If you’re looking for a faster way to dry your clothes, a tumble dryer is the obvious answer.
Not only can a tumble dryer turn wet clothes into dry in a matter of hours, but clothes and bedding that come out of a dryer often feel softer and nicer than those dried using more natural methods, like hanging them up on the line.
Of course, the cost of living has us all wondering where we can cut our expenses and the tumble dryer might be one place that comes to mind. After all, hanging your clothes outside is free.
However, running a tumble dryer might not be as expensive as you might think. With modern heat pump dryers, we’ve found you can clean a full load for as little as 17p. Depending on your budget and how often you wash your clothes, you might find a tumble dryer to be a surprisingly affordable option that speeds up your chores and gives you softer results in the process.
To add to this, not everyone has a garden or balcony to hang their washing. If you live in a flat, you might struggle to air dry your clothes without the clothes horse getting in the way – and that isn’t even to mention the damp that can occur if you forget to crack a window.
But, even if you want a tumble dryer, where do you start? We’ve created this guide to introduce you to the best tumble dryers we’ve tested here at Trusted Reviews.
Below you’ll find a list of the best tumble dryers for a variety of use cases, including the best budget dryer, the best smart dryer, the best for low running costs, and the best large dryer, among others.
Scroll down further to read a summary of each tumble dryer, along with pros, cons, and links to our complete, in-depth reviews.
We’d also recommend you check out our other best lists while you’re here, including the best washing machines and the best irons.
Best tumble dryer at a glance
How we test
We put all of our tumble dryers through the same set of tests, so that we can work out which ones are good and which ones are bad. We use the same set of washing for each machine, weighing it when wet and when dry, to see which dryers do the best job.
We also measure how much energy each dryer uses, so we can tell you which ones are the most efficient. Finally, we work out yearly running costs to help you find the most cost effective dryer for your needs. You can find out more in our dedicated how we test tumble dryer guide.
Whirlpool W6 D94WR UK
The best overall tumble dryer
Pros
- Self-cleaning bottom filter
- Very low running costs
- Gentle on clothes
The Whirlpool W6 D94WR UK tumble dryer is easy to use, doesn’t require much maintenance and is one of the cheapest tumble dryers we’ve reviewed.
Unlike the AEG T9DEB969C, the Whirlpool W6 D94WR UK doesn’t come with smart features and instead lists all its programs on the front panel which are selectable via the dial in the middle of the control panel.
Alongside the expected drying cycles, such as Eco Cotton, there’s a Gentle option that reduces the drying temperature and Anti Tangle that varies the drum movement to prevent large items from twisting. In fact, the latter is aided by the rim of the 9kg drum which has blocks pointing in multiple directions to help tumble clothes gently and efficiently.
You’ll also find the useful Fresh Care Plus option that enables the drum to move occasionally and pass air over your clothes, keeping them fresh for when you can’t unload the dryer immediately.
Once you’ve selected your desired cycle, the LCD will accurately show you how long it will take thanks to the Whirlpool W6 D94WR UK’s 6th Sense technology which detects how dry washing is in real-time.
We found that the Whirlpool W6 D94WR UK is one of the cheapest tumble dryers we’ve reviewed, with the Eco cycle costing just 26p while the Hanging Dry option cost just 17p. Not only that but it’s efficient too, with Eco mode removing 97.66% of water from clothes while Hanging Dry removed 93.63% of water.
Although there are two filters on the machine, you’ll only need to manually empty the pull-out lint filter that’s both easy to remove and clean. The bottom filter is fitted with Whirlpool’s Auto Cleaning technology which means it’s cleaned automatically for you.
If you want a powerful tumble dryer that’s gentle on clothes, removes water efficiently and is cheap to use then the Whirlpool W6 D94WR UK is a great choice. Although it doesn’t boast the smart features of others, it’s still easy to use and can even automatically clean one of its two filters to reduce the level of maintenance involved.
Reviewer: David Ludlow
Full review: Whirlpool W6 D94WR UK review
Sharp KD-NHH9S7GW2-EN
The best budget tumble dryer
Pros
- Low average running costs
- Large door
- Gentle drying
Cons
- No hanging dry option
- Fiddly programme dial
If you don’t tumble dry that often, the KD-NHH9S7GW2-EN’s low asking price and relatively high 9kg capacity makes it an interesting choice.
This isn’t a smart tumble dryer, so everything is available via the programme dial on the front. We found the controls a little fiddly: the dial has to be turned to turn the machine on and select a programme; turn the dial past the off position and the machine shuts back down. Still, once you’re used to the way that the KD-NHH9S7GW2-EN works, it has every cycle that you might need.
Running costs are a touch higher on this model than on the competition, although the A++ rating is still good. And, we found that this dryer stopped early enough in the cycle that our clothes weren’t over-dried.
Fiddly controls aside, the low asking price here makes this a decent choice for those on a tight budget.
Reviewer: David Ludlow
Full review: Sharp KD-NHH9S7GW2-EN review
AEG T9DEB969C
The best smart tumble dryer
Pros
- Effective sensor drying
- Careful with clothes
- Simple control panel
- Lots of programmes
Big and bold, the AEG T9DEB969C is more attractive than your average tumble dryer. It’s also packed with the latest technology, too. At its heart are several technologies to improve garment care: replicating flat drying for wool items, for example, and using a fine humidity sensor so that the dryer stops as soon as clothes are dry.
While everything is available via the front panel, this machine is also compatible with the AEG app. There are some additional cycles available via the app, plus if you’ve got an AEG smart washing machine, the app can suggest the correct drying programme to use based on what you’ve just washed.
Performance from this tumble dryer is exceptional. Overall, this machine has the lowest running costs of any dryer that we have reviewed, if only by a little. We found that the AEG T9DEB969C looked after our clothes well, too: it stopped at just the right point for each cycle, so our clothes were dry but they hadn’t been overdried, damaging their fibres.
If you’re looking for the absolute best, this model is expensive but very good and its smart features are genuinely useful.
Reviewer: David Ludlow
Full review: AEG T9DEB969C review
Hotpoint NT M11 9X3E UK
The best mid-range tumble dryer
Pros
- Cheap to run
- Good value
- Large capacity
Cons
- Sensor drying doesn’t cut off as early as on competitor machines
It’s not the most exciting tumble dryer nor is it packed with the most technology, but the 9kg Hotpoint NT M11 9X3E UK does get all of the basics right, and it has some of the lowest running costs that we have seen.
As with most of Hotpoint’s products, this tumble dryer is controlled via the dial on the front. There are programmes for the most common clothing items, plus modes for cuddly toys, silk and wool items, among others. Although it can be set to run for a specific amount of time, the Hotpoint NT M11 9X3E UK is best used with its sensor drying, stopping when it detects clothing is sufficiently dry. This machine doesn’t have the fancy anti-tangle or automatic filter cleaning modes of the more expensive models.
Testing our standard 5kg (dry) wash load, a cupboard dry run costs around 27p, which is very efficient. We measured that 100% of the water had been removed, which is a touch too much: tumble dryers with more sensitivity tend to stop a bit earlier.
Hanging dry may be a better option: this cost 18p for the cycle, and our clothes had 98.42% of the water removed from them.
For smaller loads, there’s a daily option that takes up to 2kg of clothes. This cost 16p to run, so shows that tumble dyers are far more efficient when used with larger loads.
Overall, running costs are so good, that if you just want a straight-forward tumble-dryer for daily use, this is the one to buy.
Full review: Hotpoint NT M11 9X3E UK review
Reviewer: David Ludlow
LG Styler
The best steam cabinet
Pros
- Cost-effective to run
- Leaves clothes feeling refreshed
- Hygienically cleans using steam
- Quiet
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited space inside
Rather than being a tumble dryer, as such, the LG Styler is more a wardrobe for keeping your clothes in the best condition. Inside, there’s room for three hanging items, a shelf for an item and a single trouser press.
Rather than dealing with large amounts of items, then, the Styler is there to care for your more delicate items. Using steam, it can refresh clothes, such as suits and hard-to-clean items, so that you don’t have to take them to the dry cleaners as often.
It’s also an effective tumble dryer, taking care of more delicate items. Plus it has some clever modes, such as one for taking care of raincoats, so you don’t have wet items around.
With its smart Wi-Fi connection, you can download new programmes to the Styler, too.
It’s not for everyone, with its large size and high price, but if you have expensive clothes that you want to keep in the best condition, this is a great addition to any house.
Reviewer: David Ludlow
Full review: LG Styler
Samsung DV90T6240LN
Best for low running costs
Pros
- Low running costs
- Excellent drying performance
- Clever drying rack
Cons
- Slightly confusing drying settings
If you can’t live without your tumble dryer then the Samsung DV90T6240LN is the perfect cost-effective appliance as this model promises cheap running costs that will help offset the initial investment.
In our tests, we found a setting 3, 5kg load, cost just 27p per cycle. The setting 3 load on this Samsung is equivalent to a cupboard dry, meaning it is the highest drying setting and should make clothes dry enough to be put away as soon as the cycle is complete. We also found in our tests that this setting removed 99.6% of water.
A level 2 setting, which is the equivalent of a hanging dry, is as impressive, costing just 20p per cycle and removing 97.28% of water from a 5KG wash load.
As well as regular drying cycles, there are extra features and programs that help make this tumble dryer more versatile. There are programs specifically for wool, outdoor clothing and bedding. With its decent 9kg drum, this tumble dryer easily copes with average-sized washing loads.
There’s also manual drying that helps perk up items. You can either choose the warm air option, which sends gently heated air for slightly damp items, or the cool air option, which is for refreshing laundry.
With the included drying rack that plugs into the door, you can use your tumble dryer for items that should be treated more delicately, including shoes. The light inside makes it easier to load and empty the machine too.
To make its use even easier, the dryer is also SmartThings compatible. This is particularly useful as you can see which drying cycles are available and you’ll get a notification on your phone when a cycle is finished. In addition, if you have a Samsung washing machine, you can link the cycles together, so when the washing machine has finished, the tumble dryer can be set to the correct cycle option.
If you use your tumble dryer frequently enough, this is a worthwhile investment. However, as it’s not the cheapest dryer on our list, we’d only recommend this if you know you’ll use it frequently enough to offset the initial cost.
Reviewer: David Ludlow
Full review: Samsung DV90T6240LN
Hisense DH5S102BW
The best large tumble dryer
Pros
- Drying rack included
- Smart app
- Large drum
- Low running costs
With a 10kg drum, the Hisense DH5S102BW is one of the largest tumble dryers available, which makes it ideal for larger households that tend to do bigger loads of washing and drying.
The appliance is easy to load and unload too, thanks to its large door and incredibly useful light inside the drum which helps you to check whether you’ve missed an item when unloading.
The Hisense is fairly straightforward to use, however we did note that there were a few manual settings that could have been made clearer.
There’s a dial on the appliance to select the desired drying cycle, which includes all the options you’d expect from a tumble dryer. There are also some special programs for delicates, bedding and wool. There’s also a particularly useful Ion Refresh option, which is able to refresh clothes without using heat.
You can also connect the Hisense to the smart app, ConnectedLife, which can be used as a remote control for the appliance. If you also have a Hisense washing machine, you can use the WashDry Sync option to automatically set the tumble dryer based on the wash mode used.
The Hisense’s door filter needs to be cleaned at the end of each cycle, however as it is a double filter and traps lint inside, it is easy for you to clean.
In our tests, we found that on the cupboard dry cycle, the dryer removed 99.18% of the moisture in the load and cost 31p. With the iron dry setting, which is Hisense’s equivalent of the hanging dry option, the dryer removed 95.37% of moisture and cost just 20p to run.
Just like the Samsung DV90T6240LN, the Hisense also has a useful rack that clips over the door and allows you to safely dry items that shouldn’t be tumbled.
Reviewer: David Ludlow
Full review: Hisense DH5S102BW
FAQs
Heat pump tumble dryers are more expensive and slightly slower than the competition, but they’re hugely efficient and the cheapest to run. For environmental reasons alone, heat pump is the best way to go. If you’re on a budget, a condenser dryer is a good choice, dumping the used water into a tank that you empty after a cycle.
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.
