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For those not looking for frills and extra features, this Maytag offers an easy-to-use interface with old-school dials while getting your clothes dry.
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This Electrolux dryer has a stylish modern design and a fast heavy cycle, but the normal cycle’s a bit slow. It performs pretty well across the board.
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The Samsung DVE45R6100C has one of the most effective Normal cycles we've tested, lasting only under an hour and getting clothes dry 100% every time.
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The Maytag MED6630HC features an Extra Power button located in the center of the cycle dial that increases the performance of every drying cycle.
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While clothes dryers are typically sold with accompanying washers, there’s no rule saying you have to buy them that way. For those of us with laundry machines hidden away in garages or basements, a matching pair isn't that important. You can just pick your favorite of each.
Over the years, hundreds of dryers have passed through our labs, and we test them from every angle. The chief concern: Can the dryer get clothes dry in a timely manner without damaging them? Next, we test extra features like steam or smart connectivity. Finally, we analyze the fit and finish. The very best dryers have sturdy doors, drum lights, and easy-to-read buttons.
We looked over the data of every dryer we've tested and found the best of the best. Among those, the Maytag MED7230(available at Maytag) tops our list with excellent performance and a number of features that make laundry day easier.
Editor's Note
Due to supply chain challenges and soaring demand, there is widespread unavailability of home appliances and long wait times for delivery of backordered product. If you're a consumer in need of a washer or dryer, here are the best places to buy in-stock appliances right now.
These are the best dryers we tested ranked, in order:
Maytag MED7230
Electrolux EFME627UTT
Samsung DVE45R6100C
Maytag MED6630HC
LG DLE7300WE
Maytag MEDC465HW
Samsung DVE45R6300V
LG DLEX7900BE
LG DLEX7800WE
GE GFD85ESPNRS
NOTE: This list is composed of electric dryers, but you'll find a link to each dryer's gas counterpart (where available) below. While gas dryers tend to be more efficient, gas and electric versions of the same product should perform identically.
Credit: Reviewed / Kyle Hamilton
The Maytag MED7230HW dryer features a hamper door, which opens from top to bottom. This makes loading easier and you won't have to stoop.
Best Overall
Maytag MED7230HW
If you’re looking for a replacement dryer, the Maytag MED7230HW is a solid pick.
This appropriately-priced mid-range option has all the features you want and some you didn’t know you needed. It boasts simple controls, solid drying performance, and decent smart features. Its drying performance is especially strong for its price point, on most cycles. Its Regular cycle finished faster than the average—64 minutes vs. 71—and got our test load of laundry 100% dry each time.
You'll also love its smart features, which include notifications when you need to adjust a load to ensure proper drying. Nobody likes finding out their comforter or sheets balled up and insulated a bunch of damp laundry from drying properly. As far as standard smart features, the MED7230HW can notify you when a cycle is done, offers a remote start, and sends diagnostics and repair info when something goes wrong.
The link filter is on the top of the dryer, so it's easy to pull out and clean.
Best Value
Maytag MEDC465HW
The Maytag MEDC465HW dryer is a basic dryer with old-school aesthetics that gets the job done. While you may not get the frills and features found on more expensive options, this Maytag's Normal cycle can get your laundry 100% dry in just 53 minutes. The dryer's interface, comprised of four knobs, is streamlined and easy to operate, even for novices.
The Wrinkle Control setting continues to tumble the laundry load after the cycle has finished to prevent wrinkles. The well-lit drum means you'll never miss a sock, even in a dark basement. If you want top-notch dryer performance on a budget, the Maytag MEDC465HW is for you.
We have plenty of experience testing these products in the lab, but we've also used them like normal people would in the course of their daily lives, which means that we have a great sense for what appliances are bargains at their price points, and which appliances have genuinely useful extra features (as opposed to the kitchen-sink approach to features).
With all this in mind, you can feel confident that when we recommend a product, we're giving it our Reviewed stamp of approval, which means two things: firstly, this appliance performs well, and secondly, this appliance is easy to use. We're always reviewing new products, so stay tuned for our reviews and roundups of the latest products in laundry, refrigerators, dishwashers, and vacuum cleaners.
The Tests
Every dryer that comes into Reviewed’s labs gets put through the same testing regime, which addresses both performance and user-friendliness.
Performance tests include:
• Drying performance – How much water does each major dryer cycle actually remove from your clothes, and how quickly can it achieve that level of dryness?
• Maximum temperature – We record the maximum temperature in each dryer cycle. Some like it hot, but if dryer temperatures get too hot, it could damage your clothes.
Credit: Reviewed.com / Julia MacDougall
We wrap a temperature reader in a sock and throw it in with a dryer load to see how hot the dryer actually gets on each cycle.
The best dryers completely dry your clothes at a temperature that is hot (140°F-150°F), but not too hot (lest your clothes be scorched or damaged), and have short cycle times.
Beyond these performance tests, we also assess the usability of each dryer, based on our experience, both during testing and during more casual use (one perk of working at Reviewed is that there are plenty of laundry machines on premises!). Our main goal is to discern: How easy is it to actually use this dryer? This involves cumulatively assessing the control panel, the door, the vent, and any smart features.
By combining the performance data with our own observations, we can make solid recommendations for any type of dryer at any price point.
What You Should Know About Buying Dryers
Whether it’s an emergency replacement or you’re just looking to change up your laundry room, there are a few things to consider when purchasing a new dryer.
Space
Before you head to the stores, be sure you know the size constraints on your dryer. We’re not just talking about the available width in your laundry room, although that’s definitely important.
Are the doorways in your home wide enough for a dryer to fit through during delivery? Will narrow or tight staircases present a problem? Take a tape measure and check the doorway width against the dryer’s specs, making sure you have a few inches of clearance.
Capacity
Most dryers have capacities ranging from 7.3 to 7.5 cubic feet, enough to deal with the laundry that can fit in most washing machines. However, if you have a high-capacity washing machine (5.0 cubic-foot capacity or greater), you’ll need a dryer that can keep up with the bigger laundry loads, typically one with a capacity of 8.0 cubic-feet or greater. Otherwise, your dryer may struggle to dry large laundry loads in a single dryer cycle.
Price
Keep your budget constraints in mind. Dryer prices can run the gamut from $500 to $2,000 or more, but most sit in the $800 to $1,200 range. We have recommendations for some dryers with very low prices, but you can generally find great dryers at any price point. It just takes a little research and figuring out which features and design elements you can live without.
Also, if you can afford to wait, most appliance manufacturers and retailers tend to offer steep discounts around major holidays. Vigilantly searching for deals can save you hundreds of dollars.
Customization/Extra Cycles
How picky are you about your dryer cycles? Do you want to be able to set specific cycle temperatures, drying levels, and cycle duration, or would you prefer to just hit two buttons and start drying? Do you want a cycle just for denim jeans?
Consider how you do laundry on a day-to-day basis. If you prefer a straightforward process, you’ll probably want to buy a lower-tech dryer. Even if extra customization seems appealing, it may not make sense for you to buy a dryer loaded with features you won’t really use.
Steam
Are you considering a dryer with steam? Steam is an easy and effective way to reduce wrinkles, remove stale smells, and refresh clothing.
However, if the dryer you’re eyeballing has steam, be sure to find out exactly how the dryer gets the water needed to create that steam. Most dryers will require access to an additional water line, but some dryers have a drawer where you can manually add water. If you don’t have that necessary water hookup, you may pay extra for a feature you can’t actually use.
It’s such a minor thing, it can be a big frustration when you use your shiny new dryer for the first time and learn you can’t open the door all the way.
Other Dryers We Tested
Electrolux EFME627UTT
The Electrolux EFME627UTT dryer is great-looking, has simple controls, and is rich with cycles and options, including Perfect Steam, which can help to relax any wrinkles away. Its Quick Dry cycle completes in a mere 15 minutes.
Though the Normal cycle is slow, the Heavy cycle takes only an hour. While cycle times may vary, we found that the Normal and Delicates cycles both got our test loads 100% dry, and that temperatures never got hot enough to start damaging clothes. The Electrolux EFME627UTT represents the perfect balance between cycle times and cycle temperatures.
As the counterpart to the stellar Electrolux EFLS627UTT washing machine that has a spot in the detergent drawer for laundry pods, this dryer is another great addition to the Electrolux laundry family.
We love the Samsung DVE45R6100C dryer because of its killer Normal cycle—with a cycle time of 51 minutes and its ability to get our test load of wet laundry 100% dry, it’s one of the most effective Normal cycles we’ve ever seen. The Normal cycle may run a little hot, with temperatures topping out at 153°F, but if you’re consistently dealing with large loads of wet laundry, you’ll appreciate this dryer’s drying power.
From a design perspective, the DVE45R6100C is one of the first Samsung appliances to have the eagerly-awaited champagne finish. Additional steam (Steam Sanitize and Refresh) cycles and cycle customization options (cycle dryness, temperature, and time) only add to the appeal of this dryer. Between its strong drying performance, good looks, useful cycles/options, and a retail price that won’t break the bank, the Samsung DVE45R6100C is a great dryer all around.
The Maytag MED6630HC dryer is the perfect combination of looks, usability, speed, and power. This Maytag dryer has a sleek, futuristic look that would do any laundry room proud.
With its large central dial and streamlined control panel, it’s easy to select the cycle that’s right for your wet laundry load. If you’re looking for steam options, this dryer has two: Steam Refresh and Wrinkle Prevent.
The MED6630HC manages to dry your clothes quickly will without raising the temperature to the point where you’d have to worry about heat damage (typically 150°F or above). Even better, the test loads in the Normal and Delicates cycles came out 100% dry. For a dryer that gets your clothes dry the first time, with no muss or fuss, check out the Maytag MED6630HC.
As far as dryers go, the LG DLE7300WE is a workhorse. It gets the job done, but with little finesse. During testing, our sensors picked temperatures north of 160°F, which can prematurely damage clothes over time. However, the upside is that the DLE7300WE got our wet test loads of laundry more than 90% dry on every cycle we tested.
We also liked the fact that this dryer has LG's EasyLoad feature. Basically, the door has two sets of hinges so it can swing open left to right or open and down depending if you're loading or unloading the dryer. In the end, the relatively steep price and way-too-hot temperatures prevented the LG DLE7300WE from claiming a top spot.
The Samsung DVE45R6300V dryer doesn't joke around when it comes to getting your clothes dry—all of our test laundry loads came out 100% dry on the Normal, Quick, and Delicates cycles, which is no small feat.
With this Samsung dryer, total drying is accomplished with longer cycle times (the Normal cycle takes about two hours), and hot drying temperatures (the Quick cycle, which only takes about 30 minutes, reached a max temperature of approximately 175°F).
Dryers that get hotter than 150°F on a regular basis can expedite wear-and-tear on your clothes, so it might be best if you bump down the temperature setting on the control panel.
In addition to great drying performance, this dryer also has a Sanitize cycle, a Wrinkle Prevent feature that keeps tumbling your clothes until you can get them out of the dryer, tons of cycle customization settings and options, and a Heavy cycle that can get everything dry in 47 minutes.
Best of all? The DVE45R6300V is Bixby-enabled. That means that if you're a fan of the Samsung smart home ecosystem, you can ask Bixby to do some of the heavy lifting for you when it comes time for laundry day.
We love the LG DLEX7900BE because it’s effective. Not only did the test loads from all four major cycles (Normal, Speed Dry, Delicates, and Bedding) get more than 80% dry, but the Speed Dry and Delicates cycles are highly effective.
The Speed Dry cycle will dry a small load in about 25 minutes, and the Delicates cycle keeps temperatures cooler (around 109°F) so as not to damage special fabrics like those found on lingerie and sportswear. While the Normal cycle runs a bit long, as with most LG dryers, you have the option to reduce the cycle time (although there may be a tradeoff with laundry dryness).
Unsurprisingly, this LG dryer is full of neat cycles, cycle options, and features, including an Anti-Bacterial cycle (which gets up to 178°F), two steam cycles (Steam Fresh and Steam Sanitary), a steam option (TurboSteam), and Wrinkle Care.
Even better, the laundry door can open to the side or downward, giving you flexibility when it comes to popping wet, heavy laundry loads into the dryer without wrenching your back. Basically, whatever wet laundry you can dish out, the LG DLEX7900BE dryer can handle.
If you often find yourself dealing with wrinkled or musty laundry loads, you’ll appreciate the LG DLEX7800WE dryer. With two steam cycles (Steam Fresh and Steam Sanitary) and the option to add TurboSteam to most of the dryer’s cycles, it’s a breeze to refresh or deodorize clothes.
When it comes to performance, the DLEX7800WE can tackle your wettest laundry loads. This dryer removed nearly 100% of the moisture from our test loads during the Normal and Speed Dry cycles. The Bedding cycle removed about 86% of the moisture from a queen-size comforter’s moisture in an hour’s time, which is nothing to sneeze at.
While the Normal cycle is a bit long (it takes nearly an hour and a half to finish) and hot at temperatures up past 170°F, (clothes start to experience significant wear and tear at temperatures beyond 150°F over long periods of time), if you want steam options without busting your budget, we think you’ll like the LG DLEX7800WE.
The stylish-looking GE GFD85ESPNRS dryer shouldn’t be hidden away in a laundry closet—with its Royal Sapphire finish, it could be just another lovely piece of decor in your home. With this dryer’s wide range of cycles and options (including PowerSteam cycles, a Sanitize cycle, a Reduce Static option, built-in wi-fi, and Damp Alert) though, you’ll appreciate its functionality even more than its aesthetics.
While we found that the cycle times on this dryer were relatively long (a Quick cycle clocked in at about an hour), the Normal, Quick, and Delicates cycles all got the laundry load more than 97% dry. Temperatures can run a little bit hot on the Quick and Bulky/Bedding cycles, but as long as you’re not using these cycles every day, your clothes won’t experience too much wear and tear. For a dryer that looks as good as it dries, check out the GE GFD85ESPNRS dryer.
Julia is the Senior Scientist at Reviewed, which means that she oversees (and continually updates) the testing of products in Reviewed's core categories such as televisions, washing machines, refrigerators, and more. She also determines the testing methods and standards for Reviewed's "The Best Right Now" articles.
Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.