives you the five top things to consider when finding the best tumble dryer for your needs:
Condenser dryers versus vented tumble dryers
Condenser dryers are by far the most popular choice because water is collected in an internal reservoir, so you can position them pretty much anywhere in your home. Vented tumble dryers in contrast need to be close to either a window or an external wall because water is extracted out through a hose or vent. Both of these types of tumble dryers have advantages and disadvantages.
Condenser dryers â floor or door-level water reservoir
The water reservoir in condenser dryers needs to be emptied after every cycle but as the reservoir on some tumble dryers is floor-level, if you find bending, kneeling or lifting difficult, emptying the reservoir may be difficult for you. If thatâs the case, it may be best to opt for a tumble dryer with a door-level reservoir. The best reservoirs even come with built-in handles so you can carry with ease.
Tumble dryer size
Like washing machines, tumble dryers vary in their sizes and capacities. Itâs worth bearing in mind that a larger drum size will not only enable you to dry more clothes per load, but to be more energy efficient as a big tumble dryer takes less time to dry clothes than a small tumble dryer.
If youâd like an extra large tumble dryer, a 9kg capacity will be enough to dry two small loads of washing in one go â or one very large load. A smaller tumble dryer with a capacity around 3 or 4kg will mean the tumble dryer takes up less space but itâs worth considering how big your washing machine capacity is. If the tumble dryer capacity is smaller, you wonât be able to dry an entire load of washing in one go.
Most tumble dryers come with a 7kg capacity, which will dry the average load of washing in one load.
Energy efficiency
Tumble drying your clothes uses more energy than washing so many tumble dryers are C-rated for energy efficiency. If youâd like a best rated tumble dryer thatâs guaranteed to save energy, look for one thatâs A or B-rated, and even better, recommended by the Energy Saving Trust.
Timer settings
Timer settings on tumble dryers range from 180 minutes. If youâre going to be regularly drying heavy loads, choose a machine with generous timer because otherwise you may find your clothes havenât sufficiently dried. Itâs also wise to choose a tumble dryer with a âdry sensorâ to automatically turn the machine off once your predetermined level of dryness has been reached. This will protect your clothes from over-drying and ensure you donât waste energy.