Best clothes dryers in 2022 Tom s Guide
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You will typically decide this based on whether you have a gas line available in your laundry room or not. Nowadays, most clothes dryers use an electrical power source, although they can't be powered by any standard socket. These require a two-phase 220-volt socket which can source more power than a standard wall socket. For this guide, we've primarily focused on electric models, however most manufacturers offer gas alternative designs. Venting
Clothes dryers will also need access to an air vent to exhaust the hot air. This limits where you can put the dryer because you need the connection between the two to be as short as possible. The vent also shouldn't be curved or bent as this can leave a space for lint to gather, which could be a fire hazard. Will it fit?
It sounds like common sense, but make sure you measure where you want to put the dryer, especially if it's under a counter. Each design can vary slightly in dimensions, so this should always be checked. If you're fitting it under a counter, you naturally can't have a design where the controls are on top.
Best clothes dryers in 2022
By Katie Mortram published 27 September 2022 The best clothes dryers (gas and electric) for every budget and family size Included in this guide:1LGDLEX4000WCheck Price (opens in new tab)2MaytagMEDC465HWCheck Price (opens in new tab)3ElectroluxEFME627UTT Check Price (opens in new tab)4GEGTD65EBSJWSView (opens in new tab)5LGDLEX8100VCheck Price (opens in new tab)6SamsungDVE50R8500VCheck Price (opens in new tab) The best clothes dryers are a must-have if you want the ultimate laundry room. While you might think there's little difference between these appliances, performance really can vary. Finding the perfect drying time is no easy feat - too short and the load comes out damp and needs more time to dry, while too long risks damaging your clothes, leaving a 'crispy' texture. On top of that, a good clothes dryer should be simple to operate, with enough programs to suit your needs. It shouldn't consume too much energy in use either. You also need to consider what you want from the machine. Does it need a larger capacity to accommodate a family? Or perhaps you want smart connectivity built-in? That way, you can control and monitor the dryer from your phone. Whatever the case, finding a clothes dryer that ticks every box in terms of performance and specific needs is no easy task. Luckily, we're here to help. We've done the research to find the best clothes dryers to suit every circumstance. So whether you're looking for value for money, or need one which can handle a large capacity, we've got you covered. These are the best clothes dryers.What is the best clothes dryer
The best clothes dryer for most people is the LG DLEX3570W. It offers superior drying performance, has truly useful features like a sanitizing mode and wrinkle prevention, and doesn't make a racket when it's operating. And although it uses steam, it doesn't require a connection to a water pipe. If you're on a budget, the best choice is the Maytag MEDC465HW. It only comes in white and doesn't have fancy features like steam and a Wi-Fi connection but it will get your clothes dry and even has a sensor to monitor moisture and temperature to prevent your favorite tees from overheating and shrinking up. We know that for many of you how big a load you can dry at once is a big concern, so several of our top picks have huge drums that can handle a team's worth of towels. For those of you who can afford top dollar and are looking to design an upscale laundry room, we have recommendations for top-of-the-line dryers, with lots of bells and whistles, and that can coordinate with a sophisticated front-loading washer. One thing to note: We aren't recommending any combination washer/dryer models, which wash and dry in a single device. That's because, while they save space, these units tend to be much less reliable as well as a lot less efficient than single purpose machines. Reliability is critical for laundry appliances: Not only do you depend on them every day, but a failure can mean a flood or other home disaster.The best clothes dryers you can buy today
LG DLEX3700W. Credit: LG (Image credit: LG)1 LG DLEX4000W
Best Clothes Dryer OverallSpecifications
Type: Front LoaderSize: 39 x 30 x 27 inchesCapacity: 7.4 cu. ft.No. of Cycles: 12Dryer Features: TurboSteamApp Control: YesStackable: NoHeating Source: Electric/GasToday's Best DealsView at Best Buy (opens in new tab)Check Amazon (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Moisture sensor+Steam sterilize mode+Alexa- and Google Assistant-compatible+QuietReasons to avoid
-Long normal cycle The LG DLEX400W is the best clothes dryer overall. With its large capacity and a dozen drying cycles, it can handle everything from lacy camisoles to a comforter the size of New Hampshire. It knows exactly when to end the drying process, thanks to built-in moisture sensors, so it won't be overheating your clothes. If you choose Wrinkle Care, it will periodically tumble your clothes without heat until you remove them from the dryer, preventing creases from setting in. On the LG you'll find one steam mode to remove wrinkles and another to both sanitize and remove odors. The steam feature doesn't require a permanent water connection either; you fill a pull-out container on the front of the dryer with water as and when you need it. You can also monitor and control this dryer remotely using the LG ThinQ app, as well as Alexa and Google Assistant. Available in white or graphite, it can be mounted on a pedestal to match a front-loading washer. Maytag MEDC465HW. Credit: Maytag (Image credit: Maytag)2 Maytag MEDC465HW
Best budget electric clothes dryerSpecifications
Type: Front LoaderSize: 29 x 43 x 28Capacity: 7 cu. ft.No. of Cycles: 12Dryer Features: IntelliDry, Wrinkle ControlApp Control: NoStackable: NoHeating Source: Electric/GasToday's Best DealsView at Best Buy (opens in new tab)View at Walmart (opens in new tab)Check Amazon (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Inexpensive+Moisture sensor+Wrinkle preventionReasons to avoid
-Runs a little warm The Maytag MEDC465HW is the best clothes dryer for those on a budget. If you shop around, you can pick up this no-frills model for about half the price of some of our other picks. Only available in white with dial controls and without a window in the door, this basic dryer offers good performance but won't dress up your laundry room. However, it does have a sensor to monitor moisture and air temperatures and a Wrinkle Control option to keep clothes tumbling after they've dried so that crinkles don't become permanent. But at this price there's no steam, no sanitize, no apps, and no little tunes to let you know when things are done. Reviewers did find that it ran a little hot, which could be an issue with delicate fabrics. Electrolux EFME627UTT. Credit: Electrolux (Image credit: Electrolux)3 Electrolux EFME627UTT
Best clothes dryer with steam cleaningSpecifications
Type: Front LoaderSize: 38 x 27 x 31.5 inchesCapacity: 8.0 cu. ft.No. of Cycles: 9Dryer Features: Steam, Predictive Dry, LuxeCare, Instant Refresh, Fast Dry, Extended Tumble App Control: NoStackable: YesHeating Source: ElectricToday's Best DealsView at AJ Madison (opens in new tab)Check Amazon (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Moisture sensor+Steam to prevent wrinkles and refresh clothes+Wrinkle preventionReasons to avoid
-No app or smart-home features-Needs water hookup The EFME627UTT is the best clothes dryer for those looking for an effective steam cycle to prevent wrinkles as it dries or do a quick fresh up to remove wrinkles and odors. It's the companion dryer to the Electrolux EFLS627UTT, our top pick for a washing machine. Reviewers praised this dryer's performance, saying that it efficiently dried even large loads. While a few found that it took longer to dry than similarly-priced models, it also dries at a lower and therefore gentler temperature. At this price, it is surprising that it lacks smart-home features. When you're in a hurry to get your Little Leaguer's uniform dried, there is a 15-minute quick-dry cycle designed for small loads. Reviewers also liked the efficient double-sided lint filter. You can opt to stack this model on top of a washer or install it on a pedestal to pair with a front-loading washer. It comes in white or titanium. GE GTD65EBSJWS. Credit: GE (Image credit: GE)4 GE GTD65EBSJWS
A versatile, low-priced clothes dryerSpecifications
Type: Front LoaderSize: 27 x 46 x 30.5 inchesCapacity: 7.4 cu. ft.No. of Cycles: 12Dryer Features: Sensor Dry, Quick Fluff, Speed Dry, Wrinkle Care, Damp Alert, Extended TumbleApp Control: NoStackable: NoHeating Source: ElectricToday's Best DealsCheck Amazon (opens in new tab)View at Lowes (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Low price+Moisture sensors+Wrinkle preventionReasons to avoid
-Some clothes come out still slightly damp The GE GTD65EBSJWS is one of the best clothes dryers you can buy if you're looking to economize. Just don't expect this basic white model to add any pizazz to your laundry room. While it doesn't have steam, it does have moisture sensors and a feature to prevent wrinkling. One thing that reviewers note is that this GE tends to leave clothes very slightly damp. This seems to be a deliberate decision, with the designers preferring that it under-dry rather heat them for too long and risk damaging or shrinking them. If you're one of those people who likes to iron everything right out of the dryer, you'll love the alert that that lets you know when your clothes are still damp so you won't have to spritz them as you iron. (Image credit: LG)5 LG DLEX8100V
Best clothes dryer for large familiesSpecifications
Type: Front LoaderSize: 29 x 40 4/5 x 32 1/10 inchesCapacity: 9.0 cu. ft.No. of Cycles: 14Dryer Features: Sensor Dry, Steam Sanitary, Speed Dry, Wrinkle CareApp Control: NoStackable: YesHeating Source: ElectricToday's Best DealsView at Best Buy (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Huge capacity+Lots of cycle options +Wrinkle prevention+It's stackableReasons to avoid
-No smart connectivity The LG DLEX8100V is the dryer to get if you're dealing with a lot of laundry. It comes with a huge 9.0 cu.ft. capacity and a wide selection of cycles including steam and speed dry settings. There are five temperature settings to choose from and useful options for wrinkled clothing and reducing static. It's a beautiful machine to look at as well, with a square door and graphite-steel finish, and comes with almost all of the bells and whistles you would expect. The only thing it's really missing is smart connectivity, which other LG models do offer. It makes up for this in price a little, but it's by no means a cheap purchase. If you don't mind that, there's little else to ask for from this dryer - it's a premium design with versatile functionality. Anyone who never sees the bottom of the laundry hamper could really take advantage. Samsung DVE50R8500V. Credit: Samsung (Image credit: Samsung)6 Samsung DVE50R8500V
Best smart clothes dryerSpecifications
Type: Front LoaderSize: 27 x 38.7 x 31.7 inchesCapacity: 7.4 cu. ft.No. of Cycles: 12Dryer Features: Sensor Dry, Steam Refresh, Steam Sanitize, Quick Dry, Air Fluff, Lint Filter Indicator, Vent SensorApp Control: YesStackable: YesToday's Best DealsView at Best Buy (opens in new tab)View at Amazon (opens in new tab)Reasons to buy
+Moisture sensor+Steam cycles+Good smart featuresReasons to avoid
-Expensive-Needs water hookup Looking for a clothes dryer that is smarter than average? The Samsung DVE50R8500V/A3 is our top pick for a clothes dryer with smart home controls. Like most of Samsung's appliances, it's as easy to control with Samsung's SmartThings as with its on-board controls. Samsung's app lets you monitor the drying process, so you can see how long the cycle has to run, and then pings you when the load is dry. Unfortunately, there isn't an app to move the clothes from the washer to the dryer for you: perhaps the next generation. On this machine you'll find a vent sensor to alert you when you have to clean the exhaust vent as well as a lint filter indicator that lights up when the lint basket needs to be emptied. You can get this luxury dryer in white or black stainless steel and either stack it or mount it on a riser to coordinate with a washer that loads from the front. Interested in smart connectivity in washers? This new Alexa-enabled washing machine from GE can remove stains on command.How we tested the best clothes dryers
To find the best clothes dryers, we undertook extensive online research, taking consumer reviews into account as well as the specifications of those shortlisted. Those that have featured demonstrate consistently high ratings online to reflect a top-notch performance and design. Consumers would happily recommend the product and buy again. Any recurring faults or problems with the product were an immediate red flag during this process On top of that, we compared the specifications of each shortlisted model, to make sure that those that featured had the most to offer. We looked at everything from capacity, to number of cycles, to the special features, such as app connectivity. We considered types and settings to suit different households as well, such as whether it has a gas or electric heat source and whether the design is stackable. In doing this, we can confidently say that these clothes dryers are the best that you will find and each will go nicely with one of the best washing machines.How to choose the best clothes dryer for you
Gas or Electric?You will typically decide this based on whether you have a gas line available in your laundry room or not. Nowadays, most clothes dryers use an electrical power source, although they can't be powered by any standard socket. These require a two-phase 220-volt socket which can source more power than a standard wall socket. For this guide, we've primarily focused on electric models, however most manufacturers offer gas alternative designs. Venting
Clothes dryers will also need access to an air vent to exhaust the hot air. This limits where you can put the dryer because you need the connection between the two to be as short as possible. The vent also shouldn't be curved or bent as this can leave a space for lint to gather, which could be a fire hazard. Will it fit?
It sounds like common sense, but make sure you measure where you want to put the dryer, especially if it's under a counter. Each design can vary slightly in dimensions, so this should always be checked. If you're fitting it under a counter, you naturally can't have a design where the controls are on top.