1. The list in brief
2. Best overall
3. Best budget
4. Best for steam cleaning
5. Best for families
6. Best smart design
7. Best ventless
8. How we tested
9. How to choose
10. Clothes dryer FAQs
The best clothes dryers will leave your laundry soft, wrinkle-free and ready-to-wear in a single cycle. A good clothes needs to achieve the perfect balance of time and temperature as it dries. If it runs for too long, you risk damaging the clothes, but if it’s too short, the load will be damp and uneven. Add to that, it shouldn’t be a one-program-for-everything machine. There should be sufficient settings to suit alternative needs, such as bedding and delicates. Then there’s the all-important cost of running to consider — energy consumption must be minimal.
On top of that, you need to consider features and specifications. For instance, if you’re dealing with a larger household, a larger capacity will be required. If you’re tight for space, a stackable model will likely be ideal. Smart connectivity may be desirable too, so you can connect the dryer to your smart home. A clothes dryer with built-in sensors is also handy to help you achieve the perfect balance when drying as mentioned earlier. It’s hard to find all of the above, but that’s where we can help. We’ve done the research to find the best clothes dryers on the market.
The quick list
Here’s the best clothes dryers you can buy right now based on our comprehensive research. Scroll on for our full in-depth reviews.
The best clothes dryer overall
This LG dryer offers the best of everything. It’s spacious, intelligent and provides enough cycle options to suit whatever you need. A built-in moisture sensor means it won’t run for longer than necessary, and smart connectivity allows you to control it remotely.
The best budget electric clothes dryer
This Amana dryer combines value for money with ease of use, thanks to its three cycle settings — including an Automatic Dry setting to save on guess work. Plus, there’s an energy-saving function to reduce consumption too.
The best clothes dryer with steam cleaning
If you need steam settings from your clothes dryer, look no further than this GE model. It comes with 2 dedicated steam cycles, including Refresh and Dewrinkle. Plus you can use the Reduce Static option if you're drying synthetics. With 12 cycles, 5 temperature settings and smart connectivity, there’s little it can’t do.
The best clothes dryer for large families
For a large capacity, look no further than this LG dryer. With 9.0 cu. ft. of space, you can fit no end of sports gear, bedding and towels in there, making it ideal for families. It’s stackable to save on space and comes with smart connectivity too.
The best smart clothes dryer
This Samsung dryer boasts impressive smart features. You can schedule cycles, receive notifications of its progress and remotely operate the machine via your phone. It will even self-diagnose if there’s a fault, and remind you to clean the filter.
The best ventless clothes dryer
No vent, no problem. This LG dryer uses a heat pump to recycle its hot air, draining the residual moisture in the process. It’s a very energy-efficient method of drying, and you still get a stackable design along with smart connectivity.
The best clothes dryers you can buy today
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The best clothes dryers you can buy today
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.
Best budget
If you’re shopping on a budget, this is the clothes dryer to get. The Amana NED4655EW couldn’t be more straightforward to operate — it uses a physical dial to adjust the settings. This does limit the number of features on offer, however there’s more than enough options to cover the basics. There are three drying cycles to choose from including Automatic Dry, Timed Dry and Air Dry. Plus there are three temperature settings; high heat, low heat and no heat. Special features also include an Energy Preferred setting, should you want a more energy-efficient cycle.
Just be aware that the capacity is somewhat smaller than others on this list. At 6.5 cubic feet, the drum space may not suit a larger family. Plus, as the design isn’t stackable, you can’t make the best use of your space. Having said that, at $500, this clothes dryer really is great value for money. And with Automatic Dry settings, it can be trusted to find the correct balance between time and heat, whatever you’re drying.
Best for steam cleaning
If you want a clothes dryer with impressive steam functionality, look no further than the GE GFD65ESPVDS. It features an abundance of cycles, including 12 drying cycles and 5 temperature settings. Amongst those, you get two dedicated steam cycles: Refresh and Dewrikle, plus there’s the added option to Reduce Static on the control panel. And if those weren’t enough, there’s plenty of options to customize your program. For instance, Damp Alert will notify you when delicate items reach the ideal dampness level for ironing or air drying, while Wrinkle Care will finish off the cycle by tumbling without heat. If anything, there might be too many options for those that prefer the simpler things, so bear this in mind before you purchase this dryer.
But, we do like everything this dryer has to offer. We particularly like the ecoDry function, which extends the time of certain cycles for reduced energy consumption. While the Vent Sensor which will alert you when the vent is blocked is a useful addition too. The design of the dryer in itself seems practical, with a generous 7.8 cu. ft. capacity and a moisture sensor to adjust the drying times. There’s even an internal light, so you never miss a dry sock again. The smart connectivity is a handy addition too. You can control and monitor the appliance from your phone, as well as receive notifications. Although, reviewers were admittedly hit and miss about the design of the lint filter. Some found it awkward to remove and clean, while others noted that it didn’t catch all traces of lint, with remnants ending up on the clothes or outside of the vent. You must regularly clean the lint filter as well as your dryer vent to keep on top of excess lint. Here’s how to clean a dryer vent for guidance.
Best for families
If you handle large loads of laundry on a regular basis, the LG DLEX8900B is what you need. This electric clothes dryer comes with a whopping 9.0 cu. ft. capacity, meaning you can chuck an entire comforter in the drum with room to spare. It’s got more going for it than just space as well. There’s an abundance of settings, including useful steam functions as well as quick dry cycles. If you hate wrinkles, you can select the useful Wrinkle Care option to keep these at bay. Should you want more than the 12 settings on offer, you can download additional cycles as well, so you can find a program to suit whatever you need to dry.
The intelligence of this appliance is impressive — it can be voice-controlled via Google Assistant or Alexa and work with you to keep on top of dryer sheet stock. It will also automatically detect faults and send you notifications regarding maintenance via your phone. For instance, it will tell you when the vent or filter needs cleaning, as a helpful reminder. Ultimately, this clothes dryer will help you take care of it while delivering an impressive performance. Our only qualms are the larger than standard space it requires in your laundry room — be sure to check this before you purchase — and its higher than average price tag. If it’s within your budget and you deal with a lot of laundry, it’s easily one of the best clothes dryers.
Best smart design
If you want a clothes dryer that can be a part of your smart home regime, look no further. The Samsung DVE52A5500W/A3 will certainly make an impact in your laundry room, both in terms of looks and technology. Its smart connectivity allows it to be controlled and monitored straight from your phone, meaning you can schedule upcoming cycles and receive notifications once it’s finished. It also comes with a moisture sensor built-in, which will automatically adjust the time and temperature of the cycle to get that perfect balance. We also like the vent sensor, which monitors the condition of the vent and alerts you if there are any obstructions.
In terms of everyday operation, there’s an abundance of settings, including 12 drying cycles and five temperature options. A steam function is available for sanitizing, while an interior drum light helps you see what you’re doing. This is ultimately an efficient dryer, with a good capacity, that won’t let you down, but it’s not entirely flawless. First, it’s not stackable, so if you’re struggling for space in your laundry room, this model may not be suitable. It also doesn’t come cheap with an MSRP of $899, so all that technology will cost you. However, if you can look past these points, there’s little to argue against this clothes dryer.
Interested in smart connectivity in washers? This new Alexa-enabled washing machine from GE can remove stains on command.
Best ventless
If you don’t have access to a vent, or you’re looking to save on energy, you’re going to need a ventless design. In such circumstances, we’d recommend the LG DLHC1455W Electric Dryer which comes with a Dual Inverter HeatPump. This allows it to recycle the heated air which it uses to extract the moisture from your clothes. The moisture is drained separately via a drain hose, so there’s no need for a duct. This method of drying happens to be very energy-efficient, because you’re reusing the heated air rather than continually venting it.
We also like that this alternative design still comes with plenty of desirable features, such as smart connectivity and stackability. The essential drying sensors are also available. However, there are a couple of drawbacks. This method of drying naturally takes a little longer versus vented — this is the price to pay for a reduced electricity consumption. This clothes dryer unfortunately has a smaller capacity compared to others on our list as well, so it may not suit a large household. Having said that, it still offers a solution should you lack a vent, and it comes with all of the features you could hope for from one of the best clothes dryers.
How we tested
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.
Want to know more about our experience? I test appliances for a living — here are my top 9 clothes dryer tips.
How to choose
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. For more info on this, see gas dryer vs electric — which is better?
Venting
Unless you opt for a ventless design, 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.
Regular cleaning of the vent is just one of the ways you can make your clothes dryer last longer — and perform better.
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.
For full guidance, check out 9 things to look for when buying a clothes dryer.
Not sure whether to invest in a clothes dryer or opt for a clothes rack? Here's air dryer vs dryer for a full list of differences.
Clothes dryer FAQs
When should you replace a clothes dryer?
The National Association of Home Builders says that a clothes dryer has a lifespan of about 13 years, yet you'll rarely see warranties for more than a year. Extended warranties generally cost more than the repairs they cover, so we recommend skipping the common upsell.
When the cost of a repair is fifty percent or more than the price of a new dryer, you should consider shopping for a replacement. Some of the signs that you may be in for a major repair are thumping or clanging noises, lack of heat, or a malfunctioning control panel. Also look out for a failure to start or a tendency to shut off in the middle of a cycle. A burning smell may or may not indicate the need for an expensive repair, but it could mean there’s a risk of fire so it definitely means you should call for a service visit. These faults could be caused by drying the wrong items — here are 10 things you should never put in the dryer. You could also be making any of these 7 clothes dryer mistakes.
There are definite advantages to newer models. Any Energy Star certified dryer uses 20% less energy and saves you about $215 during its lifetime, making it frugal as well as environmentally friendly.
Other energy-saving features include moisture sensors that detect how damp your clothes are and end the cycle when the load is dry. Cycles that use steam to get rid of wrinkles and reduce static, others that sanitize to get rid of germs, and ones tailored to small loads are now common. For safety, some dryers alert you when the lint filter needs to be emptied or even when the duct is blocked. New dryers even prevent unwanted creases by keeping clothes tumbling without heat instead of letting them sit until you remove a finished load. Although, keep in mind that tangling is always a possibility, here are 7 ways to prevent your clothes from tangling in the clothes dryer.
Increasingly, dryers are equipped with WiFi, allowing you to see the progress of your load on your mobile device and control the cycle from your phone or Alexa or Google Assistant. Connected dryers may even be able to diagnose problems and in some cases, alert the manufacturer's service center so that the repair person can bring the right part on the first visit and eliminate a second one.
How much should you spend on a clothes dryer?
Clothes dryers start from as little as $300, and can go as high as $1,800. So, the price can vary significantly depending on the model you choose. Premium features will generally add to the price tag, such as smart connectivity and moisture sensors. While the prior may not be necessary, unless you love all things smart home, we do recommend opting for a clothes dryer with built-in moisture sensors. With this, your clothes dryer will adjust its runtime automatically, based on the moisture remaining in the laundry. This can save time and energy, as well as unnecessary damage to the items.
It’s all too easy to overspend on something as substantial as a clothes dryer. For this reason, we recommend having a budget in mind before you start shopping. You should also consider the features and specifications you need in advance. In doing this, you can avoid spending money on functions you’re unlikely to use. Even if you have all of the above in mind, it can be tricky picking a model out from the crowd. If you need a hand, refer to our list of the best clothes dryers. We’ve found the best options, whatever your needs and budget.
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