Tumble Dryer Capacity
Find out exactly what tumble dryer capacities mean and whether a large or small model is right for your family with our simple guide.
What Capacities Are Available?
The capacity of a tumble dryer refers to the dry weight of clothes you can fit inside the drum.
There are a large range of capacities available – perfect if you live alone, with your partner or you have a large family. The most common sizes tend to be between 6 kg and 9 kg, although it’s possible to find smaller and larger models too.
The larger the tumble dryer capacity, the more drying you can do in one go. Every kilogram is roughly equal to a whole outfit, including trousers, top, underwear and socks.
It’s useful to buy a tumble dryer that’s the same capacity as your washing machine. This means you can easily transfer your entire wash between the two appliances.
Does Size Matter?
Larger drums generally help improve the flow of hot air. This decreases drying time and improves energy efficiency.
The increased space in the drum also reduces creasing in your clothes as fabrics have room to move freely. Some models can even fit a duvet, which is ideal for freshening up your bedding.
Compact tumble dryers tend to be slower, less energy efficient and relatively cheap to buy. These are likely to be better for someone living alone or if you’re on a tight budget.
As tempting as it may be, it’s important not to overload your tumble dryer. Your clothes won’t be able to dry properly due to lack of space in the drum and they will also end up creased.
It’s useful to buy a tumble dryer with the same capacity as your washing machine.
Your Drying Needs
When deciding on which tumble dryer capacity to buy, think about your family’s needs and drying habits.
The table below will give you a broad idea of what each capacity can hold, to help you decide what will work best for you at home.
If you only want to do a few small loads a week then a tumble dryer with a capacity of 4 kg to 6 kg should be just right. Models with a 7 kg to 8 kg capacity can handle more clothes if you find yourself needing to use the appliance more often or if you occasionally need to dry a few larger items. If you have a large family that needs to do a lot of drying every week, then it’s probably worth going for a model of 9 kg to 10 kg to cope with the bulkier loads.
