If recent energy bills have left you questioning whether it’s worth using your dryer, winter is the best time to snag savings on a more economical and energy-efficient solution: heat pump clothes dryers.
July’s best heat pump dryer deals
- JB HI-FI is offering $111 off the Haier 7kg Heat Pump Dryer, now $688
- Appliances Online has taken $515 off the RRP of the LG 10kg Series 9 AI Heat Pump Dryer, now $1,764
- The Good Guys has launched a ‘Price Attack’ sale on the Westinghouse 9kg Heat Pump Dryer, now $999
These clever laundry upgrades do everything a standard dryer can, but with significantly reduced running costs, thanks to their high energy efficiency standards. In fact, we found a difference of $1823.25 in the 10-year running costs of the most efficient 9kg heat pump clothes dryer and the least efficient 9kg vented dryer on the Australian government’s Energy Rating Calculator. That’s a saving of around $182 a year in running costs.
The only catch? They’re generally more expensive than standard models, but by following our guide on where to look, you’ll be surprised at just how cheap the switch can be.
The best heat pump clothes dryers in Australia
Here, we’ve compiled all the best heat pump clothes dryers in Australia, based on Energy-Star ratings, drying programs, capacity and other key features.
Discover the best heat pump dryers for:
- Quiet drying cycles: LG Series 9 10kg Heat Pump Dryer, $1,999
- Reducing energy bills: Electrolux 700 Series 8kg Heat Pump Dryer, $1,599
- Smart homes: Samsung 8kg Heat Pump Smart Dryer, $1,549
- Couples: Bosch Series 8 9kg Heat Pump Dryer, $1,399
- Small apartments: Haier 7kg Heat Pump Dryer, $688 (was $799)
01
LG Series 9 10kg Heat Pump Dryer
$1,999 at JB HI-FI
Best for: quiet operation
With integrated AI technology, this LG heat pump dryer solves the irritating issue of taking clothes out of the dryer just to find that they’re still damp; this machine detects when to stop, and actually does it well. While this model falls on the pricier end of the spectrum, its 10kg capacity and an 8-star energy rating make it a worthwhile investment for those who wash large loads or families.
| Best for | Capacity | Energy Star Rating | Warranty | Link |
| Smart Homes Medium – large families Light bedding | 10kg | 8 | Motor: 10 years Parts: 2 years | Buy now |
02
Electrolux 700 Series 8kg Heat Pump Dryer
$1,599 at JB HI-FI
Best for: energy efficiency
If energy efficiency is what you’re after, the Electrolux heat pump dryer comes out on top with a perfect 10-star energy rating. Better yet, it also had an incredibly low 10-year running cost of just $554.19: that’s 5 times lower than the highest running costs recorded on the government’s Energy Rating Calculator ($2866.28, for a traditional vented tumble dryer).
| Best for | Capacity | Energy Star Rating | Warranty | Link |
| Energy efficiency Medium households | 8kg | 10 | 2 years | Buy now |
03
Samsung 8kg Heat Pump Smart Dryer with Intelligent AI Dry
$1,549 at Samsung
Best for: smart homes
Editor’s Tip: For the best heat pump dryer prices, buy directly from Samsung. You can even increase savings with their trade-in deals for eligible appliance swaps.
Smart enough to solve your laundry pet-peeves, but compact enough for smaller spaces, this Samsung heat pump dryer model isn’t just handy, it took home gold in the Good Design awards, too. Packed with clever AI features for efficient drying and an impressive 9-star energy rating, it really is a premium model (that’s now more affordable than ever for anyone trading in an eligible model).
| Best for | Capacity | Energy Star Rating | Warranty | Link |
| Singles, couples & small families Light bedding Total drying | 8kg | 9 | 2 years | Buy now |
04
Bosch Series 8 9kg Heat Pump Dryer
$1,399 at The Good Guys
Best for: an all-rounder
The Bosch Series 8 Heat Pump Dryer is a favourite among energy-conscious Aussies, thanks to an impressive energy rating and a versatile array of pre-set functions. Better yet, after some intensive digging, we found that the 9kg model is priced at $200 less than the 8kg alternative; same functions, bigger capacity, and lower price? Where’s the catch?
| Best for | Capacity | Energy Star Rating | Warranty | Link |
| Medium – Couples & small families | 9kg | 7 | 2 years | Buy now |
05
Haier 7kg Heat Pump Dryer
$688 (was $799) at JB HI-FI
Best for: small apartments
This slimline 7kg Haier heat pump dryer is suitable for smaller households, with a capacity to dry up to 7kg of laundry at a time. While it won’t fit heavy bedding, it offers an affordable and efficient way to dry standard loads. Plus, the dedicated dry cycles make it easy to care for your clothes, towels, and bedding with Delicate, Towels, Durable, and Express 60 settings.
| Best for | Capacity | Energy Star Rating | Warranty | Link |
| Small apartments Singles, couples, or small families | 7kg | 7 | 12 months, with an extended warranty available | Buy now |
06
Westinghouse 8kg EasyCare 500 Heat Pump Dryer
$923 (RRP $1,499) at Appliances Online
Best for: wrinkle-free clothes
Now 36% off (which saves extra-savvy shoppers a whopping $526 off the RRP), this heat pump dryer from Westinghouse solves an array of common laundry problems, including wrinkling and residual dampness (owing to alternating tumbling directions) and, of course, the dreaded energy bill panic.
| Best for | Capacity | Energy Star Rating | Warranty | Link |
| Singles, couples & small families Light bedding Total drying | 8kg | 7 | 2 years | Buy now |
Is a heat pump dryer worth it?
Tip: Check for energy efficiency rebates for heat pump clothes dryers
If you’re in Victoria, you may be able to get a discount from the government when you choose an energy efficient clothes dryer. Other states and territories have also previously offered rebates and incentives – you can check the current rebates and assistance options on energy.gov.au.
Overall, heat pump tumble dryers are a more energy-efficient, environmentally-conscious and cost-effective (over time) alternative to traditional vented dryers. You can weigh up the advantages and disadvantages but ultimately, the best option for you will depend on your individual needs and budget.
Some heat pump clothes dryers have even earned a perfect 10-star rating within the Australian government’s Energy Rating program. And while the Energy Rating website admits that these models are more expensive to buy, they clarify that these models are “much more energy efficient as they capture and reuse their heat energy”.
What makes heat pump dryers so efficient is a closed loop system that heats air to absorb moisture from clothes then reuses that air once the moisture is absorbed. After the air passes through the drum, the evaporator removes the moisture, which is then collected in a tank. And so the cycle of using the same air to dry the clothes repeats. By also utilising a refrigerant in the drying process, less electricity – and therefore energy – is needed to generate heat.
| Advantages of heat pump dryers | Disadvantages of heat pump dryers |
| Energy efficiency: As heat-pump dryers use up to 50 per cent less energy than traditional vented dryers, they can save you a lot of money on your energy bills in the long run. Eco-consciousness: Using less energy, heat pump dryers produce less greenhouse gas emissions than traditional vented dryers. Gentle on clothes: Drying clothes at lower temperatures, heat pump dryers can help to extend the lifespan of your garments, being gentler on them. Quieter operation: Not needing as much energy to heat the hair, heat pump dryers are generally quieter than traditional vented dryers. No need for venting: Heat pump dryers can be placed anywhere in your home, as they do not require a vent to the outside. This can be a big advantage if you live in a small apartment or if you do not have access to a vent. | Initial expense: Heat pump dryers are more expensive to buy upfront than traditional vented dryers; however, the energy savings over time can offset the higher initial cost. Take longer to dry clothes: Heat pump dryers take longer to dry clothes than traditional vented dryers as they use a lower temperature and a different system. In fact, I found some heat pump dryers took around 30 per cent longer, with average times around 2-3 hours. But the longer drying time can help to preserve the quality of your clothes. Requires draining: Heat pump dryers collect water from the air during the drying process, which must be drained after each use. But some models offer integration to make it easier. |
What else to know before buying a heat pump dryer
Bosch, Miele, LG, Haier and Samsung are among the top-rated heat pump dryers in Australia, while Electrolux has one of the best heat pump dryers on the market for energy efficiency. There’s also innovative and efficient models from Samsung, Fisher & Paykel, Beko and other brands like ASKO, so there’s no one ‘best’ brand of heat pump dryer. But you can find the best one for you by considering features including the energy rating, capacity, drying modes, warranty support and any specific designs or functions you want, like a reverse drum or steam.
In very simple terms, a heat pump is a pump that moves heat from one source or area to another – typically by drawing heat from the air, water or the ground. So you can get a range of different energy efficient heat pump appliances, including clothes dryers, hot water systems and even reverse-cycle air conditioners.
Seiki has a range of budget-friendly heat pump clothes dryers with energy efficiency ratings of 7 or 8 stars out of 10. For example, the Seiki 8kg heat pump tumble dryer is $515 and the Seiki 10kg heat pump dryer is $637 at Appliances Online at the time of writing. So people could save on the upfront cost of buying one of these dryers, but wouldn’t save as much on electricity when using them.
How we selected the best heat pump dryers on this list
The Better Homes & Gardens team has collectively assessed a wide range of heat pump dryers and reviewed details about the technology to develop a clear set of criteria for our top picks. We regularly review the heat pump dryers on the market, then narrow it down to ones available with our partners and consider the following essential criteria:
- Performance and performance-related features
- Efficiency, including the Australian government’s Energy Ratings and Energy Ratings Calculator
- Warranty coverage and maintenance
- Design and size
- Reviews, including our own hands-on experiences when possible
- Other notable features or elements
We also consider different price-points, sales and availability of stock to help ensure you can get the dryer you want.
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