7 sleek clothes dryers that won’t run up your power bill

Best for: A user-friendly, energy-efficient machine with smart capabilities

Want a dryer that can do it all? Samsung’s Heat Pump Smart dryer looks sleek, is clever (it uses sensors to optimise drying settings and cycle length) and boasts a 9-star energy rating. It won Gold at the Good Design Awards and was also a Design Award winner in 2021.  If that’s not enough to convince you, you can also browse through hundreds of rave reviews on Samsung’s website: “The Samsung 8kg Heat Pump Smart Dryer is seriously impressive! It’s like having a laundry wizard at home … The drying programs are spot-on with sensors making sure nothing gets overdried.”

Key features:

• Energy efficient rating
• Heat pump technology
• Smart technology allows the machine to communicate with other compatible smart devices

Also available at:

• $1549 from Bing Lee
• $1549 from The Good Guys
• $1475 from Appliances Online

Best for: An energy-efficient machine from a trusted home appliance brand

One of the top-rated clothes dryer brands in Australia is Bosch. Bosch’s heat pump dryer can accommodate up to 9kg of clothing, and has a wide-range of programs including quick dry, quilt/duvet and wool finish (which is specially designed to care for wool clothing). While it’s also extremely energy efficient (achieving a 7-star rating), it’s also designed to run quietly, which is great for families who like to take advantage of off-peak power by running the dryer overnight. 

Key features:

• Quiet and durable design
• Sensors measure temperature and moisture levels to ensure perfect the perfect dry every time
• Time delay up to 24 hours

Also available at:

• $1299 from Bing Lee
• $1191 from Appliances Online
• $1299 from Designer Appliances

Best for: Affordable price point and flexibility to wall mount

If you have a well-ventilated laundry and want to wall-mount your dryer, the vented Fisher & Paykel machine may be your best bet. It’s an affordable machine to buy upfront (coming in at well under $1000) but is jam-packed with features, including auto-sensing technology and fabric-specific care cycles. One thing worth noting is that it does have a 2-star energy rating, so you may want to think about how much you’ll really be saving once running costs have been factored in. 

Key features:

• Flexible instalment options with a wall-bracket included. The control panel can be inverted, which makes it easy to wall-mount. 
• Auto-off function prevents clothes from being overdried
• 2 year manufacturer’s warranty

Also available at:

• $549 from The Good Guys
• $549 from Bing Lee

Best for: Simple, affordable dryer for single-person household or light usage

If you’re only an occasional dryer user (think to finish off a load that didn’t quite finish drying outside, or to power through a couple of loads on a rainy day) sometimes the most basic model is all you need. Westinghouse’s 4.5kg vented dryer works on a timer, so all you need to do is turn the dial and off it goes. The simple lint catcher is also easy to clean. One thing that’s great about a simple dryer is that replacement parts are affordable and easy to find, meaning you can quickly repair the machine should anything go awry.

Key features:

• Affordable price point
• Reverse tumble prevents tangles
• Flexible venting and wall-mounting options

Also available at:

• $347 from The Good Guys
• $349 from Betta
• $349 from Designer Appliances

Best for: Large families

Families with plenty of laundry need a large capacity machine that can power through it all quickly and efficiently. This is where the 10kg LG heat pump dryer comes in. Aside from having a 9-star energy-rating, this machine also has plenty of other amazing features that make it worth every penny. There’s the option to toggle between ‘time saving’ and ‘energy saving’ modes and you can even select ‘Allergy care’ to reduce your exposure to dust mites. This machine also comes with a drying rack (great for drying shoes and backpacks) and a stacking bracket which allows you to save precious laundry floor space. 

Key features:

• 10-year manufacturer’s parts warranty (on the motor and compressor)
• 9-star energy rating
• Large 10kg capacity
• Available as a bundle with the 10kg Series 6 Front Load washing machine

Also available at:

• Exclusive to LG

Best for: Feature-packed heat pump dryer for under $1000

Want the benefits of a heat pump dryer on a budget? Beko is fast gaining a reputation as a best-value brand, offering quality products at affordable price points. This 7kg Beko model has a customer review rating of 4.7, garnered from over 850+ reviews. It also has most of the features included in higher-end models, including sensor dry, large drum capacity, quiet operation, energy-efficiency and a reverse action drum that prevents clothes and sheets getting tangled up inside. Comes with a 5-year warranty.

Key features:

• 5-year warranty
• BabyProtect+ program for sterilising laundry for removing dust mites and allergens
• Eco-friendly refrigerant used to dry clothing

Also available at:

• $794 from Appliances Online

Best for: Scandinavian innovation and tangle-free sheets

Asko’s condenser dryer uses unique ‘Butterfly Drying’ technology to prevent clothing and sheets from getting tangled up in the drum. Two-paddles direct the clothing in a figure-eight motion, ensuring air circulates around clothing until everything comes out soft and dry. Unlike other dryers, the Asko lint trap is situated in the door, making it easy to access and clean regularly. 

Key features:

• Drum motion prevents clothes getting tangled
• 8 drying programs including auto dry, bedding and airing
• 2-year manufacturer’s warranty

Also available at:

• $1999 from Bing Lee
• $1499 from Appliances Online