Which tumble dryer is the most economical

Below, we've rounded up some Don't Buy condenser tumble dryers to steer clear of. Although it dries accurately, this dryer is noisier than most. And energy use is very high. That's why we've made it a Don't Buy. Decent drying isn't enough to redeem this incredibly noisy and expensive-to-run machine. The average rating, C-class, may sound fine - but an A-rated dryer would cost you roughly half as much to run. Some tumble dryers have special features to help you save energy.

Condenser tumble dryers with heat pump technology can lead to big savings on your energy bills. Check out our best heat pump tumble dryers and expert advice, or read our heat pump tumble dryer reviews to see which are Energy Savers.

Gas is a cheaper fuel than electricity, making gas-powered tumble dryers a good energy-saving alternative to most electric tumble dryers, particularly when they're vented. However, gas dryers are expensive to buy and need to be installed by qualified Gas Safe engineers, which can also be costly. Gas dryers also need to be placed somewhere near a vent or a window, so the hose can vent humid air outside.

Find out more about gas tumble dryers by reading our gas tumble dryers guide. Doing so is a sure way to keep your bills down. Make sure you fill your tumble dryer to its maximum capacity every time you use it. Do this every time you use the machine.

A blocked filter prevents the hot air from circulating freely, meaning clothes take longer to dry. On some models you'll need to clean the second filter. This is essential on some heat-pump models. Get more from your condenser dryer by cleaning the heat exchange. The manufacturer will advise on how often this needs to be done. This will stop smaller items of laundry getting trapped inside and remaining wet. For more tips and advice on keeping your tumble dryer in top working condition, read our guide on tumble dryer tips and maintenance.

This figure is calculated by multiplying the per cycle figure by , so it assumes you will use the tumble dryer times a year, or roughly times a week. If you use your tumble dryer a different amount, the annual energy usage could be a lot different. This means it would be about 3 times cheaper than the average tumble dryer.

Designed with a modern black and white finish, this Beko tumble dryer boasts an outstanding energy rating to keep your costs low. The design also includes LED lighting to enhance the aesthetic. Thanks to built-in sensors, it determines the perfect drying time to ensure that your clothes are dried to the perfect level.

However, the high efficiency rating does mean that drying times take a bit longer to complete than the more expensive, energy consuming devices.

Thanks to the large 5. Not all vented dryers are created equal. Having smart sensors and extra programmes makes them more efficient and gentler on clothes, but this usually comes at a higher price.

A reverse-action setting — which changes the direction of the drum towards the end of the cycle — is useful for avoiding tangled and crumpled clothing. Vented dryers are, on average, the fastest drying option. For those lacking space, they can also be stacked or mounted on a wall. Condenser dryers are the most popular type of dryer. They operate by blowing air over a heating coil into the tumble drum.

The hot, damp air is expelled into a container as vapour and condensed into water. Condenser dryers are fairly affordable, although not always as cheap as vented dryers.

The pricier the unit, the more likely it is to have handy, energy-efficient extras, such as built-in sensors to cut off operation when the load in the drum is dry. Meanwhile, cheaper models operate on a set-time basis. Compared with vented dryers, condenser dryers are considered to be somewhat slower and slightly less energy efficient.

Size-wise, condenser dryers tend to come with medium kg or large drums 10kg and up. Heat-pump dryers are the cheapest in terms of running costs. Heat-pump dryers are similar to condenser dryers in terms of having a water tank, but they reuse the heat generated.

Like all tumble dryers, hot air is sent into the drum, but here the warm vapour is compressed and passed through the evaporator. The difference is that the warmth from the air is recycled and reused, rather than being dumped outside. By reusing the hot air, condenser tumble dryers are a lot more energy efficient than any other type, but they can take longer to operate. This is changing, however, with newer models offering faster programmes.

As with other tumble dryers, the best models tend to sit towards the pricier end, with features such as smartphone control or extra programmes. Overall, they tend to be the quietest dryers and most gentle on textiles due to their use of lower temperatures.