Best smart tumble dryer 2026, picks and comparison
If you want to monitor your cycles from your phone, a connected tumble dryer is worth considering. If you prefer on-appliance controls, prioritise capacity and dimensions, as app features vary by model.
Prices recorded from retailers are for guidance only: they may have changed since. The current price is the one shown by the retailer. No price is shown for models sold only on Amazon. Amounts converted from reference prices in euros using an exchange rate from a specified date.
Why these models are listed here
- 2 selected models because they have the feature “Smart” according to data published by manufacturers and retailers.
- View methodology →
- No brand pays to appear in this selection or to rank higher.
Why choose a connected tumble dryer to organise your laundry?
How connectivity helps you organise your laundry
A connected tumble dryer is particularly useful if you want to organise your laundry better from your phone. To choose the best connected tumble dryer, start with the services its app offers, then check whether they suit your daily routine. Wi-Fi alone does not make an appliance more convenient.
Cycle monitoring, notifications and control options are features to check before buying. Their availability depends on the appliance and the app. An end-of-cycle alert, where available, can help you plan when to put your laundry away without having to check the control panel again.
- If you run consecutive loads, check what information is available about the current cycle.
- If you share household chores, check whether access from multiple phones is possible.
- If you plan to control the appliance remotely, check the activation requirements and any restrictions.
Connectivity can complement a tumble dryer with a delay-end function, but these features serve different needs. When considering your budget, think in terms of positioning, from entry-level to high-end. Moving up the range mainly makes sense when the available services are useful to you, with a suitable capacity and footprint.
Additional programmes can expand your options
The app may also give you more options for caring for your laundry. The Haier HD90-A2959R-FR, for example, combines 12 built-in programmes with additional programmes available through the hOn app. This distinction matters when comparing appliances, so you can distinguish between programmes available on the controls and those offered through the app.
This approach is worth considering if you want options beyond the built-in settings. However, check the programme catalogue and its access requirements before making it a deciding factor. Additional programmes are only useful if they suit the fabrics you actually dry.
If you mainly use a few familiar programmes, a feature-rich app may be a secondary consideration. It is then better to focus on capacity, energy consumption and installation requirements. Connectivity should make organising your laundry easier without becoming the main reason to buy.
Connectivity and sensors serve different purposes
Connectivity provides access to digital services. Sensors play a role in the drying process. These roles are different and an app alone does not guarantee better drying results.
The Haier HD90-A2959R-FR features laundry moisture control. The Samsung DV16DG8600BW lists AI Dry optimisation and a moisture sensor that automatically stops the cycle when the laundry is dry. These features are more directly involved in controlling the drying process than app access alone.
To choose a heat pump tumble dryer with connectivity, prioritise your needs. Capacity and stated performance come before secondary digital features. Our selection then lets you compare appliances based on your laundry volume, their features and the practical benefits of their connectivity.
How do you choose a connected tumble dryer to suit your needs?
The best tumble dryer with smart connectivity depends primarily on how much laundry you need to dry and the space available. The Haier HD90-A2959R-FR is suitable if its 9 kg capacity meets your needs. The Samsung DV16DG8600BW is worth considering for its 16 kg capacity, provided you have room for its large size. The Samsung WD10HG6U94BEU3 offers a washer-dryer alternative, with a drying capacity that differs from its washing capacity.
Which appliance suits your laundry volume?
Start with the loads you actually dry. A larger capacity is worth considering if it saves you from regularly splitting your laundry into smaller loads. On its own, it is no reason to replace an appliance that suits your household.
| Model | Listed price | Capacity | Rated capacity | Noise level | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haier HD90-A2959R-FR | Check price with the retailer | 9 kilograms | 9 | 67 | 57 kilograms |
| Samsung WD10HG6U94BEU3 | Check price with the retailer | 10 kilograms | n/a | n/a | 73 kilograms |
| Samsung DV16DG8600BW | Check price with the retailer | 16 kg | 16 | 64 | n/a |
The Haier focuses on dedicated drying, with a more modest capacity than the Samsung DV16DG8600BW. The latter is better suited to large loads, but its size and long stated cycle time should factor into your decision.
The Samsung WD10HG6U94BEU3 combines washing and drying in the same appliance. Pay attention to the drying capacity: its 10 kg capacity applies to washing, compared with 6 kg for drying. A full wash load must therefore be reduced before starting the drying cycle. This option is particularly worth considering if you want both functions in a single appliance.
How can you compare energy consumption without mixing up labels?
Compare consumption figures on the same basis. The Haier's stated consumption is lower per reference cycle, but the capacities differ considerably. These figures alone therefore cannot establish which will use less energy for your laundry.
For the Samsung, use this like-for-like comparison rather than the conflicting annual figures and the older energy rating also displayed. Choose a heat pump tumble dryer by considering capacity, consumption and cycle duration together.
The stated cycle time is 3 h 50 for the Haier and 6 h 55 for the Samsung. If you run consecutive loads, check that this duration fits your routine. A quick programme will not necessarily replace the reference cycle for a full load.
Will the tumble dryer fit in your room?
Measure the installation space, then the delivery route. The Samsung DV16DG8600BW has stated dimensions of 68,6 × 98,4 × 84,4 cm. Its door is hinged on the left and cannot be reversed: check that it can open without obstructing access. The Haier's dimensions still need to be confirmed before purchase.
Also allow the space required for connections and airflow, as specified in the manual. Consider more than just the width of the recess.
This difference may matter near a living area, although it does not guarantee quiet operation in every installation. Their condensation efficiency classes are B and D respectively. Consider this criterion if the appliance will be installed in a poorly ventilated room, while following the manufacturer's installation requirements.
Which app suits your setup?
The Haier combines hOn, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The Samsung DV16DG8600BW uses SmartThings with Wi-Fi.
Before choosing, check the app's compatibility requirements for your phone and network. Check the features available for the exact model, including any alerts, cycle monitoring and requirements for remote start.
Additional programmes through hOn are explicitly listed for the Haier, alongside its built-in programmes. However, connectivity does not guarantee better drying: the Haier's moisture control and the Samsung's AI Dry optimisation serve a separate purpose from the app.
Which market tier suits your priorities?
Whether choosing an entry-level, mid-range or high-end model, focus on features that address a specific need. A large capacity should suit your loads; an app should provide services you intend to use. More features do not guarantee a better fit.
If your main aim is to manage timing, a tumble dryer with delayed start or a tumble dryer with delayed finish is also worth considering. Check these scheduling options before giving connectivity too much weight.
What maintenance is needed despite the automatic features?
The Samsung DV16DG8600BW's self-cleaning condenser does not eliminate all maintenance. Its door filter still needs cleaning and its water tank needs emptying, preferably after every use. Check that these parts will be easy to access in your installation.
The Haier has a 3-in-1 filter, with no automatic cleaning stated. Consult its manual for the required maintenance steps. Samsung states that spare parts will be available for 7 years for the DV16DG8600BW; this period applies to parts, not SmartThings updates.
Mistakes to avoid
- Confusing washing capacity with drying capacity on the washer-dryer model.
- Comparing annual consumption figures with values per 100 cycles.
- Assuming an app offers full remote control.
- Overlooking door clearance, access or filter cleaning.
Key takeaways
Start by choosing the right capacity and installation, then compare consumption, cycle duration and maintenance. Connectivity becomes a deciding factor when a clearly identified feature makes your daily routine easier.
What should you know before switching to a connected tumble dryer?
Can a connected tumble dryer work without an Internet connection?
Check the model’s manual to confirm how it works without Internet access, distinguishing between local controls and app features. Wi-Fi connectivity does not indicate which features remain available offline. Additional programmes are advertised through hOn for the Haier HD90-A2959R-FR: check whether they are available when the appliance is disconnected. When choosing your heat pump tumble dryer, make sure above all that the programmes essential for your laundry remain accessible from the control panel.
What should you do if the app cannot detect the tumble dryer?
Start by checking that you are using the correct app, then repeat the pairing procedure described in the manual. The Haier HD90-A2959R-FR uses hOn with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth; the Samsung DV16DG8600BW uses SmartThings with Wi-Fi. Check the permissions requested on your phone and the model’s connection requirements. If detection still fails, consult the official help resources before resetting the appliance: a reset may require you to configure some settings again.
How do you reconnect a tumble dryer after changing your Internet router?
Check the procedure for changing the network in the app or the tumble dryer’s manual. If the network name or password has changed, the old settings may prevent reconnection. Keep your new login details handy and follow the steps for your model. Before removing the appliance from your account, check whether simply updating the network settings is enough to avoid unnecessarily repeating the full setup.
Can several people access the same tumble dryer from their phones?
Access from multiple phones depends on the app’s sharing options and the permissions associated with each account. The mention of hOn or SmartThings alone does not guarantee identical sharing options for every appliance. Before buying, consult the app’s help resources to check how to invite a household member and revoke their access. Also check the permissions granted: viewing an appliance and being able to change how it operates serve different needs.
What personal data should you check before creating an account in the app?
Check which data is required, how it is used and how to request its deletion. Also review phone permissions, any data sharing with partners and marketing communication settings. For both hOn and SmartThings, refer to the privacy policy in force when you register. Distinguish between information required for the connected service and optional consent, then limit the latter according to your preferences.
How do you delete your account and unlink the tumble dryer before selling it?
Unlink the tumble dryer in the app, then follow the manufacturer’s procedure to erase the connection settings saved on the appliance. Deleting the app from your phone does not confirm that the appliance has been unlinked. Also check any access shared with your household. If you want to delete your account, consult the service’s specific procedure and check the consequences for your other connected appliances before confirming deletion.
How long will the app receive updates?
The software support period for these models needs to be checked with Haier or Samsung. The 7 years of spare parts availability advertised for the Samsung DV16DG8600BW does not constitute a commitment to SmartThings updates. Before choosing, look for commitments covering the app, security and compatibility with your phone. Also check which tumble dryer functions would remain available if the connected service stopped working.