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.
Refresh cycle
A programme designed to remove odours from clothes, such as tobacco smoke, or an unpleasant odour that appears after a long period of storage.
The refresh programme is useful if the clothes are clean, but the smell still needs to be eliminated — refreshing in the dryer takes less time and effort than quick washing and then drying (even if using the same dryer). This function is especially relevant for
drying cabinets.
Condensate tank volume
Only condenser dryers have such a tank (see "Drying type"). The larger the tank, the less often you have to get rid of the accumulated liquid. At the same time, in most models, the volume of the condensate tank is standard — about 5 – 6 litres: this is considered the best compromise between capacity and dimensions.
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.
Door shape
The shape and design of the door used in the dryer.
— Round. The round door is made of opaque material. In general, round openings and covers for them are simpler and cheaper to manufacture than rectangular ones, which is why they are much more common. With similar dimensions, they have a smaller area. However, the round loading hatch is made quite large and does not cause problems if it is necessary to place a large object such as a duvet cover or sheet in the dryer. Opaque doors are as simple and cheap as possible but not very convenient. They do not allow you to see the contents of the machine when the door is closed. And this is important for many users (see below for more details).
— Round with glass. A round-shaped door with an insert made of transparent material — usually plexiglass or other similar plastic (ordinary glass is less reliable and is not used in dryers). The general features of the round door are described above, and the transparent insert allows you to see the contents of the drum without opening the lid — including observing the drying process itself. Such an observation provides more general comfort and reassurance than any practical benefit; however, even these moments are important when using household appliances. In addition, there are quite practical situations in which transparent inserts can come in handy — for example, when you need to make sure that unnecessary things do not get into the drum and it would be inconvenient...to interrupt the programme and open the hatch. Such doors are somewhat more expensive than opaque ones, but the advantages described are often decisive. As a result, this option is the most popular in modern dryers.
— Rectangular. Rectangular opaque door. A door of this shape gives the user more space to load laundry than a round one; theoretically, this can be useful for numerous items, especially large ones. At the same time, this advantage is not decisive, rectangular doors are somewhat more expensive, and an opaque door is also not very convenient, at least from a psychological point of view (and often from a practical one). Because of this, this option is extremely rare.
— Rectangular with glass. Rectangular door with a transparent insert made of plexiglass or other similar material. Doors with glass are somewhat more user-friendly than opaque ones (see "Round with glass" above for more on this), so this option is more common than opaque rectangular doors. However, this form is still more expensive than the round one and is used much less frequently.
