Slimline hand dryers are usually classified as those dryers which have a depth (i.e. off-the wall measurement) of 100mm or less. This class of dryers was created after the Americans with Disability Act was passed in 1990. Interestingly, although the Act did not explicitly mention hand dryers, it did state that items on walls should not protrude more than 100mm.
Although there is no equivalent in UK law, it does not seem unreasonable that, especially in washrooms which are narrow or cramped for space and busy, specifiers use this measurement when giving consideration to disabled access.
There’s now a reasonable choice across all price ranges if a slimline hand dryer is what you are after: here’s our pick of the most popular models:
At the budget end, the Beaver is actually very good value for money, and as well as white and stainless steel, it also comes in an outrageous bright red if you really want to make a statement. It is certainly very slim, and in fact looks quite like a paper towel dispenser. Despite the low price, it is a good performing dryer, and is proving popular with our customers.
Airdri are known for their
quiet hand dryers, and the Airdri Quazar is no exception. In many cases (and this is no exception) quiet also means that the airflow is not particularly powerful, with the dryer relying on evaporating the water from hands rather than blasting it off with high-powered blasts of air. So, if that’s a trade-off you’re happy to make, this is an excellent choice. It’s also a visually very stylish dryer, and is available in different finishes.
Certainly not the cheapest dryer around, but certainly one of the most talked about hand dryers in the UK, is the Dyson V (also called the HU02). The Dyson Airblade hand dryer has exceptional performance and the all-important Dyson brand. It has become familiar to most people who have ever been to a motorway service station or high-class restaurant.
Dyson manages to get 2 entries on this list, because of the new 9kj dryer. With its radical ‘periscope-like’ design, it’s a real eye-catching addition to any washroom. The price is pretty eye-watering too, mind you, but that’s not stopped many previous Dyson products becoming extremely successful. Despite its unusual vertical design, Dyson has been careful to ensure its depth does not exceed 100m.
Although technically slightly more than 100m, because of its overall size it gives the impression of being completely flat. So if you are looking for a slimline hand dryer this is certainly worth including on your shortlist. Because it is set into the wall, the usable space is actually quite generous and this makes it very easy to use.
So that’s a pretty good set of examples of the best slimline hand dryers available right cross the price range. If you want to talk your hand dryer choice through, please do give one of our hand dryer nerds a call on 01934 253600: they’re always happy to chat all day long about airflows, power consumption and why paper towels should be banned.
