When you’re browsing all the best dryers out there, capacity should be at the front of your mind. The more clothes that you feed in and out of your washing machine regularly, the more space your dryer will need to handle the wet clothes. Securing a dryer with a capacity of over seven cubic feet is a good rule of thumb. However, families who burn through several loads per week and who have pretty hefty laundry piles are likely to benefit from a dryer with a higher capacity than that. As for the age-old question of gas or electric, gas models are typically speedier at drying your clothes, but they cost more upfront. On the flipside, electric models are usually cheaper in the beginning but have higher running costs overall. Regardless of size, space, and gas or electric, all of the best dryers share a few features in common. This includes a fab variety of cycles, including things like santising, quick-dry, wrinkle-free, delicates and heavy-duty settings. Smart features such as voice activation and Wi-Fi will also give you more control, but if you’d rather let the machine do the hard work, pre-set programs are helpful to fall back on. If you’re stretched on space, you may want to take a look at our guide to the best washer dryer combos (opens in new tab) instead, or maximize your space by stacking your dyer on top of the best front load washers (opens in new tab).
Best dryers
Looking for the best dryer for your home? We’ve rounded up a selection of dryers from some of the best brands in the world to help you decide which is the right appliance for you.
Best dryers
The GE GFD55ESSNWW is a large 7.8 cubic foot capacity dryer with a range of modern features. It’s Wi-Fi enabled, so you can pair it with your phone and receive status updates remotely, and you can also pause, start and stop your drying cycle. This is a mid-price dryer, and it comes with an average of 4.7 stars in user reviews, making it one of the most popular models out there. Sturdy and well engineered, its generous space has ample room to tackle a full load or larger items such as sheets, blankets and towels. Its wide hamper door makes it easy to unload laundry, and the Intuitive Touch Controls makes it simple to set or customize your own options. GE covers this dryer with a one year warranty, which is standard for the dryers in this guide, but not outstanding. It lacks a steam setting, but it does have cycles to prevent wrinkles, and a sanitize setting to ensure your delicates are as clean as can be. This dryer comes with an adjustable vent, which means it’s easier to place in any space. You can also stack it with its matching washer to cut back on space, and it’s got an equally clean and sleek design. The Samsung DV45K6500GV is our top choice of gas dryers. It’s got 14 cycles, four of which are steam-enabled and can sanitize or de-wrinkle your laundry. This dryer also pairs with Samsung’s SmartThings app, allowing you to monitor your laundry remotely and even control it. Gas dryers typically cost less in energy usage than their electric counterparts, and on top of this the Samsung DV45K6500GV is ADA compliant and Energy Star certified. It’s got a large 7.5 cubic foot capacity that can tackle king size comforters or hefty loads of washing in one go. As with all gas dryers, the Samsung DV45K6500GV will cost extra to install. However, once it’s up and running we think this is a great option. It has smart sensors that can adjust your cycle’s temperature and timing to make sure your dry doesn’t overrun, or leave you with damp laundry. Some complain that you can’t adjust the temperature on this cycle, but with plenty of other cycles to choose from, we still think this is a great choice of dryer. The Whirlpool WED4950HW is an affordable top-loading electric dryer with a 7 cubic foot capacity. It’s roomy enough to handle large loads and bulky items like towels and jeans, and the wide hamper door makes it easy to get clothes in and out of a wash basket. It features Whirpool’s trademark “AutoDry” drying system, which can sense when your clothes have reached the optimum moisture level and stop the cycle to prevent them from crisping up. It’s also easy to manually control your drying schedule with a timed dry, as there is a dial for selecting the duration and another to select between three drying temperatures (low, medium and high to suit different fabrics). Most users reported a fantastic experience with this dryer, thanks to its quiet operation and easy controls. However, standard Whirlpool’s one-year warranty isn’t outstanding when compared to competitors. Designed, engineered and assembled in the U.S.A., this dryer’s design is unfussy but very clean. There’s also the option to get a matching washing machine, which is ideal if you’re looking to outfit a new laundry room or makeover an old one. There’s no steam option and limited cycles, but it’s friendly to use, and gets the job done at a friendly price. If you’re after an inexpensive dryer that gets the job done, the Amana NED4655EW is an excellent choice. The added bonus is that you can find it on the market for just under $400, which is a bargain. Although it is ’no-fuss’, with a smaller capacity, it has practical features to ensure completely dry clothing. The Automatic Dryness feature senses the inside temperature and adjusts the drying cycle to prevent overheating. It also has the convenient Wrinkle Prevent option for crease-free garments at the end of each cycle. So you won’t have a load to iron! If you only have a few items or limited time, the Timed Dry cycle is useful for setting to your specific schedule. You can set this up to 60 minutes, which is also energy efficient. While this may not be advanced as other models, it’s ideal for a budget yet efficient dryer. This model is more suitable for couples or small households with basic requirements. This sleek-looking dryer has a generous 7.4 cubic foot capacity to take several loads of washing at once. It’s also shallow enough to fit inside most closets and cupboards away from view, and because the door is easily reversible by unscrewing the hinges there are plenty of versatile options for where you install it. It has lots of clever features, including Wi-Fi compatibility so that you can start, stop and pause cycles with your smartphone, while some dryer features work with Alexa and Google Assistant. LG’s ThinQ app can also be set up to give you notifications about your dryer’s usage and maintenance, to keep it running at an optimum level. Powered by AI technology, the dryer’s built-in sensors can detect different fabric textures and load sizes and then choose the best drying motion and temperature for the job at hand. There’s one main dial to choose the load type, while a large touchscreen shows you the load’s progress and remaining time, as well as Lint Filter Indicators to tell you when to clean your ducts and filters. This advanced dryer is ideal for a modern, busy, home, and for many, the smart connectivity will be worth the price. The Maytag MED7230HW is a big-capacity dryer that can handle all your blankets and towels, as well as small loads. Like the LG DLE3600V above, it can be connected to your WiFi so that you can start, stop and manage your laundry when you’re away from home, and assign laundry tasks to other members of the household. It can also be controlled by voice commands with Google Assistant or Alexa-enabled devices. This is a steam-enhanced dryer, and it can be set to tumble garments with steam for up to two and a half hours after a finished cycle to produce wrinkle-free clothes with reduced static. Meanwhile, Maytag’s Steam Refresh cycle revives clothes without you having to fully wash them again, and the Sanitize cycle uses super-hot temperatures to destroy the most common household bacteria. Settings are handled by one central control dial, which also has an “Extra Power” button – one press extends the heat and time on any cycle you have running for an added boost to bulky and thick garments. The smart touchpad interface offers customization options for steam and temperature and displays how much time is left on a cycle. Maytag’s dryers are made in Ohio and built to exacting commercial standards. The MED7230HW is built to last, but for extra peace of mind, Maytag includes a very competitive 10-year limited parts warranty. The Samsung DVE55A7700V/A3 offers a 7.4 cubic foot capacity, plenty big enough to fit in and dry a kingsize comforter without having to run longer cycles. It automatically optimizes the time and temperature of a cycle to prevent garments from getting damaged by heat, while a low energy consumption mode is good for conscious users. This dryer makes a design statement, available in ivory or brushed black colorways with rose gold accents like the central control dial. The control panel displays a Lint Filter Indicator so you don’t have to worry about fluff building up inside the machine. It also has an easy-open door that can be reversed to suit the layout of your laundry area. One standout feature is the inside drying rack for drying delicate items like underwear and accessories or stopping shoes from tumbling around in the bin. With the interior drum light to illuminate your laundry, too, it’s a hard model to beat. Given that it’s a budget option, the Insignia NS-TDRE67W1 doesn’t offer the same bells and whistles as premium models in the guide. For example, there’s no viewing window, no drying rack, and definitely no Wi-Fi connectivity for remote control. This dryer has a decent 6.7 cubic feet capacity though, so it’s more than capable of handling larger loads, and the 12 different drying cycles cover all types of items from heavy-duty to delicates. It doesn’t offer any steam power, but Insignia’s Wrinkle Care mode is designed to minimize wrinkles at whatever heat you set it to. It’s brilliant at the basics, and the clean filter indicator lets you know when your filters need cleaning. It’s quiet too, at less than 69dB when in full operation. The temperature selection is either High, Medium, Low, or No Heat, which keeps things simple, and when you choose the dryness level – Damp, Normal, More Dry, or Very Dry – the dryer will cleverly detect the amount of moisture in the load and stop it when it’s ready. Although it doesn’t have the latest mobile app control or smart-home connectivity, the Samsung DVE52M7750V still has plenty of features to make drying easier and faster, including 13 different cycle modes – from Bedding to Delicates – and steam options to sanitize clothes and do away with ironing. Users do have to link up the dryer to a cold water supply to make use of the three steam cycles, however. This Samsung model is easy to use, thanks to the clear and crisp top control panel, plus LED indicators that surround the main cycle dial to show you what’s currently selected. When it comes to determining the drying time, you can set this manually or rely on sensors inside the drum, which, like the majority of modern dryers, automatically detect moisture levels and stop or extend a cycle for the best result. The black stainless steel design is rather striking, and it’s fingerprint-resistant so you won’t have to worry about constantly wiping it down. This dryer is also ENERGY STAR certified, which means it’s been independently assessed and proven to offer energy-saving features that don’t compromise on drying performance – a boon if you’re trying to save money. If you’re not sure whether you can find the space for a dryer in your home, the Whirlpool LDR3822PQ could offer you a great solution. It’s small, stackable, and has a shallow depth that means it can squeeze into a small space better than other dryers on the market. Being so compact, it’s not a surprise that this dryer does have a smaller drum capacity than other dryers on the market. It’s a little short on cycle options too, there are no steam or express cycles, but it’s still a great little dryer that can more than adequately dry laundry loads. While it is the cheapest dryer on this list, it’s not Energy Star certified like the other models on this list, so it could have a bit more of an impact on your monthly bills.
Buying advice
How to find the best dryer for you
There are lots of things to take into consideration when you’re shopping for a new dryer. Here are some things to start with. Price Dryers range in price from $300 on the budget end to over $1,000. Higher-end machines usually have larger capacities, more settings options, and upgraded features such as moisture sensors. Another thing to consider is the cost of using the dryer. Products with Energy Star certification and energy-saving modes can reduce the amount of energy consumed each time you do a load of laundry. Capacity A National Association of Home Builders study (opens in new tab) concluded that washers last an average of 10 years and dryers last an average of 13. If you don’t have the budget to replace the whole set at one time you may be picking out a dryer on its own, without the manufacturer’s matched pairs recommendations to guide you. A good general rule is to pick a dryer with roughly double the capacity of your washer. That way even the largest load you can fit in your washer will have sufficient room to move around and get thoroughly dry. Energy source Not everyone has a choice of gas or electric hookups, but if you do it is worth noting that gas dryers and electric dryers tend to perform similarly. There are subtle differences in cost, though. Generally, gas dryers cost more initially but less over time than electric dryers. Gas dryers also tend to run at slightly higher temperatures so they dry laundry faster. Key features and technology Most modern dryers have a wrinkle-prevention mode where it tosses a load of laundry intermittently after a cycle to prevent excessive wrinkling, so you don’t have to worry about returning home to a load of crinkled clothes. Some dryers also allow you to delay the start of a load so you can time it to finish just when you or someone else gets home. The best dryers have a generous selection of cycles so you can customize the setting to whatever type of laundry you’re drying. Some dryers have drum lights so you can see if you, for instance, leave a stray sock behind. Other nice features to look for include a reversible door, vibration reduction, a child lock, and an end-of-cycle signal to let you know it’s time to gather your washing. Design & appearance In addition to finding the right dryer features for you and your family, you want a dryer that looks nice and will complement the room it occupies. A matching pair creates a nice aesthetic. Often these appliances sit in kitchens and other areas where people see them, so they shouldn’t be an eyesore and should blend with the room. The design should be practical and straightforward, with an intuitive control panel that lets you easily perform functions like adding steam or activating wrinkle reduction. Energy efficiency In recent years, companies have developed dryers that cut down on the use of electricity while saving you money on utility bills. Top-quality clothes dryers have advanced sensor systems that monitor the moisture content in clothing and stop the cycle when your clothes are dry, resulting in significant energy savings. Lint filter and duct-clog monitors also help conserve energy (and guard against fire hazards) by keeping airways clean.
What are the different types of dryers?
Ventless dryers While vented dryers are perhaps the most common type of dryer, there are some other options available that might come in handy if you do not have a way to vent the air. Some ventless options can also save a lot of energy. Condenser dryers These dryers use a heat exchanger that removes moisture from warm air that has passed through your wet laundry. Once the moist air comes out of the drum it goes back into the condenser, where it is cooled to removed moisture. The resulting liquid is then pumped to a drain hose or a tray. These models can leave a room rather humid and function best in a room with good ventilation. Heat pump dryers This style of dryer takes it even a step further. When the moist air is created in the drying drum, it goes through a heat pump. A cold side condenses the moisture and the resulting mixture goes down a drain pipe or into a tank. The warm side reheats the remainder of the air to be used again for drying the laundry. Heat pump dryers don’t leave the room they occupy moist, which makes them better for apartments and other small spaces. They also use very little energy, about half of what condenser dryers and vented dryers use. They do require a bigger initial investment and their drying cycle takes longer. We’ve rounded up some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to dryers to help you make an informed choice.
Which is the best quiet dryer?
No matter your budget, you should be able to find an excellent and capable dryer that doesn’t disturb you as you relax. In recent years, manufacturers have geared their machines towards quieter running, so that even if you have your dryer in close proximity, you won’t have to hear every motion as your cycle completes. Within the more high-end range of the best dryers, the Maytag MEDB955FW electric dryer can deliver when it comes to quietness, alongside a variety of fancy features including a magnetic door latch. It’s equipped with a SoundProtection design to ensure that all of its moving parts don’t cause loud noises. If you need something more affordable, then the GE GTD33EASKWW is a low fuss, and low-cost alternative, that still has excellent ratings when it comes to quietness. It’s also really efficient, meaning it won’t cost you the world to run either.
Do tumble dryers shrink clothes?
Due to their drastically high temperatures, dryers are a different environment to get accustomed to compared to other washing appliances. Not all materials react in the same way when you put them inside a dryer, so there are certain things to be mindful of. The materials to be most conscious of when loading your dryer are softer, more delicate ones, such as those with wool, cotton and synthetic fibers. These are most at risk of a nasty case of shrinking, so always check the label before you dry them. Shrinking happens when the hot air that’s pumped into your dryer tightens the fibers of soft clothing and causes it to become smaller. The tossing and turning motion added to this means that it’s even more likely that drying will have an unwanted effect on your clothes, compared to washing. To avoid creating clothing that might fit your pets better than they fit you, always be vigilant with checking your clothing labels, as well as lowering the heat if you’re afraid of accidental shrinkage.
Can tumble dryers kill germs?
Lots of newer dryers have sanitizing settings, with certain machines claiming to kill 99.9% of harmful bacteria. This sounds like an excellent tool to have within your home, but is it true? In short, yes. High heat within dryers can kill off harmful bacteria, which is great news, especially in a post-pandemic world. The sanitize cycles in dryers are utilizing their high-temperature settings in this way, and are best when used for a little longer too. If you don’t have a dedicated sanitize cycle, then remember that high heat is the essential element to killing off bacteria and set your machine accordingly.
Are tumble dryers expensive to run?
While energy costs will vary depending on the model, settings, and Energy Star certification, a fairly good tumble dryer should cost anywhere between around $40 and $140 per year to run in energy costs. This is around $85 per year on average. Gas dryers are typically cheaper to run than an electric dryer but the downside is that they’re generally more expensive to install at first, so your initial investment will balance out over time. If you want to keep running costs low, make sure to choose a model with an Energy Star certification. More modern tumble dryers often come with energy-saving settings that will also help to chop down on the energy you use per cycle. For instance, a tumble dryer with a moisture sensor system will switch off your cycle when it detects your clothes are dry, helping you save costs down the line.
How long do dryers last for?
Spending money on a new dryer means you’re probably wondering just how much use you can get out of your machine, perhaps before deciding on a cheaper or more expensive model. On average, you can expect to have your dryer for around ten to 13 years before it’ll need replacing, although some brands promise that their models can last up to 25 years. Of course, the lifespan of your dryer is entirely dependent on how well-maintained its parts are, as well as how much you’re using it. Some newer machines benefit from having a moisture sensor, meaning that you can know as soon as your drying is done, and prevent overuse. That’ll keep your appliance in better condition in the long run. Discover more guides for laundry… Best washer dryers (opens in new tab) Best front load washers (opens in new tab) Best top load washers (opens in new tab) Agitator vs impeller (opens in new tab)
