What are the best dryers on earth today? We cover a lot of the top tech from smartphones, tablets, game consoles, and computers, but some rarely get discussed. The humble clothes dryer is a crucial piece of home technology. Appliances are rarely something to get excited about spec-wise like a new laptop.
That said, there is something to be said about having a functional and usable dryer. It makes washing your clothes a lot easier for starters. In some cases, it can actually eliminate the amount of pet hair you’ll find on your clothing and bedding. If it’s appliance upgrade time in your household, you’ve come to the right place.
This guide will be going over the best washers you can buy today, as well as some of the pros and cons for each of these options:
- Best Overall: Electrolux ELFE7637AT
- Runner-Up: LG DLEX4200B
- Best for Small Spaces: Whirlpool LDR3822PQ
- Best for Large Loads: GE GFD85ESPNRS
- Best for Wrinkle-Free Clothes: Speed Queen DR7004WE
- Best Budget Option: Amana NED4655EW
- Best for Speed: Samsung DVE60A9900V/A3
Best Overall: Electrolux ELFE7637AT
- ENERGY STAR certified
- 8.0 cubic feet
- 15-minute fast dry
- Predictive Dry accurately predicts dry times
- Perfect Steam mode
- Extended Tumble mode keeps clothes from getting tangled
- Bright LED display
The first choice is possibly one of the best dryers in existence right now. The Electrolux ELFE7637AT is a stellar choice for any homeowner. You’ve got plenty of space with up to eight cubic feet of capacity in total. This a set-and-forget sort of dryer, so you’ll be missing some of the more robust smart functionality found readily in its contemporaries.
That said, it dries clothes and does so quite well. You’ve got an extended tumble cycle option, steaming, and predictive drying based on the humidity level inside of the dryer tub itself. There is a quick cycle, which operates at a rapid 15 minutes per load. However, users have found this option to be lacking when it comes to water removal. Check out the Electrolux ELFE7637AT Electric Front Load Dryer on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The basic cycles are quick and efficient. | The quick cycle isn’t effective. |
| It comes with steam features. | It lacks smart functionality. |
Runner-Up: LG DLEX4200B
- 7.4 cubic feet
- Wi-Fi enabled
- TurboSteam mode
- AI fabric sensor
- Duct clogging and lint filter indicators
If you’re looking for a fast and effective dryer with smart functionality, the LG DLEX4200B is worth a look. LG has been a top name in appliances for years, and this dryer isn’t lacking in key features. The drying cycles are quick and effective, removing water with ease no matter how soggy the load may be.
You’ve also got the option for fully smart integration with your Wi-Fi and smartphone. While smart functionality isn’t a key need for the best dryers around, it is nice to have the option. The smart functions integrated in the DLEX4200B are some of the best around and you can quickly check a load’s progress on your smartphone with a quick glance. Check out the LG DLEX4200B Ultra Large Capacity Smart Front Load Dryer on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It has a great set of cycles for removing water. | The dryer itself is quite noisy when in use. |
| LG has bundled steam functionality for wrinkle removal. | Reversing the door can be a bit difficult. |
Best for Small Spaces: Whirlpool LDR3822PQ
- 3-cycles and 2 temperature settings
- 3.4 cubic feet capacity
- AccuDry sensing system
- Interior lint screen
- End-of-cycle alert
If you’re looking for one of the best dryers with a minimal footprint, the Whirlpool LDR3822PQ might just do the trick. This is one seriously compact dryer, measuring a mere 31 inches high. The rest of the dimensions stack up right alongside its smaller height. This is a stackable dryer, meaning you’ve got options when looking at the matching washer.
This is a perfect fit for smaller homes, apartments, and other living spaces where you can’t afford to place a full washer and dryer set. As you can imagine, the trade-off with the smaller size comes with some lesser capabilities. It is great at drying clothes, but you’ll have to do more loads as a whole to get everything ready to wear.
The smaller size also isn’t ideal for bedding. You’ll generally have a minimum required capacity for handling the likes of comforters and quilts. While the LDR3822PQ is a great little washer, you might need to hit the laundromat to wash your bedding. Check out the Whirlpool LDR3822PQ 120V Electric Dryer on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This is a seriously compact little dryer. | The overall capacity is lacking. |
| It comes with a variety of built-in sensors to make sure your clothes are getting dry. | There isn’t any smart functionality on this washer. |
Best for Large Loads: GE GFD85ESPNRS
- 7.8 cubic feet
- 12 dry cycles, 2 dry options, and 5 temperatures
- Powersteam mode and sanitize cycle
- Damp clothes alert
- Wi-Fi built in
Are you looking for one of the best dryers for a large household? If you’ve got a large family or higher needs when it comes to drying your clothes, the GE GFD85ESPNRS is a great fit. This high-capacity fits almost eight cubic feet of laundry in a single load.
You’ve got some very effective drying cycles, though it should be noted the quick dry and bedding systems aren’t up to par. That said, this is a wonderful dryer with plenty of smart functionality and built-in steam features. If you can deal with the high price, this dryer should serve you well for years to come. Check out the GE GFD85ESPNRS 28-Inch Front Load Electric Dryer on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It has a high-capacity drum for larger laundry loads. | The lint guard can be troublesome to use. |
| GE packed smart functionality in through Wi-Fi alerts and notifications. | The quick dry and bedding settings aren’t ideal. |
Best for Wrinkle-Free Clothes: Speed Queen DR7004WE
- 7 cubic feet capacity
- 7 preset cycles and 4 auto dry cycles
- Special pet cycles to remove pet hair and odors
- Steam refresh, boost, and sanitize
- End-of-cycle alert
Who likes running an iron in 2023? There might be a place for the venerable clothes iron, but that isn’t a consideration when looking at the best dryers. The Speed Queen DR7004WE is one of the best choices you’ll find when it comes to overall wrinkle reduction. While many of the dryers featured in this guide have steam drying, few have as many choices as this one.
The DR7004WE has multiple choices meant to keep your clothes looking crisp and tidy. It comes with anti-static technology and a novel sensor to keep steam and heat from damaging your clothes. The dryer also comes with Pet Plus, which includes special pet cycles to remove pet hair and odors. If you’re wearing wrinkle-prone clothes on a regular basis, this dryer is the one to get. Check out the Speed Queen DR7004WE Electric Dryer with Pet Plus on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| There are multiple steam options for getting rid of wrinkles. | It isn’t a stackable dryer. |
| Smart sensors inside the dryer keep the steam from damaging your clothing. | You’ll be paying more to get this steam functionality. |
| It has special cycles to remove pet hair and odors. |
Best Budget Option: Amana NED4655EW
- 6.5 cubic feet
- 11 drying cycles
- Automatic dryness control
- Wrinkle prevention option
- Reversible door
Do you need a new dryer but you’ve got budgetary concerns? You don’t have to skimp on quality to fit in a budget. The Amana NED4655EW is one of the best dryers for precisely this reason. You’re going to be paying far less at retail than some of the options featured in this list.
However, don’t expect the full bells and whistles when looking at this dryer. You’re paying less, and you’re getting the basic core functionality you’d expect. That said, the dryer does have 11 cycle options, including a Wrinkle Prevent option, plus smart sensors to keep track of the temperature of your clothing. Check out the AMANA NED4655EW Front Load Electric Dryer on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It is the cheapest dryer on this list. | The drum has a smaller capacity compared to other options on this list. |
| There are plenty of cycle options for all sorts of clothing. | There aren’t any steam options present. |
Best for Speed: Samsung DVE60A9900V/A3
- 7.5 cubic feet
- FlexDry gives you a large-capacity dryer with a delicate dryer in one unit
- Super speed drying in just 30 minutes
- AI-powered Smart Dial learns your wash cycles and sets the dryer cycle to match
- Wi-Fi connected
Last, but certainly not least, the Samsung DVE60A990V/A3 gets clothes dry fast. What makes this one of the best dryers you’ll find on the market today comes down to the overall speed of its cycles. This is a seriously fast dryer that is built to get clothes done quickly. You also get the combo of a large-capacity dryer with a delicate dryer in one.
Samsung has its hands in a bit of everything when it comes to household appliances. The DVE60A990V/A3 might be a mouthful to say, but it has quick cycles that clothes ready in around a half hour. You’ll need to make sure it isn’t overloaded, but that’s impressive, to say the least. Check out the SAMSUNG DVE60A9900V/A3 Smart Dial Electric Dryer on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It has a great capacity of 7.5 cubic feet. | Some quick-drying modes might not dry all the way. |
| You’ve got plenty of quick-drying options for your clothes. | Samsung’s customer service leaves something to be desired. |
How to Pick the Best Dryers: Step by Step
Capacity
The overall capacity of your dryer is going to be a determining factor of the size per load. You’ll have a hard time drying clothes when looking at the likes of a smaller compact dryer. It won’t lack the capability, you’re just going to have to run multiple loads.
Going for a larger capacity drum means you can do more clothes in a single load. However, this has the added complication of taking up far more space than a more compact dryer. You’ll need to take some time to measure your current loads and the space in your laundry area to determine what works best for you.
Humidity Detection
Humidity detection isn’t a new feature in dryers by any means. However, the best dryers have more sophisticated sensors. You’ll find computerized dryers do a more efficient job of getting clothes dry faster and with fewer errors. Surely, you’ve pulled a load out of the dryer and found some damp items.
You want to make sure the sensors on board are accurate and reliable. Time spent drying clothes over and over again could be better spent just spending a little more and obtaining a reliable dryer from the start.
Smart Functionality
Smart functionality isn’t an absolute necessity in a dryer. However, it does make running loads a lot simpler. You’ve got the ability to be notified when loads are complete, meaning you’re wasting less time planning your day.
Smart functionality is a bit of a double-edged sword when it comes to a modern dryer. It is great having Wi-Fi connectivity and smartphone apps, but it does drive up the price of these dryers considerably. As such, make sure you’re budget has the wiggle room needed to get into one of these high-end machines.
What to Know Before Buying the Best Dryers
Before purchasing a new dryer, there are a few things to keep in mind. You’ll have to remember to pick either a gas or electric dryer, depending on the available connections in the home. Space is also a crucial consideration. After all, you don’t want to have to go through all the trouble of sending the dryer back to the store if it doesn’t fit your space.
Another key consideration is the overall functionality. You’ll need to figure out what sort of cycles you’ll need, along with what additional features you might be after. There is a lot to absorb when it comes time to pick out a dryer. That said if you go in with a list of things you’re after, you are going to be much happier with your purchase.
Using the Best Dryers: What It’s Like
Using the best dryers on the market is a great overall experience. While most folks aren’t likely to get excited by the prospect of doing a load of laundry, you don’t want to struggle with damp clothes. Any of the dryers on this list will get your clothes dry in an efficient and timely manner.
The method of operation for most of these machines is greatly simplified when compared to dryers from just twenty years ago. These aren’t your parents’s dryers, but modern appliances to fit contemporary needs.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©SViktoria/Shutterstock.com.
