The Best Clothes Dryers 2024 - The Definitive New Zealand Consumer Guide
Understand the different types of clothes dryer and pick from our shortlist of three of the best models from brands such as Samsung, Fisher & Paykel and Westinghouse.
Updated 2 January 2024
Summary
We cover:
- Clothes dryers play a vital role within the family. Not only do they provide you with fluffy, dry clothes, but they can also help keep your family healthy by killing moisture-borne bacteria with heat. The latter is especially relevant in New Zealand, where humidity and dampness is homes is widespread.
- This guide has been designed to help you choose the best tumble dryer in New Zealand. As with other appliances, you must consider multiple factors before spending your hard-earned money; this guides looks at everything you need to know to avoid common mistakes.
We cover:
Why Do You Need a Clothes Dryer?
If your budget is tight, you may be wondering if you really need a clothes dryer. After all, what's wrong with drying clothes in the sun?
Well, many reasons could be cited, such as convenience, taking care of delicate clothes, or not depending on the weather, but one reason stands out from the rest: your family's health. New Zealand has a unique geography, with lots of rain and wet masses coming from the ocean and entering the mainland in all directions. Unfortunately, humidity is synonymous with bacteria and respiratory diseases, which must be avoided as much as possible today.
In short, a clothes dryer is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Fortunately, this guide includes budget-friendly options, so money shouldn't be an issue.
Well, many reasons could be cited, such as convenience, taking care of delicate clothes, or not depending on the weather, but one reason stands out from the rest: your family's health. New Zealand has a unique geography, with lots of rain and wet masses coming from the ocean and entering the mainland in all directions. Unfortunately, humidity is synonymous with bacteria and respiratory diseases, which must be avoided as much as possible today.
In short, a clothes dryer is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Fortunately, this guide includes budget-friendly options, so money shouldn't be an issue.
Types of Washing Machines
Now that you understand the importance of having a clothes dryer, the next question is, how do you choose the best clothes dryer in New Zealand? The first step in answering that question is understanding the different types of dryers available.
As is to be expected, each of these dryers has its strengths and weaknesses. Below, we will explore them in more detail.
- Vented Dryers
- Condenser Dryers
- Heat Pump Dryers
As is to be expected, each of these dryers has its strengths and weaknesses. Below, we will explore them in more detail.
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Vented DryersA vented clothes dryer is a type of dryer that uses a small hole or vent to release moisture and air from the dryer. This dryer is typically used in homes with little space for a full-sized dryer or in apartments where the dryer is not located in a dedicated laundry room. Vented clothes dryers work by drawing air from the room into the dryer. The air is then heated and circulated around the clothes inside the dryer. As the air circulates, it picks up moisture from the clothes and carries it out through the vent.
Vented dryers have a few advantages over other types of dryers, namely:
However, vented dryers also have a few disadvantages.
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Condenser DryersAs their name suggests, condenser clothes dryers use a condenser to remove moisture from clothes. A condenser is a device that uses a heat exchange process to remove water from the air. In simple terms, hot air is passed through the condenser, which cools when it comes in contact with the clothes and causes water to condense on the surface of the condenser. The water is then collected in a container and can be reused or drained.
Condenser dryers have several advantages over other types of dryers such as:
As expected, condenser dryers have some disadvantages as well:
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Heat Pump DryersHeat pump clothes dryer works by circulating hot air through the clothes and then using a heat pump to remove the moisture from the air. This makes this type of clothes dryer far more energy efficient than any vented or condenser clothes dryer. Moreover, a heat pump clothes dryer can dry clothes faster than a traditional clothes dryer because it removes moisture from the air more quickly.
Other benefits of this kind of dryer are
On the other hand, the main drawbacks of heat pump dryers include
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Now that you have a better understanding of the different types of dryers, it is time to review the aspects to consider when shopping for these types of appliances.
Key Factors to Consider When Buying a Clothes Dryer in New Zealand
When choosing which clothes dryer is best for your family, consider the following factors.
- Load Capacity. One of the most important factors is the capacity of the dryer. At least 4 kg of load capacity is recommended for small families, 5 to 8 kg for medium families (4-6 members), and over ten kilos of capacity for large families.
- Budget. If price is a deciding factor for your family, then your first choice should be vented clothes dryers, followed by condenser dryers.
- Area where you live. If you live in an area of New Zealand with extreme humidity, then it may not be a good idea to buy a vented or condenser dryer. In any case, consult with the sales advisor before making a final decision.
- Type. As you have seen, the type of clothes dryer affects many aspects, such as price and drying quality. If your budget allows, we recommend exploring heat pump dryers first and if they are too expensive for you, opt for condenser-type dryers.
- Dimensions. Regardless of your budget, space can be a major constraint. For this reason, we suggest you carefully analyse the dimensions of each model that you may consider.
- Energy consumption. Few appliances in the home consume as much energy as clothes dryers. In this sense, weighing the initial cost vs. energy savings throughout the year is a good idea. Put another way, if your budget allows, heat pump-based dryers may be the best investment.
Three of the Best Clothes Dryers Available in New Zealand Right Now
Choosing the best clothes dryers currently available in New Zealand is not an easy task. We have compiled our list (in no particular order) based on average consumer reviews collected from authority sources both in New Zealand and overseas.
1. Best Budget Vented Clothes Dryer: Westinghouse 4.5kg Clothes Dryer WDV457H3WB
- More details: Westinghouse 4.5kg Clothes Dryer WDV457H3WB
- Pricing: Around $500
What We Like |
What We Dislike |
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Our View: The Westinghouse WDV457H3WB may not be New Zealand's most advanced clothes dryer, but its price-to-value ratio is hard to beat. For less than $500, you get a tumble dryer from a leading brand that offers a 24-month warranty. Moreover, this unit's simplicity is one of its greatest strengths. All you have to do is plug it in and decide where to vent the hot air. Its compact dimensions allow you to fix it to the wall to save space, something useful if you have a small laundry. In short, this tumble dryer has the ideal features for small New Zealand families who need an affordable and reliable unit.
Westinghouse WDV457H3WB Key Features
Westinghouse WDV457H3WB Key Features
- Recommended for: Small families of 2-3
- Type: Vented dryer
- Dimensions: 795 H x 600 W x 520 D mm
- Load Capacity: 4.5 kg
- Warranty: 24 months
- Energy Efficiency: 1.5 Star
2. Best Condenser Clothes Dryer: Fisher & Paykel 8kg Condensing Dryer DH8060P3
- More details: Fisher & Paykel 8kg Condensing Dryer DH8060P3
- Pricing: From $1,599
What We Like |
What We Dislike |
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Our View: Condenser clothes dryers offer an outstanding balance between convenience and price. In that sense, Fisher & Paykel DH8060P3 is a unit is a strong performer. For a reasonable price, you get a dryer with a load capacity of 8kg, ideal for families of 4 to 6 members. Furthermore, its reduced dimensions and the fact that it does not require ventilation make the Fisher & Paykel DH8060P3 a great choice for small laundry areas. Other advantages worth mentioning include auto-sensing technology and 13 drying cycles, guaranteeing that your clothes will be well cared for and without the risk of over-drying. Possibly the only disadvantage of this unit is its low energy efficiency, although that has more to do with the type of dryer than with this particular model.
Fisher & Paykel DH8060P3 Key Features
Fisher & Paykel DH8060P3 Key Features
- Recommended for: Medium to large families of 4-6
- Type: Condenser dryer
- Dimensions: 850 H x 600 W x 645 D mm
- Load Capacity: 8 kg
- Warranty: 24 months
- Energy Efficiency: 2 Star
3. Best Smart Clothes Dryer: Samsung 10kg Smart Heat Pump Dryer - DV10T9720SV
More details: Samsung 10kg Smart Heat Pump Dryer - DV10T9720SV
Pricing: From $3,699
Pricing: From $3,699
What We Like |
What We Dislike |
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Our View: If you are looking for the best clothes dryer you can buy in New Zealand then the Samsung DV10T9720SV is for you. This unit is equipped with Samsung's most advanced technology to date. Hygiene Care+ removes 99.9% of bacteria; a hybrid heat pump provides incredible energy savings; AI Smart Control learns your habits and suggests more efficient cycles, the SmartThings app allows operation via phone, and a capacity of 10 kg, enough to dry everything you need without worries. Furthermore, if you already own a compatible Samsung washing machine, you can operate both units in unison for added convenience. All in all, if upfront cost isn't relevant, this is the ideal clothes dryer for large families.
Samsung DV10T9720SV Key Features
Samsung DV10T9720SV Key Features
- Recommended for: Large families of 5+
- Type: Heat pump dryer
- Dimensions: 1086 H x 746 W x 885 D mm
- Load Capacity: 10 kg
- Warranty: 24 months
- Energy Efficiency: 9 Star
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a clothes dryer work?
A clothes dryer uses electricity to heat a drum called a "tumbler" that rotates and tumbles your clothes as they dry. Hot air is circulated through the tumbler to evaporate the moisture from your clothes.
What should I consider when buying a clothes dryer?
When shopping for a clothes dryer, you should consider the size of the dryer, the capacity of the drum (how much laundry it can hold at once), and the different features it offers (such as multiple drying cycles or steam functions). You should also consider the warranty, energy efficiency, and overall cost of the dryer.
Know This: You should consider the size of your household and the amount of laundry you do on a regular basis. A dryer with a larger capacity will be able to handle larger loads of laundry, which can be more convenient and efficient to run if you have a lot of people in your household or if you do a lot of laundry at once. On the other hand, a smaller dryer may be sufficient if you have a smaller household or do not do a lot of laundry. Dryers are usually expensive to run - choosing the right size upfront can minimise the ongoing costs.
Know This: You should consider the size of your household and the amount of laundry you do on a regular basis. A dryer with a larger capacity will be able to handle larger loads of laundry, which can be more convenient and efficient to run if you have a lot of people in your household or if you do a lot of laundry at once. On the other hand, a smaller dryer may be sufficient if you have a smaller household or do not do a lot of laundry. Dryers are usually expensive to run - choosing the right size upfront can minimise the ongoing costs.
How much does a clothes dryer cost?
The cost of a clothes dryer can vary significantly depending on the size, type, and features you choose. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $400 to $2,500+ for a clothes dryer as outlined in the guide above.
How do I properly maintain a clothes dryer?
To keep your clothes dryer in good working condition, it's important to clean the lint filter after every load, vacuum the inside of the dryer periodically to remove any built-up lint, and have the dryer serviced by a professional every few years. You should also follow the manufacturer's instructions for the proper use and care of the dryer.
How do I choose the right size dryer for my needs?
There are a variety of features that you may want to consider when shopping for a clothes dryer. Some common features include multiple drying cycles (such as "delicate" or "permanent press"), steam functions, and a wrinkle-preventing option. You may also want to consider a dryer with a reversible door, which can be more convenient if you have limited space in your laundry area.
How do I compare the energy efficiency of different dryer models?
To compare the energy efficiency of different dryer models, you can look for the Energy Star label, which indicates that the dryer meets certain energy efficiency standards. You can also compare the energy usage of different models by looking at the energy guide label, which provides estimates of the annual energy usage and operating costs for each model.
Should I purchase an extended warranty for my clothes dryer?
An extended warranty can provide additional protection for your clothes dryer in case of any issues that may arise after the manufacturer's warranty has expired. However, it's important to consider the cost of the extended warranty versus the likelihood of needing repairs before deciding if it's worth it. You may also want to consider the repair history and reliability of the specific dryer model you are considering before purchasing an extended warranty.
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