Best Tumble Dryers 2023: Efficient drying for all clothes

If running costs are your primary concern, the Whirlpool W6 D94WR UK is for you. Rated A+++, it’s a super efficient tumble dryer. In fact, in our tests, we ran the Hanging Dry cycle for just 17p with our test load of 5kg of washing (a typical load). Even getting to cupboard dry only cost 26p for the cycle, which is incredible. This is close to being the cheapest tumble dryer we’ve reviewed.

This tumble dryer is one of Whirlpool’s top models, which means that it’s also gentle. Thanks to the clever drum design, clothes tumble gently and there’s even an additional anti-tangle setting, which is perfect for larger loads and for drying big items, such as sheets.

Overall, this dryer stopped drying at just the right point, so it didn’t overdry clothes and remove too many fibres: something that cheaper dryers often do.

Cleverly, this tumble dryer can also automatically clean its lower filter, reducing the number of jobs you have to do.

There are lots of programmes to choose from on the front panel. There’s no smart app, but given everything is easily accessible, that’s not necessarily an issue.

Overall, for quality and low running costs, the Whirlpool W6 D94WR UK is hard to beat.

Reviewer: David Ludlow
Full review: Whirlpool W6 D94WR UK review

If you don’t tumble dry that often, the KD-NHH9S7GW2-EN’s low asking price and relatively high 9kg capacity makes it an interesting choice.

This isn’t a smart tumble dryer, so everything is available via the programme dial on the front. We found the controls a little fiddly: the dial has to be turned to turn the machine on and select a programme; turn the dial past the off position and the machine shuts back down. Still, once you’re used to the way that the KD-NHH9S7GW2-EN works, it has every cycle that you might need.

Running costs are a touch higher on this model than on the competition, although the A++ rating is still good. And, we found that this dryer stopped early enough in the cycle that our clothes weren’t over-dried.

Fiddly controls aside, the low asking price here makes this a decent choice for those on a tight budget.

Reviewer: David Ludlow
Full review: Sharp KD-NHH9S7GW2-EN review

Big and bold, the AEG T9DEB969C is more attractive than your average tumble dryer. It’s also packed with the latest technology, too. At its heart are several technologies to improve garment care: replicating flat drying for wool items, for example, and using a fine humidity sensor so that the dryer stops as soon as clothes are dry.

While everything is available via the front panel, this machine is also compatible with the AEG app. There are some additional cycles available via the app, plus if you’ve got an AEG smart washing machine, the app can suggest the correct drying programme to use based on what you’ve just washed.

Performance from this tumble dryer is exceptional. Overall, this machine has the lowest running costs of any dryer that we have reviewed, if only by a little. We found that the AEG T9DEB969C looked after our clothes well, too: it stopped at just the right point for each cycle, so our clothes were dry but they hadn’t been overdried, damaging their fibres.

If you’re looking for the absolute best, this model is expensive but very good and its smart features are genuinely useful.

Reviewer: David Ludlow
Full review: AEG T9DEB969C review

It’s not the most exciting tumble dryer nor is it packed with the most technology, but the 9kg Hotpoint NT M11 9X3E UK does get all of the basics right, and it has some of the lowest running costs that we have seen.

As with most of Hotpoint’s products, this tumble dryer is controlled via the dial on the front. There are programmes for the most common clothing items, plus modes for cuddly toys, silk and wool items, among others. Although it can be set to run for a specific amount of time, the Hotpoint NT M11 9X3E UK is best used with its sensor drying, stopping when it detects clothing is sufficiently dry. This machine doesn’t have the fancy anti-tangle or automatic filter cleaning modes of the more expensive models.

Testing our standard 5kg (dry) wash load, a cupboard dry run costs around 27p, which is very efficient. We measured that 100% of the water had been removed, which is a touch too much: tumble dryers with more sensitivity tend to stop a bit earlier.

Hanging dry may be a better option: this cost 18p for the cycle, and our clothes had 98.42% of the water removed from them.

For smaller loads, there’s a daily option that takes up to 2kg of clothes. This cost 16p to run, so shows that tumble dyers are far more efficient when used with larger loads.

Overall, running costs are so good, that if you just want a straight-forward tumble-dryer for daily use, this is the one to buy.

Full review: Hotpoint NT M11 9X3E UK review

Reviewer: David Ludlow

Rather than being a tumble dryer, as such, the LG Styler is more a wardrobe for keeping your clothes in the best condition. Inside, there’s room for three hanging items, a shelf for an item and a single trouser press.

Rather than dealing with large amounts of items, then, the Styler is there to care for your more delicate items. Using steam, it can refresh clothes, such as suits and hard-to-clean items, so that you don’t have to take them to the dry cleaners as often.

It’s also an effective tumble dryer, taking care of more delicate items. Plus it has some clever modes, such as one for taking care of raincoats, so you don’t have wet items around.

With its smart Wi-Fi connection, you can download new programmes to the Styler, too.

It’s not for everyone, with its large size and high price, but if you have expensive clothes that you want to keep in the best condition, this is a great addition to any house.

Reviewer: David Ludlow

Full review: LG Styler