Buyer's Guide

Dryers

It might be time to upgrade your dryer if it is taking more than an hour to load; it's old, tired, and using significantly more energy. Check out our handy buyers guide below for a brief overview of the types of dryers available to help you make the best choice.
Laundry
Appliance Plus
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It might be time to upgrade your dryer if it taking more than an hour to finish a load; its old, tired and using significantly more energy.


There are a lot of options out there, so figuring out which one is best for your home can be difficult. Check out our handy buyers guide below for a brief overview of the types of dryers available to help you make the best choice.
 

VENTED DRYERS

Blow hot air through tumbling clothes which evaporates the water. The hot humid air is then blown out of the dryer - ideally outside your house through a venting duct.
Quick Facts:
- Faster Drying times
- Typically cheaper to purchase but you need to consider running costs when purchasing
- Generate a lot of warm, moist air so needs to be ducted outside or in a well-ventilated laundry
 

CONDENSOR DRYERS

Condenses the moisture inside the dryer into water, then pumps it into a water tank or out through a hose to drain (depending on the model).
Quick Facts:
- Don't need to be vented or ducted
- Need to empty the water tank after each use or install a hose to channel the water directly into the drain or sink
 

HEAT PUMP DRYERS

Warm damp air is cooled to remove the water that's collected in a reservoir or channeled to a drain, and cool air is then reheated and recycled inside.
Quick Facts:
- Use less than half the energy per load than a condensor dryer or a traditional dryer
- Need to empty the water tank after each use or install a hose to channel the water directly into the drain or sink
- Purchase price is typically higher than vented or condensor dryers
 

SENSOR DRYERS

These dryers use sensor technology to detect when clothes are dry, then stops to save energy and prevent over-drying that can damage clothes.
Quick Facts:
- Front and/or rear venting required
- Tend to be only dryers but do help save on your energy bills, as they only dry clothes for as long as needed
- Energy-saving with the humidity level function