The dryer buyer's essential guide

At a glance

• Types of dryers

• 6 things to look for in a dryer

• Drying tips

• Dryers for all budgets

They’ll tumble for you

There are three types of dryers to pick from, and factors like adequate laundry ventilation, cost, usage, and energy efficiency should all influence your choice.

Vented dryers

The traditional, simple tumble dryer draws air over a heating coil and circulates it, extracting moisture from the clothes and then venting the humid air.

That’s why it can turn your laundry into a sauna with dripping walls, unless you have an exhaust fan, can open a window, or have a venting kit pipe attachment that ducts the steamy air into a reservoir for emptying.

Vented dryers are the most affordable and also the most lightweight for wall mounting. They also chew a lot of power, so are recommended for occasional use and emergency drying.

Condenser dryers

If you want to avoid a steamy laundry, a condenser dryer is the way to go. It operates by using a heat exchanger to extract moisture during the drying process, and then drains the condensed water via an outlet pipe in the sink or into a tank for emptying.

Condenser dryers can have a larger drum capacity than a vented dryer and are a lot quieter, but consume more power. They're also a lot heavier and are best stacked atop a washer or installed beneath a benchtop.

Heat pump dryers

Heat pump dryers are even better, and a premium pick if your budget allows. They work in a similar fashion to a condenser dryer and a reverse cycle air conditioner, using a heat pump to recycle the warm air, passing it through the load to remove moisture, which is collected in a removable tank for emptying – or the dryer can be directly plumbed into an outlet hose.

The remaining air is reheated and the process begins again and cycles continuously until the load is dry. The warm air is never heated to the point where it can damage clothing.

Drying times can be longer because of lower temperatures when running, but heat pump dryers are gentler on clothes and the most economical and environmentally friendly dryers currently available.

6 things to look for in a dryer

1. First consider how often you will use it, the climate where you live, and what you will be drying.

2. Look for the same drum capacity as your washer for easy transfer of a full load, and reverse tumbling to prevent clothes tangling.

3. If your laundry isn’t sufficiently ventilated, opt for a heat pump or condenser dryer.

4. If space is limited, stack it atop a front load washer, choose a vented dryer that can be wall mounted, or a washer dryer combo.

5. A dryer with a reversible door provides easier accessibility in all laundry configurations.

6. Look for smart features or auto settings that shut off the dryer when it’s done, and wool safe and delicates settings that are kinder to clothes.

Hot tips

• Always read the labels on the garments you’re about to dry. Most clothing can withstand the drying process but some, like silk, are best hung out to dry.

• Sort clothes into fabric types before loading them into the dryer. This will help to reduce drying times.

• Don’t overload the dryer’s drum – air must be able to circulate evenly in order to dry the load as efficiently and quickly as possible. And don't load clothes that are still very wet.

• Untangling jeans and shaking out sheets before loading will speed up the drying process.

• Don’t forget to clean the lint filter (a strangely satisfying process). Lint can build up quickly and affect a dryer’s performance.

• Dryers equipped with a moisture sensor will automatically switch off once the clothes are dry.