Raise your hands if laundry is your favourite chore—Jungkook can relate. Even though laundry can be a relaxing chore, the mercurial weather and unforeseen storms in Singapore are anything but. With that comes the pain of clothes that never dry right, and musty smells that just won’t go away. That’s where dryers and automated laundry racks come in handy. But with so many options to choose from, which one’s the best for your needs? We weigh the pros and cons of dryers vs Steigen’s automated laundry racks to help you make a better decision.
Traditional dryers vs. Steigen’s automated laundry racks
Image credit: @houseofsparrows
Ask your traditional ah ma this question, and she’s likely to chide you for wasteful, but washer-dryer duos have started to pop up in an increasing number of Singaporean homes. And despite the protests of our elders who insist that sun-dried laundry is the best, modern homeowners just don’t have the time to play hide and seek with the sun—especially during monsoon season. Dryers are nifty for their ability to dry clothes quickly in as little as 15 to 30 minutes, especially if you’re only drying a couple of pieces. Even if you’re drying heavier items like duvets and towels, dryers will get that done for you in a couple of hours. If you live in a flat or condo that doesn’t get a lot of natural sunlight, then a dry is a practical investment to help prevent mould and mildew smells on your clothes at home.
Avoid the bulk by buying a 2-in-1 washer-cum-dryer that can function both as a washing machine and a dryer. A washer-cum-dryer has a smaller capacity of 5kg, while a conventional dryer can take up to 10kg per load. Speaking from experience, this comes in super handy on rainy days. It’s important to bear in mind that dryers do cost more to operate as they run on electricity.
Real homeowner review:
“My fam has had a dryer for 20+ years and it’s essential. When so much laundry is being done every week, can’t really be spending so much time hanging clothes up all day. One batch takes around 60 mins only. Dryers don’t really need much effort to maintain as well, just clear the trap catching loose fibers and dust every once in a while.” – flappingjellyfish on Reddit
Now, how do dryers compare with Steigen’s automated laundry racks?
Image credit: Steigen
Steigen’s automated laundry drying racks have gained a huge amount of popularity in recent years for its sleek aesthetic and smart functions. These racks are typically installed on the ceiling in service yards or laundry rooms and are fully motorised, meaning you can control it with the touch of a button. This makes it easy a great choice for the elderly or those who want that element of safety—no more struggling with bamboo poles laden with heavy, wet clothes while praying that you don’t plummet down 10 floors.
Steigen’s automated laundry racks come equipped with Quad Core Solar Drying heaters that can mimic the heat (60°C) of the sun to dry clothes and use less electricity than your typical dryers. Steigen’s automated laundry racks also come with built-in ionisers and dust mite repellents for added hygiene. They also come in various colours to match your home’s interior!
Image credit: @steigensingapore
Real homeowner review:
“It has been a few months since we changed out BTO laundry rack to Steigen, and it has been an absolute game changer! The drying time is now half of what it used to take.” – @homeofjoi, Lemon8 user.
A cost comparison between the dryer and Steigen’s automated laundry rack
Dryer machines and Steigen’s automated laundry racks don’t come cheap, but if your budget allows you to invest in one, go for it because it’ll improve your quality of life.
Image credit: @chengyao1003
Traditional dryers typically range from $1,000-$2,000, but high-end models can cost more. In the same vein, there are budget models that cost less than $1,000, like the Beko 7KG Air-Vented Dryer.
The FISHER & PAYKEL 8KG Heat Pump Dryer (DH8060P3) ($1,900) is a hard worker that can dry up to 8kg per load, making it a good option for those who generate a lot of laundry—like gym enthusiasts, for example.
A more space-saving option is the LG Front Load Washer Dryer with AI Direct Drive ($2,068), a multi-tasker that can wash up to 8.5kg and dry 5kg. It can also detect the weight and softness of the laundry load, then optimise its washing pattern.
Image credit: @1076sqft
As for Steigen’s automated drying racks, the Flexi, Steigen’s basic model ($899) does not come with the brand’s signature solar heater, but it does help with lifting laundry loads of up to 35kg and comes with an LED light.
For a little more, the Steigen Solar Mini offers solar drying and can lift up to 50kg. The prices listed are inclusive of delivery and installation. Overall, after factoring delivery and installation costs, both dryers and automated laundry systems sit within the same price range.
Winner: Steigen’s automated drying racks. They’re cheaper, get the job done in a familiar way, and are lighter on your wallets.
Dryer vs Steigen—which offers more convenience?
Image credit: Steigen
Both appliances provide the convenience to dry your clothes indoors regardless of the time or weather conditions.
Couch potatoes will appreciate the Steigen automated laundry rack, which can be controlled via the Steigen Connect app. Users can set profiles and configure specific settings based on their preferences. A portable remote control option is also available, offering similar functions and providing a fuss-free laundry service.
Dryers aren’t lacking in the convenience department either. The LG washer-cum-dryer mentioned earlier can be controlled via Alexa or Google Assistant if you have the ThinQ app downloaded.
Winner: Both. If you get a model that can be controlled remotely, just get technology to do the work for you.
Which is better at drying?
Image credit: Samsung Global Newsroom
Conventional dryers come with moisture sensors to adjust the drying time based on the dampness of your clothing, which helps save on electrical bills. Premium models such as the Samsung 9kg Front Load HeatPump Dryer ($1,849) are equipped with more advanced features including AI control, personalised drying cycles, and can even remember laundry washing habits.
Image credit: Steigen
Meanwhile, the Steigen laundry racks—except its basic model—come with built-in solar drying technology to nip bacteria, germs, allergens, and nasty odours in the bud. They also come with an LED light to illuminate your laundry area.
Winner: Both. With the multiple functions and luxury of customisation, you’ll never need to worry about time and weather when it comes to drying your clothes.
Which looks better in your home?
Image credit: Harvey Norman
Typical dryers come in white, silver, or grey. but in recent years, there have been efforts to create chio-er designs such as the TOSHIBA 10KG/7KG Dual Drum Washer Dryer ($2,388) and the LG 21/16kg AI DD™ Front Load WashTower Washer & Dryer ($5,499).
Image credit: @steigensingapore
On the other hand, Steigen’s automated drying racks aren’t that obtrusive by nature—if it’s above your head and out of sight, then it’s out of mind, right? Steigen’s Solar Pro ($1,399) also comes in 4 colours, with options like blush and silver for more of a sophisticated look.
Winner: Automated drying racks. They are mounted to the ceiling, retractable and don’t take up any floor space.
Dryers vs Steigen’s automated laundry racks
The hybrid work-from-home arrangements may be disappearing soon, which means we’ll be away from home more often. This leaves us with less time to do our laundry—no more mid-day breaks to wash and dry our clothes in the name of getting inspiration.
We can already picture overflowing laundry baskets. To prevent that from happening, it’s time to invest in a dryer or automated laundry system to make our lives easier, don’t you think?
For more on household appliances:
- Should Singaporeans Get A Dishwasher Instead Of Washing By Hand?
- Dyson VS Bosch: Which Is The Better Cordless Vacuum Cleaner?
- Amazon Alexa vs Google Home vs Siri
Cover image adapted from: @ascend.design, @steigensingapore
This article was originally published on 5th May 2023, and updated on 13th January 2025.
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