A tumble dryer is an integral attribute of home space, both in a private house and in an apartment building. When choosing the best dryer option, you should think about such points as: functionality, appearance, placement method, duration of service. In order not to be mistaken with the purchase, it is worth reading the advice on choosing a dryer and the rating of the best manufacturers.
How to choose a dryer
It is worth choosing a dryer, focusing, first of all, on the needs of the family and the possibilities of a particular design.
- For drying bed linen and blankets, the best option would be a floor structure designed for a weight of wet linen over 15 kg. Floor dryers take up a lot of space, but are a versatile option for a large family.
- If there is no time to wait for the laundry to dry on its own or in conditions of high humidity, an electric dryer will be optimal.
- If you have to dry things made of delicate fabrics or woolen products that are afraid of mechanical spinning, it is worth considering the option of a dryer installed on the bathtub so that water can drain freely from the products without damaging the floor.
- The presence of small children in the family will make the radiator model an indispensable assistant in the cold season: small things will be dry in 2-3 hours, and if we take into account the low cost of such dryers, then they can be placed on all the batteries available in the apartment.
- Attention should be paid to the material from which the dryer is made, since aluminum structures are lightweight, but it will most likely last less than a similar model made of steel.
- Testimonials from consumers who have already tested the product will help identify shortcomings.
What are the models
Depending on what place is allotted in the apartment for the regular arrangement of the instrument, there are:
- floor-standing (with additional folding wings or consisting of one working surface);
- floor sliding, it is possible to pull out additional space for drying;
- wall and ceiling, they are securely fastened with screws;
- radiator, suspended from the battery with hooks;
- for a shower cabin, such models are similar to radiator models, but are large in size;
- on the bathtub: a sliding structure mounted on the walls of the bathtub or laid horizontally on it.
Advantages and disadvantages of different designs
Before moving on to a review of brands, it is worth describing in more detail the pros and cons of various designs for drying clothes.
Electric dryers
Will significantly reduce the drying time. In wide sale you can find products of the brands "Hotter", "Rovus", "Atlanta" and some others. Models might look like:
- floor dryer with folding "ears" (from 2000 rubles);
- whatnot (from 8,000 rubles);
- drying machine (looks like a washing machine, the price starts from 35,000 rubles);
- elongated upward design, covered with a removable or unfastening cover, under which there are hangers (from 2500 rubles).
Advantages:
The advantage of this type of dryers is ease of use, high drying speed (up to 2-3 hours), the presence of both very spacious and compact models.
Disadvantages:
The disadvantage is the high power consumption.
Floor standing
Floor dryers come in a variety of configurations, but the most popular are those with or without drop-down surfaces. Such models are widespread due to their versatility and the ability to choose convenient sizes. A large range of sizes allows you to choose both compact models for drying small laundry in the bath, and medium ones for location on the balcony or large ones for the room. When folded, any model of this design turns into a flat surface that does not take up space in the apartment.
Advantages:
- have different sizes;
- ease of use;
- little weight;
- compactness.
Disadvantages:
- in inexpensive models, the rods sag over time;
- instability due to incorrect load distribution;
- when unfolded it can take up a lot of space.
The inconvenience will be minimal if you carefully read the characteristics of the device and choose the appropriate model, taking into account the dimensions of the space reserved for the location of the dryer.
Floor sliding the models differ little from the above type. Their feature is the absence of additional folding wings, and the length increases due to the extension of an additional horizontal surface.
Stationary
Stationary dryers are structures made of stretched cords, often stretched over a roller mechanism, sliding or retractable.
Roller
They are convenient in that you can easily hang laundry on them, even when the dryer is attached to the outer part of the balcony.
Advantages:
- compactness;
- easy mounting;
- the structure can be made independently;
- ease of use.
Disadvantages:
not detected
Sliding
Sliding dryers also have a second name - "accordion", as they have an external resemblance to a musical instrument. A similar structure is attached to the surface of the wall and, if necessary, stretches like an accordion bellows.
Advantages:
- compactness;
- may have a different number of rods (5-10 pieces);
- come in different widths (0.5 - 1.2 m).
Disadvantages:
- maximum load up to 10 kg;
- quick wear of connecting elements.
Folding
The folding structure has two parts: stationary (fixed on the wall) and mobile, which can either be reclined or extended and, by pulling the rope, is attached to hooks screwed to the opposite wall. After drying, the movable part is removed from the fasteners and tightly adjoins the stationary part.
Advantages:
- when folded practically does not take up space;
- ease of use;
- suitable for small spaces.
Disadvantages:
- small load (up to 7 kg);
- over time, the ropes sag;
- the plastic base quickly breaks down.
"Elevator"
The device of the lift system dryer is designed in such a way that it can be attached both to the ceiling and to the wall, and a special mechanism allows you to adjust the height of the rods by lowering them to hang the laundry (the rods can take different heights, forming a cascade). If not needed, the structure rises to the very ceiling and becomes almost invisible. Some firms produce models with a remote control, the height of the guides is automatically adjusted in this case.
Advantages:
- compactness;
- strength;
- durability.
Disadvantages:
Radiator
Radiator dryers are a single-tier or two-tier structure made of rods, which are suspended by hooks from the heating battery (on the door, shower stall).
Advantages:
- ease of movement;
- makes it possible to quickly dry small items during the heating season;
- indispensable for families with small children.
Disadvantages:
- not designed for drying large items.
Bath dryer
It can take a horizontal position and represent a plane swearing to the bathtub, or it can take the shape of a gable roof, attaching itself to the opposite sides of the bathtub.
Advantages:
- ease of use;
- suitable for delicate fabrics for which spinning is contraindicated;
- easy to hang when the dryer is horizontal.
Disadvantages:
- suitable only for small items (underwear, socks, towels);
- you can not take a bath while drying clothes.
For shower cabin
Such dryers are close to radiator dryers, since they have the same device. The only difference is that the number of planes in shower models is greater. They can be solid, in which the position of the "shelves" does not change, or transformers, where the shelves are rearranged (their height changes depending on the user's needs) or folded.
Advantages:
- ease of use;
- suitable for delicate fabrics;
- mobility.
Disadvantages:
- not suitable for large items.
Top 10 popular brands in 2024 on the Russian market
In 2024, 9 official brands are presented on the domestic market. Let's compare the pros and cons of brands and their products.
10th place - "Nika"
- the Russian company produces such types of dryers as: floor, radiator, wall.
Floor dryers have two configurations: with and without side outlets.
Radiator dryers with one / two surfaces.
The wall dryer is represented by an accordion-shaped model and has different dimensions.
clothes dryer Nika
Advantages:
- light weight makes it easy to move the dryer;
- budget: floor standing from 550 rubles, radiators from 180 rubles, wall from 480 rubles;
- anti-corrosion coating extends service life;
- plastic protection on the legs and joints of parts will protect things from damage and the floor from scratches.
Disadvantages:
- limited color range;
- narrow product line.
9th place - "Red Cat"
Domestic brand that produces households. products. The list of manufactured goods includes all types of dryers, the focus is on the minimum cost and ease of use. The presented models are produced in the usual white color and design.
clothes dryer "Ginger cat"
Advantages:
- the most popular types of dryers are presented;
- budget price (for a radiator - from 200 rubles, floor-standing - from 600, wall-mounted retractable - from 300);
- a large number of sizes.
Disadvantages:
- rapid wear of pull-out dryers.
8th place - "Attribute"
Dryers made in Italy from galvanized or enamelled steel.
clothes dryer Attribute
Advantages:
- durability;
- wide range of sizes of floor dryers;
- a special safe folding system that does not injure your hands;
- affordable prices (for a bath - from 1200 rubles, floor - from 1500 rubles).
Disadvantages:
- do not produce wall and ceiling models;
- it is difficult to find a radiator dryer in retail, the order is possible from the website of the representative company.
7th place - "Actuel"
Ialyan brand, represented on the Russian market by a narrow range of products: a single-deck hinged dryer, retractable wall and floor. The cost is in the range slightly above the average price category, but the models have several drawbacks
tumble dryer Actuel
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
- the floor structure is made of plastic and can withstand no more than 5 kg. load, which makes it low-functional at a price above average for this model (2000 rubles);
- there is no variety and choice of models.
6th place - "Art Moon"
Country of origin China.The brand is represented on the Russian market by mounted, wall-mounted (retractable and folding), floor models. In addition, there is a stylish street model tripled like a roulette wheel.
clothes dryer Art Moon
Advantages:
- interesting design;
- non-standard solutions (there is a floor model that folds up);
- wide range of models;
- strength;
- ease of installation;
- average price range.
Disadvantages:
5th place - "Meliconi"
An Italian brand that produces luxury goods for the home.
tumble dryer Meliconi
Advantages:
- availability of floor, modular, ceiling structures in the range;
- there are colored models (light blue, blue, olive, pink);
- strength and durability of the structure.
Disadvantages:
- high cost of floor modular dryers (from 6000 rubles).
4th place - "Leifheit"
A German brand on the market with elegant premium dryer models. The variety of models and execution options will allow even the most demanding customers to choose the right option. There are dryers equipped with additional accessories (hangers, a net for drying delicate items, a wallet for clothespins).
clothes dryer Leifheit
Advantages:
- presence in the range of all types of dryers;
- elegant execution;
- many options for each type of dryers;
- colored models;
- strength and durability;
- the presence of small-sized but roomy models.
Disadvantages:
- high price, which can reach 12,000 rubles for a floor model with additional items.
3rd place - "Brabantia"
Country of origin - Belgium. Not only experienced designers, but also fashion designers have had a hand in the creation of Brabantia dryers, they combine functionality and original design solutions. In addition to the well-known models of dryers, the company produces a street structure tripled like an umbrella with "knitting needles" stretching when unfolding. The umbrella's support rod is installed in a sleeve dug into the ground, which allows you to take up a minimum of space on the ground and save space on your personal plot.
tumble dryer Brabantia
Advantages:
- style;
- reliability;
- ease of use.
Disadvantages:
- the price is calculated for VIP class clients (wall-mounted pull-out dryer - from 4000, radiator - from 1400, floor "shelf" - from 14,000, floor with folding wings - from 11.000, outdoor - from 9000).
2nd place - "Gimi"
An Italian brand that produces dryers of all kinds and designs, from the simplest to the multifunctional. Available in aluminum, hard resin, stainless steel and galvanized steel. Floor standing dryers are equipped with casters for mobility and ease of use.
clothes dryer Gimi
Advantages:
- quality;
- wide product line;
- light weight;
- wall-mounted sliding models do not loosen over time;
- there is a telescopic wall model in which up to six rails can be extended;
- reasonable prices: floor from 2000, telescopic from 1000, for a bath from 460 rubles, "lift" from 1500 rubles, "accordion" from 700 rubles.
- the most expensive model costs about 5,000 rubles.
Disadvantages:
1st place - "Metaltex"
Country of origin - Italy. Metaltex relies on functionality, in the assortment of this company there are familiar models made of high-quality and durable materials.
Dryer Metaltex floor standing Fuji
Advantages:
- functionality;
- decent price-quality ratio;
- the presence of a convenient and durable hinged structure that can withstand up to 15 kg. linen.
Disadvantages:
- minor disadvantages include the lack of colored models.
When choosing the optimal model, one should take into account the strength of the structure, build quality, warranty period, its technical characteristics, appearance and ease of use.