Review of Bosch WTV74103GB Classixx tumble dryer

GH Institute

Tumble dryers

Features

Vented (rear or side). Energy rating: C. Capacity: 7kg cotton, 3.5kg polycotton. Features: sensor control, anti-crease. Sensor programmes: Cottons: extra dry, very dry, cupboard dry, iron dry; Easy care: Very dry, cupboard dry, iron dry, freshen up. 2 Timed options: 20 and 40 min. Indicators: progress, clean filter, door open. Dimensions: H84.2 x W59.8 x D62.5cm.

Comments

GH GOOD DEAL. Good points: High performance score. Fast at drying polycotton load and did not use up much energy to do so. Straightforward fascia, easy to use. Has progress lights. Drawbacks: No viewing window, buzzer, child lock or interior light.

Rating: 78/100

Price Range: £239.69 - 349

Stockist: 0844 892 8925 - http://www.boschappliances.co.uk

GHI Test Report - May 2009

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Review of Siemens WT46W566GB Tumble Dryer

Features
Condenser. Energy rating: A-50%. Capacity: 7kg cotton, 3.5kg easycare. Features: Activeair technology; self cleaning condenser; time delay; drum light; child lock. Programmes: sensor and timed drying, programmes (wool, mixed, outdoor, rapid 40, shirts).
Comments
Good points: High performance score. Low energy consumption - 20p to dry a cotton load and 13p for polycotton. Bad points: Filter tricky to replace after cleaning. Water tank awkward to empty completely.

Rating: 86/100

Price Range: £729 - 999.99

Stockist: 0844 892 9044 - http://www.siemens-home.co.uk

GHI Test Report - November 2010
Review of Miele T8966WP Tumble Dryer

Features
Condenser. Energy rating: A+. Capacity: 8kg cotton, 3.5kg polycotton. Features: Perfect dry sensor, basket for sports shoes and soft toys; time delay; child lock; drum light; memory. Programmes: sensor and, timed drying, cottons, minimum iron, delicates, woollens, silks, express, gentle smoothing, automatic, shirts, denim, sportswear, outerwear, pillows, drying basket.
Comments
Good points: Very energy efficient on all programmes tested - 38p to dry a cotton load and 11p to dry polycotton. Overall good drying performance. Good range of extra programmes. Useful basket for sports shoes. Water container easy to open. Bad points: Digital display not very clear to read - orange of black awkward to see. Complicated range of options. Unusual terminology for describing dryness levels.

Rating: 85/100

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Stockist: 0845 365 6600 - http://www.miele.co.uk

GHI Test Report - November 2010
Review of LG Sensor Dry RC9011B Tumble Dryer

Features
Condenser. Energy rating: B. Capacity: 9kg cotton, 4kg polycotton. Features: Time delay; child lock; drum light; more/less time option; favourite. Programmes: sensor and timed drying, cottons, mixed fabrics, quick dry, special fabrics - delicate, sports wear, wool, bulky items.
Comments
Good points: Quick to dry maximum polycotton load. Laundry evenly dried. Instructions well laid out and clear. Large capacity - easily fit maximum load. Bad points: Fascia looks cluttered and complicated. Not very energy efficient when drying maximum cotton load costing around 77p.

Rating: 79/100

Price Range: £545 - 699.99

Stockist: 0844 847 5454 - http://www.lg.com/uk

GHI Test Report - November 2010
Review of Hotpoint TVF770 Tumble Dryer

Features
Vented. Energy rating: C. Capacity: 7.5kg cotton, 3kg polycotton. Features: Woolmark approved; delay start; child lock; power saving feature - goes off after 30 mins. Programmes: Sensor and timed drying. Cottons - ready to wear, cupboard dry, hanger dry, iron dry; synthetics - cupboard dry; specials - bed and bath; delicates; wool; airing; easy iron and cool tumble.
Comments
Good points: Satisfactory drying results - quick to dry cotton load. Very easy to select programmes and options. Fascia very simple and logical. Excellent instructions. Bad points: Small port hole. Flimsy filter. Cotton load badly creased after drying.

Rating: 78/100

Price Range: £214 - 269.99

Stockist: 08000 921 922 - http://www.hotpoint.co.uk

GHI Test Report - November 2010
Review of Whirlpool AWZ3520 Tumble Dryer

Features
Vented. Energy rating: C. Capacity 7kg cotton, 3.5kg polycotton. Features: Delay start; over-dry protection. Programmes: Sensor and timer drying. Cottons - ready to wear, cupboard dry and iron dry; mixed fabrics - ready to wear, cupboard dry and iron dry; silk; special programmes - jeans, airing.
Comments
Good points: Good drying results particularly quick to dry maximum polycotton load using minimal energy - costs around 14p. Bad points: Control panel could be clearer - colour coded to distinguish between cottons and synthetics. Poor instructions.

Rating: 77/100

Price Range: £238 - 379.99

Stockist: 0870 600 8989 - http://www.whirlpool.co.uk

GHI Test Report - November 2010
Review of AEG Prosteam T88840 Tumble Dryers

Features
Condenser. Energy rating: B. Capacity: 7kg cotton, 3kg polycotton. Features: Delay start; child lock; drum light; wool/shoes rack. Programmes: Sensor and timer drying and steam functions. Wool/shoe rack; silk; cottons-extra, cupboard and damp dry; easycare-extra, cupboard and damp dry; sports; steam functions-cotton shirts, synthetic shirts, cottons, easycare; steam refresh-wool rack, casual, business; jeans; bedlinen.
Comments
Good points: Very clear LCD display. Logical fascia layout. Satisfactory drying performance of cotton loads. Useful shoe rack feature. Bad points: Slow to dry polycotton load. Steam function disappointing - cotton load was not dry at end of steam cycle; cotton shirts still creased at end of refresh cycle - but better than standard drying. Door had to be opened in exact spot.

Rating: 75/100

Price Range: £514 - 649

Stockist: 0870 535 0350 - http://www.aeg-electrolux.co.uk

GHI Test Report - November 2010
Review of Beko DRVS73 Tumble Dryer

Features
Vented. Energy rating: C. Capacity: 7kg cotton, 3.5kg polycotton. Features: Delay start; child lock. Programmes: Sensor and timed drying. Cotton/synthetics - extra, cupboard and ready to wear dry; rapid dry; shirt; jeans; delicates; freshen-up.
Comments
Good points: Basic good value model. Satisfactory results when drying polycotton. Simple and clear fascia. Comprehensive instructions. Bad points: Slow to dry cotton load. No LCD display. Would be useful to have programme time remaining indication.

Rating: 74/100

Price Range: £122 - 279

Stockist: 01923 818 121 - http://www.beko.co.uk

GHI Test Report - November 2010
Review of Zanussi ZDC67550W Tumble Dryer

Features
Condenser. Energy rating: C. Capacity: 7kg cotton, 3kg polycotton. Features: Delay start. Programmes: Sensor and timed (small loads) drying. Cottons-extra, strong, cupboard, damp, iron dry; synthetics-extra, cupboard, iron dry; special mixed, easy iron, jeans, cooling.
Comments
Good points: Satisfactory results when drying polycotton. Clear colour-coded controls. Easy to select programmes and options. Bad points: Slow to dry cotton load and energy guzzling. Would be useful to have programme time remaining indication. Need to press exact spot on door to open.

Rating: 73/100

Price Range: £277 - 407

Stockist: 08705 929 929 - http://www.electrolux.com

GHI Test Report - November 2010
Review of Bosch Exxcel Steam 8 WTS84500GB Tumble Dryer

Features
Condenser. Energy rating: B. Capacity: 8kg cotton, 3.5kg polycotton. Features: Delay start; child lock; drum light. Programmes: Sensor and timer drying and steam functions. Steam dry-minimum iron shirt, daily load; steam refresh-business, freshen up; sportswear; woollens finish; super quick 40; cottons-extra, cupboard, iron dry; easy-care-extra, cupboard, iron dry; mixed load.
Comments
Good points: satisfactory drying of cotton and polycotton loads. Clear, logical controls. Bad points: Steam dry results disappointing - can only steam small loads and cottons, even though less creased, still needed to be ironed. Door seal kept coming off every time laundry was removed.

Rating: 71/100

Price Range: £454.99 - 629.99

Stockist: 0844 892 8979 - http://www.bosch-home.co.uk

GHI Test Report - November 2010