How to choose a clothes dryer: buying tips
March 8th, 2012
This morning I woke up to the sound of a month’s worth of rain pounding upon my roof.
“How annoying,” I said to myself, peeking out the window at the grey wasteland that used to be my backyard. “Couldn’t the end of the world have waited until after I saw Radiohead?”
NSW is currently experiencing the wettest month on record, so wet in fact that Warragamba Dam (which was running dangerously low for years during the drought) has spilled.
But Warragamba isn’t the only the only thing to spill over. All around the state, laundry baskets everywhere are reaching critical fullness levels, with certain Sydneysiders getting down to their last pair of clean socks.
Now personally, I’m a big believer in drip drying my laundry – it’s the most environmentally friendly option, and it minimises wear and tear on your clothes.
But in weather conditions like this, it’s just not possible. Which is why we’ve put together this guide to help you find the best clothes dryer to suit your needs.
Some considerations:
Size
Dryers range in size from around 4kg – 9kg. Common sense dictates that large households (4+ people) will require a dryer with a large capacity, while small households (1-2 people) should be fine with a 4kg dryer.
For best results, it is recommended that you should only ever half-fill the dryer with clothes to maximise efficiency and reduce drying times. (A stuffed-full dryer can also create a fire hazard).
Vented verses condenser
Traditional vented tumble dryers work by pumping moisture into the air. This is why your laundry can become humid and steamy when you run the dryer. (Although some models provide the option of directing the vented air outside).
Alternatively, condenser dryers work by extracting moisture from your clothes and draining it away as condensed water. Depending on the model, this either drains away into a water reservoir (which needs to be emptied) or drained via a tube down your laundry sink.
The advantage of condenser dryers is that they do not need to be placed in a well-ventilated location – making them an excellent choice for apartment living.
However condenser dryers are generally more expensive than vented clothes dryers.
Washer/dryer combos
If you’re also in the market for a new washing machine, you might like to consider a washer/dryer combo. These machines make it possible to wash your clothes and then dry them in the same machine, saving you time and effort.
These machines are also great space-savers, making them the perfect for studio apartments or small laundries.
To make the buying process easier, we’ve put together a list of our top picks (including vented and condenser dryers, and washer/dryer combos):
4kg Simpson Dryer 39P400M
Offering fantastic value for money, this vented dryer comes in at under $300 and has received rave reviews from our many happy customers.
Great for small households (1-2 people).
6kg Electrolux Dryer EDV605
Affordable, reliable and highly functional, this Electrolux vented clothes dryer has a 2 star energy rating and is very popular with our customers.
Perfect for medium-to-large households (2-4 people).
7kg Condenser Haier Dryer HDY-C70
Great for larger households (4+ people) this Haier condenser dryer has received a perfect rating from our customers.
“Brilliant machine & price-point. Works superbly with no troubles at all!”
Samsung Washer Dryer Combo WD0754W8E
Super quiet and easy to use, this Samsung washer/dryer combo can be used as a normal washing machine or as condenser dryer.
Great value for money!
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