How to choose a tumble dryer: an overview of the best models

Drying cabinet

Drying units of this type are distinguished by their large dimensions. Items to be dried are placed statically and treated with heated air.

Cabinets are available with one or more chambers and vary in capacity.

The devices have proven themselves in working with cashmere, silk and other delicate fabrics, they are convenient for drying hats, shoes, and airing clothes.

The advantages of drying ovens include:

• lack of mechanical impact on wardrobe items;
• the ability to accommodate a large number of things;
• lack of vibration and noise;
• the most gentle drying process without crushing fabrics.

The only drawback of the cabinets is the size, which is compensated by the excellent design, suitable for any interior.

Drum dryer

Dryers for clothes are similar in appearance to ordinary washing machines. Drying of things is carried out by rotating the drum device, which is equipped with most of the models.

By the type of moisture removal, drum machines are produced:

• exhaust (ventilation);
• condensation.

Exhaust

Exhaust models remove the moisture formed after drying, pumped by the heat pump, into the surrounding space. For this reason, there are significant restrictions on the place of their installation - exhaust devices must be placed in the immediate vicinity of the ventilation shaft or with a window.

Condensing

Condensing machines work according to the following scheme: warm air from the heating element is supplied to things, while excess moisture is removed. The heated and humidified air enters the condensation chamber for cooling, after cooling it heats up again and returns to work, and the condensate is sent to the sewer.

The advantages of drum tumble dryers include:

• effective drying of things with equipment of even the most compact sizes;
• high drying speed;
• steam treatment of linen to facilitate subsequent ironing;
• the presence of many programs and operating modes.

Significant disadvantages according to user reviews:

• the impossibility of processing clothes from delicate fabrics and shoes;
• the presence of vibrations;
• frequent cases of crushing and even damage to objects.

Principle of operation

The principle of operation of a clothes dryer depends on its type. In drum devices, the main functional elements are heating elements and a drum, due to the rotation of which and processing with heated air, clothes are dried. The result is a triple effect:

• moisture removal is accelerated by heating;
• circulation of hot air ensures uniform processing;
• due to the rotation of the drum, subsequent ironing of the clothes is facilitated.

There are rack shelves and hangers inside the drying cabinets. The device is equipped with several powerful heaters and fans that move hot air throughout the volume. Wardrobe items are stacked or hung inside the wardrobe and dried in accordance with a predetermined program. At the end of the work, things are taken out clean and dry.

general characteristics

Drum dryers in accordance with the dimensions are produced in three types:

• compact, which can simultaneously load up to 3 kg of laundry
• standard, the loading of which is 5–7 kg;
• large-sized with a working volume of up to 100 liters.

All types of dryers are equipped with filters designed to capture and retain fabric fibers, lint, and dust. If the selected drying program involves switching on the filter, then at the end of the work it is necessary to clean it, which will extend the service life of the device.

The efficiency of the drying devices depends on the efficiency of their work. At the same time, the geometric shape of the body and the configuration do not affect the power. Whether the car is wide or narrow is irrelevant.

According to the control method, dryers can be mechanical and electronic. Installation of programs in mechanical devices is carried out by means of rotary indicators, in electronic devices - using buttons, which in modern models are touch-sensitive. Information about the installed options is displayed, which makes it as easy as possible to work with the unit.

The drying mode can be selected based on two parameters:

• time,
• the degree of moisture in the clothes.

The type of fabric also plays a decisive role. For clothes made of delicate materials, a gentle mode is provided - processing with slightly warm air or with slow rotation of the drum.

To get rid of things from unpleasant odors in most models, it is possible to set the ventilation mode, which assumes air circulation at room temperature.

There is also a mode that allows you not to iron things after drying. The drum rotates in different directions, and the wardrobe items themselves are blown through with lukewarm air. Creases and creases can be avoided by using this function.

How to choose a dryer

It is necessary to select a drying machine taking into account many factors - starting with the intended location, size, and suitable principle of operation.

There are a number of equally important parameters that, to one degree or another, affect the choice in favor of a particular model:

• volume;
• energy class;
• power;
• features of the drum;
• the presence of filters and similar elements;
• control;
• operating modes;
• availability of additional options.

Volume

Typically, the volume of a standard machine is about 100 liters, which roughly corresponds to 5-7 kg of clothing. Also, manufacturers produce devices of smaller dimensions and, accordingly, depths, the loading of which is limited to 3 kg. Dryers, like any other household appliances, are divided according to the energy class - from A to G. The first class is the most economical. Most of the models, with rare exceptions, belong to the middle class - S.

Power

An equally important criterion when selecting a drying device is its power, ranging from 1.5 to 2.3 kW. Models are also available, the power of which reaches 4 kW. It is not worth choosing a high-power drying machine for yourself, since an excessive load on the electrical wiring does not lead to anything good. Overloading leads to knocking out plugs and, as a result, it will be impossible to use the device.

Drum

The drum in some models of machines can simultaneously rotate in both directions, which prevents the laundry from wrinkling. If such a function is not provided in the device, then rotation in one direction is supplemented by blades that periodically shake the clothes. Double-sided rotation of the drum creates an unnecessary load on the engine, so you should still choose the one-sided version.

Filters

Each dryer is equipped with wet filters that collect and retain dust, fabric fibers, lint, pet hair. It is recommended to clean the filters every time at the end of the drying process.

Dryer manufacturers are trying in every possible way to draw attention to their products, including the addition of additional options. Features such as a variety of ironing methods or button locking are more or less useful. But it is up to each user to decide whether the drum illumination is really needed or what melody will play when the device is turned on / off.

Many concerns are engaged in the production of clothes dryers, the cost of which varies significantly.

The price of the most expensive models (Miele, ASKO) reaches, and sometimes even exceeds, 1 thousand. dollars. More affordable prices (up to $ 600) from manufacturers such as Gorenje, Bosch, Siemens, Ardo, Whirlpool and others.

Is it worth buying

Drying machines have many undeniable advantages:

• efficient drying in a fairly compact size;
• high drying speed;
• the possibility of processing clothes with steam, which simplifies further ironing;
• autonomy - no need to connect to communications.

Drying cabinets also have many advantages:

• the possibility of processing shoes and hats;
• gentle removal of moisture from things without deformation and crushing;
• capacity that allows you to dry a large number of wardrobe items at the same time.

The disadvantages of the devices include only a relatively high cost and a slight increase in electricity consumption, offset by ease of use and an increase in the quality of life.

Reminding modern consumers that drying washed clothes on a balcony or on a rope is inconvenient and not aesthetically pleasing, unnecessary. Not to mention going out with a basin in the yard and hanging out linen in the yard, risking getting an exact hit by a drunken neighbor's butt into your favorite blouse.

Another argument in favor of purchasing an electrical installation is the high speed of drying things without increasing the level of humidity in the rooms and inhaling the chemical aromas of the washing powder.

Review of the best models

It is impossible to ignore some of the models of drying plants that have collected the highest number of positive user reviews.

Bosch WTC 84102 OE

The drum dryer from the European leader in the production of household appliances Bosch model WTC 84102 OE is distinguished by the ability to load up to 7 kg of wet clothes. For gentle drying of laundry, the device provides for a multi-stream drying system, as well as a program for a gradual temperature decrease. The lack of an electronic display showing the main parameters of the machine's operation is compensated by the low cost - about $ 580.

Asko DC 7583S

The innovative model of the DC 7583S drying cabinet from the Swedish manufacturer Asko has a separate section for drying shoes. The device differs from competitors in a sufficiently large capacity and relatively small size. Laundry in such dryers is placed in a straightened state, which prevents it from wrinkling and facilitates the ironing procedure. The high cost of the device, about $ 1400, does not allow us to call it budget and affordable for a wide range of consumers.

Siemens WT 45 M 260 OE

The Siemens WT 45 M 260 OE model gives the user a choice of a huge number of programs and functions, thanks to which the process of drying clothes can bring pleasure. The machines are classified as energy class B and are equipped with a heat pump, which reduces energy consumption by about half. Siemens WT 45 devices are able to effectively dry clothes and shoes. Clothes do not stretch, down jacket feathers and synthetic winterizer do not form lumps. Dirt, wool, lint are collected in filters.

The machines have a steam drying mode, the process is controlled by an electronic system. The tank full indicator does not allow overloading the device; there is a delayed start function. The cost of Siemens WT 45 M 260 OE is approximately $ 460.

The purchase of a tumble dryer can be safely called a huge step towards full automation and a reduction in the proportion of manual labor when doing household chores. The main thing is to choose the most suitable model based on your own needs and dwelling characteristics.