Condenser tumble dryer recommendations please!

[Ktay]

Apologies if this should go elsewhere, the ‘products’ board doesn’t look the busiest 😬

Our tumble dryer broke a few weeks ago and I hadn’t realised quite how much I relied on it. Can anyone particularly recommend theirs? It won’t get heavy use, probably a load of towels a week (sorry, I realise this is too infrequent for some ), a small load of dishcloths/tea towels plus a couple of small loads of socks etc.

We would prefer to pay a bit more for an energy-efficient one - up to about £500. Both our AEG dryer and newish AEG washing machine have died on us within weeks of each other so keen to avoid them!

Thanks in advance

Oooo good timing. I’m on the hunt for a tumble drier. We’ve never had one so I know nothing!

I got a beko heat pump condenser for about £350 2 years ago and I'm very happy with it. We normally wouldn't go near beko but it was all the could afford at the time, I've been pleasantly surprised

Some tips I would recommend checking out when buying a condenser dryer would be:

1. Find out where the water collects so that it is easy to empty between loads. We had one that collected in the door and you removed the water container to empty it (it was clear and hooked inside the door to the drum). That was so handy. We now have a dryer that collects water in a container near the floor - not so handy for bending down and taking it out to empty.
2. Find out where the small fluff filter is for cleaning between loads - it should be easily accessible.
3. Find out where the larger filter is for cleaning (approx. once a month)
4. Check to see what drying options you have. Some will have loads of options for drying. You will probably revert to one or two so don't think that the more options you have the better.
5. We went for one with a clear door (resembles the washing machine in that way) so that we could see if the load gets itself tied up or if a sock is blocking the small removable filter for example. Not all dryers have this. Some have a solid door so go for whatever suits you.

That's it. We currently have a Bosch but previously had a Hotpoint. Go with what you like the look of!

Thanks everyone. We had our last condenser rigged up to drain into the wastewater so would be looking to do that again.

PS great tips @WatchaMaCalllit. We do like Bosch.

www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/household-appliances/laundry/tumble-dryers/bosch-classixx-7-wte84106gb-tumble-dryer-white-21350509-pdt.html

This is the bees knees but I think I have an 8kg one not a 7kg one.

Drys quickly and evenly. The sensor dry is amazing. The dedicates setting is actually delicate and I can no tumble dry almost everything.

Also you can easily rig it up to the drain, comes with the tube to do that

We have an indesit IDCL85BH b rated condenser dryer.
It dries really quickly and haven't noticed any big increase in energy bills even though it dries at least a load every day. Big drum too.

Thank you. Having done a bit more research last night I think it’s going to have to be a Samsung as we have to have a left-hinged door (which seems to rule out Bosch ) and DH reckons Hotpoint are same as AEG these days?

I have a Miele heat pump tumble dryer is was around the £500 mark, 5 year guarantee, water collects top left fluff is easy to remove and it is left hinged.

Not Samsung. We’ve had ours replaced 3 times in 1 year. Customer service is dreadful, foreign call centre etc etc. They can’t understand what you’re saying! Dreadful. We complained to ao and they replaced it with a Bosch which is fab.

Oh dear @fairylea 🙁

Can’t do Bosch due to hinge being on wrong side.

Miele A++ dryers seem to be £700+ sadly

OP it should be possible to switch the side the door has it's hinges on irrespective of the brand (I thought)

We’ve done that in the past but from the website it doesn’t look like the inside of the door has the right design. I suppose we’ll just have to visit some in the flesh to be sure!

Not Hotpoint/Indescit and that group as they badly mishandled the issue of their tumble driers setting themselves on fire.

On my second one of these

Love mine, easy to use, easy to empty, easy to keep clean.

Ah yes @happinessiseggshaped I remember now...

I've got a Candy drier, had it years with no problems at all.
Did no research at all before buying so I don't know if it's a popular brand at all, I bought it because it was cheap, expecting it to not last long.
I have a terrible track record with washing machines so I didn't want to spend a lot but I have been really pleased with the drying performance and longevity.

Yes I have just checked my receipt, you are right it was nearer £700 the tumble dryer has a five year guarantee and the washing machine a ten year guarantee but I would highly recommend.

Second vote for Beko heat pump one, it's hinges on right. Works very much more efficiently than most condenser dryers, and you can plumb it in so you don't have to keep emptying the vapour drawer.

Thanks everyone. MIL lives near the Miele factory shop, might sit tight for now while keeping a beady eye on their stock list and head over there when a bargain arises.

PS I think we will go for a heat pump one now

We had this help one delivered on Monday. We also have a Beko washer.

Pleasantly surprised.

Previously we had a Samsung washer and a Samsung dryer.

I like the Beko dryer a lot. It's a 9kg so great for towels.

Sorry with pic