Finding the perfect clothes dryer is easy once you know what to look for. From understanding the various types of clothes dryers to considering factors such as capacity, ventilation, and energy efficiency, this guide aims to demystify the process.
As you navigate your clothes dryer buying journey, here are some factors to consider:
Choosing the best clothes dryer for your needs starts with understanding your basic weekly laundry demands and habits.
The average load size in New Zealand and Australia is around 3.5–4.5 kgs.** Using this as a starting point, a 4 kg capacity dryer may be suitable for a one–two person household, a 6–7 kg dryer for a family of three–four, and an 8–10 kg dryer for large households of five or more.
Haier’s Heat Pump Dryers come in large-capacity sizes between 7–10 kg, perfect for large loads or families with varied laundry needs, and sporadic or frequent washing days. Able to handle everything from delicate woollens to bulky puffer jackets, this type of clothes dryer offers incredible versatility due to lower drying temperatures and specialised drying cycles.
Ventilation is key to preventing moisture, mildew, and dryer lint buildup in your home and laundry.
If your laundry area isn’t set up for external venting, a heat pump dryer is a viable option. Whether stacked or placed amongst cabinetry, heat pump dryers recycle air and condense moisture offering flexible placement.
As the name indicates, vented dryers do require external ventilation to an external wall or window to expel humid air. Lightweight, vented dryers offer easy install being stacked, or wall-mounted to suit your needs.
Determine the size of your laundry room and choose a model that fits comfortably while enhancing the room’s aesthetics. For a considered look, explore washer and dryer pairs that are made to match, choosing from dark or white finishes to complement your style.
If space is limited, a compact clothes dryer, or two-in-one washer-dryer, is an excellent space-saving solution that doesn’t compromise on functionality, offering the convenience of both washing and drying in a single combi appliance.
Stackable dryers have a smaller footprint for a more spacious feel. If stacked space is tight, you could consider our Laundry Centre, which stands at only 1500mm high. Haier’s Stacking Kit with Tray accessory can be purchased separately for best results.
When choosing a clothes dryer, it’s worth thinking about both the upfront cost and the ongoing running costs over its lifetime.
Heat pump dryers are usually more expensive to buy but are highly energy-efficient, which can lead to significant power bill savings over time. Vented dryers, on the other hand, usually cost less to buy but can be more expensive to run and need external venting – something to keep in mind when planning your space and budget.
How often you use your dryer also matters. New features available with Haier Heat Pump Dryers, such as Refresh with Steam, can make it even more useful, offering specialised cycles to freshen clothes and reduce wrinkles.
It’s also a good idea to check out fabric-and garment-specific cycles to see how well a dryer matches your lifestyle and how much use it’s likely to get.
Heat pump dryers are designed for energy efficiency, which is particularly beneficial when the clothes dryer is in frequent use.
If saving energy is a priority, a heat pump dryer could be a valuable investment despite its higher upfront cost. Check for models with a high star rating for energy, as this is the hallmark of the most energy-efficient dryers and can contribute to long-term savings and environmental benefits.
Not only more energy-efficient, but heat pump dryer’s lower drying temperatures and specialised dry cycles offer tailored drying for delicates, synthetic fabrics and wool.
Vented dryers on the other hand offer fast drying but are less energy-efficient (think 2-star energy ratings versus 6-stars or more for heat pump dryers).
To keep your garments looking their best for longer, choose a dryer with features designed for gentle care. Heat pump technology, steam cycles, delicate settings, and sensor drying all help protect fabrics by using lower temperatures and preventing over-drying.
Some dryers, like those with Haier’s Ultra Sense technology, go a step further with precise, targeted drying, making them ideal for bulky or specialised loads. Many models also include Woolmark-certified cycles, specially created for woollens and knitwear, helping to maintain softness, shape, and quality over time.
Handy new features, such as Haier’s ‘Rack dry’, can be used to dry shoes and more for head-to-toe fabric and garment care.
Remember to follow the care labels on your clothes for optimal fabric care.
If your dryer will be running near living or sleeping areas, it’s worth considering its noise level. Some models are designed with quiet operation features, such as Haier’s ‘Night dry’ cycle, which helps reduce operational noise for a more peaceful laundry experience – perfect for open-plan homes or late-night loads.
In our connected world, having a dryer with smart capabilities means enhanced convenience. Haier’s clothes dryers can connect to Wi-Fi, allowing you to control your dryer remotely, get updates, and more, all from your smartphone.
Along with your clothes dryer, any other Wi-Fi-compatible Haier appliances you have can be connected and linked to the SmartHQ™ app, creating a centralised hub for you to check and control your new Haier appliances from.
Whether you're a busy family juggling laundry loads, an environmentally conscious household seeking energy efficiency, or a couple looking for a compact and practical solution, there's a Haier clothes dryer designed with you in mind.
For a comparison between heat pump and vented clothes dryers, read Heat Pump or Vented? How to choose the best clothes dryer for your home.
* Iredale, A. (2024, March 6). Do you really need a larger washing machine? Choice. https://www.choice.com.au/home-and-living/laundry-and-cleaning/washing-machines/articles/the-growth-in-large-washing-machines
* Based on internal data and data retrieved from: Wall, B. (2023, September 26). What size washing machine do you really need? Consumer. https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/what-size-washing-machine-do-you-really-need
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