Effective Clothes Dryer - Please help

Any recommendations for either separate dryers or combo washer/dryers that are actually effective? Would really like to eventually invest in something that dries clothes quickly...my experiences with UK clothes dryers (where they've even been available) have not been that great. 2 hours to dry a load of wash is just too long. 

I've heard that some American ones are available over there. Anyone have any experience with those and know where I might be able to get one?

I have a Miele combo washer/dryer - it was expensive, I won't lie. Today it dried a load consisting of: pair of cotton curtains, 3 bath towels, assortment of dustrags & cleaning rags - in one hour. YMMV

1 hour is more like it.

Mind me asking what you paid for it and where I might find one? Possibly in the Manchester area?

I'm really pleased with our AEG combo machine.  It dries really well (w/o scorching).  It's not super quick, but no worse than the others.  It handles a good size load (washes 8kg/dries 6kg...spins up to 1400 rpm).  "Which" recommended it & it's been a good little machine since Sept.  

We ordered it from John Lewis, delivered. Don't remember price but it was a lot compared to others. Google for Miele combo machines or on John Lewis website.

DH got one of those condenser dryers (as opposed to tumble dryer) when we could no longer vent one out the cellar window.  Don't know what he paid and can't even remember the brand, but don't think it's all that wonderful. No matter what setting I put it on the things are never completely dry. You have to empty the water out by hand.

Ah the woes of UK clothes washing! Can't say I'm looking forward to it, that's for sure. I think I'll end up saving for a Miele. For 1400 pounds it has to do something right.

Do laundrette's at least have dryer's that won't have everyone sitting around for 2 hours waiting for their knickers to dry?

We bought a Panasonic (model NH-P80G1) earlier this year from John Lewis, although they don't seem to selling it at JL anymore according to the website.

It was expensive at around 600 GBP, but it is the most energy efficient on the market so we invested in it knowing it would save us on our bills. It's the first model listed here: http://www.sust-it.net/energy-saving.php?id=41.  It dries most loads in about an hour. I'm very happy with it.

We got the Panasonic washing machine as well. Also very happy with it.

kate_mate thanks for the recommendation and handy model numbers! I'll look into those too.

A second vote for a Miele washer/dryer.  We also bought ours from John Lewis.

My washer/dryer died a few months ago and my landlord installed a new hoover combi model, he got it from curry's- must have been around £300 or so - The dryer function works great -  slow ,but it sure gets everything dry and warm (I don't normally use it at all -but had a few occasions where I have needed to use it on emergency)

Do laundrette's at least have dryer's that won't have everyone sitting around for 2 hours waiting for their knickers to dry?

Yes, and my local launderette has a 'drop of and come back later to clean, folded laundry' service. But you can't take your washed and wet clothes in and only use their dryers.

I have a Miele combo washer/dryer - it was expensive, I won't lie. Today it dried a load consisting of: pair of cotton curtains, 3 bath towels, assortment of dustrags & cleaning rags - in one hour. YMMV

I, too, recommend Miele (and ordering from John Lewis!). May be expensive, but I find that their goods last a long, long time.

I am sure it is different in London, but laundrettes seem few and far between in every place I have lived here.

As in Cambridge is a Uni town and I know of maybe three and they aren't that big.

Thank you to everyone who has chimed in! I really appreciate it!

The hard part will be convincing my partner that the clothes drying rack just won't cut it. It will probably be faster for me to save my pocket change for like 10 years and just buy it myself!