Credit:
Maytag
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Credit:
Maytag
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
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The Electrolux ELFE7637AT aces most of our tests. Its performance is excellent, its steam features are helpful, and it's gentle on clothes. Read More
This mid-range dryer from Maytag offers a host of convenient features, straightforward controls, and good, reliable drying performance. Read More
With great cycle performance, excellent custom features, a large drum, and a sensible user interface, the LG DLEX6700B offers exceptional performance. Read More
This dryer has Maytag's trademark Pet Pro system that partners with its matching washing machine to target removal of pet hair from laundry. Read More
A high-efficiency heat pump ventless dryer that works well and is compact enough to install anywhere. Read More
While clothes dryers are rarely purchased without their accompanying washers, there’s no rule saying you have to buy them as a set. Sometimes it’s more economical to buy a washer-dryer set, but if you’re not concerned about owning a matching pair, you can pick the best dryer for your needs.
Multitudes of dryers have passed through our labs, and we’ve tested 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.
In addition to meeting our high drying standards, the best dryers have sturdy doors, drum lights, and easy-to-read control panels. Among those, the Electrolux ELFE7637AT (available at Lowe's for $948.00) tops our list with excellent performance and a number of features that make laundry day easier.
This dryer buying guide focuses on the best electric dryers, but each has a gas-powered counterpart that we expect works equally well. Your specific needs may vary, but on this list you’ll find the best clothes dryer for your laundry room.
Fast, effective cycles
Steam features
Quick cycle doesn't get out much water
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.
Solid drying
Good smart features
Hamper door for easier loading
None that we could find
Lots of cycle options
Steam mode
Well designed
Efficient
Higher cost than competitors
The latest smart Maytag Pet Pro dryer is especially equipped to tackle tough pet hair on wet laundry.
Pet Pro Option adjusts cycle to target pet fur
Smart features, including Advanced Moisture Sensing
Cycles may run long
Controls may not be intuitive
Features the Extra Power button
Comes in a Metallic Slate finish
Lint trap is not well-aligned
Very efficient Regular cycle
Fast cycles
Great accessibility features
Disappointing Bulky cycle
AI smart features
Steam
App notifications
Cycles may take longer to dry
Controls may have a learning curve
Solid drying performance
Microban coating
Excellent extra features
Long cycle times
Fast, effective cycles
High capacity
Steam features
The lint trap is so large it's unwieldy
Pet Pro features only shine with paired washer
Whether it’s an emergency replacement or you’re just looking to upgrade your laundry room, there are a few things to consider when purchasing a new dryer.
Before you hit “buy” on your new dryer, be sure you know the size constraints of your space. 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.
Most full-size dryers have capacities ranging from 7 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.
Keep your budget constraints in mind. Dryer prices can run the gamut from $500 to $2,000 or more. Most sit in the $800 to $1,200 range, 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 absolutely need versus those 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.
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.
On the other hand, if you’re tech-savvy and want your phone to alert you when your laundry is dry, look for a model with Wi-Fi capabilities and app controls. Apps also tend to unlock additional customization features.
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.
Based on your laundry room setup, which way should the dryer door open? If the opening direction doesn’t work in your laundry space, don’t worry, almost all dryers have reversible doors. Request that the installer flip the door before they finish the installation.
It may seem like such a minor thing, but 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, or the door is getting in the way of moving wet laundry from the washer.
Some dryers now have dual-direction opening— the ability to pull down and open to the side. Check the specs if you’re interested in a dryer that opens both ways.
Whether you need a gas-powered or electric dryer depends on your existing hookups, and your budget. If you currently have a gas line to your dryer, you can look at gas-powered models, but if not you’ll need an electric dryer. Be sure there’s a 240-volt outlet there, because dryers run on higher voltage than a standard 120-volt outlet and the plug is configured differently.
Electric dryers are typically less expensive, but may cost more to run over time. Gas dryers cost more up front, but may have less impact on your utility bills. Gas dryers also require proper ventilation beyond the standard dryer vent, and can pose concerns of a hazardous gas leak.
Every dryer we tested in the Reviewed labs has been put through the same testing regime, which addresses both performance and user-experience.
In addition to dryers, we've spent many years testing major appliances including washers, refrigerators, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, and robot vacuum cleaners.
In addition to standardized performance testing, we use appliances as anyone would in their daily lives, evaluating the user experience so we can recommend products that really work and are easy to use.
Dryer testing includes:
• 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.
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.
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 do that in a reasonable amount of time.
Beyond these performance tests, we also assess the usability of each dryer, based on our experience, both during testing and during more casual use. 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, the lint trap, 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.
There are so many dryers on the US market, and almost as many recommendations from experts about which one to buy, so we’ve gone ahead and done the research for you.
User comments around the topic of the best dryer show the typical animosity of putting up with laundry day. We’re pulling these user reviews from some of the largest consumer sites and appliance retailers.
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.
Freelance Editor, Kitchen & Appliances. Danielle has a B.S. from Syracuse University and a AAS in Culinary Arts from Newbury College. Previously, Danielle was a Test Cook and Associate Editor at America's Test Kitchen, as well as a freelance recipe developer and food writer. She’s the mom of two boys and loves making pizza on Friday nights.
Gabriel Morgan
Staff Writer, Home
Gabriel Morgan is a staff writer on Reviewed's home team, where he covers consumer education topics such as earthquake preparedness, radon in the home, and concerns about health and wellness in product design. He also writes product reviews and how-to articles on appliances, smart home technology, and goods for the home.
Our team is here to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and experts 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.
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