Our top three clothes dryers
Before ordering: confirm delivery to your postcode, the complete installed dimensions and any approved stacking kit.
LG DXH3-08W
A practical starting point for regular household drying. Confirm supplier lead time before ordering.
The LG DXH3-08W is our best all-round starting point for most households comparing heat-pump dryers. Choose the Hisense HDFS80HS to reduce the purchase cost, or the Hisense HDF5I90H when you will regularly use the extra capacity.
A good purchase should fit your laundry, your usual load and your maintenance habits. The highest star rating or longest program list cannot establish which machine will dry your particular clothes best.
Model update: the supplied LG photo is the DXH3-08W, which replaces the older DVH5-08W in this recommendation because we could not verify suitable current stock of the older model. This does not establish that the DVH5-08W is discontinued. The updated specifications below are for the DXH3-08W.
Compare the main picks
| Model | Capacity / rating | Listed price | Availability note |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG DXH3-08W | 8kg / 8 stars | A$999 at The Good Guys | Ordered from supplier after purchase |
| Hisense HDFS80HS | 8kg / 8 stars | A$899 direct; A$846 at Appliances Online | Check postcode and delivered total |
| Hisense HDF5I90H | 9kg / 9 stars | A$1,199 direct | Hisense displayed in stock; postcode check required |
How we chose
This is a research-based buying guide, not a laboratory test or a hands-on comparison. We assessed current Australian product information, capacity, labelled efficiency, maintenance, dimensions, warranty terms and the advertised purchase cost. We cannot infer long-term reliability or exact drying performance from specifications alone.
Amazon Australia and eBay Australia were checked first, but suitable exact-model listings could not be verified for the three main picks. The buttons therefore use verified Australian retailer or manufacturer pages. A national product listing does not guarantee delivery to every address.
1. LG DXH3-08W
Our all-round starting point when its maintenance features and delivery timing suit your household.
The current DXH3-08W combines 8kg capacity, an 8-star energy rating, moisture sensing and automatic condenser cleaning. The latter is a useful convenience, although filters and other maintenance still need attention. A reversible door can help with an awkward laundry layout.
The Good Guys displayed A$999, with the appliance ordered from the supplier after purchase. Obtain a delivery estimate before paying, especially if you need an immediate replacement. This is not a claim of ready-to-dispatch stock.
LG lists dimensions of 600 × 850 × 660mm (W × H × D). Its warranty covers the product for two years, with an additional eight years of parts-only cover for the inverter compressor and motor. That is not a ten-year whole-appliance warranty.
Reasons to buy
- Automatic condenser cleaning.
- Sensor drying and reversible door.
- Useful 8kg capacity.
Things to consider
- Supplier-order timing needs confirmation.
- 8-star rating, not the old model’s 9 stars.
- Long component cover excludes later labour.
2. Hisense HDFS80HS
The lower-cost choice for regular drying, particularly where laundry depth is restricted.
Hisense displayed A$899 and an in-stock indication, subject to postcode checks. The HDFS80HS offers 8kg capacity, an 8-star energy rating, automatic moisture sensing and a three-year comprehensive warranty.
Its 550mm cabinet depth needs context: Appliances Online lists 580mm depth including the door. Connections and required clearances add further space. Do not order it for a 550mm-deep enclosed recess based on the headline figure.
The reversible door and 16 programs add flexibility. Quick 30 is intended for up to 1kg, not a full 8kg load. Appliances Online also displayed A$846 when checked; compare the delivered total and postcode availability before choosing a seller.
Reasons to buy
- Lower listed price than the other main picks.
- Relatively shallow body.
- Three-year comprehensive warranty.
Things to consider
- Full depth exceeds the cabinet measurement.
- Quick cycle has a small load limit.
- Filters still require regular cleaning.
3. Hisense HDF5I90H
The capacity upgrade to compare when an 8kg drum would regularly be too small.
Hisense displayed A$1,199 with an in-stock indication, subject to postcode checks. The HDF5I90H has a 9-star rating, reverse tumbling, a reversible door and a three-year comprehensive warranty. Its specification sheet lists 121kWh per year under the energy-label test assumptions.
The official specification sheet gives 595 × 845 × 590mm (W × H × D), while the manual’s dimension drawing shows 620mm overall closed depth and 1110mm with the door open. Use the complete drawing when planning the laundry.
Quick 30 is a 1kg option. Hisense’s 79-minute claim applies to 4kg on its additional connected Power Speed cycle, not a full drum. Check app requirements if that particular program is important to you.
Reasons to buy
- Extra capacity for larger regular loads.
- 9-star energy rating.
- Reverse tumbling and reversible door.
Things to consider
- Overall depth is greater than 590mm.
- Fast-cycle claims apply to partial loads.
- Connected features add setup requirements.
Compare the HDFS80HS at Appliances Online. Check delivery, installation and old-appliance removal inclusions alongside the price.
Other dryers worth comparing
Fisher & Paykel DH9060P2: fabric-program alternative
The 9kg DH9060P2 remains in Fisher & Paykel’s outlet range. Its current displayed price was A$1,304.10, reduced from A$1,449, with postcode entry required for stock and delivery. It offers a 9-star rating, 13 cycles and a drying rack for suitable items that should not tumble.
Choose it when the rack and cycle selection meet a specific need. Check garment care labels even when a machine offers a program named for the fabric. Its 600 × 850 × 670mm dimensions also need to fit your laundry. Outlet status means availability needs particular attention. View the DH9060P2 at Fisher & Paykel.
Hisense HDFS10HPB: larger-load alternative
The 10kg HDFS10HPB was listed at A$1,699 with an in-stock indication on Hisense’s Australian site, subject to regional checks. Its 10-star rating, reverse action and automatic condenser cleaning make it worth comparing if you consistently need more drum space.
Buy the capacity for actual loads, rather than to match a larger number on a washing machine you rarely fill. A bulky doona still needs sufficient tumbling room and a care label permitting the chosen drying process. View the HDFS10HPB at Hisense.
Miele TEA325WP: premium 8kg alternative
Miele displayed A$1,899 for the TEA325WP 8kg Active. Its PerfectDry system and garment programs provide a different proposition from buying the largest possible drum. It is worth comparing if the controls, program selection and local service arrangements suit you.
Confirm a delivery date with Miele or the supplying retailer; the published price alone is not confirmation of postcode stock. Miele’s development-testing language is not a promise that every individual dryer will last 20 years. FragranceDos consumables are optional. View the TEA325WP at Miele Australia.
Heat pump, vented or conventional condenser?
Heat-pump dryers recover heat and collect condensed water, avoiding an external exhaust duct. Their higher purchase cost is easier to justify with regular use. A vented dryer can remain a sensible purchase for rare emergency loads if outdoor venting is suitable. Conventional condenser machines collect water but do not offer the same heat-recovery system.
The Australian Government’s dryer buying guidance explains the trade-offs. Compare purchase price and expected electricity use together. Do not assume a low price is poor value for occasional use, or that an expensive heat-pump machine will quickly repay its premium in every household.
Read the energy label properly
Compare star ratings between similar capacities, then look at the kilowatt-hour figure and test program. The government’s label guidance assumes use once a week. A household running several loads a week should not treat the printed annual figure as its expected annual bill.
Illustrative calculation: 130kWh × A$0.35/kWh = A$45.50 under the label’s usage assumptions. Three comparable loads a week would be approximately A$136.50 a year. Real consumption changes with the program, load and moisture remaining after washing.
A higher star rating does not measure drying speed, noise, sheet tangling or repair costs. Look for evidence about those separately. Avoid making a purchase based on stars alone.
Choose capacity around your real laundry
An 8kg dryer is a practical starting point for couples and many smaller families. Compare 9kg when towels, bedding or regular full loads make an 8kg drum restrictive. Consider 10kg when that extra space will be used often enough to justify the price.
The capacity is not a promise that every program accepts that load. Hisense’s HDF5I90H manual specifies maximum dry-clothing loads by program. Check the table before transferring an entire washing load into a delicate, wool or quick cycle.
Leave room for items to lift and fall. A bulky item can fill the drum before it reaches the weight limit. If bedding repeatedly balls up, try the appropriate cycle, smaller loads and the manual’s loading advice before simply increasing the dryness setting.
Measure the complete installation
| Model | Width × height | Depth to check |
|---|---|---|
| LG DXH3-08W | 600 × 850mm | 660mm listed product depth; add required clearances |
| Hisense HDFS80HS | 595 × 845mm | 550mm cabinet; 580mm listed with door |
| Hisense HDF5I90H | 595 × 845mm | 590mm spec-sheet depth; manual shows 620mm overall closed and 1110mm open |
These are appliance measurements, not minimum recess dimensions. Confirm rear connections, ventilation space and the door swing in the exact installation instructions. For the HDF5I90H, use the manual’s dimension drawing alongside the specification sheet.
- Measure the recess and the delivery route, including narrow turns.
- Check access to the power point, filters and water container.
- Decide whether condensed water will drain through a hose or be emptied manually.
- For stacking, obtain written compatibility for both appliances and the approved kit.
- Do not assume a heavy heat-pump dryer can use a wall bracket intended for a small vented model.
Useful features and their limits
Moisture sensing is worth prioritising over a long list of timed programs. It lets the appliance respond to the load, although mixed fabrics and very small loads can still make automatic drying less predictable.
Reverse tumbling is worth considering for bedding, but it cannot guarantee tangle-free sheets. A reversible door may be more valuable than an app in a tight laundry. A drain hose can save repeated water-container emptying where the installation permits it.
Automatic condenser cleaning reduces one maintenance task; it does not make a dryer maintenance-free. Quick-cycle claims need their load limits beside them. Do not compare a 1kg quick program with a full-load cotton cycle as if they did the same job.
Maintenance and safe operation
Follow the appliance manual’s filter-cleaning schedule and prevent lint collecting around the dryer. Keep ventilation openings clear, check pockets for lighters and matches, and keep children from playing with the appliance. The Hisense HDF5I90H manual gives specific safety and loading instructions.
Oil, fuel, solvents and some foam or rubber materials create particular risks. Follow both the garment label and the dryer’s instructions; do not assume ordinary washing has made a contaminated item safe to tumble dry. Avoid overriding the prescribed cooling phase. The manual warns against stopping a cycle early unless items are promptly removed and spread out to dissipate heat.
Do not control the HDF5I90H with an external timer or switching device: its manual prohibits this. If a cord is damaged or the appliance behaves abnormally, stop using it and seek qualified service. Do not open the appliance to attempt a refrigerant or electrical repair yourself.
Keep drying costs under control
- Use a washing-machine spin setting permitted by the fabric label.
- Untangle items before loading and separate very different fabric weights.
- Choose the appropriate program and its permitted load.
- Use the dryness level needed for storage or ironing rather than always choosing the driest setting.
- Keep filters and drainage in the condition specified by the manual.
- Line dry suitable items when practical.
Warranty and consumer rights
Compare whole-appliance cover with component-only extensions. A long motor or compressor warranty is not equivalent to the same period of cover for electronics, labour and every service visit.
Australian Consumer Law guarantees are separate from a written warranty. Depending on the circumstances, a remedy may still be available after that warranty ends. Keep the receipt and contact the seller about a fault. The ACCC explains consumer guarantees and remedies.
Frequently asked questions
Which dryer should most households compare first?
Start with the LG DXH3-08W and Hisense HDFS80HS for an 8kg machine. The LG’s condenser-cleaning convenience is its main distinction here; the Hisense reduces the purchase cost. Move to the HDF5I90H when the larger drum meets a regular need.
Is the new LG the same as the DVH5-08W?
No. The recommendation and supplied photo now refer to DXH3-08W. Check the full model number on the listing and order confirmation. Do not apply the older model’s rating, dimensions or test results to it.
Does a heat-pump dryer need an outside vent?
It normally collects moisture in a tank or drains it through a hose, rather than exhausting humid air outdoors. It still needs the room conditions and clearances specified by its manufacturer.
Can a quick program dry a full load?
Not necessarily. The two main Hisense picks advertise a 30-minute option for a small 1kg load. Check the program table instead of assuming that the machine’s maximum capacity applies.
Can I stack it on my existing washer?
Only with an approved combination and installation method. Match exact washer, dryer and stacking-kit model numbers; similar width is not proof of compatibility.
Will a 9-star dryer always cost less to run than an 8-star one?
Star ratings are most useful between similar capacities. Your actual cost depends on the load, program, frequency and electricity price. Check the energy-consumption figure as well.
Is the premium model necessarily more reliable?
No such conclusion follows from price or a brand badge alone. This guide does not establish model-level long-term reliability. Consider local servicing, warranty terms and credible model-specific evidence.
Our verdict
Choose the LG DXH3-08W as the all-round starting point, provided its supplier lead time works for you. Compare the Hisense HDFS80HS for lower purchase cost and the HDF5I90H for a useful capacity upgrade.
Spend more on a specialist or larger model only when its extra room, rack or program selection addresses your own loads. Confirm the complete footprint and delivery arrangement before paying.
Sources and price check
- LG Australia: DXH3-08W specifications and warranty
- The Good Guys: DXH3-08W price and supplier-order status
- Hisense Australia: HDFS80HS specifications and direct price
- Appliances Online: HDFS80HS price and depth clarification
- Hisense Australia: HDF5I90H features and direct price
- Hisense: HDF5I90H specification sheet
- Hisense: HDF5I90H manual, dimensions and safety instructions
- Fisher & Paykel Australia: DH9060P2 outlet listing
- Hisense Australia: HDFS10HPB
- Miele Australia: TEA325WP 8kg Active
- Australian Government: clothes-dryer energy labels and buying guidance
- ACCC: consumer rights and guarantees
Price and specification check: 20 September 2026. All prices are Australian dollars. Advertised prices and availability can change; delivery, installation, removal and stacking accessories may cost extra. The LG listing is supplier-order stock. Hisense’s in-stock indications and Fisher & Paykel’s outlet availability require postcode confirmation; Miele delivery stock was not independently confirmed.
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