When sunlight hours are limited and you can’t rely on Mother Nature to dry your clothes, a reliable clothes dryer is your saving grace. Luckily, investing in one can be achieved on a budget.
Clothes dryers are often considered big-ticket items but that isn’t entirely true because online retailers and appliance stores often have a range of dryers in different price brackets, including those priced under $500.
Those that fall under the $500 mark are often more basic and compact but still come with all the essential bells and whistles needed to efficiently dry your clothes and make your life easier.
But with so many choices available on the market, it can be challenging to sort through which budget-friendly machines really do deliver on key features like capacity and energy efficiency. That’s why we researched far and wide to provide you with a curated selection of the very best clothes dryers for under $500. Whether you’ve just moved into a new place or your laundry is just in dire need of a replacement, we’ve got you and your budget covered.
Best clothes dryers under $500 to shop in Australia
Westinghouse 5.5kg vented dryer, $499 at The Good Guys
This 5.5kg vented dryer from Westinghouse is an ideal option for apartments and households of one or two. It features Sensor Dry technology to prevent over-drying and automatically shuts off when your clothes are bone dry. Although it’s budget-friendly, it’s fitted with eight drying programs so you’re sure to find the perfect cycle for all fabrics. Countless users have specifically commented on how quietly it operates.
“Its the best,” one five-star user said. “Aesthetically it looks crisp and clean. Practically, it works like a dream and is quiet. Every load is perfectly dry the first time, no need to run it a second time.”
Drying capacity: 5.5kg
Energy rating: 2-star
Product dimensions: 60W x 79.5H x 56D (cm)
Manufacturer’s warranty: 2 years
Key features:
- Front lint filter
- Time drying
- Eight drying programs
- Auto cool down function reduces creasing
- Reverse tumbling feature for even drying
- Wall-mounting kit included
- Stainless steel drum
Also available at:
- $429 at Appliances Online
- $449 at Bing Lee
- $447 at Betta
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 or two. The stainless steel inner drum gently tumbles garments to prevent wrinkles while the vented design efficiently removes moisture. It has three drying modes – heat, air and cool down – to suit different fabrics and a built-in timer so you can set, forget and carry on with more important things.
“I’ve been quietly surprised by this dryer,” one five-star user said. “It may be compact, but it handles a large load with ease and is very quiet. So far it’s performed better than some units I have had at more than twice the price.”
Drying capacity: 4.5kg
Energy rating: 2-star
Product dimensions: 60W x 70H x 46.5D (cm)
Manufacturer’s warranty: 2 years
Key features
- Built-in timer
- Three programs — heat, air and cool down
- Adjustable levelling legs for stability
- Stainless steel inner drum
Electrolux 6kg vented tumble dryer, $499 at Bing Lee
This dryer is the definition of bang-for-buck. For starters, it’s fitted with 10 drying programs including delicates, timed and reverse tumbling, to gently care for all types of fabrics. other features include an auto sensor to prevent over-drying, reverse tumbling for even drying and a generous 6kg capacity.
“I have been using this for three months now and it is a great quality product with excellent features and is very quiet compared to the previous brand that I had,” one five-star customer wrote.
Another person simply said: “The dryer looks great and is so quiet and very easy to use.”
Drying capacity: 6kg
Energy rating: 2-star
Product dimensions: 60W x 79.5H x 56D (cm)
Manufacturer’s warranty: 2 years
Key features:
- 10 drying programs
- SensorDry technology with three drying settings
- Wall mounting option with reversible control panel decal
- Clean filter indicator
- Efficient reverse tumbling action
- Programmable timer
Also available at:
- $499 at The Good Guys
- $541 at Appliances Online (price-match guarantee)
Haier 4kg sensor dryer, $349 at The Good Guys
This Haier dryer is small and compact with the capacity to dry up to 4kg of clothes – perfect for households of one or two. While compact, it comes with all the essentials needed in a reliable dryer, like sensor drying technology to automatically detect moisture levels, seven drying programs, reverse tumble action to prevent clothes tangling, front and rear venting and an easy access lint filter. Plus, installation is super easy with its wall-mountable design and included stacking bracket.
“The dryer is very quiet and efficient,” one satisfied customer said. “Dries the clothes well. Easy to use and good value for money.”
A second person wrote: “Efficient dryer that gets the job done in half the time other dryers do. Excellent value for money.”
Drying capacity: 4kg
Energy rating: 2-star
Product dimensions: 60W x 83H x 49.5D (cm)
Manufacturer’s warranty: 2 years
Key features:
- Seven drying programs
- Sensor cycle technology
- Reverse tumble action
- Front and rear venting
- Stacking bracket included to install on top of any Haier Front Load Washer
- Wall mountable design
Also available at:
- $389 at Appliances Online
- $349 at Bing Lee
- $349 at Betta
Esatto 7kg vented dryer, $420 (usually $449) at Appliances Online
Perfect for small to medium-sized households, this spacious budget-friendly Esatto dryer can do it all. It features an anti-crease mode to ensure your clothes are ready straight out of the dryer and the machine automatically powers off when your drying cycle is complete. One of its standout features has to be its electronic control panel, which can be reversed if you wish to wall-mount your dryer.
“This is the best and quietest dryer l have ever owned,” one five-star reviewer wrote. “It’s great value for money and looks like a more expensive model. I fully recommend to everyone.”
Drying capacity: 7kg
Energy rating: 2-star
Product dimensions: 59.5W x 84H x 55D (cm)
Manufacturer’s warranty: 2 years
Key features:
- Four drying programs
- Three dryness levels
- Child lock
- Anti-crease mode
- Safety thermostat heater
- Easy-access lint filter
- Included wall mount kit
What clothes dryer size should I buy for my home?
The capacity of your clothes dryer really depends on how many people are in your household and how often you plan to use a clothes dryer instead of hanging your clothes out on the washing line.
Of course, you also need to measure the space you have in your laundry. As a general rule of thumb, you always want to leave an extra 2.5cm of space around all dryer sides for air circulation. Moreover, you want at least an extra 15cm of depth — this takes into account the dryer vents, cables and hose hook-up at the back, as well as the front door.
Here is a general guide to choosing the right clothes dryer size for your needs:
- 4kg-6.5kg clothes dryer: This size is ideal for one to two people. This would work for around four to six towels or outfits.
- 7kg-8.5kg clothes dryer: This size is ideal for three to four people. The capacity you can expect is around seven to eight towels or outfits.
- 9kg+ clothes dryer: This size is ideal for more than five people. Each load can dry over more than nine towels or outfits.
If you’re limited on laundry space but need a larger-sized dryer, know that some models can be stacked on top of your washing machine to save space.
Which clothes dryer is the cheapest to run?
The larger the drum size, the faster it will dry your clothes. However, that also means the power usage will be higher. So, you’ll want to find a dryer that’s large enough for your needs but not so big it wastes power.
You may want to consider a heat pump dryer — these are usually the cheapest to run as they use about half the energy of a conventional electric dryer. In saying this, heat pump dryers can cost significantly more upfront, so it really depends on how much your budget allows for now.
How long should a cheap dryer last?
Regardless if you’re purchasing a clothes dryer under $500 or over $2000, this essential household item should have a life expectancy of at least 10 years — given it’s received proper care.
Here are some factors that can influence the lifespan of a clothes dryer:
- Build quality: A clothes dryer that’s built with more durable materials and a stronger construction will last longer. Better quality typically comes with a higher price tag.
- Maintenance: Scheduling in regular professional maintenance like cleaning the lint filter and checking venting can extend the lifespan of a dryer.
- Usage frequency: How often do you plan on using your dryer? The more often it’s used, the quicker it may wear out as components will wear down faster.
- Environmental conditions: Factors like humidity, dust and temperature fluctuations where the dryer is installed can impact the machine’s lifespan.
- Warranty: The length and terms of the manufacturer’s warranty are a good indication of the expected lifespan. If available, purchase extended warranty plans to give you extra peace of mind.
Looking to save money on home appliances? Check out our coupon codes for House, Bing Lee, Samsung and more.
Related articles:
- 8 best ways to dry your clothes quickly
- Common front loader myths busted by expert
- 10 of our favourite top-rated front loader washing machines
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
