When is a tumble dryer suitable for 1 person?
There are, of course, several specifications to look at when deciding whether a tumble dryer is right for you. But one of the most important features of a clothes dryer is its fill weight. The fill weight of a dryer indicates how many kilos of wash will fit in the drum. This is also known as the capacity of the dryer. If you have a small household with 1 or 2 people, you may find that the dryer is too big. It is important that the fill weight of your dryer is in proportion to the size of your household, in order to keep washing and drying as economical and convenient as possible.
With an oversized dryer, you run the risk of having to save up your laundry to fill the drum – which can be very annoying. Another option is to start the dryer with a half-empty load, but then the dryer uses more energy than it should. That’s not very environmentally friendly, and it’s not good for your energy costs either.
But exactly how much fill weight do you need? That’s a good question! We always recommend getting a dryer that has at least as much fill weight as your washing machine. That way, you’ll always be able to fit all your wet laundry into the dryer. Are you buying a new washer and dryer at the same time?
- For a household of 1 or 2 people, we recommend a small dryer with a 6kg or 7kg fill weight. A 6kg tumble dryer will be hard to find, but 7kg is fairly common.
- For a household of 3 or 4 people, we recommend dryers with 8kg fill weight.
- For a household of 5 or more, we recommend a minimum of 9kg.
Tip: If you need both a new washing machine and dryer, you can also consider a washer and dryer combination.
Best tumble dryers for 1 person in 2024
Most tumble dryers have a fill weight of 8kg, so it can sometimes be difficult to find a good tumble dryer that’s small enough for you alone. For that reason, we have put together a list of the best dryers that will fit 7kg of laundry. In making this selection, we looked at things like energy rating, noise level, ease of use options, expected life and customer reviews of a range of 7kg tumble dryers. These are the best tumble dryers for one person in 2024!
Pick up the Whirlpool WGD4815EW, available in a classic white color. This top load matching gas drier can handle up to 5.9 cu. ft. of laundry in every cycle so you can do more laundry at once. It weighs a measly 109 lbs., and measures 26 inches deep, 43 inches high, and 29 inches wide so it can fit in many smaller laundry rooms with different kinds of configurations. The reversible metal door gives you even more flexibility in placement. The powder-coated steel drum resists corrosion and rusting so your drier can serve your family for years and years. Because it has interior lighting, it is easy to see inside your drier and makes loading and unloading more convenient. Be alerted when the cycle is complete with the adjustable end of cycle signal. The exhaust vent is located at the rear.
This vented drier boasts a total of 15 dry cycles under Auto Dry, Air Fluff, Timed Dry and Wrinkle Shield. It has 4 temperature settings so you can choose the appropriate heat for different fabric types. This machine features 4 drying level selections including energy preferred (auto dry), damp, less dry and very dr. The AutoDry™ Drying System helps prevent over drying by monitoring the moisture content and automatically stopping the cycle when it hits the right level. The Wrinkle Shield™ Option protects from creases and wrinkles setting in by continuing to tumble the laundry every five minutes after the cycle is complete for up to 140 minutes or until you open the dryer door. Dry clothes without heat with Air Fluff to for your most gentle fabrics and to avoid creases and wrinkles from setting in. This drier is the perfect drier for your family, it’s simple and gets the job done.
The Whirlpool WGD4815EW comes with a power cord.
Let’s talk about the Amana NGD4655EW. This no-nonsense gas drier is priced at an attractive cost while giving you the features you need in a dependable drier. This top load matching drier has a total maximum capacity set at 6.5 cu. ft. allowing you to do more laundry in less loads. It weighs a measly 113 lbs. and is compactly cased in a white body measuring 28.25 inches deep, 42 inches high and 29 inches wide, so you can fit it in most smaller laundry spaces. The reversible metal door gives you more flexibility in placement along with a venting capability of up to 64 ft. The steel drum is powder coated so it is not only durable and resists rust and corrosion but also protects clothes from snagging. The controls are simple and easy to understand featuring rotary dials. The lint filter is top mounted for easy access and cleaning.
This machine boasts a total of 11 dry cycles to handle all your fabric needs. It features great Amana features like Automatic Dryness Control which uses a temperature sensor to assess the load at the end of the cycle in order to prevent over drying. Timed Dry allows you to set how long you want the drier to run so you can give each garment the right kind of dry. The Wrinkle Prevent Option helps you keep clothes wrinkle free even when you can’t take the load out of the drier right away by continuing to tumble clothes intermittently without heat in order to prevent wrinkles from setting in. You can choose from 3 different temperature settings for the best drying heat level depending on the fabrics included in your load. Air Dry allows you to dry clothes without heat so you can use it on your most delicate fabrics.
The Amana NGD4655EW comes with a power cord.
If you are tired of over expensive dryers with all the bells and whistles that you don’t really need, the Amana NED4655EW might be the right dryer for you. This
electric dryer has a timeless look encased in a classic while color. With a maximum capacity of 6.5 cu. ft., it is big enough to fit a family’s daily laundry load and even the regular washing of bulkier items like beddings. Weighing 120 lbs., and measuring 27.75 inches deep, 44 inches high, and 29 inches wide, it would look great sitting next to its matching washer, Amana NTW4635EW (sold separately). The vent exhaust is in the rear and allows for up to 64 ft. of venting, so you can place it comfortably anywhere in the laundry room. It has a side swing metal door that is also reversible, for extra flexibility in placement. It features a rotary dial control in the rear for intuitive controls. The drum is powder coated for increased durability and easy maintenance.
This electric dryer features 11 separate dry cycles and 3 temperature settings that can handle any type of fabric and material. Air Dry allows you to dry clothes without heat, for those extra delicate textiles, while Automatic Dry intuitively chooses the right amount of time to dry garments depending on the type of material. The Wrinkle Prevent option is a must-have when you can’t take out the laundry and fold right away, as it prevents creases from setting in your garments, letting you skip another chore: ironing. It tumbles clothes intermittently without heat to help prevent wrinkles and crinkles from settling in. Amana’s Automatic Dryness Control feature lets you save energy by using temperature sensors to end the cycle at the right time and to help prevent over drying of your favorite garments.
The Amana NED4635EW does not come with accessories. Electric cord and vent kit are sold separately and are not included.
Buying a 7kg tumble dryer: what to look out for
As we explained earlier, the fill weight of a new tumble dryer is very important, but there are other things that come into play too. If you’re not sure what to look for when buying a new dryer, you’ve come to the right place. The following tips will show you exactly what you need to consider.
Type of tumble dryer
There are three different types of dryers; the vent dryer, the condenser dryer and the heat pump dryer. Of these, the vent dryer has the highest energy consumption, and the heat pump dryer is the most energy efficient. Heat pump dryers are generally more expensive to buy, but remember that they keep your energy costs way down. There are several ways for a clothes dryer to drain water. The drain dryer directs the water outside with a drain hose, through a window or a hole in the wall. With both the condenser and heat pump dryers, you have the choice of a tank that collects the water (a condensate drain that you have to empty a few times a week) or a drain hose that connects to the water outlet.
Energy Class
The heat pump dryer is the most energy efficient, but there can still be a difference in the energy consumption of two different heat pump dryers. To find out which dryer has the lowest energy consumption, look at its energy label. This tells you how energy efficient the dryer is. Dryers always fall between energy class A+++ and energy class B. The most energy-efficient dryer is a heat pump dryer with energy class A+++, even though energy label A++ is also considered energy-efficient.
Ease of use
The washing machine and dryer nowadays include more and more options and features to make washing and drying as quick and easy as possible. Convenience options include a self-cleaning condenser, delayed start and control via an app. Think you’ll benefit from these? Just as your washing machine has different drying programmes, tumble dryers have a range of programmes to suit different types of laundry. There are special drying programmes for wool, shirts, silk, baby clothes and towels. These programs ensure that your laundry dries perfectly and lasts longer. Almost all modern tumble dryers have an eco program, for extra energy-efficient drying.
Building quality
The build quality of a dryer tells you something about how sturdy it is and how long it is expected to last. Looking at the build quality, all dryers are divided into basic, mid-range and top-range. If the build quality is not mentioned on a tumble dryer, the brand and the price can also give an indication of the build quality. According to the Consumers’ Association, these are the best brands for tumble driers: Miele, Bosch, Siemens, AEG and Samsung. These brands all have small clothes dryers with 7 kg fill weight in their range. Miele, Bosch, Siemens, AEG and Samsung score less well according to the Consumers’ Association when it comes to value for money, because they are more expensive to buy. Brands that do score well in this category are Beko, Indesit and Zanussi. Zanussi also produces 7kg tumble dryers
