Review of Hoover VHC391 tumble dryer

GH Institute

Tumble dryers

Features

Condenser (water container at bottom). Energy rating: B. Capacity: Cotton: 9kg, Polycotton: 4kg. Features: sensor control, reverse tumble, anti-crease, delay start. Sensor programmes: bone dry, extra dry, cupboard dry, iron dry, wool finish, fast iron, refresh. 5 Timed options: 30, 45, 60, 75 and 120 minutes. Indicators: on/off, progress, clean filter, empty water. Dimensions: H85 x W60 x D60cm.

Comments

Good points: Fast at drying cotton load. Large capacity. Minimalist fascia. Sturdy, stable door when opening and closing. Detailed instructions. Drawbacks: High energy usage. Creasing and tangling was quite bad on cotton load. Have to remember to press Acrylic/Synthetic button once programme is selected if you have a synthetic load. Fascia was a little confusing at first. Water container was awkward to access as it is right at the base of machine. Condensation builds up on inside of door. No child lock or interior light.

Rating: 74/100

Price Range: £268.98 - 349

Stockist: 01685 721 222 - http://www.hoover.co.uk/buy

GHI Test Report - May 2009

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Other products in Tumble dryers

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

Price Range: £1099 - 1149

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