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
Learn more about how we test tumble dryers 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 filterVery low running costsGentle on clothes
If running costs are your primary concern, the Whirlpool W6 D94WR UK is for you. Rated A+++, it’s a super efficient tumble dryer. In fact, in our tests, we ran the Hanging Dry cycle for just 17p with our test load of 5kg of washing (a typical load). Even getting to cupboard dry only cost 26p for the cycle, which is incredible. This is close to being the cheapest tumble dryer we’ve reviewed.
This tumble dryer is one of Whirlpool’s top models, which means that it’s also gentle. Thanks to the clever drum design, clothes tumble gently and there’s even an additional anti-tangle setting, which is perfect for larger loads and for drying big items, such as sheets.
Overall, this dryer stopped drying at just the right point, so it didn’t overdry clothes and remove too many fibres: something that cheaper dryers often do.
Cleverly, this tumble dryer can also automatically clean its lower filter, reducing the number of jobs you have to do.
There are lots of programmes to choose from on the front panel. There’s no smart app, but given everything is easily accessible, that’s not necessarily an issue.
Overall, for quality and low running costs, the Whirlpool W6 D94WR UK is hard to beat.Reviewer: David LudlowFull review: Whirlpool W6 D94WR UK review
Sharp KD-NHH9S7GW2-EN
The best budget tumble dryer
Pros
Low average running costsLarge doorGentle drying
Cons
No hanging dry optionFiddly 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 LudlowFull review: Sharp KD-NHH9S7GW2-EN review
AEG T9DEB969C
The best smart tumble dryer
Pros
Effective sensor dryingCareful with clothesSimple control panelLots 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 LudlowFull review: AEG T9DEB969C review
Hotpoint NT M11 9X3E UK
The best mid-range tumble dryer
Pros
Cheap to runGood valueLarge 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 runLeaves clothes feeling refreshedHygienically cleans using steamQuiet
Cons
ExpensiveLimited 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 costsExcellent drying performanceClever 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 includedSmart appLarge drumLow 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
What type of tumble dryer is right for you? 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. What size of drum should you buy? 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.
Specs compared
‹
UK RRP
USA RRP
EU RRP
CA RRP
AUD RRP
Manufacturer
Size (Dimensions)
ASIN
Release Date
First Reviewed Date
Model Number
Voice Assistant
Rated Efficiency
Annual electricity consumption
Dryer type
Sensor drying
Drying modes
Drying Capacity
Drum Capacity
App Control
Whirlpool W6 D94WR UK
£839
–
–
–
–
Whirlpool
650 x 595 x 850 MM
B09BZTM5FP
2022
08/02/2023
Whirlpool W6 D94WR UK
–
A+++
–
Heat Pump
–
Eco, refresh, wool, bedding
9 kg
9 kg
–
Sharp KD-NHH9S7GW2-EN
£399
Unavailable
Unavailable
Unavailable
Unavailable
Sharp
596 x 610 x 845 INCHES
B09GV7LV3P
2021
18/08/2021
Sharp KD-NHH9S7GW2-EN
–
A++
259 kWh
Heat Pump
Yes
Shirts 20′, Jetdry 34′, Refresh, Wool Refresh, Sport, Duvet, Cottons, Synthetics
9 kg
9 kg
–
AEG T9DEB969C
£1099
Unavailable
Unavailable
Unavailable
Unavailable
AEG
596 x 638 x 850 MM
–
2021
29/09/2021
AEG T9DEB969C
–
A+++
195 kWh
Heat Pump
Yes
MyDry, Wool, Down Jackets, 3kg Quick, Outdoor, Bedlinen XL
9 kg
9 kg
Yes
Hotpoint NT M11 9X3E UK
£509
–
–
–
–
Hotpoint
595 x 655 x 850 MM
B09HR1D29S
2022
09/02/2023
Hotpoint NT M11 9X3E UK
–
A+++
–
Heat Pump
Yes
Wool, silk, refresh, cuddly toys
9 kg
9 kg
–
LG Styler
£1899
–
–
–
–
LG
445 x 585 x 1850 MM
B09RFWWSMZ
–
05/01/2021
LG Styler
Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa
–
–
Heat Pump
Yes
Gentle tumble dry and steam refresh
–
–
Yes
Samsung DV90T6240LN
£827
–
–
–
–
Samsung
600 x 600 x 850 MM
B08K8YQVXN
2023
06/04/2023
Samsung DV90T6240LN
–
A+++
–
Heat Pump
Yes
Wool, outdoor, delicates, bedding and more
9 kg
9 kg
Yes
Hisense DH5S102BW
£699
–
–
–
–
Hisense
595 x 640 x 845 MM
B0BXFPSKNF
2023
07/11/2023
Hisense DH5S102BW
–
A+++
–
Heat Pump
Yes
Wool, delicates, refresh, baby, rack
10 kg
–
Yes
›
Trusted Reviews Test Data
‹
Energy consumption cupboard dry
Energy consumption hanging dry
Yearly running cost low use (tumble dryer)
Yearly running cost med use (tumble dryer)
Yearly running cost high use (tumble dryer)
Sound (spin)
Sound (normal)
Whirlpool W6 D94WR UK
0.773 kWh
0.499 kWh
–
–
59.48
–
–
Sharp KD-NHH9S7GW2-EN
0.704 kWh
0.308 kWh
13.60
20.40
27.20
62.3 dB
62.3 dB
AEG T9DEB969C
0354 kWh
0.359 kWh
10.24
15.36
20.48
–
52.2 dB
Hotpoint NT M11 9X3E UK
0.798 kWh
0.529 kWh
–
–
61.29
–
–
LG Styler
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Samsung DV90T6240LN
0.792 kWh
0.584 kWh
–
–
–
–
62.1 dB
Hisense DH5S102BW
0.916 kWh
0.591 kWh
–
–
–
–
–
›
