Although drying clothes on a hot summer’s day takes only a few hours, when we unexpectedly get into wet spells, we need to find a way to get our laundry dry in the most efficient way possible.
Dryers make laundry day a breeze – they are found in most apartments and have become home staple over the years. However, unlike purchasing a humble clothes horse, a dryer is a purchase that comes with a higher price tag.
And with a higher price point, we need to make sure we’re putting our money into something that will last.
6 best dryers to take for a spin in Australia 2024
With expert knowledge under our belt, read on to see our top picks of dryer models that will make laundry days a breeze.
Westinghouse 5.5kg vented dryer, $499 at The Good Guys
This affordable 4.5kg vented dryer from Westinghouse is a great option for apartments and households of one or two – drying your clothes in a flash.
“We are happy with the dryer,” wrote a five-star reviewer. “It does what it’s meant to without any fancy, unusable features. It’s nice and quick and quiet.”
Key features:
- 5.5kg vented dryer
- Reverse tumbling feature for even drying
- Auto cool down function – reduces creasing
- Wall-mount kit included – a great space saving option
- Front lint filter
- Easy-to-use rotary dial control
Also available at:
- $499 at Bing Lee
- $499 at Betta Home Living
- $506 (usually $649) at Appliances Online
Solt 4.5kg vented dryer, $299 at The Good Guys
If less capacity is required, the Solt 4.5kg vented dryer is perfect for households of one of two – as recommended by category expert Peter Simic from The Good Guys.
“As a vented dryer, it is among the most affordable type of dryer to buy for those who are on a budget, however always keep in mind that running costs can be higher. For installation, outside ducting is needed to ensure that moist air flows outside via a hose or alternatively, simply place in a really well-ventilated room.”
Key features:
- 4.5kg vented dryer
- Stainless steel drum – made to be delicate on your clothes
- Adjustable levelling legs for stability
- Timed drying options
LG 9kg heat pump dryer, $1899 at The Good Guys
Who knew dryers could look so sleek? This heat pump dryer by LG not only looks great in your laundry room (hello modern black steel exterior), but it also has all the specs you’re looking for in a high quality dryer.
“I’m loving this new LG Dryer, it’s the best I’ve had,” wrote a reviewer. “Love all the settings and it doesn’t damage the garments. It’s large and does the sheets and doona covers perfectly and [has] a setting for allergies. It’s just terrific and easy to use. It makes laundry easier.”
Key features:
- 9kg heat pump dryer
- 9-star energy rating: this dryer uses a compressor to create hot air, using less electricity compared to traditional vented dryers
- Auto-cleaning condenser: an automatic cleaning function occurs during the drying process to maintain optimal machine performance for every cycle
- Sensor Dry technology to prevent over-drying and to determine the optimal amount of time needed depending on the load
- No external vents required, ensuring easy installation
- Smart features: ThinQ app allows you to remotely start and monitor your clothes from afar
Also available at:
- $1898 at Betta Home Living
- $2006 (usually $2279) at Appliances Online
- $1899 at Bing Lee
Haier 4kg sensor dryer, $349 at The Good Guys
Perfect for households of one or two, this Haier dryer is small and compact with the capacity to dry up to 4kg of clothes. Plus, it’s an affordable vented dryer option for those who are occasional dryer users (but love the convenience of owning one).
“It was a great decision to buy this dryer,” said a five-star reviewer. “Clothes gets dry in 30mins. No regrets. Great dryer for that price.”
Key features:
- 4kg sensor dryer
- Sensor cycle technology to take the guesswork out of laundry days
- Seven drying programs to choose from
- Reverse tumble action to ensure heat is evenly distributed during the cycle
- Wall-mount option available, making it perfect for smaller spaces
Also available at:
- $349 at Bing Lee
- $349 at Betta Home Living
- $393 (usually $519) at Appliances Online
Asko 8kg heat pump logic dryer, $1999 (usually $2599) at Betta Home Living
In a rare occurrence for a clothes dryer, this Asko unit boasts an impressive 8-star energy rating – largely due to its heat pump design that reuses air where possible during the cycle. An excellent option for families who are looking to save time and energy doing their laundry.
“I bought this and love it,” wrote a reviewer. “It is quiet, quick to dry and energy saving. It also has plenty of settings for every kind of fabric and concern.”
Key features:
- 8kg heat pump dryer
- 8-star energy rating
- 14 drying programs to choose from
- 2-year manufacturer warranty
- Butterfly Drying with increased airflow and figure-8 movement to dry clothes evenly, while preventing wrinkles and tangling of garments
Also available at:
- $1999 (usually $2599) at The Good Guys
- $1999 (usually $2599 at Appliances Online
- $1999 (usually $2599) at Bing Lee
Samsung 8kg AI-enabled heat pump dryer, $1649 at The Good Guys
Another incredibly sleek number, Samsung’s latest dryer features 14-dryer cycles and is integrated with AI technology to optimise your cycle based on your lifestyle, usage pattern and current season.
Key features:
- 8kg heat pump dryer
- 9-star energy rating
- AI pattern technology – the dryer learns your preferred cycle and optimises setting selection accordingly
- OptimalDry system that checks humidity levels and adjusts drying time to prevent over drying
- SmartThings app compatible – making it easy to remotely start/stop cycles
“Heat pump dryers are the best,” said a five-star reviewer. “With the other dryers I found some clothes shrunk and heat pump dryers whilst more expensive save on electricity. I would highly recommend a pump dryer.”
Also available at:
- $1599 at Betta Home Living
- $1649 at Bing Lee
What are the different types of dryers available?
“Dryers have come a long way over the years and the new technology and innovations we’re seeing is incredible,” said category expert Peter Simic from The Good Guys.
“There is no one-size-fits all. Shoppers can now find heat pump dryers, condenser dryers, sensor dryers and vented dryers from leading brands, with size and feature variations to fit any budget.”
What’s the difference between heat pump, condenser, sensor and vented dryers?
The different types of dryers available may feel a bit overwhelming to begin with, but finding one that suits your lifestyle and needs is important.
Heat pump dryers
Heat pump dryers are the most energy efficient as no venting is needed.
“They don’t create hot air or moisture so they’re perfect for apartments,” explains Simic. “They also use less than half the energy of a vented or condenser dryer. They might cost higher at the time of purchasing, however those costs could be recouped on power bill savings over the dryer’s lifetime.”
Vented dryers
Vented dryers are among the lowest priced of the category.
“They can be the most affordable to purchase however they do generate a lot of warm, moist air, so they need a ducting vent installed to pump the hot air outside the house. Or they need to be in a well-ventilated room to prevent mould forming on walls and ceilings.”
Condenser dryers
“Condenser dryers on the other hand do not require outside venting,” said Simic. “This is a great option for rental homes. Some models have a water container that needs to be manually emptied after each load, while others have a hose that drains the water automatically. The drying process does increase air moisture levels, so a well-ventilated room is always recommended to prevent mould forming.”
Sensor dryers
Sensor dryers save energy by switching off when detecting your clothes are dry. This also helps to prevent over-drying and damage to clothes. They also need a ducting vent that pumps the hot, humid air outside the house.
If external duct venting is unavailable, Simic recommends to position sensor dryers in a well-ventilated room to prevent mould forming on walls and ceilings.
“Sensor dryers can cost more to buy than timed vented dryers but the advantage is they cost up to 15 per cent less to run for power bill savings,” adds Simic.
What dryer size should I buy for my home?
The next thing you need to consider is what size dryer will fit in your laundry.
“It is always important to measure the space carefully and always leave an extra 2.5cm of space around all dryer sides for air circulation,” advises Simic.
“It is also important to leave an extra 15cm of depth to take the door at the front, and dryer vents, cables, and hose hook-ups at the back into account. Some dryers models can be stacked on top of your washing machine to save space.
“As a rule, a larger drum size dries everything faster. However, the power usage is also higher. It is important to find a dryer that’s large enough for your needs but not so big it wastes power.”
A guide to the right size choice:
- 4kg-6.5kg is ideal for one to two people. This would work for around four to six towels or four to six outfits.
- 7kg-8.5kg is ideal for three to four people. The capacity you can expect is around seven to eight towels or seven to eight outfits.
- For more than five people, you might want to opt for a 9+kg for your family. Each load can dry approximately nine+ towels or nine+ outfits
*Discounts apply to most recent previous ticketed/advertised price. As The Good Guys negotiates, products will likely to have been sold below ticketed price in some stores prior to the discount offer. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount offer. See product for details.
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