By Brittany Rowland

This very large capacity electric dryer from Electrolux has packed a huge stainless steel drum without increasing the 27″ width. The drum measures in a 8 cu.ft. That’s more than enough for all your bedding, towels, or blankets. It handles small loads really quickly too with the quick dry cycle. It features 11 different drying cycles and 5 different temperature options. Some of the cycles are touch-up, towel dry, quick dry, and NSF certified sanitary dry. That will cover all the basics and then some. We were impressed with how quietly it ran, too. At $849 to $999, this Electrolux dryer may be on the more expensive side, but it makes up for that with space and features.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

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Return to Top 10 Dryers

1. Look for an energy-efficient model.

• A dryer’s efficiency is measured in terms of the energy factor, or the pounds of clothes dried per kilowatt-hour of electricity. The higher the energy factor, the more efficient the dryer. Even if an energy-efficient model costs more initially, you’ll recoup the cost in the long term with each load of laundry you throw in it.

2. Choose gas or electric based on your laundry room’s hookup settings.

• Does your home already have a 240-volt current or a gas line? If so, then choosing between an electric or a gas dryer becomes a lot easier.

3. Select a dryer with moisture sensors.

• Many quality dryers now offer sensors in their drums that detect the moisture level of the clothes and automatically adjust the temperature and time of the drying cycle. The dryers will also shut off automatically when they sense that the clothes are dry, rather than estimating when they should be done. This feature saves you energy costs over time and also protects your clothes from overheating and shrinking.

4. Look for the perma-press option.

• For the best drying results, choose a dryer that includes a cool-down, or perma-press, feature. As the dryer finishes its cycle, it will start blowing cool air. This feature is especially helpful at preserving the colors in your dark loads.

5. Install the dryer in a warm place.

• Location matters, even with your washer and dryer. If your laundry room is located in a dank, chilly garage or basement, the dryer will have to work harder to produce enough heat.

6. Clean the lint filter regularly.

• Performing this simple task after every load or two will greatly improve the air circulation in the dryer, helping the machine work more efficiently. Neglecting to clean the lint filter regularly can also pose a fire hazard.

7. Dry loads back to back.

• After one load has finished drying, throw another one in right away to take advantage of the leftover heat.

8. Use a straight metal vent to the outside.

• Making sure your dryer is vented properly will greatly save you heating and cooling costs. Metal holds up better than vinyl against heat exposure, and it’s less likely to get twisted or crushed, restricting the air flow.

9. Dry full loads of similar-material clothing.

• Without overloading the dryer, put in as full a load as you can. Also sort the clothes by material type. For instance, soggy towels take longer to dry than synthetic items, so don’t mix the two.

10. Make your washing machine spin the moisture out.

• Use a high spin speed on your washing machine to wring out most of the moisture before you even put the clothes in the dryer.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

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By Brittany Rowland

This LG dryer, in a stylish chardonnay color, uses advanced technology to get the optimal drying results every load. Even non-washable items, like special pillows, can go in this dryer for a sanitizing cycle and come out fresh. The steam fresh cycle, which finishes in 20 minutes, accepts up to five garments at a time and eliminates the need for ironing. We were impressed by the comprehensive controls, the bright LED display, and the overall design and performance of this dryer. At $1,500, it’s highly expensive, but its steam capabilities are very effective.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

A cheery red color, this Frigidaire gas dryer will pop out in the laundry room and have your clothes dry in a short time. Its quick cycle, for instance, takes only 25 minutes. Moisture sensors in the drum allow the machine to turn off before clothes start to shrink or overheat, saving you energy costs. A large silver dial lets you select the cycle, and additional buttons are dedicated to temperature and dryness options. Easy to program and versatile in its functions, this Frigidaire dryer delivers quality performance for only $575.10.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

A quiet, efficient dryer from Bosch, this model will cut down on your need to iron or use dryer sheets. With the steam refreshing and relaxing options, clothes will come out wrinkle-free and without static. There are 15 convenient drying cycles, including one for jeans that protects denim from fading and wrinkling. The dryer’s design is very sophisticated with a large viewing window, a glossy dial, and a large LED display screen. The soothing sepia tone is a nice change from the standard blacks and whites. For $922.77, this is a stylish, effective model that treats clothes gently.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

For a high performer that’s reasonably priced, there’s this Kenmore electric dryer available for $599.99. Its 7.5 cu. ft. capacity tub will hold plenty of towels, bedding, rugs, and jackets easily. Its plain white exterior has a clean, simple look, and the wide door drops down for easy loading and unloading. Moisture sensors adjust the heat and time of the cycle to give you dry clothes that aren’t overheated or shrunk. For a lower-priced model, this dryer still offers great capacity, super drying performance, and handy features like a sanitizing cycle and a wrinkle guard.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

By Brittany Rowland

When paired with its Whirlpool washing machine counterpart, this gas dryer uses about 40 percent less energy than comparable models. Its drum has a 7.5 cu. ft. capacity, large enough to hold bulky, heavy loads. Its sensors detect moisture in the clothes to adjust the heat and time of the cycle to give you the best results. Stylistically, it’s an attractive piece, with a large circular viewing window and the controls arranged neatly across the top. For as low as $955.88, you’ll be more than satisfied with the dryer’s overall performance and its steam technology that makes clothes fresher.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

This GE dryer has an incredibly large stainless steel drum capable of holding your bulkiest loads. Its cycle options are quite comprehensive, even offering special care for active wear—your kids’ sports jerseys will come out looking fresh. There’s also an energy saving cycle that helps the environment without sacrificing drying performance. One feature I especially appreciated was the light reminding you to clean the lint filter. It’s these small touches that make this GE dryer, priced at $857.98, stand out as a high-quality model.

Prices

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

By Brittany Rowland

This Samsung electric dryer, at $1,178.75, offers superior drying performance and several special features that make laundry easier for you. This model uses steam effectively to sanitize, freshen, and de-wrinkle clothes. Its controls make programming and customizing the cycle options simple, and you can even add or subtract drying time and lower or turn off the end-of-cycle chime. The overall design is very sleek and streamlined, with one large dial dominating the control panel. While this is one of the more expensive dryers, we had nothing to complain about its drying capabilities and reduced noise.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

A bold, boxy model from Maytag, this 27″ dryer features a large square viewing window that highlights the large-capacity stainless steel drum inside. Large and small loads alike will get the best drying treatment with three moisture sensors and advanced tumbling action. The controls look somewhat intimidating at first, but the LED screen displays all your choices and shows the countdown for the drying cycle. The noise and vibrations are minimal, although you can hear the drum chugging away as it rotates steadily. For $1,135.55, you can get a high-performing machine that also does its part to save energy.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

Without increasing the footprint of the 27″ dryer, this Electrolux model has included the most tremendous stainless steel drum I’ve seen at 8 cu. ft. That’s capacious enough to hold all your bedding, towels, or comforters. And if you have a smaller load, that’s okay, too. A quick dry cycle handles small loads in under twenty minutes. Available in a variety of splashy colors—red, blue, green—it will definitely brighten up the laundry room. We were impressed with how quietly it ran, too. At $749, this Electrolux dryer more than makes up for its price tag.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

A compact dryer from LG perfectly suited to a small house or apartment, this model pops out in its bright cherry red color. With the clear circular window in the front, it resembles its front-loading washing machine counterpart. For a 24-inch model, its 4.2 cu. ft. capacity drum is quite generous. The stainless steel tub looks great and won’t rust. The controls are aligned at easy reach and are intuitive; an LED display screen shows your cycle selections. Some households will be pleased to know this condensing dryer doesn’t require a venting system. The sensor drying is a smart technological feature, automatically giving you the optimal drying performance. For $897.30, this is certainly an efficient, attractive machine.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

Prices

By Brittany Rowland

As we looked at a variety of dryers to select our top 10 models, we looked for specific features that improve and enhance the drying performance, such as:

1. Moisture sensors that are gentle on fabrics and save energy costs
2. Large capacity tubs
3. Useful drying cycles like perma-press, delicates, heavy-duty, and normal
4. Steam for de-wrinkling and sanitizing clothes
5. Easy-to-program controls
6. Automatic or timed cycles with the option to add/subtract time
7. Noise and vibration reduction

Here is a wide selection of brands and styles, including gas and electric models, that will deliver high-quality performance. See the dryer comparison and ratings below with a link to the full review of each.

Dryers Buying Guide

The Best Features to Have in a Dryer

As you shop for a new dryer, you may be overwhelmed by the various cycle options and special features that different brands offer. The challenge becomes knowing which features are truly useful and which are snazzy but not truly necessary. To get the best value with your purchase, do not pay extra for features you won’t use. Here’s a rundown of the best dryer features you should look for.

Moisture sensors

This is a must-have feature if you want your dryer to work the most efficiently. Traditional dryers estimate the correct drying time based on the temperature of the air in the drum. Sometimes their estimates are a bit off, leaving clothes still damp or shrunk and sizzling.

New models have fixed this problem with sensors in the drum that detect moisture levels in the clothes and adjust the temperature and time of the cycle accordingly. The dryer shuts off automatically when the clothes are dry, which means no energy is wasted and your clothes aren’t subjected to overheating, which damages fabric.

Interior light

A light inside the drum is so useful when you’re digging around for every last sock, so you’d be surprised that some models don’t include it.

Permanent press

A perma-press option gives your clothes a cool-down period at the end of a cycle. This feature is handy because it reduces wrinkles, which can mean less ironing time for you. It also protects your colorful clothes from fading.

Adjustable temperature

Different fabrics require different temperatures to dry properly without damage. High temperatures are fine for white, preshrunk items, but lower temperatures should be used for your delicate items and colorful garments.

Extended tumble

Say you put a load in the dryer and then you have to leave the house. You don’t want the clothes to sit in the dryer getting all wrinkled. An extended tumble feature periodically tosses the clothes around without heat just to keep them fresh and de-wrinkled.

Lint filter indicator

If you’re bad about remembering to clean the lint filter, an indicator is a handy feature that will remind you. A clogged filter greatly impedes the drying process and poses a fire risk.

Drying rack

A convenient accessory that you attach to the inside of the drum, a drying rack keeps clunky items like sneakers from tumbling around in the dryer.

Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany

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Choosing a gas or electric dryer can be pretty confusing. Each one has their pros and cons, so take the time to weight them and see which would work best for your household. If there is a gas hookup in the laundry room, going that route may be a good choice. It is usually cheaper to run a gas dryer than it is to run an electric one…. [more]

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