We all use our dryers differently. Some of us put our wet clothes straight from the washing machine into the dryer every time, others save them for rainy days, and some use them when they need a school uniform or work shirt dried fast. Whatever the reason, one thing is certain – clothes dryers help keep the show running.

How you use your dryer will largely determine which type is best for you. The ventilation in your laundry is another big deciding factor, as are running costs. To make sure you choose one that suits your laundry and your lifestyle, let’s take a look at the four main types.

Vented

Vented dryers are the most common and affordable of all the dryers. Their simple and effective design comprises a box, drum, fan, heater, lint filter, motor and vent. They can also dry clothes quicker on hotter settings for suitable fabrics.

Being the lightest of the dryers, they are the only type that can be wall-mounted. Perfect for well-ventilated laundries, vented dryers are only suitable in rooms where you can open a window or door, or turn an exhaust fan on during use. Alternatively, you can use a venting kit on certain models to duct the warm, humid air they generate out of the room.

Vented dryers use the most amount of energy and therefore cost more to run per cycle. “They are best suited to occasional use by those who normally hang their clothes on the line and only need to use a dryer every now and then,” says Peter Simic, Laundry Buyer at The Good Guys.

Condenser

For those who like to use their dryer a little more often, or who don’t have a well-ventilated laundry, a condenser dryer could be for you. These dryers have an in-built heat exchanger that takes steam produced during the drying process and turns it back into water. Depending on the model, this is then drained away via a hose or collected in a small tank that can be easily emptied.

A heavier machine, condenser dryers can be stacked on top of a washing machine or placed under the bench. “Although they have a longer drying time, they are gentler on your clothes and quieter while tumbling,” says Peter Simic.

Heat Pump

A heat pump is used in this type of condenser dryer to recycle the air used during the drying process. This makes them much more energy-efficient and cheaper to run than vented and conventional condenser dryers.

A heavier machine, condenser dryers can be stacked on top of a washing machine or placed under the bench. “Although they have a longer drying time, they are gentler on your clothes and quieter while tumbling,” says Peter Simic.

A heat pump dryer is by far the most environmentally friendly. If you use it regularly, it’s also the most economical in the long run. As they operate at a lower temperature, they will take longer to dry your clothes. Like their non-heat pump condenser cousins, however, they are quieter to run and more gentle on clothing. “They also come in larger sizes and don’t require ventilation, making them suitable for all types of laundry, either stacked or under the bench,” says Peter Simic, Laundry Buyer at The Good Guys.

Washer Dryer Combo

Two-in-one washers and condenser dryers are a great space-saving idea for small laundries. You can also get them with heat pumps to save energy and lower your running costs. The best thing, however, is that you can set your combo to wash then dry automatically, meaning you don’t need to transfer clothing in between.

“As you won’t be able to run a separate washer and dryer at the same time, combos are a good choice if you’re well-organised and have a regular laundry routine, or if you’re only using the dryer occasionally,” says Peter Simic.

Of all the household appliances, a clothes dryer uses the most energy. That’s why it’s so important to consider your usage before making your choice. While a vented dryer will cost less upfront, if you use it regularly, your running costs will be a lot higher than with a heat pump dryer.

Energy Star Rating

To help make your decision, always check the energy star rating. These can be found on the sticker on all dryers for sale in Australia. The more stars, the better the savings.

The Most Energy-Efficient Dryer

And the winner is… the heat pump dryer! The most environmentally friendly of all the dryers, the heat pump dryer is also the most economical in the long run if you use your dryer on a regular basis.

Being the lightest, a vented dryer is easiest to install and the most versatile as it is the only dryer that can be wall-mounted. Just remember you may require a ventilation kit to duct hot, moist air out of the room.

If you’re stacking your dryer on top of a washing machine, you’ll likely need a stacking kit to safely secure it. Alternatively, look out for washer/dryer towers that come pre-assembled.

Get your clothes dried fast with our huge range of dryers both in-store and online from the best brands, including Asko, Bosch, Electrolux, Fisher & Paykel and LG.