Fisher & Paykel DE5060M1

Really bad choice in Dryer – Had the machine for 2 years and stopped working. Was really noisy from the date of install. Had the technician return to site just after being installed to see what the banging noise was but they just said there's nothing wrong. I put up with it but just died. Have owned a number of F&P and been a loyal supporter. But not now! Show details

wall mounted – Does this dryer have to be wall mounted? Is there any way to change the control panel so that it is free standing rather than having to put upside down on the wall?

A lot of lint and not too sure about the sensor – On average the Dryer would be used a few times a month, sometimes a couple of times a week. I can't say I'm an expert in the Clothes Dryer world. I've only ever used my folks and never took on the responsibility of cleaning it further than the lint trap/filter with every use. But this machine puts a lot of lint out; even if the filter/trap… Read more

isn't full, there is lint through the door and out the back vent. I was really concerned, called their support and they said it's normal. We are yet to reno the old kitchen into our laundry so it is sitting on the bench with the back up against a window. Therfore it's well ventilated and in a large room. But with the amount of lint that catches in the flyscreen and humidity/steam it produces with the window, internal and external doors open, I am concerned to fix it to the wall.

The quality of the dry seems ok. I haven't paid attention to the time frames. On the rare occasion something bundles in the centre and doesn't dry well, but I have had this issue with others' dryers.

In summary, I am grateful for this dryer as it gets this mum of babies through cold, wet and sometimes hectic days. If the lint and humidity produced by this machine is standard, then I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. But reading the other comments I hope the sensor doesn't die because there is no option to set (timer) and forget.

Not the quality expected from F & P, does it's job well for the price – When looking for a new dryer recently, I wanted a reasonably priced unit of a good quality brand. I could not find many reviews of this model which made comparison difficult..so here it is.. For our purposes I was prepared to go without all the fancy features for something that might last. The DE5060M1 looks good on paper and compares well… Read more

against similar brands available. I have been a long term fan of Fisher and Paykel, believing it to be a quality brand, generally more expensive than other brands but usually constructed with durability in mind and incorporating clever features and design.

First Impressions:

My immediate impression was that this dryer was a little disappointing and not really up to my expectations of the FnP brand. My opinion was formed after considering various aspects of the dryer's construction and function.

Some negative points first:

The edge of the plastic panel around the controls had obviously been grazed in the factory and instead of putting a new part on, they have tried to buff it out with a cutting compound, but not well enough to conceal the damage under the overhead down light in our laundry. Not what I would have expected from Fisher and Paykel! Exactly what you would expect from a cheaper Chinese manufacturer.

Control pad is a stick on strip of pressure pads, not real buttons. I've had equipment with this type of button before and over time the pads crack and look unsightly. Time will tell how durable these are.

The fitting of the enameled housing of the dryer is not perfect as if the unit was made in the factory in a hurry. The top panel looks like its just a bit too small for the sides. Perhaps not a big deal in terms of functionality but a sign to me that it has been built cheaply.

Door glass is actually plastic (perhaps polycarbonate or acrylic) and seems not quite deep enough to stop clothes catching on the lint filter as they spin. Delicate clothes may not appreciate this. Part of the problem is the modern air flow design shared across many brands where the air blows from the back to the front and then exits though the edge mounted filter. This forces clothes onto the door and small items like deodorizing sheets and small socks get sucked into to the filter housing.

I expect this could me mitigated if the dryer was wall mounted upside down, as the lint filter would then be on the top of the entrance rim and gravity might keep small items out.

The unit is capable of having front exhaust or ducted rear exhaust. Factory standard is front, and to change it you take off a blanking panel at the back and move it to the front exhaust hole to close it off. The front exhaust panel has to be unclipped and the similar looking blanking panel clips in its place. HOWEVER, the clips that hold it on are small and made of soft plastic and they bend and break easily if you are not very careful. I'm my opinion they are not adequate to hold the panel onto the plastic seal and as a result it doesn't quite sit flat, and water from moist air drips out the front of the machine. Its just not a great design. They could make the clips and the holes more robust without added cost. The other part of the problem is that the duct and seal don't line up that well with the steel front so its all just a bit awkward and crappy.

On the PLUS side:

It is competitively priced for an auto sensing dryer. Some people have complained that the auto sensing on similar FnP models is hit and miss but I think you have to take into account it is no Einstein. For the sensor to work correctly and dry all items evenly, you need to have a dryer full of similar items. If you dry heavy cotton shirts with a polar fleece or a light polyester business shirt, it can't tell some things are dry and some are not. It just measures the moisture in the exhaust air. So for best results dry similar items together, eg. all towels, cottons or synthetics. You can of course dry whatever you want but bear in mind, fabrics that don't hold moisture as well, like polyester shirts, underwear etc, will dry much faster than pure cotton flannel. Overall this dryer dries as described. Read the manual and use the settings as they are intended and you will get good results.

The unit is also pleasantly quiet during operation.

Conclusion:

In 2012 Fisher and Paykel was bought by the Chinese appliance giant Haier. I have never been a great fan of Haier as the appliances I have bought in the past did not turn out to be very durable. Admittedly they were inexpensive products but my feeling is that even the cheapest products should be fit for purpose, otherwise they are just landfill. You should get what you pay for, which is why we rely on brand identity to help us make an educated guess on what to expect from our purchases. What I am wondering at this stage is if a budget sensitive Fisher and Paykel dryer like the DE5060 is really just a re-badged Haier dryer? Its construction certainly makes me think it might be. If anyone knows for sure, I'd love to know. At various retailers you will see the Haier dryer next to the FnP offering and the Haier is usually cheaper. I would pay more for a FnP dryer based on their reputation...BUT not if its a cheap Haier in Sheep's clothing (NZ sheep at that!). Would I pay $449 for the same dryer with a Haier badge on it? Probably not. The sad reality these days is that you are just as likely to get a better machine from the cheaper manufacturer. I would pay extra for an Australian made quality product. Sadly though, if you are paying the same you'll probably find they have to cut corners somewhere. In an era of conglomerates you might be surprised who is actually making your favourite brands now.

All that aside, am I satisfied with this $449 dryer whoever made it? Overall, right now, after 1 month of ownership? Yes - I would say that the DM5060 does what it claims to do and is acceptable for a $450 dryer. If it keeps going as long as my last dryer (an Australian made Simpson that died after 25 years!) I will be thrilled. Ask me again in 5 years time.

We Like Our New Clothes Dryer! – This review is for the Fisher & Paykel 5kg vented clothes dryer. The measurements are: Height 83cm, Width 60cm & Depth 57.2cm. If you have a small laundry as we do, this dryer can be wall mounted and the wall mounting kit is included in the purchase price. I hear you thinking "how will I reach the control panel" if it is wall mounted. Never fear!… Read more

For those of us who are vertically challenged, the dryer can be wall mounted in an upside down position so the control panel is easily accessible. The door opens 180 degrees , flat against the front of the dryer and won't be in an awkward 90 degree position and get in your way while you load and unload. There are 4 settings for drying: Everyday, Delicate, Heavy and Time Dry. The default setting is "Everyday" for a period of 30 minutes, but this option can be changed as required. The dryer rotates both clockwise and anti clockwise so clothes dry evenly and don't get tangled. The dryer beeps and automatically turns off when it is finished. The lint filter is in the opening and easily removed for lint clearing with a light to remind you. Safety features include: a key lock to lock the control panel, a cool down period and if there is a problem the digital display will show a code. The manual has a trouble shooting section before you call for service.

The one and only clothes dryer we have had was bought second hand in about 1977 so buying a new dryer was an eye opening experience. We love our new clothes dryer!

Great to have a clothes dryer again! – easy to understand and computerised function makes life better. The new apartment came with this features which is a good brand from my past purchase with Fisher & Paykel products. Easy to clean lint filter and quiet enough in the laundry area. I use the everyday and extra dry function most time and it keeps my clothes, linen and doona dry in no… Read more

time at all. To reduce the noise level, I use the wool dryer balls. would be good if energy rating is better.

Lovely Dryer - Works Brilliantly – This is just an absolute must-have in Melbourne especially at this time of year. I can finally put on clothes that are actually fully dry instead of a bit damp after sitting all week! It is quite simple to use - and the reverse tumbling is great! It means things never get balled up (used to happen all the time with our old one) I think you can use… Read more

a vet to push the steam outside if you want but we dont bother with that. Great purchase and works really well!

Clothes that come out dry finally – You won’t be disappointed this clothes dryer is great value for money. I find it very fast and very easy to use. I personally Select extra dry and usually just on the normal cycle. The only thing that frustrates me is the noise it is rather loud but I deal with that !! But all in all great fryer for money ..  Show details

Error 4 – Bad quality heating elements used. Error 4 beeping up in just 16 months and hardly used it much. Lesson learnt to never buy fisher and paykel products. Should have read the reviews before investing in one. Show details

Does the job at a reasonable cost - but sometimes needs to dries – This is a fairly economical dryer when the items dry first time, but on occasions they need to be dried twice. The hotter option really does produces a lot of steam and condensation (leading to mould) so I recommend you use it in a well ventilated area. The capacity is fine and performs well on even the larger loads. Overall, I recommend this item and am pleased with my purchase.  Show details

It's just ok – Comparing with other white goods, there seems not too much option for dyer, especially with a lower budget. I think this one is relatively ok, if just use it occasionally. But at this price range, this one is the most energy efficiency. I haven't use other dryer, but it take a quite long time to dry the clothes up.  Show details

Great Warm Clothes! – We have just got this after several seasons without one and my goodness! What a delight to have towels straight from the dryer. It works quietly and efficiently and looks very neat in our laundry. It early days yet but I think Fisher and Paykel are a very reliable brand and we are hoping for many years from it.  Show details

lovely dryer – Very good dryer, i have had no problems with it all except sometimes it takes awhile to dry very quiet I love this dryer I always buy Fisher and Paykel I love their products. Your clothes come out with hardly any creases just fold them up and put them away.  Show details

Love this! – I renovated my laundry and wanted a dryer i could put on the wall. ..above my new fisher and pykel ..it dries the clothes very fast and i havent noticed any increased in the power bill...it looks smart and has an easy to clean lint remover. Its vented to the outside too  Show details

Great – Great clothes dryer so far. Don't experience any problems as many customers does. Had problems when purchasing from The Good Guys as they were very slack and unattentive to your orders. Delivered more than a month after salesperson said only 1-2 weeks delovery. Been waiting after alotted time but no dryer came until after chasing them. But dryer is okay!  Show details

Works fine – Not a lot to say about a dryer really. It tumbles, blows warm air and clothes become dry. Good points: Reasonably quiet. Good array of drying options including three heat settings with a low heat. Bad points: Slightly bulky for its capacity. The "Dry" setting gets excessively dry. Front exhaust vent is not adjustable for airflow direction. … Read more

Build quality is pretty average (like many F&P appliances these days); it is just a re-badged Chinese brand "Haier" made dryer which sells for around the same price too.

A good purchase – Finally bit the bullet and got a clothes dryer. Didn’t want to spend a fortune and are very pleased with it. It has a large capacity. Simple programs do the job. Lint filter is very easy to clean as it is at the front. Have found F&P to be a reliable brand with with other appliances.  Show details

Near Perfect Dryer – Very happy with this dryer. I finally cracked and agreed to get it last winter and was immediately impressed. The best feature is the automatic dry clothes sensing. You don't have to guesstimate with the timer like old dryers. This knows when the clothes are done. It's so much smarter and it doesn't waste energy by running on once the clothes are… Read more

dry. Perfect! Its not at all noisy running and installation was completely simple. Very happy with it.

Great product and after sales service – A very efficient and easy to use clothes dryer, just throw the wet clothes in and press start. The auto dry sensor works really well and placing the lint filter at the front is a great idea, really easy to empty. I’ve had a F & P washing machine for about 10 years and it only just broken down lately. I did have a problem with the dryer with it… Read more

making a loud grinding noise but the F & P service centre sent out a guy who very polite and tidy and fixed it under warranty. I highly recommend this brand and the outstanding after sales service to anyone.

Great Dryer – I haven't had any problems so far. It really does a great job. I love the sensor finish and various level of drying options so I can set and forget. Seems to very efficient. Nice and quiet too. Can't fault it really. I can fit quite a lot in it too. Great price.  Show details

Perfect dryer for a household of 2 – Have had this dryer for almost a year and am so happy I bought it. I love how quickly it can dry towels and sheets, plus there are multiple settings to control the temperature which is great for those delicate items. It runs very quietly and is very easy to use.  Show details

Reasonable Cloth Dryer – Pro: Good Price around $450 Dryness control useful when you try to hang e.g. Bath towel Wrinkle free are practical useful on special garment Delay start feature suit when get home late Con: Dust/Linen collector need to clean on every load Heat up the room easily even when ventilation fan on Overall exceptional for $450,… Read more

5kg cloth dryer and suitable for everyday bath towels and undies dryer. We use it every 2nd day and mostly for school uniforms plus bath towels and the auto control sensor seems remarkable good.

It leaves my old dryer (diff brand) for dead – The venting is efficient, so no more fluff etc floating onto walls and out the front. The lint filter is very easy to clean. The programming is easy, and I especially like being able to choose the level of dryness, or no heat. We use the dryer daily (no clothes line) and love it. It's a bit noisier than our previous one, but is so much more efficient we don't mind at all.  Show details

Easy to use and great price – This dryer is easy to use, good size, no condensation etc. It doesn't take as long as other dryers I have had and dries evenly. The lint filter is easy to clean. Have used it heaps during the wet season & it is still very quiet. The four different programs are great as sometimes you just need to finish drying off something a little damp.  Show details

Good functioning dryer at very cheap price – This dryer is a very affordable choice. It has four different programs, which meets demand for drying clothings from small load to medium load. The filter is very easy to clean. In has served me well for 10 months. Installation is super easy as well. Only drawback is that it started to make a little noise from month three. Nevertheless, it is a good dryer at this price.  Show details

Best Little Dryer I Ever Used! – 1. Sturdy in built; 2. Does not burn clothes even on heavy-duty mode; 3. Gentle mode does exactly what they mode says so. i.e. all delicates are cold air dry; 4. Not too loud; 5. Machine can run continuously for literally 6 hours with almost no break in between during heavy linen laundry days; 6.Clothes are not tangled up after drying cycle… Read more

even though I did not even bother to untangle to load when it comes straight out of the washer;

7. Best dryer I have ever used.

8. Only draw-back is that the lint catcher not exactly the best of built i.e. some fluff does escape into the laundry room floor requiring a daily sweep.

Very impressed with the drying ability and ease of operation – We replaced the Fisher & Paykel 3,5 model with the 5kg model, and although we made a mistake in purchasing the larger model instead of the 4kg model, we find that the update satisfies us very much. The easy and clear indication of how to operate the machine is very acceptable. We have been very happy with all other Fisher & Paykel equipment… Read more

that we have purchased over the past years, and seeing we have had so much success with this equipment in the past, we will continue to purchase Fisher & Paykel if the occasion should ever arise in the future so as to remain satisfied with confidence.

Thanking you.

GREAT CLOTHES DRYER – I have had this clothes dryer for about 3 weeks. its great. It dries the clothes well, it stops automatically when the clothes are dry, its quiet, we previously had a Fisher and Paykel dryer for about 15years. So naturally went back to that brand as our previous one latest so well. Would recommend this dryer.  Show details

Good dryer for the price – For a budget dryer, this is a pretty good one. It dries clothes fairly quickly and it's overly loud. The auto-sensor is really handy, I can just go away and leave it and not worry about it using any more electricity than it needs to. It alternates the direction of the tub every 30 seconds or so, which seems to stop clothes tangling up. The only… Read more

real fault for me is that the higher heat function does seem to produce a lot steam, so place it in a well ventilated area.

Saved our life – Works like a dream. Has been going constantly since we bought it and hasn't let up. It is hanging up on the wall and was very easy to install. A tad on the noisy side but has a vent that is directed outside so we can close the door. I would recommend this product.  Show details

Good budget priced dryer – Purchased to replace an old dryer and the difference is terrific. The reverse spin stop most of the tangles when drying larger objects and the auto dry feature means we turn it on and it turns off when dry. You can customise the dryer default settings but i can be a bit fiddly.  Show details

Does its job – This was bought in January, installed in February, upside-down above a top loader washing machine, in a European style laundry cupboard. Works really well! Sometimes a slight problem with sheets getting tangled and being a little damp in the middle but untangling them means it works well the second go. It's maybe a little loud? But I am… Read more

unused to having an indoor laundry, so it may just be me (and the nervous dog).

I'd have preferred the manual had a little bit more info on swapping the control panel around so it's 'right side up' though. Easy to do as it is, but maybe too easy to not think you've missed something.

Poor sensor, tangled laundry – This is a below average machine. I chose it because it had a two year warranty instead of the twelve months offered by other brands. The door is plastic, not glass. The sensor does not correctly discern whether laundry is dry - it always needs at least another thirty minutes. The machine stops and reverses the direction of the drum every… Read more

minute or so. This makes for terrible tangling of laundry and actually worsens the sensor's accuracy.

These outcomes occur with laundry loaded exactly as directed by the manual.

Don't buy this – There is a known fault with these end they temperature sensors fail and the dryer shows error4 and won't heat. They know they won't work and will fail but still sell them anyway. Mine has done it twice so far in 8 months. Not good enough. I want a refund  Show details