If you’ve made the tricky decision between a
condenser dryer and a tumble dryer already, your next decision should be a bit
easier: choosing the right tumble dryer make and model.
Most of us have a budget in mind when shopping
around, and there are enough brands to provide a solution at every price point.
Features
Tumble dryers all work by expelling warm air
through a hose, so there’s a fairly limited amount of variation on that theme.
In general, the fanciest machines have the most dryer heat/ time combinations,
better displays, more intuitive controls, and better child locks.
More expensive dryers sometimes have quick dry
settings, or settings designed to quickly freshen up an item you want to wear
the same day.
In truth, a basic machine with analogue
controls can do just as good a job, but it depends what you’re looking for. If
you don’t have any space to line dry clothes, you might opt for more programs;
if you have indoor space for an airer, or a large garden, you may not need the
dryer all year round, and could potentially get by with something more basic.
Capacity
While the physical size of a tumble dryer
rarely differs, the capacity might, and that can make a huge difference to its
usefulness.
For a family of four, a 3kg dryer is rarely
large enough for a full load. Something 6kg or higher will be much more
convenient and avoid the need to run the dryer multiple times a day.
For very large families, or sporty types that
need to do lots of washing, you can buy machines with 8kg or 9kg capacity. Bear
in mind that running big tumble dryers half-full is likely to waste energy,
although you can get machines that switch off if they detect that the clothes
have dried which can help.
Energy Rating
Any appliance that generates heat will use
more energy than average. Dryers and kettles are both good examples.
For the best savings, opt for a machine with
an energy rating of B or above. The very best machines might have a rating of
A+ or better, for example.
If you have Economy 7 at home, you’ll save money
by running your dryer overnight, so you may wish to buy one with a timer or
delayed start setting. That way, you can fill the dryer during the day and run
it while you’re asleep.
Brand Reputation
In the appliance market, some brands have a
better reputation than others. After all, most of us would expect a budget
appliance to have a shorter lifespan than a high-end one.
That said, there are bargains to be found.
We’ve heard reports of mid-range tuble dryers lasting for a decade or more if
well looked after.
At the top end of the market, Bosch and Miele
offer a huge range of settings and features. Mid-range models tend to perform
well with slightly fewer settings to choose from. Budget options like White
Knight and Beko offer excellent bang for your buck.
Some Hotpoint, Whirlpool, and related brands
have been tarnished by serious fire safety problems, and subsequently, a very
long wait to have the fault repaired. It’s not a great advert for the company.
If you’re concerned about this recall, we advise not buying used tumble dryers
that might have been affected.
Final Points
Tumble dryers may require alterations to your
window, or the fitting of a vent for the hose. Remember to factor in the cost of
sorting this out; nobody wants to have a window permanently wedged open for
their dryer, and certainly not in the middle of winter. If this sounds like a
hassle, consider a condenser dryer or a combined washer/ dryer instead.
*The information in this blog is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. Please seek a professional for expert advice as we can not be held responsible for any damages or negative consequences upon following this information.