Best-Rated Clothes Dryers

Compare clothes dryers in New Zealand with Canstar Blue. Bosch, LG, Fisher & Paykel, Samsung and Haier were compared on Overall Satisfaction, Appearance & Design, Ease of Use, Performance & Reliability, Quietness while Operating and Value for Money. 

See our Ratings Methodology.

Most Satisfied Customers | Bosch

Bosch hangs its competitors out to dry, as the No.1 choice of Kiwi consumers and the winner of Canstar Blue’s 2023 Clothes Dryers Award.
bosch_logo

How we rate clothes dryers

Our review compares clothes dryers on customer satisfaction, so you can discover what other Kiwis think about our compared clothes dryer brands before you go ahead and make a purchase. Think of it like asking hundreds of your closest mates which clothes dryers they think are best!


Canstar Blue surveyed 492 Kiwis who had bought a clothes dryer over the past five years for their feedback on the clothes dryer they bought.

  • The outcomes reported in these ratings are measured via accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics.

Respondents rate their satisfaction with their clothes dryer brands from zero to ten, where zero is extremely dissatisfied and ten is extremely satisfied. Brand satisfaction was rated by respondents on the following criteria:

  • Overall satisfaction: measures consumer satisfaction with a clothes dryer brand as an individual score NOT a combined total of all criteria.
  • Appearance & design: the clothes dryer has a design that is aesthetically pleasing and fits unobtrusively into its setting.
  • Ease of use: settings and functions are easy to locate and use.
  • Performance & reliability: the clothes dryer dries clothes well and consistently on various settings, and its performance hasn’t decreased over time.
  • Quietness: the clothes dryer operates at a volume that isn’t disturbing.
  • Value for money: the cost is low for the quality and performance of the clothes dryer.

The winning brand is the one that receives the highest Overall Satisfaction rating once all the scores from the Overall Satisfaction criteria are combined and averaged.

  • Overall Satisfaction is asked as a specific question and represents an individual measure, not a combined total of all criteria.
  • When we cannot determine a clear winner from the criteria for the Overall Satisfaction rating, we will then look at the other criteria measured in the rating.
    • The brand with the highest number of five-star ratings within the supporting criteria will become the five-star recipient in overall satisfaction, and thus win the award. If a clear leader still cannot be determined from the supporting criteria, joint winners will be declared.

Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included, so not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The brands rated in this survey are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.

  • Bosch
  • LG
  • Fisher & Paykel
  • Samsung
  • Haier


Find more information on our Most Satisfied Customer methodology.

Best clothes dryers in New Zealand

  1. Bosch
  2. LG
  3. Fisher & Paykel
  4. Samsung
  5. Haier

bosch_logo

Bosch

Ratings Results

A previous winner of Canstar Blue’s Clothes Dryer Award, Bosch once again earns a remarkable set of ratings from its happy customers. Along with a top rating for Overall Satisfaction, it earns further 5-Star ratings in all but one category, Ease of Use, for which it earns an excellent 4-Star seal of approval. This year’s result for Bosch comes alongside a second placing in our Dishwashers Award.

Editor’s Notes

German appliance manufacturer Bosch is synonymous with quality and design, and many of its models are made in Germany. It has a range of eight heat-pump dryers, across three Series: 3, 6 and 8. Prices start from around $1300 for a Series 4, 8kg dryer and reach as high as approx $3299 for a Series 8 9kg model.

All Bosch dryers feature auto-dry sensing, while more expensive models boast no-lint auto-cleaning and smart connectivity. Energy ratings vary between models, from 7  up to an impressive 10 stars, for the Series 8 8kg dryer.


LG

Ratings Results

One of four brands to earn a 4-Star seal of approval from Kiwi consumers in this year’s award ratings, LG earns further 4-Star ratings for Ease of Use and Quietness. It earns 3-Star ratings in all other categories.

Editor’s Notes

LG is a multinational electronics company that is based in South Korea. It produces a wide range of electronic goods and home appliances.

In New Zealand, it retails five clothes dryers. Four are heat-pump dryers, which come in 8kg, 9kg and two 10kg models. These range from approx $2000 to just over $3000.

LG also sells an 8kg condensing dryer, its cheapest model, for around $1850. While the condenser model has only a 2-star energy rating, all LG’s heat-pump models earn excellent 9-star ratings.


Fisher & Paykel

Ratings Results

Fisher & Paykel’s consumer scores are split equally between 3- and 4-Star ratings. It earns its top marks for Overall Satisfaction, Performance & Reliability and Appearance & Design – an indication that Fisher & Paykel’s clothes dryers not only look great, they can be relied upon for years of reliable service, too.

Editor’s Notes

Fisher & Paykel is a brand synonymous with appliances in NZ, and it sells an impressive range of dryers:

Nine models: 8-9kg heat-pump dryers ($2700-$4000) | 25+ settings | 7- to 10-star energy ratings

Four models: 5-7kg vented dryers ($1100-$1600) | Up to 10 settings | 2-star energy ratings

One Dryer: 8kg condensing dryer ($1849) | 13 settings | 2-star energy rating

More expensive models feature steam freshen, to quickly dewrinkle and deodorise your clothes, and smart connectivity.


Samsung

Ratings Results

While Samsung’s 4-Star rating for Overall Satisfaction sees it take fourth position on our ladder, it scores an excellent set of results across all other categories. It’s the only brand to earn a 5-Star rating for Ease of Use, and is rewarded with 5 Stars for the design of its clothes dryers. For Value for Money, Quietness and Performance & Reliability it earns 4-Star ratings.

Editor’s Notes

Samsung’s range of seven heat-pump dryers comprises six models with 9-star energy ratings and one with a top 10-star rating.

Its cheapest heat-pump dryer has a load capacity of 8kg, features OptimalDry smart drying and wrinkle prevent and a quick 35-min dry for loads up to 1kg, all for approx $1300.

At the top of Samsung’s range, its 10kg smart dryer retails for around $3700 and boasts nine-sensor AI dry, automatic door open and smart connectivity.


haier logo

Haier

Ratings Results

Haier rounds out this year’s award ratings. As a more affordable option than Fisher & Paykel, it’s not a surprise that it earns 4-Stars for Value for Money, its highest rating. Across all other categories, Haier’s customers rate its products 3 Stars, which while not a stand-out result, still means that the brand scored at least 6/10 in each category, indicating that its consumers are still happy with the performance of their purchases.

Editor’s Notes

Haier was founded in China in 1984 and is the owner of Fisher & Paykel. Here in NZ, the brand is often considered a cheaper alternative to Fisher & Paykel products, delivering great design and features at an affordable price.

It sells a range of dryers similar to those offered by Fisher & Paykel:

Three models: 8-9kg heat-pump dryers ($2200-$2800) | 14-16 settings | 8-star energy ratings

Three models: 4-7kg vented dryers ($699-$999) | 7-9 settings | 2-star energy ratings

One dryer: 8kg condensing dryer ($1599) | 16 settings | 2-star energy rating

More expensive models feature steam freshen, to quickly dewrinkle and deodorise your clothes, and smart connectivity.

Other clothes dryer brands

Not all clothes dryer brands in the market qualify for our ratings (based on minimum survey sample size), but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth considering. Here are more brands to check out before making a purchase decision.

  • AEG
  • Beko
  • Electrolux
  • Living & Co

  • Miele
  • Panasonic
  • Westinghouse


AEG

AEG is a German company that produces a wide range of premium brand home appliances and electronic goods.

Its range comprises eight heat-pump dryers, that range in price from approx $2200 for the AEG 8kg 6000 Series SensiDry heat-pump dryer to around $3200 for the 9kg 9000 Series 3DScan heat-pump dryer dryer, which features 3DScan technology that ensures all your clothes are dried with precision and care.


Beko

Editor’s Notes

Beko is a Turkish company that is one of Europe’s biggest appliance manufacturers. Here it sells a range of nine models covering heat-pump dryers, condenser dryers and regular dryers.

All machines are backed by 5-year warranties and prices range from around $2000 for Beko’s top-of-the range 8-star energy rated 9kg hybrid heat-pump with steam and wi-fi, to around $700 for its 2-star energy rated 7kg vented dryer.


Electrolux

Editor’s Notes

Electrolux is a Swedish appliance company. It’s a premium brand that sells a range of nine dryers: five heat-pump dryers, three vented dryers and one condenser model.

Prices start from around $725 for the Electrolux 6kg vented sensor clothes dryer up to over $2500 for its large, heat-pump models.


Living & Co

Editor’s Notes

The Warehouse’s own brand Living & Co is known for its no-frills products and low prices. Through the big red barns, it retails just two models:

  • 2-star energy rated, 7kg vented dryer ($500)
  • 6-star energy rated, 8kg heat-pump dryer ($900)

Miele

Editor’s Notes

Miele is a German premium brand that manufactures a wide range of home appliances. Its range of dryers comprises seven heat-pump models.

The cheapest 7kg model has a 9-star energy rating, features Miele’s exclusive FragranceDos system for fragrant-smelling laundry and retails for $2100.

The most expensive dryer in Miele’s range is its 9kg Passion dryer, which tops out at $5800. For that money you get a 10-star energy rating and drying programs to match clothing from outdoor wear to denim.


panasonic_logoPanasonic

Editor’s Notes

Japanese manufacturer Panasonic is best known for its electronic good, such as TVs and audio products. But it also produces a range of kitchen and laundry appliances.

While it makes an extensive range of washing machines and washer-dryers, it only makes two dedicated dryers, vented models with 7kg and 8kg capacities. The Panasonic 7kg vented sensor dryer retails for around $960, while the larger 8kg model goes for $1050.


westinghouse logoWestinghouse

Editor’s Notes

Westinghouse is part of the Electrolux group, but as a brand has been producing quality appliances in Australia since the 1930s. Its range of dryers incorporates vented and heat-pump models:

  • Two each vented dryers in 4.5kg, 5.5kg and 6.5kg models, more expensive dryers in this range feature SenseDry technology, which allows you to pick your level of dryness: extra dry, cupboard dry and iron dry. Prices for Westinghouse vented dryers start as low as approx $520 for the 4.5kg model, which has an energy rating of 1.5 stars.
  • A 7-star energy rated heat-pump 500 Series dryer (approx $1560) that features SenseDry, a delicates setting and auto cool-down for fewer wrinkles.

Choosing the Right Clothes Dryer for You

When choosing a clothes dryer, energy efficiency is a big consideration for many consumers. Indeed, over a third of respondents in our survey say that their choice of dryer was heavily influenced by its energy-saving rating: heat-pump models score between 8 and 10 stars for energy efficiency, while conventional, cheaper models only around 2 stars.

However, when it comes satisfaction with their choice of dryer, what influences consumers the most?

Despite the various settings offered by more expensive models, clothes dryers pretty much all perform the same task and should produce the same outcome: dry clothes. So it’s unsurprising that Performance & Reliability is the biggest consideration for the consumers in our survey.

Ease of Use is also an important factor, cited by 20% of respondents. And it’s interesting to note that nearly a third of Kiwis (28%) say they usually stick to one simple setting when using their dryer.

Here’s the full rundown of what the clothes dryer consumers in our survey say are the main things they consider when rating their purchases.

  • Performance & Reliability: 27%
  • Ease of Use: 20%
  • Value for Money: 19%
  • Quietness: 18%
  • Appearance & Design: 16%

Clothes Dryer Buying Guide

If you’re in the market for a new clothes dryer, apart from the best appliance brand, what do you need to consider before making your purchase. Canstar Blue walks you through what to consider when buying a new clothes dryer.

Dryer capacity

The first step when buying a clothes dryer is working out the size you need. Do you have a large family, and how much clothing do you need to dry on a regular basis? Most dryers have a capacity of between 4-10kg, however, if you’ve got no clue about your needs, consider these two tips:

  • A rough rule of thumb is that the capacity of your dryer should be double that of your washing machine. While you don’t need to aim for exactly double, your dryer needs to be quite a bit larger than your washing machine.
  • When a dryer states its capacity in kg, that refers to the weight of the clothes once dry. Not while they’re damp, straight out of the washing machine.

Also, consider the following:

  • 1 to 2 people: <5kg
  • 3 to 4 people: 5-7kg
  • 4-plus people: >7kg

The type of dryer

Once you’ve settled on the size of dryer you require, you need to consider the type of machine you want to buy:

Vented dryer

Vented dryers are the simplest form of dryer. They heat air, pass it into the drum, and then vent it, often outside via a hose. Vented dryer capacity ranges from 3kg to 9kg. Prices start from as little as $500.

Pros:

  • Generally cheaper to buy
  • Dries clothes quickly
  • Can be cheaper to run than a condenser dryer
  • Can be wall mounted

Cons:

  • Because they expel moist air, excess moisture can lead to damp and/or mould on walls and around the dryer
  • Needs to be near a window/external wall for the hose to expel moist air outside
  • Can be expensive to run
  • Requires an open and well-ventilated space, so not ideal for use in an apartment, etc, that has a laundry closet

Condenser dryers

Condenser clothes dryers recycle hot air by extracting the water vapour from it. The dry air is then sent back through the clothes in the dryer, while the water is either collected in a tank or expelled into the drain via a hose.

While this method of dealing with moist air means no humidity in your laundry room, it doesn’t do anything for the heat itself, meaning your laundry will be just as warm as if you were using a vented dryer.

Condenser clothes dryers cost from around $650 upwards.

Pros:

  • As excess moisture is not vented, condenser dryers can be placed just about anywhere, although their water tanks need to be emptied, if not plumbed in
  • Typically comes with more settings and features than a vented dryer

Cons:

  • Generally more expensive to purchase than a vented dryer
  • Too heavy to be wall-mounted, but can be stacked on a front-loading washing machine
  • Can cost more to run, and dries clothes more slowly than a vented dryer

Heat-pump dryers

A heat-pump dryer is a type of condenser dryer, which recycles heat in the process of extracting moisture. This means you get great drying results while consuming up to 50% less electricity than other dryer types. Prices start from around $1300.

Pros:

  • Extremely energy efficient
  • Heat-pump dryers don’t vent heated air or water vapour, so no heat or humidity for your laundry room
  • Uses lower temperatures and therefore gentler on clothes

Cons:

  • Higher purchase price
  • Slower to dry clothes than vented or condenser dryers

Energy-efficiency

When choosing a dryer, energy efficiency is an important consideration, one that can save you a considerable amount of money over the lifetime of your appliance.

As we mention above, a third of respondents in our survey say that their choice of dryer was heavily influenced by its energy-saving rating.

Finding an energy-efficient dryer is simple. Just check its Energy Rating Label (see right). The more stars, the more energy-efficient the dryer.

The label also shows an estimated kWh usage per year, which if you know how much you’re paying for power, can help you work out the dollar cost of using the dryer.

Keep in mind that cheap and basic appliances tend to be less energy-efficient. So to lower your running costs, you’ll likely have to raise your upfront costs. However, as a dryer is one of the costlier appliances to run, choosing an energy-efficient model is a wise investment.

How much electricity does a clothes dryer use?

There is a big difference in the amount of electricity dryers use. A 2-star model can burn through close to 7kWh per load, while a 10-star model uses around 2kWh.

This means there’s a big difference in their running costs. The following calculations show running costs according to current government energy ratings, which assume one cotton load per week.

To do the calculations below we’ve used the national average power price of 32.5c p/kWh.

Energy star rating Machine Load Per Year Energy Use $ Per Year $ Per Load
10 Stars 9kg 105kWh $34.12 $0.66
9 Stars 9kg 129kWh $41.93 $0.81
8 Stars 9kg 145kWh $47.13 $0.91
7 Stars 8kg 159kWh $51.68 $0.99
2 Stars 8kg 355kWh $115.38 $2.22

As you can see, if you buy a cheap 2-Star energy rated dryer, instead of a more efficient one, you’ll be paying a lot more to use it, especially if you’re running it more than once per week.

Over 10 years on the above numbers, a 2-star 8kg dryer will cost $813 more to run than a larger 9kg 10-star dryer.

Tips to get your dryer running more efficiently include:

  • Avoid leaving it on standby, turn it off at the wall
  • Avoid drying loads of laundry that are too small or too large. Too small and it’s wasteful; too large and clothes won’t ventilate and dry efficiently, as the warm air needs to be able to move through the clothes
  • Use dryer balls to speed up dry time. Dryer balls absorb moisture while also tumbling through the dryer, separating clothes and improving the ventilation through the washing
  • Switch loads while the dryer is still warm
  • Dry heavyweight items separately. The dryer will continue to run until the heaviest items are dry, meaning any small items included will dry longer than necessary
  • Use features, such as a cool-down cycle, which finishes drying with the remaining heated air left in the dryer

Other dryer features to consider

  • Cycles – some dryers come with a couple of cycles, while others have dozens of cycles and settings for various load types
  • Drum design – some dryers come with special drums design to be gentler on clothes
  • Sensor – does the dryer run only on a timer, or can it switch itself off once it detects clothes are dry?
  • Smart capabilities – allow you to control your dryer from your smartphone and access convenient features, like auto start and stop, or cycles that you can download to your dryer for difficult clothing items
  • Temperature controls – to give you precise control over how you dry
  • Noise – if your laundry room is separate from your living areas, noise probably won’t be a big deal. If your dryer is in the laundry closet of your small apartment, it might be

Which fabrics are safe to put in a dryer?

Always read and abide by your garment’s care label. And if an item is particularly precious or expensive, maybe just use a clothes horse. However, here’s a guide to which fabrics are safe to use in a dryer.

Acrylic

Usually safe, but should be done on a low heat, as if it’s too high the clothes can permanently wrinkle.

Cotton

100% cotton clothes may shrink if put in a dryer, although most cotton blends should be able to survive the drying cycle shrink-free. But always use a low heat, and it pays to check a garment’s label to see if it has been pre-shrunk.

Denim

Denim fabrics can be put into a dryer. But for optimal care, take them out just before the end of the cycle and leave them finish air drying, as they’ll keep their shape for longer. Use a low-heat and delicate cycle if using a tumble dryer, as well as low heat if you have crinkles to iron out.

Linen

Most linen options, such as towels and sheets, are dryer safe. Although tumble drying may impact the lifespan of the linen. Use a low temperature, and be mindful that linen can be prone to wrinkling.

Linen clothing, however, is a different story. Many garment manufacturers recommend linen clothing to be professionally dry cleaned or air-dried, to avoid shrinkage and creasing.

Microfibre

Microfibre-made clothes and covers should be fine, as long as the dryer is set to a low temperature, as microfibre dries quickly in comparison to other materials. It’s also recommended to dry with other microfibre products to prevent lint from building up.

Nylon

Most nylon clothes should be dryer safe. But, as nylon dries quickly, it’s recommended that nylon is put through a low-temperature cycle. Also grab the clothes out of the machine as soon as possible, as they can be damaged if left in the dryer too long. Nylon also builds up static cling, so be sure to dry with a dryer sheet to avoid getting zapped.

Polyester

Polyester is quick-drying, so you may not even need to use a clothes dryer. But, for peace of mind, you won’t ruin your clothes if you do use a machine. Using a low-temperature cycle will also avoid any possible damage or shrinkage. Again, beware the static!

Spandex

As spandex is often mixed with other fabrics, you’ll have to check your clothes’ tags before you throw them in the dryer, as some spandex clothing may be fine to dry, while others are best hung out to dry. Generally, the more spandex your clothes contain, the more possible dryer damage.

Which fabrics shouldn’t go in a clothes dryer?

  • Cashmere
  • Wool
  • Lace

  • Silk
  • Leather & suede
  • Rayon

About the editor of this page

This report was written by Canstar’s Editor, Bruce Pitchers. Bruce has three decades’ experience as a journalist and has worked for major media companies in the UK and Australasia, including ACP, Bauer Media Group, Fairfax, Pacific Magazines, News Corp and TVNZ. Prior to Canstar, he worked as a freelancer, including for The Australian Financial Review, the NZ Financial Markets Authority, and for real estate companies on both sides of the Tasman.

Key statistics

Only use dryer when not possible to dry outside: 52%

Energy-saving rating played big part in choice of dryer: 34%

Use dryer for all clothes drying: 28%

Usually stick to one basic setting: 28%

Dry different fabrics separately: 25%

Avoid using dryer due to cost: 24%

Own a heat-pump dryer: 13%

Bought a budget dryer as does the same job: 18%

Have a combined washer/dryer: 10%

Canstar Blue surveyed 2517 New Zealand consumers across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction, via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics. The outcomes reported are the results from customers who had purchased a clothes dryer in the past five years. In this case, 492 New Zealanders. Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then by mean overall satisfaction. A rated brand may receive a ‘N/A’ (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criterion.

The past winners from Canstar Blue’s Clothes Dryers ratings:

  • 2018: Simpson
  • 2017: Bosch
  • 2015: LG
  • 2014: LG

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