The latest, high-tech heat pump models use hot air to extract water, which then evaporates in a tank. Given their sophisticated features and superior energy efficiency, these tend to be the most expensive tumble dryers.
If your budget doesn't stretch that far, consider a vented tumble dryer. These need a hose or vent to expel the warm air, and must be installed by an external wall or window.
There's also a third type: condenser tumble dryers. These work by condensing the warm air from wet clothes into water, which then collects in a removable reservoir. Most models will tell you when the tank is full, so there's no need to worry about flooding.
Do tumble dryers use a lot of electricity?They can do, especially older models. But, if you’ve got the budget, heat pump tumble dryers are the most energy efficient.
The most efficient machines we've tested are the Haier I Pro Series 7 Plus Dryer 9kg HD90-A3Q979U1, the Hotpoint ActiveCare NTM119X3EUK Heat Pump Tumble Dryer and the Hisense 5S Series DH5S102BW 10Kg Heat Pump Tumble Dryer. All these models cost 1p or less to dry one kilogram of clothing – based on the current cost of electricity at 26.35p/kwh.
What size tumble dryer should I get?Tumble dryers range in drum size from as small as 4kg to a generous 10kg. In general, 4-6kg is a good option for couples, 7kg suits families of three, 8kg is ideal for families of four and 9-10kg is handy for large households.
The models on our roundup he 7-10kg drums. This roughly translates to the following:
7kg: 35 T-shirts or 1 double duvet8kg: 40 T-shirts or 1 queen duvet9kg: 45 T-shirts or 1 summer king duvet10kg: 50 T-shirts or 1 winter king duvetWhat to look for when buying a tumble dryerSensor technology
Tumble dryers he a bad reputation for gobbling up energy. Brands he tried to address this by creating sensors that monitor the humidity in the drum throughout the cycle and stop it as soon as your laundry is dry, sing you both time and money.
On test, our laundry emerged slightly damp from some models with sensors, but it's easy to run another shorter cycle until you're happy. Though generally more expensive, these models should help you se on running costs in the long term.
Programming
Tumble dryers are largely simple to operate. There are two main types: manual and sensor. Manual models he at least two or three settings: cottons, synthetics and delicates. Sensor dryers usually he more programmes, allowing you to select the most suitable setting for whatever you’re drying and minimise the risk of damage.
Most machines offer three degrees of dryness for both their cotton and synthetic settings:
Iron dry: Lees laundry slightly damp to make ironing easier, but you’ll need to do the ironing as soon as the cycle has finished.Cupboard dry: Lees laundry dry enough to be put away once the cycle has ended.Extra dry: Best for larger items such as duvets or pillows, as it ensures everything is bone dry.Other settings to look out for include:
Wool: Make sure the machine has been approved by The Woolmark Company, so you know it won't ruin your fourite jumper. It should state this in its manual and/or feature a small wool symbol next to its wool setting.Mixed: Use this setting whenever you’re drying a variety of different materials.Shoes: Some tumble dryers come with a shoe rack that suspends your shoes in the middle of the drum as it rotates.If you’re replacing an existing tumble dryer, there are plenty of places for you to safely recycle your old one. Find your nearest electrical recycling point, or read our guide on how to donate or dispose of your appliances and tech for extra guidance.