As winter approaches, tumble dryers become an essential household appliance, eliminating the need for cumbersome clothes horses and lengthy drying times for items like jeans. However, with a variety of options available, including heat-pump, vented, and condenser models, selecting the best one can be a daunting task for consumers.
Expert Testing Methodology
Experts at Which? rigorously test more than 120 tumble dryers each year, processing an impressive 1,200 kilograms of laundry in the process. The price range for these machines spans from £229 for a model by Candy to £1,650 for a high-end Miele dryer. Importantly, Which? purchases every product independently before testing, ensuring unbiased results without reliance on freebies from manufacturers.
How Dryers Are Evaluated
The testing procedure involves running each dryer through two distinct cycles with a wet load of laundry. Technicians then measure the dryness of the clothes upon completion. The loads include shirts, which are inspected for creasing to assess performance. Noise levels are graded using decibel meters, and the annual running costs are calculated for each model. In general, heat-pump dryers prove more economical, with an average annual cost of £58 compared to £147 for vented models and £145 for condenser types.
Top Tumble Dryer Recommendations
Best Budget Option: Logik LHP10W25
Type: Heat pump
Annual Energy Cost: £73.48
Laundry Capacity: 10kg
This model offers thorough and relatively quick drying, handling a kilogram of synthetic clothes in just 19 minutes. The automatic anti-crease function delivers smooth results, though the cotton cycle could be faster at 24 minutes per kilogram.
Best Mid-Range Choice: Beko BM3T3944W
Type: Heat pump
Annual Energy Cost: £49.55
Laundry Capacity: 9kg
Testers found this dryer excels in all areas, drying clothes quickly with times of 21 minutes per kilogram for synthetics and 22 minutes for cottons. It features fantastic crease removal and includes snazzy additions like an internal drum light. The main drawback is that it operates a bit noisily.
Best Premium Model: AEG AbsoluteCare Pro TR948V4BC
Type: Heat pump
Annual Energy Cost: £39.21
Laundry Capacity: 8kg
While pricey, this model is exceptionally cheap to run and quick, drying synthetics in 19 minutes per kilogram and cottons in 21 minutes. It also boasts wi-fi compatibility, allowing users to control it via an app. However, crease removal could be slightly improved.
For comprehensive expert reviews and the full range of tested models, consumers can refer to detailed resources online to make an informed purchase decision this winter.
