Our step by step hand dryer buyers guide
We love them but let’s face it, buying a hand dryer isn’t the most exciting thing you'll ever do. It’s just a box on the wall that blows air.
So, where do you start? Especially when they all have different features and prices
No need to fret, we'll get you through the process quickly and easily; preventing any potential buying mishaps.
This guide will give you the important things to consider as well as where to find key information to make the right choice.
Main 5 things to consider
We’d love to help you pick the right product
We’ve been the experts on hand dryers for over 20 years. Give us a call on 0114 322 3663, contact us here or speak to us live using the chat box at the bottom of the screen.
Our Best Buy Recommendation
Everything you need from a hand dryer, it ticks every box. The Dryflow BulletDri from just £174.00 Exc. VAT
Fast drying ✔ Up to 7 years guarantee ✔ Slim ✔ Long-life ✔ Vandal proof ✔ Eco ✔ Carbon Neutral ✔ Warm air setting ✔ Low noise ✔ Stainless Steel cover ✔ Suitable for schools ✔ Black finish option ✔ HEPA Filter ✔
2500 - 2727 dries possible per £1 spent on electricity^ (motor type dependent) compared to 143 dries per £1 spent on paper towels^^
1. Price. Why such a difference?
Types of features and brand can have an impact here.
In general, our prices are based on motor life; how many hours a motor can continuously run for.
Our lower-priced hand dryers pack in some great features and give years of service in low-traffic facilities so shouldn't be ignored based on price alone.
2. What’s the daily usage of your hand dryers?
Key point:
Not all hand dryer motors are created equally. Some would have you believe that their units will last forever in any building type but put a low usage unit in a busy airport and you’ll be in trouble very soon.
Office, School or similar building (places where each person on average spends 4+ hours a day)
How to calculate the daily usage:
Airport, stadium, cinema or slimilar building (places where each person on average spends less than 4 hours a day)
How to calculate the daily usage:
What your daily usage number means in terms of daily footfall:
Putting high/medium traffic hand dryers in low traffic locations will of course increase longevity but what this calculation does is save you money, as a low use hand dryer in a low use facility will give years and years of service for a fraction of the cost.
Where to find suitable traffic information on each product page and/or category filter:
3. Fast drying vs noise level
Fast drying can come with increased noise levels.
When should you consider noise levels?
- Type of user - Used by small children where some noises can be uncomfortable for them?
- Building layout - Do rooms near the washroom need to be peaceful
A compromise can be achieved.
Our quiet hand dryers section gives either standard low-noise hand dryers or units that have quiet settings to suitably fine-tune.
Where to find on each product page and/or category filter:
Adjustable noise level hand dryers include:
A note on decibel levels
In our experience, decibel levels quoted in specifications cannot be relied upon as testing is not standardised. Some are tested from 1 metre away, some 2 metres. Some are in soundproof chambers, and some are recorded without hands present so aren’t realistic.
If in doubt we will happily provide samples so you can test the dryer before buying to get a true reflection of the sound level in your own building. Call us on 0114 322 3663 or contact us here to request any sample.
4. Hands under Vs hands in
A hands under hand dryer is the traditional style of hand dryer where the unit is higher on the wall and the hands are placed underneath to dry. They take up less space than a hands in style unit
Benefits of hands in hand dryers
- Collect water driven off the hands, keeping floors, walls and users dry
- Scrape moisture from both sides of the hands creating fast dry times
- Are generally made for high traffic facilities with the exception of the Dryflow
- Jetforce Junior hand dryer which is ideal for low traffic facilities looking for all the benefits of a “hands in” style dryer, without needing to pay the price of a high traffic motor life.
5. Brushless motor?
Brushless motors are superior to those found as standard in most hand dryers.
They carry a number of advantages including:
- Increased lifespan
- No need to maintain brushes that wear over time
- Greater efficiency using less energy per rotation
- Quieter operation
Where to find on each product page and/or category filter:
6. Running costs and carbon footprint
Using a heater element is more expensive and uses more energy. Old conventional hand dryers relied on heat to dry as motors were slow. This meant increased dry times (around 40 seconds compared now to 10 – 15) and a lot of energy use.
Now, powerful airflows are the driver of faster dry times. In fact, the increased speed of the motor creates its own heat taking the edge off a colder blast of air on a chilly day. Some hand dryers still include a heater element to instantly provide comfort on the hands.
Most now have either a switch to turn the heater element off, or even have an intelligent system that automatically adds heat in cold washrooms.
To see how economical and energy-efficient the hand dryer is, have a look on each product page for the number of dries that can be achieved for £1 of electricity spent.
In Summary
- Price can be brand related, but here at Hand Dryers UK it mostly relates to the motor life of each dryer
- Choosing a dryer based on daily usage is crucial. It can save you a lot of money if you get it right, or give you unwanted headaches if you dont.
- Noise levels need consideration, there is a trade off between dry times and low noise levels. Adjustable hand dryers give the best of both in one unit.
- For efficiency, energy usage and cost to run, brushless motors and heater element usage are a consideration worth thinking about.
Don't forget we're here to help and advise. Give us a call on 0114 322 3663, contact us here or speak to us live using the chat box at the bottom of the screen.