Buying your first clothes dryer can feel overwhelming. With different technologies, capacities, features, and price points to consider, it's easy to get lost in the specifications. This guide strips away the jargon and explains everything you need to know in plain language, helping you make a confident purchase decision.
Whether you're moving into your first home, upgrading from communal laundry facilities, or simply tired of battling Melbourne's unpredictable weather with a clothesline, this comprehensive introduction will set you up for success.
Understanding the Three Main Dryer Types
All clothes dryers work on the same basic principle: tumbling clothes through heated air to evaporate moisture. However, they handle that moisture differently, and this is the fundamental distinction between dryer types.
Vented Dryers
Vented dryers are the traditional, most affordable option. They heat air with an electric element, pass it through the tumbling clothes, then expel the warm, moisture-laden air outside through a duct. This is the simplest technology and results in fast drying times.
The key requirement is an exhaust route to the outdoors. If you live in a standalone house with laundry access to an external wall, vented dryers are straightforward to install. Apartments and internal laundries often can't accommodate the ducting.
Condenser Dryers
Condenser dryers don't need external venting. Instead, they cool the warm, moist air to condense the water vapour into liquid, which collects in a removable tank. The air is then reheated and cycled back through the drum.
This flexibility makes condensers ideal for apartments, rentals, and any situation where ducting isn't possible. You'll need to empty the water tank periodically, or connect it to a drain for automatic emptying.
Heat Pump Dryers
Heat pump dryers are the most advanced and energy-efficient type. They use refrigerant technology (similar to air conditioners) to extract and recycle heat. Like condensers, they collect water in a tank and don't require venting.
Heat pump dryers use about half the electricity of conventional dryers, but cost more upfront and have longer cycle times. They're increasingly popular as energy costs rise and technology improves.
Which Type Should You Choose?
- Vented: Best for budget-conscious buyers with external venting access
- Condenser: Good for apartments and situations requiring flexibility without high upfront cost
- Heat Pump: Best for long-term savings and eco-conscious households willing to invest upfront
Choosing the Right Capacity
Dryer capacity is measured in kilograms and refers to the dry weight of clothes the machine can handle in a single load. Getting the right size matters for efficiency and convenience.
- 4-5kg: Suitable for singles or couples with light laundry needs
- 6-7kg: Works well for couples or small families
- 8kg: The sweet spot for most Australian families (3-4 people)
- 9-10kg: Best for larger families or heavy bedding loads
A common mistake is buying too small. While a compact dryer might fit your space better, running multiple cycles is less efficient than one properly-sized load. That said, if your washing machine is 7kg, there's no need for a 10kg dryer.
Key Features to Understand
Sensor Drying vs Timed Drying
Timed drying runs for a set duration regardless of whether clothes are dry. Sensor drying uses moisture sensors to detect when clothes are dry and stops automatically. Sensor drying saves energy, prevents overdrying, and is gentler on fabrics. It's worth prioritising this feature.
Reverse Tumbling
Dryers with reverse tumble capability periodically change drum direction. This prevents clothes from balling up and tangling, leading to more even drying and less wrinkling. Most modern dryers include this feature.
Delay Start
This lets you set the dryer to start at a future time, useful for taking advantage of off-peak electricity rates or timing cycles to finish when you'll be home to unload.
Anti-Crease/Refresh Cycles
If you can't unload immediately, anti-crease cycles periodically tumble clothes to prevent set-in wrinkles. Refresh cycles can freshen clothes with steam or air without a full wash and dry.
Understanding Energy Ratings
In Australia, dryers carry Energy Rating Labels showing star ratings from 1-10. More stars mean lower running costs. The label also shows estimated annual energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
To calculate approximate annual running costs, multiply the kWh figure by your electricity rate (typically 25-35 cents per kWh in Australia). For example, a dryer rated at 300 kWh at 30 cents per kWh would cost about $90 per year to run.
Heat pump dryers typically achieve 7-10 stars, condensers 2-5 stars, and vented dryers 1-3 stars. The difference in running costs over a dryer's lifespan can reach thousands of dollars.
Installation Basics
Electrical Requirements
Most dryers in Australia use a standard 10-amp power outlet. Some larger or high-powered models require a 15-amp circuit. Check the specifications before purchasing, especially in older homes where outlets may be limited.
Never use extension cords or multi-outlet adapters with dryers. The high power draw can cause overheating and fire risk. If your laundry lacks an appropriate outlet, have an electrician install one.
Ventilation (for Vented Dryers)
Vented dryers need a clear path to exhaust moist air outside. This can be through a wall vent or window kit. The duct should be as short and straight as possible - long runs with multiple bends reduce efficiency and increase lint buildup.
Use rigid metal ducting rather than flexible plastic types, which are more prone to lint accumulation and fire hazards. The external vent should have a flapper that opens during operation and closes to prevent pests and weather entering.
Space Requirements
Allow at least 100mm clearance on all sides of the dryer for air circulation. Stackable washer-dryer combinations are available if floor space is limited, though you'll need a stacking kit and to ensure the combination is compatible.
Rental Considerations
If you're renting, check with your landlord before installing any ducting. Condenser and heat pump dryers are often better choices for renters since they require no permanent modifications and can move with you.
Using Your Dryer Effectively
Preparing Clothes
Before loading the dryer:
- Check care labels - not everything can be tumble dried
- Empty pockets of tissues, coins, and other items
- Fasten zippers and hooks that could snag other clothes
- Turn delicate items inside out
- Shake out items to prevent bunching
Loading Tips
Fill the drum to about two-thirds capacity. Overloading prevents proper tumbling and results in uneven drying. Underloading wastes energy but won't harm the machine. Sort items by weight and fabric type - mixing heavy towels with light synthetics leads to overdried synthetics and damp towels.
The Lint Filter
Clean the lint filter after every single load without exception. This simple habit keeps your dryer efficient, prevents fire hazards, and extends the machine's life. Once a month, wash the filter with soapy water to remove fabric softener residue.
What Not to Put in a Dryer
Some items should never go in a tumble dryer:
- Rubber or foam-backed items: Bath mats, padded bras, foam pillows - the heat can melt or ignite them
- Items with oil or solvent contamination: Clothes exposed to petrol, cooking oil, or cleaning fluids
- Silk and delicate lace: Heat damages these fabrics irreversibly
- Some wools: Check labels - many wools felt or shrink dramatically
- Leather or suede: Heat causes permanent damage
- Items with embellishments: Sequins, beads, and heat-transfer prints can melt
Getting Started with Confidence
Armed with this knowledge, you're ready to shop for and use your first dryer with confidence. Remember that the best dryer for you depends on your specific situation - your budget, installation options, laundry volume, and long-term plans.
Take our dryer finder quiz for personalised recommendations, or use our comparison tool to filter and compare models based on the features that matter most to you.
Once your dryer is up and running, check out our guides on dryer maintenance and energy-efficient drying tips to get the most from your new appliance.