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HotpointH2D81WUK

Condenser
Medium
Freestanding

£349View retailers

Test score

Lowest available price

£349Reliant

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Hotpoint says the H2D81WUK tumble dryer has an anti-rub drum that lifts clothes on a cushion of air, giving a softness to your garments while they dry. But the pared-back control panel lacks the features and programs found on pricier dryers, so will your clothes be dried as well as they should be? Read our in-depth review to find out.

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What's included?

What is it?
How well does it dry clothes?
How much energy does it use?
How easy is it to use?
Is there anything else I need to know?
Should I buy it?

KEY TEST RESULTS
Drying time
Energy efficiency
Ease of use

Mar 2025Last checked by Which?
Jun 2022First reviewed by Which?
Mar 2022Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test tumble dryers

29 May 2025

Drying time

Overall
Cottons cupboard drying
Synthetics drying

How we test drying time

We record how quickly all of the tumble dryers we test dry clothes. We start counting from the moment the dryer starts and we stop when the end of programme buzzer sounds. And we do this for all four of the drying loads used in our tests. These star ratings show how quickly the dryer thinks it can dry clothes. To find out how well the clothes have been actually been dried, check out our quality of drying star ratings.

Dryness of clothes

How we test dryness of clothes

We weigh clothes before and after drying to see how much water is retained following the drying programme.

Drying evenness

How we test drying evenness

We check how evenly the clothes have been dried by measuring the difference between the wettest and driest clothes in the load. We do this by weighing the clothes before and after drying.

Creasing

How we test creasing

We check how creased clothes are at the end of the programme, and rate them from 1-5 stars with 1 being very creased and 5 being practically ironed. Very few tumble dryers are able to leave clothes completely crease-free, so when looking for a dryer that dries well, don’t be put off by dryers with three stars for creasing.

Condensation unit efficiency

How we test condensation unit efficiency

For condenser and heat pump tumble dryers, we record how much water from the drying clothes is captured in the water tank. The more water captured, the better the dryer will be at drying your clothes without allowing warm and damp air to escape into your home. Dryers that are ineffective at capturing water will leave you with damp clothes and steamy windows.

Ease of use

How we test ease of use

A panel of experts assesses each tumble dryer to decide how easy they are to use. The dozens of assessments carried out on each machine take into account the instructions, control panel, setting, loading, unloading, cleaning lint from the filter and removing the water tank and heat exchanger.

Quietness

How we test quietness

A panel of lab experts listens to each machine as it dries clothes in our tests. They listen for how loud the machine is in normal operation and they also listen for annoying noises and vibration.

Energy efficiency

How we test energy efficiency

We record how much energy each dryer uses when drying a 70% full load of cottons. Our running costs figures are based on using a dryer three times per week.

General
Type	Condenser
Integrated or freestanding	Freestanding
Maximum capacity	8kg
Load size	Medium
Colour	white
Door colour	white
Synthetics capacity	3kg
Height	84.5cm
Width	59.5cm
Depth	63.5cm
Energy label	B
Annual energy cost (£)	£122.69
Manufacturer guarantee	1 year
Manufacturer guarantee terms	Hotpoint tumble dryers have a one-year guarantee as standard.

Features
Sensor drying	No
Smartphone compatible	No
Remaining time display	No
Delayed start	No
Reversible door	No
Empty water light	No
Check lint filter light	No
Hose supplied?	Yes
Review details	2018 test programme

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Reliant
In Stock£349

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