Capacity
The maximum amount of laundry that can be loaded into the dryer; in other words, the largest weight of laundry that the machine can efficiently process in one cycle.
Capacity is usually indicated by the weight of the dry laundry. Thanks to this, when preparing the laundry for washing, you can immediately assess whether it will fit in the dryer at a time or, on the contrary, you can get by with
a small drying. However, even the most modest modern dryers (and even
slim ones up to 50 cm) in most cases hold
7 kg — this is comparable to loading the drum of a medium-capacity washing machine. And in the most
capacious models, this figure can reach 10 – 11 kg. It is quite enough for domestic and even professional use (for example, in laundromats or laundries of hotels, etc.). However, the typical figures are
drying for 8 kg and
models for 9 kg of laundry. Bigger capacity is relevant for industrial equipment and is not found in consumer-level models.
Also, when choosing, note that in the specs the maximum capacity is usually indicated for linen made of cotton fabric. For other, more voluminous materials, the capacity can be noticeably less — for example, the weight limit for wool products is usually 4-5 times less than for cotton.
Drum volume
The internal volume of the dryer drum.
A
larger drum can accommodate more laundry, but there is no rigid dependence here: models with the same volume may differ in maximum load. It is because to process a large mass of laundry, one need not only a capacious drum but also an engine of appropriate power. At the same time, in a larger drum, the same mass of laundry will dry more efficiently than in a small one, because laundry will be more freely distributed over the drum, crumpled less, and warm air will better penetrate the folds of the fabric. As a result, for the same drum volume, a model with a smaller load will be more efficient and performant than a model with a larger load. On the other hand, a volumetric drum takes up more space and the dimensions of the dryer are largely determined by the dimensions of the drum.
Number of drying programmes
The number of preset drying programmes. Such programmes are often optimized for a specific type of fabric: linen, silk, synthetics, etc. The more drying programmes, the more versatile and easier the dryer is to use. However, a specific set of modes in different models may be different, and even a large variety of programmes does not guarantee that one of them will be suitable. So before buying, it is advisable to specify not only the quantity but the list of claimed programmes.
Moisture sensor
Ability to choose the residual moisture content of the linen to be dried - from completely dry, which can be immediately put in the closet, to slightly dry, which is optimal for ironing. With
laundry moisture control, the user needs to select the desired residual moisture - the dryer will automatically control the condition of the laundry and stop drying at the right time.
Drum lighting
Lighting system for the internal volume of the device. It usually turns on automatically when the dryer door is opened - thus reducing the likelihood that some items (especially small and dark ones) will be forgotten in the drum.
Condensate tank indicator
It is an indicator signalling the filling of the tank with condensate and the need to empty it. It is used exclusively in models with a condensing type of drying (see above). The specific device and functionality of the indicator may be different: in some models, it only warns of a critical liquid level. In others, it can display the exact amount of condensate collected. However, this feature greatly simplifies the monitoring of the operation of the dryer and reduces the risk of flood and other troubles that can lead to an overflow of the tank.
Noise level
The noise level generated by the dryer during operation. Usually, the specs indicate the maximum volume of the device, in the noisiest mode — when other programmes are running, this figure may be lower. We note that the noise level also depends on the features of the installation: for example, if the machine does not stand firmly on all four legs, vibration from drum rotation can create additional noise. And the tiled walls amplify the sound by creating an echo. Nevertheless, it is best to evaluate the device precisely by the noise level stated in the specifications. And here it is worth bearing in mind that the decibel used to denote loudness is a non-linear value, and it is best to evaluate the actual loudness of the unit using comparative tables. Here is the simplest such table for the volume range in which modern dryers operate:
65 dB — a person's voice in raised tones at a distance of 1 m;
70 dB — a loud conversation of several people at the same distance;
75 dB — loud laughter at a distance of 1 m;
80 dB — motorcycle engine, medium power vacuum cleaner.
The quieter the machine is, the more comfortable it will be to use and the better it will be suitable for a specific environment (for example, if there is a small child in the house or if you plan to run drying at night). At the same time, it is worth considering not only the actual noise level but also the installation location of the device. If the dryer is planned to...be installed in the basement of a private house with thick ceilings and the bedroom is located on the second floor, you can not pay much attention to the noise level: even the loudest unit is unlikely to create inconvenience.
Controls
The type of control provided in the machine. Almost all modern dryers are equipped with electronic control, so the design of the control panel mainly depends on this parameter. The options here might be:
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Rotary knob + buttons. The classic option does not lose popularity these days. The rotary knob is usually responsible for selecting the programme and the buttons for controlling additional functions and settings. Such control panels are simple, inexpensive and, at the same time, quite functional. Therefore they are found in all categories of dryers — from low-cost to top.
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Rotary knob + touch controls. The combination of a rotary knob responsible for selecting the main programme and a set of touch controls that control additional parameters. Compared to the buttons described above, the touch panels have a more stylish and technological appearance; moreover, due to the absence of protruding parts, such a panel almost does not accumulate dirt and is easy to clean. At the same time, these features are generally not fundamental, while the touch controls are somewhat more complicated and expensive than buttons. Therefore, this option is found mainly among dryers of the middle and top classes.
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Touch controls. This design, on the one hand, gives the device the most accurate and advanced appearance; on the other hand, the control is not as cle
...ar and intuitive as with a handle. Therefore, in its pure form, touch controls are extremely rare — only in high-end dryers.
