Which? reviews: Tumble dryers

Try Which? for a month for just £1 

We help you find the best tumble dryer for your budget. Tests include drying time and energy efficiency, creasing and noise level.

Before choosing a tumble dryer you need to decide whether you want your tumble dryer to get rid of the water from your washing through a hose or vent, or to collect it. 

Vented models 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. 

With condenser models, 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. 

Below, we explain more about the features of tumble dryers.

 
 
 

Programmes

Sensor tumble dryers choose the drying time for you. You select the programme based on the type of fabric and how dry you want it.

Your basic choices are:

Cupboard dry

Leaves clothes dry enough to store straight away. The load size for synthetic fabrics is usually half that for cottons.

Extra dry

A longer programme for multi-layered or thick fabrics such as bed sheets, towelling bathrobes and socks.

Iron dry

Clothes are very slightly damp which makes them much easier to iron. But you'll need to do so straight away.

Wool/Delicates

For drying woollens or delicate fabrics with gentle heat and minimal movement.

Cool tumble

Used at the end of a programme to cool the clothes and dryer down to make them cool enough to handle. Can be used to refresh clothes worn previously.

Easy-iron

Usually a few minutes of heat followed by a short cool tumble to relax the fibres of creased dry clothing.

Anti-crease

The drum moves occasionally after the programme ends to prevent creases setting in.

Timer dryers do not have programmes as such, just guidelines for drying times.

 
 
 

Useful features

Sensor Drying

The tumble dryer automatically detects how wet your load is and stops when it's dry. You need to wipe the dryer's drum every few months with white vinegar or stainless steel cleaner, or the sensors won't work effectively.

Programme buttons

Some machines allow you to take extra care of delicate fabrics, dry more quickly, delay the start time or have an anti-crease phase at the end.

Remaining time display

This indicates how soon your clothes will be dry – so you can plan to fold or hang them as soon as the load finishes.

Programme stage LEDs

These indicate that the clothes inside the dryer have reached different stages of dryness, or are in the cooling or anti-crease phases.

Temperature selector

You select 'high' for drying cottons and 'low' for heat-sensitive fabrics. Check the icons on your clothes' washing label for which to use.

 
 
 

So what's the best tumble dryer for you? Put us to the test, try Which? for a month for just £1. You'll instantly unlock all the reviews and advice on www.which.co.uk including tumble dryers.

Which? doesn't take advertising. This means you’re presented with unbiased reviews based on test results, not advertising favours. 

© Copyright Which? Ltd 2009, all rights reserved.

Please note that John Lewis Plc does not take responsibility for the content of any reviews compiled by Which? and reproduced here.

 

Inspiration & advice