Best Tumble Dryers UK (2026)
A tumble dryer's real test is how much moisture it removes and what each cycle costs, not just its energy label. This guide compares dryers tested by Trusted Reviews in their testing facility, using the same washing in every machine, weighed wet and dry, with energy use measured to work out per-cycle and yearly running costs.
We have not hands-on tested these products. Our picks are based on published independent tests and reviews, listed at the bottom of this page. How we pick.
Our top pick
Haier HD90-A3Q397U1
Best smart dryer
Trusted Reviews called this the most flexible tumble dryer they've reviewed, with a choice of fan speeds, heat options and target dryness levels. It lives up to its A+++ rating as one of the cheapest to run: the Ready to Wear cycle cost 20p, i-Refresh Pro just 8p and the AI mode 22p, while the app lets you schedule cycles for cheap electricity, though its icons are confusing.
- Extensive drying control, adjustable fan speeds and heat
- Very low running costs
- Eco schedule reduces costs further
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haier HD90-A3Q397U1 | Best smart dryer | 9kg, A+++, heat pump, adjustable fan speed and heat, hON app with off-peak scheduling, i-Refresh Pro | Check price |
| Beko B5T49231I | Best mid-range | 9kg, moisture sensor, steam refresh function, rotary dial, RRP £499 | Check price |
| LG WT1210BBTN1 WashTower | Best stacked washer-dryer | 12kg washer stacked under 10kg dryer, ThinQ app, drum light, flat rack included | Check price |
| LG Styler | Best steam cabinet (not a tumble dryer) | Steam refresh cabinet with trouser press, 1850 x 445 x 585mm, 82kg, ThinQ app | Check price |
| Samsung DV90T6240LN | Best for low running costs | 9kg, SmartThings app, plug-in door drying rack, drum light, wool, outdoor and bedding programmes | Check price |
| Hisense DH5S102BW | Best large | 10kg drum, large door and drum light, ConnectLife app, Ion Refresh, drying rack included | Check price |
| Hoover H-Dry 350 HRE H9A3TBE-80/N | Best budget heat pump | Heat pump, door-mounted water tank, hON app with off-peak scheduling, Anti-Odour cycle | Check price |
Our picks in detail
Best smart dryer
Haier HD90-A3Q397U1
Trusted Reviews called this the most flexible tumble dryer they've reviewed, with a choice of fan speeds, heat options and target dryness levels. It lives up to its A+++ rating as one of the cheapest to run: the Ready to Wear cycle cost 20p, i-Refresh Pro just 8p and the AI mode 22p, while the app lets you schedule cycles for cheap electricity, though its icons are confusing.
- Capacity
- 9kg
- Energy rating
- A+++
- Cost per cycle measured
- 20p Ready to Wear, 8p i-Refresh Pro, 22p AI mode
- Price guide
- A splurge (check retailers)
Pros
- Extensive drying control, adjustable fan speeds and heat
- Very low running costs
- Eco schedule reduces costs further
- Pillow-shaped drum pads and clip-in rack for delicates
Cons
- App has confusing icon usage
- A splurge to buy
Best mid-range
Beko B5T49231I
Trusted Reviews found an affordable dryer with features usually on pricier models, including bedding, towels and small-load programmes and a steam function that prevents wrinkles using water from previous loads. The gentle hanging dry cycle removed 99.59% of water for 23p, but the cupboard dry setting was slightly aggressive, with fibres lost from clothes.
- Capacity
- 9kg
- Hanging dry measured
- 99.59% water removed, 23p
- Controls
- Rotary dial, no app
- Price guide
- £499 RRP
Pros
- Low cost for its features
- Clever steam mode
- Simple to use
- Gentle hanging dry cycle removes 99.59% of water
Cons
- A little basic, no app
- Cupboard dry setting slightly aggressive, fibre loss noted
Best stacked washer-dryer
LG WT1210BBTN1 WashTower
Trusted Reviews found this two-in-one stack saves space without compromising performance, with an effective washer (Eco 40-60 cost roughly 25p) and a dryer with a drum light and flat rack for jumpers and shoes. Cupboard dry cost 31p and iron dry 26p in their estimates, though the app is a little finicky about wash cycle selection and the pipes are slightly untidy.
- Capacity
- 12kg wash, 10kg dry
- Cupboard dry measured
- 31p per cycle
- Iron dry measured
- 26p per cycle
- Price guide
- Check retailers
Pros
- Large capacity washing and drying in one stack
- Excellent cleaning
- Control panel neatly placed
- Drum light and flat rack for delicate items
Cons
- App a little finicky about wash cycle selection
- Slightly untidy pipes
Best steam cabinet (not a tumble dryer)
LG Styler
Trusted Reviews notes this isn't a dryer or washer but a daily-use steam unit that refreshes and sanitises garments. Their tests found it worked well: a suit cycle took 34 minutes and cost 6.5p, a winter coat refresh took 39 minutes for 3.7p, and a gentle dry fully dried a rained-on coat in 51 minutes for about 5.27p, though it's expensive and has limited space inside.
- Suit cycle measured
- 34 minutes, 0.4kWh, 6.5p
- Coat refresh measured
- 39 minutes, 3.7p
- Dimensions
- 1850 x 445 x 585mm, 82kg
- Price guide
- Check retailers
Pros
- Very cheap to run
- Refreshes clothes and cleans hygienically with steam
- Quiet
- Can also work as a room dehumidifier
Cons
- Expensive
- Limited space inside
- Needs significant floor space and weighs 82kg
Best for low running costs
Samsung DV90T6240LN
Trusted Reviews measured a setting 3 (cupboard dry) 5kg load costing 27p and removing 99.6% of water, and a setting 2 (hanging dry) costing 20p while removing 97.28%. It comes with a drying rack for shoes and delicates, SmartThings notifications and washer-dryer linking, though it isn't the cheapest to buy and the drying settings are slightly confusing.
- Capacity
- 9kg
- Cupboard dry measured
- 99.6% water removed, 27p
- Hanging dry measured
- 97.28% water removed, 20p
- Price guide
- Check retailers
Pros
- Low running costs
- Excellent drying performance
- Clever door-mounted drying rack
- SmartThings app with cycle-finished notifications
Cons
- Slightly confusing drying settings
- Not the cheapest to buy
Best large
Hisense DH5S102BW
Trusted Reviews found one of the largest dryers available, easy to load with a large door and a light inside the drum. On cupboard dry it removed 99.18% of moisture for 31p, and iron dry removed 95.37% for 20p, with a double door filter that traps lint and a useful Ion Refresh mode that freshens clothes without heat, though some manual settings are confusing.
- Capacity
- 10kg
- Cupboard dry measured
- 99.18% moisture removed, 31p
- Iron dry measured
- 95.37% moisture removed, 20p
- Price guide
- Check retailers
Pros
- Large 10kg drum
- Drying rack included
- Smart app with WashDry Sync
- Low running costs
Cons
- Some manual settings are confusing
- Door filter needs cleaning after every cycle
Best budget heat pump
Hoover H-Dry 350 HRE H9A3TBE-80/N
Trusted Reviews called this one of the cheapest heat pump tumble dryers they've reviewed and a brilliant entry-level choice. Cottons Eco removed around 96% of water for 27p and Cupboard Dry over 98% for 29p, with a clever door-mounted water tank, though it looks a little cheap and isn't the cheapest heat pump dryer to run. Avoid the condenser model with the same name.
- Type
- Heat pump
- Cottons Eco measured
- ~96% water removed, 27p
- Cupboard dry measured
- 98%+ water removed, 29p
- Price guide
- Check retailers
Pros
- Great value heat pump dryer
- Water tank on the door is easy to see and empty
- Clever hON app can schedule for cheap electricity
- Anti-Odour cycle
Cons
- A little cheap looking
- Not the cheapest heat pump dryer to run
- A condenser model with the same name uses more energy
Buying guide
Heat pump or condenser tumble dryer?
A heat pump dryer costs more to buy but is far cheaper to run, since it recycles heat rather than making it fresh each cycle. Trusted Reviews warns that some models share a name across both types, like the Hoover H-Dry 350, where the condenser version uses more energy and costs more in the long run, so check the exact model code.
What do 'cupboard dry' and 'iron dry' mean?
Cupboard dry is the driest setting, leaving clothes ready to put away immediately, for example removing 99.6% of water on the Samsung here. Iron dry or hanging dry leaves a touch of dampness for ironing or hanging, and is usually cheaper and gentler on fabrics: the Hisense's iron dry cost 20p versus 31p for cupboard dry.
How can I reduce running costs?
Choose a heat pump model, use eco or lower dryness settings when full dryness isn't needed, and use a smart app to schedule cycles for when electricity is cheapest, as the Haier and Hoover apps here allow. Cleaning the lint filter after every cycle also helps keep efficiency up.
Do I need a tumble dryer with a drying rack?
It's useful if you dry trainers, jumpers or other items that shouldn't be tumbled. The Samsung and Hisense here include a clip-in door rack, and the LG WashTower includes a flat rack, so delicate items can be dried without being knocked around the drum.
Sources
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