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When it comes to laundry day, having a dryer can be a real game-changer – especially in the cooler months. And if you’re in the market for an upgrade, you might want to consider an energy-efficient dryer, which is typically more economical to run and more eco-friendly than other models.
Here’s what to think about first, plus our list of top-rated, energy-efficient clothes dryers you can buy now.
Factors to consider before buying a clothes dryer
Climate
If you live in a region with high humidity or frequent rain, a dryer can be particularly handy for the clothes that never seem to air dry.
Time
If you’re always on the go or are washing for a large household, a dryer can be a saving grace for cutting out drying and hanging-out-clothes time.
Space
If you don’t have a clothesline or have limited space for hanging out clothes, a dryer can make doing laundry much more convenient.
Energy consumption
If you are concerned about your energy usage or want to reduce your environmental footprint, you may want to consider an energy-efficient model or limit your use of the dryer.
What type of dryer is most energy-efficient?
Heat pump dryers are generally considered the most energy-efficient type, as they recycle hot air to dry clothes – often using significantly less energy than conventional electric dryers.
While they can cost more to purchase, the energy savings add up over time. Plus, heat pump dryers often come with additional features – like moisture sensors and delicate fabric settings – which can help prolong the life of your clothes and reduce the risk of damage from overheating.
5 energy-efficient dryers to shop in Australia 2024
To help you do your laundry in a more cost-effective and environmentally-conscious way, we’ve rounded up some of the top-rated energy-efficient clothes dryers currently on the market. Read on for our top picks that exclusively boast nine and 10 stars energy ratings.
Miele 8kg PF heat pump dryer, $2999, The Good Guys
Ideal for households of three to four, this Miele heat pump dryer is great for most fabrics, can fit a queen doona and boasts an impressive 10-star energy rating.
Energy rating: 10 star
Key features:
- 12 drying programs
- Hinge door from either side
- Two-year manufacturer’s warranty
Hisense 10kg heat pump dryer, $1499, Bing Lee
As well as heat pump technology, this Hisense Series 9 dryer has humidity and temperature detection to match your washing with a suitable drying program and ideal drying temperature. It also boasts a 30-minute drying cycle for small loads of 1kg, and a 79-minute program that can dry 4kg of clothes.
Energy rating: 10 star
Key features:
- Pre-set and customisable drying programs
- AI Dry function to detect the ideal program and temperature for your load
- 17cm colour touch-screen display
- Power steam function to reduce wrinkles
- Three-year warranty
LG 9kg heat pump dryer, $1799, The Good Guys
With Wi-Fi connectivity and sensors that monitor heat exchange, moisture and air temperature to stop the cycle once clothes are dry, this smart heat pump dryer is a great pick for the modern homemaker.
Energy rating: 9 star
Key features:
- 13 programs including Allergy Care
- 10-year parts warranty on inverter compressor
- Durable Stainless Steel Drum
- Auto clean condenser to help maintain performance
- Remotely monitor with ThinQ® (Wi-Fi)
- Reversible door
- Double layer air filter
“Quiet, easy to change over dryer hose or tank and can reverse the door to suit layout of laundry,” wrote a five-star reviewer.
Miele Ecospeed 8kg heat pump tumble dryer, $2399, Bing Lee
Miele knows a thing or two about quality household appliances and the Ecospeed dryer is just further proof.
Energy rating: 9 star
Key features:
- 10 drying programs
- Honeycomb drum for more uniform drying
- Anti-crease action
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- 10-year warranty if purchased in May 2023 (usually two-year warranty)
LG 10kg heat pump dryer, $1999, The Good Guys
This LG heat pump dryer has the capacity of 10kg which means it’s large enough to dry a king doona – making it a perfect laundry addition for households of five or more.
Energy rating: 9 star
Key features:
- 12 programs including Allergy Care and Quick 30
- Prevent over drying with Sensor Dry
- Simple install with no external venting required
- Smart control, smart life with LG ThinQ® App
- Two-year manafacturer’s warranty
“It is super quiet and has lots of programs and the ability to control the dryer from the app is very convenient. I use to hang dry all of my work shirts because my old dryer would shrink them, but the heat pump does not shrink clothes so it makes it very easy to dump everything from our washing machine straight into the dryer. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would,” wrote a five-star reviewer.
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