Best tumble dryers for 2026

We don’t recommend putting your tumble dryer in the garage because temperatures below 5°C can damage the components inside. And keeping it in low temperatures can also invalidate your warranty, so it’s not worth the risk.

The drum size you’ll need on your dryer can usually be worked out based on how many people are in your home. If it’s just for 1-2 people, then a 4-6kg dryer will do nicely. For 3-4 people, you’ll want to go for a 7-8kg drum. And if there’re 4 or more at home, you’ll want to go for 9kg+.

Heat pump tumble dryers are a bit of an investment up front, but they’ll save you money in the long run since they recycle hot air from the cycle. They’re also great at holding onto the heat, so if you’re putting on multiple loads, it’ll dry clothes quicker after the first lot’s done.

It depends what’s in the drum and how much. It’s typically around 30-45 minutes for a small load or 60-90 minutes for a full load. Heat pump models can take a bit longer since they run on lower temperatures.

There are a few reasons things might slow down, such as overloading the machine or a blocked lint filter. If you’ve got a condenser dryer, check if the tank’s full. With vented dryers, make sure there’s nothing blocking the vents. Heat pump models will be a bit slower than vented or condensers in general.

There could be a few reasons for your dryer starting to smell. Make sure you don’t leave damp clothes inside and that the door’s always slightly open when not in use. This will air things out. Check the lint filter and condenser for blockages. If there’s a burning smell, this could be a hazard, so the best thing to do is get an engineer to take a look before you use it again.