Best Heat Pump Clothes Dryers

Heat pump clothes dryers are a gentle airer for clothes and will help you save on your energy bills. They’ve got plenty of features, which can make shopping around quite the task, but knowing what to look for can help you find the dryer that’s just right for you. Continue reading...

Is a heat pump clothes dryer right for me?

A close up of a stainless steel clothes dryer

Heat pump clothes dryers use a pump to heat air and absorb moisture from your laundry load. This air is then cooled down to get rid of the moisture, and then reheated and recycled within the machine for drying clothes.

You might want to get one of these dryers over a condenser clothes dryer, a vented dryer, or a gas dryer if you’re prepared to pay a little more upfront to reduce your carbon emissions and save on energy over time.

Pros

Energy efficient, as they reuse heat energy, using over 50% less energy than a vented dryer of the same size (making them more eco-friendly too).

Gentle on clothes, as they use a lower temperature than other dryers.

Generally have a large capacity.

Don’t need to be in a well-ventilated room, as they don’t vent hot air - this also reduces the incidence of mould growth, and means you can put a heat pump tumble dryer anywhere in the house.

Can reuse the water for some purposes, like watering plants.

Often offer a wide range of programs.

Cheap to run.

Cons

Takes longer to dry laundry than a vented dryer, as they run at lower temperatures.

Very heavy, so in most cases aren't wall mountable.

Often expensive to buy.

Can be noisier than other types of dryers.

Drain tank needs to be emptied from time to time (unless it is plumbed into a drain).

Can be costly to repair as they have a complex design.

What to look for in a heat pump clothes dryer

Programs

Look for settings that suit the type of laundry you’ll be doing. A good rule of thumb is to look for a machine with multiple drying programs that cater to different fabrics. A delicates setting that can gently dry your silks and a low-heat woollens program are some to keep an eye out for.

Normal drying settings don’t remove all the moisture from your clothes, as this makes them easier to iron and prevents damage to them. If you want your clothes ‘extra’ dry, such as for when you’re sealing them up for storage, then look for a setting that can accommodate this.

Capacity

The capacity of a dryer refers to the weight of dry clothes it can accommodate in kilograms - ensure you opt for a drum size that suits your household’s needs.

If, like most people, you take your laundry out of the washing machine and put it straight into the dryer, then you might want to match the capacity of both machines.

Here’s a rough guide to the dryer capacity you need for your household, however read the product manual or manufacturer’s advice to get a more accurate recommendation before you buy.

Dryer capacity	Household size
5kg and less	1 - 2 people
5kg - 7kg	3 - 4 people
7kg and over	4 or more people

You should also measure the space which your dryer needs to fit in - apartment dwellers may need a small clothes dryer that can fit into a tight space. Double and triple check that the height, width, and depth of a machine suits your home.

Features

Look out for the following features on any clothes air dryer you’re looking to buy.

Auto-sensor: This stops the drying process once it senses your clothes are dry, to prevent them from over-drying as well as to save energy.
Reverse tumbling: A machine that reverses the direction of tumbling helps ensure even drying and minimal tangling.
Anti-crease: Activating an anti-crease function lets your machine continue to gently tumble your laundry after drying, so that heavy creases don’t form.
Drying rack: If you have items you don’t want tumbled (such as delicates or shoes), then look for a model that has a rack in the drum that can hold these items.
Time delay: Although it’s not ideal to leave your laundry wet, you may want the option to delay when you want your dryer to start, such as to take advantage of solar energy during the day. Just don’t have it running when no one’s at home, due to the fire hazard.
Child lock: This prevents the dryer from running unless you enter a specific button combination, helping protect your little ones.
Auto-start: Some people like the convenience of a dryer turning on automatically when the dryer door is shut, however it’s recommended to steer clear of dryers with this feature if you have children around.
Electronic display: A display like this lets you easily see how much time is left in the drying cycle and when you need to empty the lint filters.
Noise dampener: This reduces the noise level of your machine when it runs.
Mobile app: Some dryers can be connected to a mobile app, letting you track and manage the cycle’s progress.

Energy efficiency

When comparing the energy rating of dryers, ensure that you’re comparing models of the same capacity, as energy efficiency is relative to the size of the machine.

In addition to the star rating, you can also look at the energy consumption of the dryer, measured in kWh - the lower this number, the more of an energy efficient dryer it is, and the cheaper your running costs will be!

Ease of use

Heat pump dryers can’t be wall-mounted at an ergonomic height, however it’s worth looking into whether the model you’re looking at can be stacked on top of your machine (if it’s a front load machine). These stacking kits are usually sold separately, and may require you to have a washer from the same manufacturer as well.

Look for a clothes dryer machine with lint filters - these prevent lint from getting into the mechanics of the machine, prolonging its lifespan. Lint filters are easier to remove and clean if they’re at the front of the machine.

Cleaning and maintenance

You should check the product manual as well as heat pump clothes dryer reviews to see how easy a machine is to clean and maintain, so it can keep drying laundry perfectly each time.

Here are some basic cleaning tips to keep in mind before you buy.

Every time you use a machine, you should clean the lint filter, empty the water tank (if it’s not plumbed into a drain), and leave the door slightly open.
Every month, you should wipe down the machine’s exterior with a damp cloth.
Every year, you should vacuum any lint out of the dryer’s vents and crevices.

Price

Heat pump dryers can cost anywhere from $600 to around $5000, however most will set you back somewhere between $1000 and $3000 - it’s difficult to find a decent, cheap clothes dryer cheaper than this unless you manage to snag one at a heat pump dryer sale.

The high purchase price of heat pump models means they’re only really well-suited to those who use their dryer often. They may be economical to run, but this may not pay off the cost of the machine with only occasional use.

Are heat pump clothes dryers worth it?

Heat pump dryers are cheap to run, gentle on clothes, and more eco-friendly than other dryers, so if you can afford the upfront cost, then a heat pump tumble dryer is worth the extra money.

Shop around (you might find a clothes dryer sale) and do your research to ensure you take home a machine that’s right for you and leaves your laundry soft, warm, and ready to use.

Best Heat Pump Clothes Dryers