Looking for the best tumble dryer for your needs? We’ve reviewed and rated several models on the market to find the finest around.
If you have endless amounts of washing to dry on a daily basis then a tumble dryer is essential to get your clothes from the washing basket to your wardrobe super-fast.
Navigating your way around the different types of dryers available can be a minefield, however. Then there’s understanding the features you might need, and checking those all-important energy ratings.
Thankfully, we’ve done all the hard work for you. We’ve laid out some keen buying advice below, and picked four of the best tumble dryers we’ve tested to make your buying decision easier. You’re welcome.
But first some buying advice. If you know roughly which of dryer you want, however, you can skip down to the models we recommend.
1. Grundig GTN38240GCW
Pros:
- Lower running costs
- Fast Shirt 30 program
- Can be plumbed into waste
- Delay and timer start
Cons:
- Slow to dry on most programs
- Not the quietest
- Finish shows finger marks
- Tends to over-dry
Why we liked the Grundig GTN38240GCW
The top-of-the-range Grundig GTN38240GCW is a decent – if not perfect – dryer, which has seen a price drop in recent months that makes it well worth a look.
It offers a generous 8kg maximum load capacity, 16 programmes that cater for the widest variety of materials, and some responsive touch controls that mean using it is really simple.
It uses super-efficient heat-pump technology to get your clothes dry, and comes complete with automatic sensor technology too, meaning there is no need to set a specific load weight – the dryer will do it all for you on selected modes.
Simply group your clothes into similar textiles, choose how dry you want them (extra, cupboard or iron dry) and when you want the drying to start, and the Grundig will do the rest.
It’s not the quickest dryer we’ve tested, but it is efficient, producing excellent drying results across a variety of tested settings. It’s cheap to run too, but a little on the noisy side. Not so much to intrude, but certainly to know it’s there.
Grundig GTN38240GCW Key features
- 8kg max load
- A+ energy rated
- Heat-pump technology
- 16 programmes
- Automatic sensor controls
Read the full review
2. Indesit IDPE 845 A1 Eco
Pros:
- Very energy efficient
- Wealth of programmes
- Good drying levels
- Lots of options
- Shoe-drying feature
- Good value
Cons:
- Complex programmes and options
- Standard Cotton is a little too dry
- Not the quietest machine in use
Why we liked the Indesit IDPE 845 A1 Eco
The Indesit IDPE 845 A1 Eco is an all-singing, all-dancing tumble dryer with stacks of features and functionality for every drying scenario possible.
As its flagship condenser model with heat-pump technology, the IDPE 845 A1 Eco offers sensor drying for up to 8kg loads, with A+ energy efficiency and 16 drying programmes.
These programmes are joined by several additional options and features, and while it’s great to have the choice, it means it can be a little tricky to understand. You’ll probably be making frequent visits to the user manual before you’re sure about which setting does what.
Once you’re clear though, its performance speaks for itself. It offers great drying results on the sensor programme, and plenty of manual and timed options for those who prefer things a little more traditional.
It isn’t quiet by current standards, but there’s no arguing its effectiveness and low energy consumption.
While it might be a touch complex in use, this is a modern, efficient tumble dryer with a solid performance at a good price.
Indesit IDPE 845 A1 Eco Key Features
- 8kg max load
- 16 programmes
- A+ energy rating
- Heat-pump technology
- Automatic sensor controls
Read the full review
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3. Samsung DV90M5000IW
Pros:
- Huge capacity
- Excellent drying results
- Super-low running costs
- Easy to use
- Excellent Mixed Load system
- Plumbed-in waste option
- Easy fluff cleaning
- Quiet operation
Cons:
- Nothing we can think of
Why we liked the Samsung DV90M5000IW
Samsung’s latest batch of heat-pump tumble dryers promise incredible energy efficiency and super-accurate sensor-based drying, all in a stylish, well-thought-out design.
The DV90M5000IW is the range’s huge 9kg capacity model, and comes with a choice of 14 programmes, a drum light so you can see what you’re doing, a shoe rack for filthy trainers and a single fluff filter for easy cleaning.
The DV90M5000IW is beautifully straightforward to use, working well on its automatic settings and reliably turning itself off when it reaches the required dryness level. It can even text you to let you know it’s finished.
Most importantly, it’s a consistent performer too, drying evenly and in good time, no matter the programme. Plus it’s even quieter than quoted, so it won’t cause a racket when it’s on.
Put all this together and the Samsung DV90M5000IW tumble dryer simply blew us away. It offers excellent drying results, with great features and the lowest energy consumption per load we’ve ever tested. This is an outstanding all-round dryer.
Samsung DV90M5000IW Key features:
- 9kg max load
- 14 programmes
- A++ energy rating
- Heat-pump technology
- Automatic sensor controls
Read the full review
4. Miele TDB120WP
Pros:
- Perfect drying results
- Very easy to use
- Outstanding build quality
- Good with small loads
- Plumbed waste option
- Fragrancing works well
Cons:
- Not as efficient as some
- Short of features
Why we liked the Miele TDB120WP
At the best part of £800, the 7kg Miele TDB120WP is far from cheap but it sets a new low level for tumble dryers from this company. There’s a long list of features, including heat pump drying and Fragrance Dos capsules to make your clothing smell nice.
Most importantly, the tumble dryer is a great performer. The sensor automatically calculates runtime based on the weight of washing. In our tests, the initial estimate of 2h 12m for the cupboard dry setting of our 5.6kg load dropped to 1h 40m after the PerfectDry system had done its job.
On completion, the clothes were dry enough to put away with just enough moisture in them to prevent creasing. Running costs are a little higher with this machine compared to the competition, but this will only amount to a few pounds extra per year compared to the best in class.
Extra running costs are worth it when you take into account how good the sensor drying is. If you’re looking for a long-lasting heat-pump dryer without all the bells and whistles, Miele has nailed it with the TDB120WP.
Miele TDB120WP Key Features
- 7kg capacity
- Heat-pump technology
- A++ energy rating
- Sensor drying
- Fragrance Dos
- Gentle Tumble
- Drum light
Read the full review
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Best Tumble Dryers Round Up
- Grundig GTN38240GCW
- Indesit IDPE 845 A1 Eco
- Samsung DV90M5000IW
- Miele TDB120WP
Best Tumble Dryers Buying Guide
Before you start looking for your new tumble dryer, you’ll want to understand the different types of dryers that are available.
Vented
These are the more traditional tumble dryers, and often the cheapest. They work by pumping out damp air from the drum via a hose. This hose is either permanently vented through a wall, or placed out of a door or window whilst the dryer is on. As a result, there will be some limitations regarding its placement.
Condenser
Condenser dryers don’t require venting, so are more flexible in terms of placement. Instead, they condense the damp air inside the drum and turn it into water. This is then collected in a removable reservoir, which is emptied down the sink once full.
Heat pump
Heat-pump dryers are essentially condenser dryers but with clever technology that reheats the air that passes through the drum, and as a result use less energy. They’re usually the most expensive to buy, but the savings overtime on your energy bills can be substantial.
Gas
These are tumble dryers that run on gas rather than electricity. They’re traditionally more energy-efficient than their electric counterparts, but they require special – or shall we say, pricey – installation by a Gas-Safe registered engineer. This, plus energy improvements on electric dryers means there are very few gas tumble dryers in the UK now.
Other things to consider
Now you’ve chosen the type of tumble dryer that best suits your needs, what else should you consider?
Manual vs automatic
Many new tumble dryers include sensor technology that can automatically judge the weight of the washing loaded and select a drying time to suit, stopping when it senses it’s complete.
These programmes are good when they work well, but frustrating when they don’t. Be sure to read our reviews to see how they fare.
Manual dryers, on the other hand, rely on you setting the time of the cycle. This can mean you over-dry or under-dry clothes, but they’ll usually be cheaper.
What size of drum?
The average tumble dryer offers a 6-8kg drum, with some going up to 10kg and tabletop dryers as low as 3kg. A family household will probably want to consider dryers of 8kg and up to be the most efficient.
Bigger machines take less time to dry more clothes, but will use a greater amount of energy in the process. If you’re only ever getting it to half capacity, you’ll be spending more on energy than you have to, so be sure to pick a size that suits.
Check the design
Before you buy, be sure the design works well for where the unit will be placed. For example, some have reversible doors so you can change from a right opening to a left opening, and others have drum lights to make it easy to see what you’re doing in darker rooms.
You might also want to check that lint- and micro-filters are in a convenient place for cleaning, and that the water reservoir in condenser dryers is at an easy height to empty.
