The Samsung Series 5 DV80TA020AE gives you almost everything a premium heat pump dryer does, for noticeably less money: A++ efficiency, an 8 kg family drum and proper moisture-sensing drying. That is exactly why it is our best value pick.
Samsung is not the first brand most people think of for tumble dryers, but it should be on the shortlist. The Series 5 takes the technology that matters, an efficient heat pump and moisture sensors, and packages it at a price that usually undercuts the established German names. The result is a machine that does the important things just as well as dryers costing more, which makes it the rational buy for anyone watching the budget but unwilling to give up running-cost savings.
| Model | Price | Type | Capacity | Energy rating | Rating | Link | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ★ Top pick Samsung Series 5 DV80TA020AE 8kg Heat Pump Tumble Dryer | £349.03 | Heat pump condenser | 8 kg | A++ | ★ 4.5 | View → |
£349.03
Heat pump condenser · 8 kg · A++
The verdict from Leah Okafor, home appliance tester
Our best value choice. The Samsung Series 5 DV80TA020AE gives you nearly everything the premium heat pump dryers do, including A++ efficiency, an 8 kg drum and proper moisture-sensing drying, for noticeably less money. If you want the running-cost savings of a heat pump without paying a premium badge, this is the rational buy.
Loads finish reliably dry without that bone-dry, static feel, even on a mixed wash.
The Series 5 is the right dryer if you want the efficiency and gentleness of a heat pump for a family of three or four, without paying a premium badge price. With an 8 kg drum it pairs neatly with a 7 to 8 kg washer, so a full wash transfers straight across. It is aimed squarely at the buyer who has done the maths, decided a heat pump dryer makes sense for regular use, and wants to spend as little as possible to get there.
It is less suited to anyone who specifically wants the most gentle drying for delicates and wool, where the premium AEG 7000 Series goes further, or to a big household that needs a 9 kg drum, where the Hisense DHGE901 offers more room for similar money. For mainstream family laundry on a budget, though, the Samsung is our top recommendation.
The Series 5 dries reliably and evenly. Its Optimal Dry sensors track the moisture in the load and end the cycle when the clothes reach the chosen dryness, rather than running a fixed timer that risks over-drying. In use, loads finish properly dry without that bone-dry, static feel, even on a mixed wash of cottons and synthetics. As a heat pump dryer it works at a lower temperature, so clothes come out gently dried rather than baked.
With an A++ rating the Series 5 is one of the cheaper dryers here to run, using around half the electricity of an older condenser dryer for the same load. The clever part is that it delivers this efficiency at a lower purchase price than most rivals, so you start saving on bills without having spent as much in the first place. That combination is the whole value proposition, and it is why we rate it so highly. For more on cutting drying costs, see our guide to the cheapest tumble dryer to run.
The controls are clear and the programme set covers everyday needs without bombarding you with options. The 8 kg drum is the family sweet spot, handling a full wash load with room to tumble freely. Build quality is solid and practical rather than plush; the finish is plainer than the German brands, but nothing about it feels flimsy. The lint filter and tank are easy to access for the regular cleaning that keeps any dryer efficient.
The Series 5's compromises are minor and predictable. Its styling is plainer than premium rivals, which matters little in a utility room but is worth noting if the dryer will be on show. Reversing the door is a touch fiddly. And, like every heat pump dryer, it dries a little more slowly than a hot condenser machine, the inevitable trade-off for the lower temperature and lower running costs. None of these is a reason to spend more elsewhere unless you specifically want premium gentleness or the fastest possible cycle. If speed and the lowest upfront price matter most, the condenser Beko DTLCE70051W is the alternative, and our heat pump vs condenser guide explains the trade-off.
It pairs a genuinely efficient A++ heat pump with an 8 kg drum and Samsung's Optimal Dry sensor system at a price that usually undercuts the premium German brands. You get most of the running-cost saving and the gentle, sensor-controlled drying for less upfront, which is why it is our best value choice.
Yes, it is a heat pump condenser dryer with an A++ energy rating. Like all heat pump models it recycles warm air to dry at a lower temperature, so it is cheaper to run and kinder to fabrics than a conventional condenser dryer, at the cost of a slightly longer cycle.
Yes. Its Optimal Dry sensors monitor the moisture in the load and stop the cycle when the clothes reach the chosen dryness, rather than running a fixed timer. That avoids over-drying, which both protects your clothes and saves electricity on part loads.
The Samsung Series 5 is our best value pick because it delivers the things that genuinely matter, A++ efficiency, an 8 kg family drum and sensor-controlled gentle drying, at a price that undercuts the premium brands. You give up a little in finish and cycle speed, but you keep the running-cost savings that make a heat pump dryer worthwhile, and you spend less to get them. For most budget-conscious families it is the smart choice. If you want the very best build and the lowest bills regardless of price, step up to the Bosch Series 6 or the AEG 7000 Series. Before buying, check our buying guide and confirm the capacity suits your loads.