Tumble dryers are one of the most expensive home appliances when it comes to energy costs. However, they’re incredibly useful and convenient, especially in the winter when it’s too cold and damp to dry clothes outside.
Technological advances have made tumble dryers much more energy efficient than they used to be. However, energy prices are at all-time highs, dryers are still expensive to run.
Tumble dryers come in three main types: condenser, vented and heat pump. Heat pump tumble dryers are the most modern type of dryer, and also the most energy efficient and economical to run.
On average, heat pump running costs are less than 50% of those of a condenser or vented dryer.
We’ve researched the market to try to find the most energy efficient and economical tumble dryers available in the UK. Unsurprisingly, the top five most energy-efficient models are all heat pump dryers.
We’ve also tried to find the most energy-efficient condenser and tumble dryer in case you aren’t to buy a heat pump dryer.
Most Energy-Efficient Tumble Dryers in the UK
1. Miele TEF765WP Freestanding Heat Pump Tumble Dryer
Capacity: 8 kg
Energy rating: A+++
Annual energy usage: 161 kWh
Dimensions: 85 x 59.6 x 60 cm
The Miele TEF765WP is the most energy-efficient tumble dryer we could find in the UK at the time of writing, using just 161 kWh of electricity a year based on estimates of average usage.
This WiFi-enabled tumble dryer from Miele is great for medium-sized households, with an 8 kg capacity. The heat pump technology means this tumble dryer uses much less energy than some alternatives, and the EcoSpeed function can even speed up the drying cycle too.
For an added fresh scent at the end of the cycle, this machine has a unique perfume capsule compartment. Iron-free and anti-crease programmes can eliminate the need for ironing too.
Features like the delay timer and self cleaning function add a whole new level of convenience, and the low noise level (66 dB) means this tumble dryer is unlikely to disrupt movie night too.
If you live in a hard water area, the PerfectDry function ensures that laundry is still perfectly dry at the end of the cycle. The mineral sensors in the machine record the calcium level in the water, and adjust the drying process accordingly to give you your ideal results each and every time.
This Miele tumble dryer might be one of the more expensive options available, but the machine has been tested to the equivalent of 20 years’ use and users love the energy efficiency, variety of settings and that it is very easy to use.
2. Hotpoint ActiveCare NTM118X3XBUK 8Kg Heat Pump Tumble Dryer
Capacity: 8 kg
Energy rating: A+++
Annual energy usage: 175 kWh
Dimensions: 84.9 x 59.5 x 65.5 cm
Hotpoint is a familiar household brand, and this heat pump tumble dryer is yet another appliance that proves why Hotpoint are as popular as they are. This Hotpoint heat pump tumble dryer can safely tackle just about any material; even hand-knitted kids clothing.
For households with allergies, the Anti-Allergy programme uses higher temperatures than other cycles that will kill off dust, pollen, and other allergens.
According to Hotpoint, the naturally lower temperatures in this heat pump tumble dryer can reduce fabric wear and tear by 40%, saving you money in the long run.
At just 64 dB, this tumble dryer is quiet enough that it won’t disturb nap time, and the choice of fifteen cycles will help you tackle just about any laundry load.
This Hotpoint heat pump tumble dryer is very reasonably priced, without compromising on functionality and the cycles are fairly quick too.
3. Samsung Series 6 OptimalDry™ DV80T5220AN 8Kg Heat Pump Tumble Dryer
Capacity: 8 kg
Energy rating: A+++
Annual energy usage: 176 kWh
Dimensions: 85 x 60 x 65 cm
Samsung leads the way in smart appliances, and the Series Series 6 OptimalDry tumble dryer is no exception. This WiFi enabled tumble dryer is compatible with the Samsung SmartThings app, which gives you the ability to control the machine from absolutely anywhere and on any smart device.
To help you achieve the best results without negatively impacting your energy costs, the sensors in this tumble dryer monitor humidity and adjust the drying time to suit.
This mid-priced heat pump tumble dryer has a sleek graphite appearance that will look right at home in any modern home.
At just 63 dB, this is one of the quietest tumble dryers on this list, making it perfect for households with small children. The two-year Samsung warranty is great for added peace of mind too.
However, some people do find that learning the controls and how to get the best out of the tumble dryer does require a bit of a learning curve and setting up the WiFi connectivity can be tricky.
4. Bosch Serie 6 WQG233D8GB 8 kg Heat Pump Tumble Dryer
Capacity: 8 kg
Energy rating: A+++
Annual energy usage: 176 kWh
Dimensions: 84.2 x 59.8 x 59.9 cm
This Bosch heat pump tumble dryer is perfect for medium-sized households. This tumble dryer has handy features such as an automatic function that stops the cycle as soon as the laundry is dry, and a dedicated wool programme to protect delicate knitted items.
For those Sunday night emergencies, this Bosch heat pump tumble dryer has a quick 40° cycle that can perfectly dry small loads of laundry very quickly.
This tumble dryer features Bosch’s AntiVibration design that minimises noise and vibrations during the cycle. Not only does this make the machine quiet, but it should help it last longer too.
The Bosch heat pump dryer proves to be a good all-round tumble dryer with a good range of programmes that is easy to maintain. It has a smart, classic appearance that would not look out of place in both modern and traditional homes.
Whilst many people find this machine is very easy to use, some people do find some of the functions and options overwhelming. The lack of an anti-crease programme means that ironing can still be necessary.
5. Beko B5T4824RW 8Kg Heat Pump Tumble Dryer
Capacity: 8 kg
Energy rating: A+++
Annual energy usage: 176.8 kWh
Dimensions: 84.6 x 59.8 x 60.5 cm
This heat pump tumble dryer from Beko is a mid-priced heat pump tumble dryer that ticks all the basic boxes. For easier, safer unloading at the end of the cycle, this tumble dryer has a cool function. If you’ve got laundry that just needs a quick refresh, you can even use the cool cycle here too.
At 174 minutes, the cycle length on this tumble dryer might not be the quickest, however this is how the machine saves on your energy bills. The inside of the drum is even lit to make sure you never miss a stray sock when unloading the machine.
This tumble dryer is quiet, easy to use, and the sensors for the automatic drying feature are pretty accurate too.
The door on this tumble dryer is reversible, however some people have found that the instructions as to how to do this are difficult to understand.
How Much Do Tumble Dryers Cost to Run?
The average cost of running a tumble dryer depends on what type of dryer it is; heat pump dryers are much cheaper to run.
According to our research, the average condenser dryer uses 4.8 kWh of electricity to dry a full load of laundry on a cotton cycle, while a vented dryer uses an average of 5 kWh of electricity. Heat pump dryers are much more efficient, using just 1.87 kWh on average to dry a full load of laundry on a cotton cycle.
With current energy prices of 34p per kWh for the price cap period ending on the 31st of March, 2023, this gives the following average costs per cycle:
- Condenser dryer: £1.63 per cycle
- Vented dryer: £1.70 per cycle
- Heat pump dryer: £0.64 per cycle
How Much Could You Save by Choosing an Energy-Efficient Tumble Dryer?
The most energy-efficient tumble dryer we could find on the market is the Miele TEF765WP, which has an annual energy consumption of 161 kWh. This would cost £48.30 a year to run if energy prices are 30p per kWh.
However, the most energy efficient tumble dryers (those with an A+++ rating) are typically very expensive, often costing over £1000. If you spent £1000 on a very energy efficient model it would take a long time for it to pay for itself compared to a less efficient budget model.
What Affects How Economical a Tumble Dryer Is?
The running costs of a tumble dryer are affected by several factors, which are explained below.
- Energy efficiency rating: Tumble dryer energy efficiency ratings range from D to A+++. In general, the better the rating, the cheaper it will be to run. A+++ rated tumble dryers tend to be very expensive to buy, so it might make more sense to choose a more budget-friendly but still efficient A++ rated tumble dryer.
- Tumble dryer type: Heat pump tumble dryers are typically cheaper to run than regular condenser or vented tumble dryers since they are more energy efficient. Gas vented tumble dryers are also relatively economical.
- Drum size: The bigger the drum size, the more the tumble dryer will cost per cycle. A tumble dryer with a 10 kg drum could cost twice as much to run per cycle compared to one with a 6 kg drum. However, you can dry a lot more washing, so it will probably be more cost effective to use a larger tumble dryer if you can fill it.
- Usage: Obviously, the more you use your tumble dryer, the more it will cost to run. You can combine tumble drying with air drying or using a dehumidifier to reduce costs. Some ways to improve tumble dryer efficiency include cleaning the filter each time you use it and drying similar clothes together so you don’t unnecessarily dry quick-drying clothes for too long.
How to Reduce the Costs of Running a Tumble Dryer
Here are some things you can do to minimise the costs of running a tumble dryer:
- Fill the dryer to full capacity rather than splitting washing into several loads.
- Check that clothes aren’t tangled up when you put them in the dryer.
- Put clothes with similar drying times in the same load.
- Let clothes spin for longer in the washing machine rather than putting them in the tumble dryer for longer. Spinning is more energy efficient than tumble drying.
- Clean the filter every time you use the tumble dryer.
- Combine tumble drying with air drying outside if possible.
What Type of Tumble Dryer Is The Most Economical?
There are three different types of tumble dryer; these are vented, condenser, and heat pump, the difference between them being in how they work.
Types of tumble dryer
Vented dryers, for example, remove the moisture from laundry and feed it outside through a vent. Condenser dryers remove the moisture and store it in a water tank that you will then need to empty.
Heat pump dryers work in a similar way to condenser dryers in that there is a water tank you will need to empty. However, in this type of tumble dryer, the hot air is recycled back through the machine rather than being expelled by the dryer.
Heat pump tumble dryers
The heat pump tumble dryer is easily the most efficient and economical type of tumble dryer, with many holding an A+++ rating. When compared to vented or condenser dryers, this means that a heat pump tumble dryer uses a lot less energy.
In fact, heat pump tumble dryers can use less than half of the energy used by a similar condenser or vented tumble dryer.
On average, a heat pump tumble dryer uses about 0.6 kWh of energy per hour of use. A vented dryer uses 2.07 kWh, and a condenser dryer uses 1.95 kWh.
If electricity costs 30p per kWh, this means that a heat pump dryer will cost £0.18 per hour, a vented dryer will cost £0.62 per hour, and a condenser dryer will £0.59 per hour.
What’s the Most Energy-Efficient Condenser Dryer in the UK?
Condenser dryers aren’t as energy efficient as heat pump dryers. Below is the most energy efficient one we could find on the market.
Hotpoint H2D71WUK 7 kg Condenser Tumble Dryer
Capacity: 7 kg
Energy rating: B
Annual energy usage: 502.9 kWh
Dimensions: 85 x 59.5 x 61 cm
With a “B” energy rating and an annual energy usage of 502.9 kWh, this Hotpoint dryer is most energy-efficient condenser dryer we could find on the market.
The 7 kg capacity is perfect for medium sized households, and this appliance will even automatically adjust all of the settings to achieve the best possible results for the lowest possible running cost.
As well as being cheap to run it’s also relatively cheap to buy, unlike heat pump dryers which tend to be very expensive.
The dryer is straightforward and simple to use, but still comes with a good choice of cycles and settings.
What’s the Most Energy-Efficient Vented Dryer in the UK?
Here is the most energy-efficient vented dryer we could find on the market.
electriQ Freestanding 7 kg Vented Tumble Dryer
Capacity: 7 kg
Energy rating: C
Annual energy usage: 451.6 kWh
Dimensions: 84 x 59.5 x 55.5 cm
Vented tumble dryers are usually considerably less efficient than condenser or heat pump alternatives. This electriQ tumble dryer has a “C” energy rating and uses around 451.6 kWh of electricity annually.
This tumble dryer has a range of settings that will help you make light work of most laundry, including a dedicated setting for synthetics and an anti-crease function too.
This machine has a child lock for safety, is very simple to use and reasonably priced. However, some people find that the cycles do take quite a long time.
Conclusion
The most energy efficient and economical tumble dryer on the market at the moment according to our research is the Miele TEF765WP, which has an annual energy usage of just 161 kWh. However, it is very expensive to buy, so it will take a long time to pay for itself in energy savings.
A cheaper option is the Hotpoint ActiveCare NTM118X3XBUK, which is still very energy efficient using just 175 kWh a year, but is much cheaper to buy.
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