Tumble dryers30 products
Start with the drum size
Choosing a tumble dryer
Most homes now choose a heat pump dryer. It uses less energy than a condenser or vented dryer and is gentler on clothes, though cycles take longer. Condenser dryers collect the water in a tank you empty, and vented dryers push damp air outside through a hose. The tiles at the top of this page sort dryers by drum size.
Choose a drum at least as big as your washing machine's, so a full wash dries in one go. Since July 2025 dryers carry a new A to G energy label, so only compare classes on the new label. Sensor drying, which stops the cycle when clothes are dry, and an easy-to-reach lint filter are both worth looking for.
Guides
Common questions
Heat pump, condenser or vented?
Heat pump dryers use less energy than condenser or vented dryers and are gentle on clothes, but cycles take longer. Condenser dryers collect the water in a tank; vented dryers push damp air outside through a hose.
What does the new dryer energy label show?
Since July 2025 tumble dryers carry a new A to G label. Classes on the new scale cannot be compared with the old A+++ to D scale.
What size dryer do I need?
Choose a dryer at least as big as your washing machine drum, so a full wash fits in one load.
What is sensor drying?
Sensors measure the moisture in the drum and stop the cycle when your clothes reach the dryness you chose, so they are not over-dried.
Do heat pump dryers take longer?
Yes. A full cotton cycle usually takes longer than in a condenser or vented dryer, because the air is heated more gently.
How do I keep a dryer working well?
Clean the lint filter after every load, and the condenser or heat pump filter as the manual advises, so air can flow freely.
