Hand Dryer Guide: Choosing the Right Electric Hand Dryer for Your Business

Hygiene in our commercial spaces starts with the basics, but choosing the right commercial hand dryer isn’t just about drying hands. It’s about improving hygiene, reducing costs, and creating a better experience for staff and visitors. One often overlooked factor is the hand dryer. For facility managers, building service professionals, electrical contractors, and construction companies, choosing the right commercial hand dryer impacts hygiene, cost efficiency, noise levels, cleanliness and the overall impression of your facility.

This guide covers everything you need to know about selecting a commercial hand dryer, with a focus on the Mitsubishi Electric Jet Towel range, trusted across Australia for performance, durability, functionality and design.

Electric Hand Dryers vs Paper Towels: Making the Right Choice

Hygiene and User Experience

A hand dryer is often the first or final impression a customer or guest encounters. A noisy, slow, or inefficient unit can leave a negative impression, while a quieter, fast, and hygienic dryer enhances satisfaction. Touch-free operation reduces contamination risks, which is especially important in healthcare and childcare settings.

Operational Efficiency

Electric hand dryers provide long-term savings compared to paper towels, which require constant restocking and disposal. Paper towels can accumulate bacteria if not managed properly and generate ongoing waste. Modern dryers are energy-efficient, require minimal maintenance, and eliminate waste disposal concerns.

Noise Considerations

Noise influences comfort and concentration. Even small differences in decibels are noticeable: 56 dB is similar to a normal conversation, while 62 dB is comparable to background office noise. In schools, libraries, and healthcare environments, overly loud dryers can disrupt daily operations and affect user comfort, they benefit from models under 60 dB. While hospitality and retail spaces may tolerate slightly higher noise for faster drying during peak periods.

Noise recommendations by environment:

Jet Towel Noise* Comparison:

* Measurements made in an anechoic chamber at a distance of 2m.

Commercial Hand Dryer Model Comparison: Smart vs Slim

Mitsubishi Electric offers two leading commercial models designed for different environments: the Jet Towel Slim and Jet Towel Smart. The Jet Towel Slim balances performance with reduced noise level operation, while the Jet Towel Smart is ideal for high-traffic areas where space efficiency and hygiene are top priorities.

Jet Towel Slim offers very fast drying, is quieter with a patented wave nozzle, energy-efficient, and designed for touch-free, hygienic operation. It features a large drying area (6.8L), reinforced panels, and durable construction, making it ideal for healthcare facilities and offices.

Jet Towel Smart delivers fast drying with low power consumption. Its wide 15 cm nozzle allows simultaneous hand drying, while the impact-resistant steel shell ensures durability. It is compact, easy to maintain, and is also available in the stylish Smart Black finish, making it well-suited for schools, hospitality, and retail spaces.

Both offer easy maintenance, with antibacterial surfaces, which are alcohol cleanable. The air filter is easily accessible for convenient cleaning.

Model Comparison:

Best Electric Hand Dryers for Different Commercial Environments

Schools and Child-Friendly Spaces

In child-friendly environments, hand dryers must balance comfort with durability. The Jet Towel Smart operates at a lower volume, making it less intimidating for noise-sensitive children, while its robust design ensures it can withstand heavy daily use. Built with a steel outer shell and ABS body, the unit is tested to endure impacts of up to 15J – more than twice the force of an average impact. Safety features such as rounded edges and temperature control further reduce the risk of injury, making it a dependable choice for classrooms and childcare facilities.

Healthcare and Aged Care

In hospitals, clinics, and aged care facilities, hygiene, accessibility, and patient comfort are primary considerations. The touch-free operation of the Jet Towel Slim minimises contamination risks, and quieter operation supports a calm environment. Units are designed for accessibility, allowing easy use for individuals with varying mobility levels, with sensors placed inside the drying area to detect hands entering from the sides. Its durable build ensures reliable performance under frequent use, and the antibacterial, alcohol-cleanable surfaces support strict hygiene standards required in clinical settings.

Hospitality and Retail

In high-traffic spaces like restaurants, hotels, and shopping centres, design and speed are often just as important as function. A sleek finish, such as the Jet Towel Smart Black, not only blends seamlessly with modern interiors but also gives a premium look. The unit’s 12-degree angled top reduces the accumulation of discarded items, and rapid drying performance keeps bathrooms moving efficiently during busy peak periods, ensuring a smooth experience for guests and customers alike.

Design & Space Considerations

Commercial bathrooms are an extension of a brand’s identity. Choosing a hand dryer that matches the look and feel of your facility is just as important as functionality.

• Finishes: Jet Towel models are available in white, silver-dark grey, dark grey, and the newly released Smart Black, a sleek option perfect for modern interiors.
• Integration: Coordinating with taps, dispensers, and fittings ensures a polished, professional appearance.
• Space Requirements: When choosing an appropriate model, consider your space requirements and mounting options. The Jet Towel Smart’s compact build is ideal for smaller bathrooms or areas where wall space is limited. The Jet Towel Slim will use slightly more wall space, but features a removable drain tank to capture the water blown from drying hands.

Budget & Total Cost of Ownership

Initial vs Long-Term Costs

While paper towels may seem cheaper upfront, ongoing costs for replenishment and disposal quickly add up. A single commercial hand dryer can offset expenses over time.

Example: A facility using 500 dries per day could go through ~365,000 paper towels per year.

~Based on two paper towels used per dry, 500 dries per day, 365 days a year.

Volume Pricing

Construction projects and facility upgrades often require multiple units. Bulk purchasing not only lowers the per-unit cost but also streamlines installation and maintenance schedules.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

When evaluating hand dryers, it’s important to consider more than the upfront purchase price. Total cost of ownership (TCO) encompasses energy consumption, maintenance requirements, and warranty coverage over the unit’s lifespan.

• Energy Efficiency: Mitsubishi Electric Jet Towels are engineered to minimise power usage without compromising drying performance. Lower energy consumption reduces ongoing operational costs, particularly in high-traffic environments where the units are used frequently.
• Maintenance Requirements: Jet Towels are designed for durability and ease of upkeep. The robust steel and ABS construction, combined with water-resistant components, reduces the frequency of repairs or replacement parts. Minimal maintenance needs mean fewer service interventions and less downtime, further lowering long-term costs.
• Warranty Coverage: Comprehensive warranty provisions provide additional assurance and help control unexpected expenses. Mitsubishi Electric offers coverage for both parts and labour, supporting reliability and reducing the financial risk associated with unit failure.

By balancing energy efficiency, durability, and warranty support, Mitsubishi Electric Jet Towels deliver cost-effective performance across their operational lifespan, making them a practical investment for schools, healthcare facilities, and commercial environments.

Making Your Final Selection

When choosing a hand dryer, consider these criteria:

1. Noise Levels – Does the unit suit the environment?
2. Budget – Look beyond upfront cost; consider lifetime savings
3. Features – Drying speed, hygiene, sensors, and finishes
4. Environment – Match the dryer to specific commercial needs

Selecting the right commercial hand dryer involves balancing cost, noise, design, and performance. By focusing on long-term value and user experience, businesses can make a smart investment that benefits both staff and visitors.

The Mitsubishi Electric Jet Towel range offers versatile solutions for different industries and applications, from schools and healthcare to hospitality and retail. There’s a Jet Towel suited to every environment.

Next Steps: For technical specifications, pricing, and installation advice, contact Mitsubishi Electric or an authorised distributor today.