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Laundry may or not be your favorite chore—but having the best clothes dryer can make doing the wash so much easier for your household. Today’s dryers come packed with features, so they operate more efficiently and dry your clothes without scorching heat. As a mother of three who is constantly doing laundry, having the best clothes dryer is one of these appliances you realize quickly you don’t want to ever live without.
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The Electrolux 8 cubic feet front load dryer offers a luxurious experience for clothes drying, but you’ll love what an efficient job it does at drying clothes without damaging them. It’s packed with features perfect for making clothing care slightly more convenient, such as built-in steam for wrinkle release and an instant refresh if your clothes have been sitting a little too long in the dryer.
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Purchasing a value clothes dryer doesn’t have to mean you sacrifice the features you want so you can get your laundry done. The Amana 6.5 cubic feet electric dryer with automatic dryness control provides the ideal drying temperature so it doesn’t overheat your clothes or waste energy. Plus, it includes a wrinkle prevent option, in case you can’t fold your clothes right away.
A dryer that can handle the large loads your family produces, but doesn’t break the bank
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You might not realize how much you need a smart dryer until you have one like the GE 7.4 cubic feet Smart Diamond gas dryer. You can keep tabs on the cycle and stop, start, and adjust it as necessary no matter where you are, thanks to built-in wifi and the option to connect it to other smart devices in your home. You’ll love the convenient features too, such as auto sensing and the sanitize cycle (that reduces bacteria in laundry by 99.8%).
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Adding steam to the dryer can make a tremendous difference with wrinkles and the Maytag 7.4 cubic feet smart vented dryer gives you different steam options you can add to certain cycles to refresh your clothes and reduce static. Plus, it has a large capacity so you can get more laundry done at once, saving time and energy.
If you’re the type of person who prefers a more simple operation for their clothes dryer, then consider the Hotpoint 6.2 cubic feet electric dryer with auto dry. It features a rotary electromechanical control, so you can feel exactly what cycle you’re turning the dial to. It also offers a timed-dry, so you can set the dryer to run for as long as you need it, instead of waiting on it to sense the dryness level.
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Sensor dry technology not only automatically adjusts the temperature based on the dryness level (which saves time and energy), the LG 9.0 cubic feet vented stackable gas dryer automatically selects the best drying cycle when paired with an LG washing machine. Plus, the jumbo-sized capacity means you can fit a substantial amount of laundry into one load, adding convenience.
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If you have multiple types of fabric and want to get as specific as possible with your drying cycle selection, check out the Samsung 7.2 cubic feet vented gas dryer with sensor dry. It comes with eight preset cycles, including specialty ones like delicates and quick dry. Plus, you can customize the cycle even more by selecting one of the four temperature options.
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Having a compact front-load dryer can be a lifesaver if you want the convenience of an electric dryer—but don’t quite have the space. The Whirlpool 3.4 cubic feet compact front load dryer solves the space issue with its smaller footprint, ability to roll on wheels so you can move it anywhere, and flexible venting options.
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Anyone with pets knows how daunting pet hair removal or accident cleanup can be, but the Speed Queen DR7004WE 7.0 cubic feet electric dryer nips this problem in the bud. It includes a Pet Plus cycle for hair removal, plus a steam-sanitize option for pet messes (or from other family members). While it does have a heftier price tag, the Speed Queen is loaded with features and comes with a seven-year warranty (versus the typical one-year option).
If you’re looking for the best clothes dryer to help you tackle all the laundry your family and pets create, then you can’t beat the quality of the Speed Queen.
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If you’ve tried drying a pair of shoes, pillows, or hats, then you know how their unique shapes can make it difficult to dry. The Whirlpool Smart Capable 7.4 cubic feet steam cycle smart electric dryer solves this problem with its separate, specially-designed drying rack so your items sit horizontally in the dryer, without balling up or making loud noises. Plus, it includes useful features such as steam refresh for wrinkle control and sensor drying for better temperature control. Tip: A smart dryer takes the guesswork out of laundry, but proper care can help your clothing, accessories, and bedding last longer. To refresh your knowledge, read our guides to how to wash pillows, how to wash a comforter, and how to wash a backpack.
This dryer offers a convenient solution for anyone who’s tired of hearing their shoes tumble or untangling shoelaces from the dryer.
Maintaining and cleaning your clothes dryer ensures it continues running efficiently. Start by removing lint from the lint trap after each use, which helps maintain airflow and prevent fire hazards. Occasionally, try vacuuming the lint trap area and wiping down the interior drum for maintenance. Consider scheduling a professional vent cleaning service every couple of years, which can also help with efficiency and safety.
Whether you're looking for simplicity, space-saving solutions, or eco-friendly options, you can find a dryer matching your needs. The most common options include:
Always follow the manufacturer instructions for the installation and set up of your dryer. The first step with the setup is checking your electric or gas connection and making sure it’s clear so you can place the dryer in your space. Position the dryer near a vent or in a ventless area, depending on the type you purchased. Lastly, adjust the settings of the dryer to fit your space.
If you’re on the hunt for a new clothes dryer or replacing one, there are a few considerations to keep in mind as you start the selection process.
The space in your home you have for a washing machine and dryer and how often you do laundry will help determine the size and capacity of the dryer you select. Capacity determines how much laundry you can dry at once, so choose a dryer with a capacity that can accommodate your household's laundry volume. Make sure you measure the available space where your dryer will be to ensure it fits comfortably and allows for proper airflow and ventilation. The standard size dryer is about 27 inches wide, but some of the larger capacity ones measure larger than this, which may not fit in a laundry space.
Before you make your purchase, you need to confirm the fuel source for a clothes dryer. Dryers come in either electric or gas. The electric versions simply plug into the wall with either a three- or four-prong electric dryer cord, depending on what your home is equipped with. Gas dryers rely on either a natural gas or propane connection, and you’ll have to purchase the appropriate cord for this, as well.
Today’s dryers have features that make clothes drying more convenient and efficient. You may consider a dryer with specialty sensors, which sense how dry the clothes are and automatically continue drying or shut off so you don’t waste more energy. Or, you may prefer a dryer you can connect to Wi-Fi, so you can monitor the drying process from your phone and make adjustments if needed.
To select the best dryers, I relied on my professional experience from working at the headquarters for one of the largest global manufacturers of appliances. I reviewed dozens of products and selected those based on the features households prefer today and across various price points.
A typical dryer can last anywhere from 10 to 13 years with proper maintenance and usage. Factors such as the frequency of its use and quality of the dryer purchased has a bearing on its lifespan.
A high-efficiency dryer refers to a design using less energy to dry clothes more efficiently compared to traditional models. They often have features such as advanced sensors that detect overdrying and lower heat settings.
Putting extremely wet clothes in the dryer requires much longer drying time, and it can put a strain on the dryer components. The best action is wringing out as much excess water as possible before placing it in the dryer.
An electric dryer uses electricity for powering a heating element, which generates heat for drying clothes. A gas dryer relies on natural gas or propane to ignite a burner and produce heat. The energy source also impacts the annual operating costs and installation requirements for the dryer.
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