By: Consumer Reports Posted Mar 18, 2023, 18:02 pm EDT
A good clothes dryer can make a tedious task so much easier.
By Keith Flamer
Updated by Daniel Bortz
Doing laundry can be a tedious task. The best clothes dryers we’ve tested can make this job easier, from drying better to handling larger loads. Plus, our tests show that some of the best dryers are among the least expensive.
CR’s clothes dryer ratings of more than 200 models are based on performance, reliability, noise, and convenience (for example, whether the door is high enough to empty a laundry basket).
LG dryers dominate our ratings. The brand performs best in CR’s lab tests and reliability ratings, holding the top 14 spots for electric and gas dryers.
Models from other brands also work well, such as examples from Miele and Samsung in the compact dryer space. In general, good dryers are available in a wide range of prices, from around $700 to almost $2,000.
Dryers are a profitable purchase, if you choose one that is reliable. Some offer a steam option that will de-wrinkle your clothes by spraying a little water into the drum as it heats and spins. But by far the most important features of the dryer are capacity and a humidity sensor, which detects how dry a load is and automatically shuts off the machine to prevent overdrying, saving energy costs.
While there’s no shortage of dryers to choose from today, there are steps you can take to refine your search. “The external size of dryers can vary by a few inches or more, and many people have space or access limitations, such as doors,” says Rich Handel, the CR test engineer who oversees our laundry lab. “Narrow your options to a dryer that has a humidity sensor, then look at the space you have and the capacity you need,” he adds.
Over the course of cleaning a load of laundry, a tumble dryer consumes much more energy than a washing machine, due to the heat needed to dry the clothes. So while drying performance is essential, energy efficiency is also a consideration worth keeping in mind. An Energy Star certified dryer can save up to 20% on your energy costs.
In our labs, we dry different size loads and fabric blends (such as cotton/polyester and synthetic delicates) to determine the drying performance of a model. A dryer’s controls and ergonomics, such as ease of loading and unloading, determine its convenience score. The sound quality and volume of an 8-pound load of laundry define its noise level, as judged by a panel of experts.
The majority of consumers surveyed recently by CR said they prefer electric dryers to gas dryers. However, our decades of research and testing show that gas dryers compare favorably with their electric competitors. You’ll find both types of dryers, as well as compact dryers, in our ratings.
If you need to change your dryer soon, the following models are among the best electric, gas, and compact dryers in our tests. For helpful information while you shop, check out our dryer buying guide, which also lists the brands we test. CR digital members can view our picks for the best matching washer/dryer sets and the best washers.
The best electric dryers from CR’s tests
The best gas dryers from CR tests
The best compact dryers from CR’s tests
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2023, Consumer Reports, Inc.
Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with the advertisers on this site. Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works with consumers to create a fair, safe, and healthy world. CR does not endorse products or services and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2023, Consumer Reports, Inc.