The Best Steam Dryers of 2026

In our humble opinion, steam is one of the best features to have in a dryer.

A dryer with steam cycles can help you to refresh your summer wardrobe at the end of winter, get the wrinkles out of your premium tops and pants for a special dinner, or smooth away creases in a load of freshly washed clothes that sat in the dryer for too long.

Finding a dryer that meets all of your needs and has a steam cycle can be a little challenging, but we’re here to help. Based on research and our in-house lab testing, these are some of the best steam dryers you can get online right now. Our best overall winner is the Maytag MED7230HW (available at Best Buy) , because it offers excellent performance for its price and had no real shortcomings.

Editor's Note: Appliances purchases are a large investment of both money and time. We’ve not only compiled lists of the best dryers to shop, but also the best places to buy in-stock appliances right now and the best times of year to buy appliances to take advantage of sales and new releases.

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Other Dryers We Tested

How We Tested Dryers

The Testers

Hi there—we're Reviewed's appliance testing team. We've spent many years testing major appliances, including washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, and robot vacuum cleaners.

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.

Our lab-based performance tests include drying ability and maximum temperature; you can read more about how we test dryers at the Reviewed lab.

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 Steam Dryers

What Is a Steam Dryer?

Steam dryers are just like normal dryers, and they still use hot air to dry clothes. They just also have some additional features that utilize steam and, therefore, require a water hookup.

Steam lets dryers sanitize clothes without drying them out, reduces wrinkles, and can help get rid of particularly stubborn stains.

Can a Steam Dryer Work Without Water?

While steam dryers can function like a normal dryer without a water hookup, you won't be able to use their steam features without one.

Since you're paying extra for its steam features, we wouldn't recommend buying a steam dryer if you're not planning to hook it up to a water source—you can find a normal gas or electric dryer with equivalent performance at a lower price.

When Should You Use a Steam Cycle on a Dryer?

Once your steam dryer is hooked up to a water source in your laundry room, you can use all its steam features.

The sanitize cycle utilizes steam to reach temperatures high enough to eliminate most bacteria and viruses. Non-steam clothes dryers typically lack sanitize modes because it requires hitting temperatures near 150°F, which is hot enough to dry out fabric fibers, making it more prone to wear and tear damage. By introducing some moisture via the steam, the dryer is able to hit those temperatures without desiccating your laundry.

The fine mist of steam reduces wrinkles, making your clothes look more fresh and pressed after you wash and dry them.

Is There a Difference Between Steam Options and Sanitize Cycles?

Yes! Steam options refers to the general suite of steam features on the dryer, while the sanitize cycle is just one of those potential features.

Other potential features include a dedicated steam cycle (where the steam is used to permeate and treat difficult stains), a sanitize cycle (where the steam kills germs), and wrinkle removal and prevention.

Do Steam Dryers Shrink Clothes?

Steam dryers don't shrink clothes any more than a normal dryer would. Most dryers get up to around 150°F on non-delicates cycles, and steam dryers are no exception. If you're worried about something shrinking, we advise using the machine's delicates cycle or its built-in temperature settings to ensure temperatures stay low.

We would also recommend avoiding the sanitize cycle on any garment you're worried may shrink, since that feature's sole purpose is hitting temperatures hot enough to kill germs.

How Do You Hook Up a Steam Dryer?

While every steam dryer is different, in general they all connect to a water source the same way as a washer might. They have an intake on their back that has threading for a water supply line.

More on clothes dryers

• The Best Dryers We've Tested
• The Best Large-capacity Dryers We've Tested
• The Best Ventless Dryers We've Tested
• Everything you need to know about ventless dryers
• The Best Washer-Dryer Combos We've Tested
• The Best Washer and Dryer Sets We've Tested
• Hot dryers may be damaging your clothes—here's what to do
• 8 things to consider before buying a new dryer
• Not Normal— 7 other laundry settings and when to use them
• 9 Ways to Keep Your Washer and Dryer Healthy

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