Consumer Reports' tests show that you don't have to break the bank to get a good dryer
By Keith Flamer
A clothes dryer is the unsung sidekick of your laundry room. It rumbles, quietly in most cases, tumbling your clothes dry for up to 90 minutes at a time—even working overtime for big, stubborn loads. We tend to take it for granted until it breaks down and we’re forced to dry clothes on a line or rack.
You’ll see plenty of dryers selling for $1,000 or more, and manufacturers often design them to pair with matching washers and charge the same price for each machine. The good news: You can still snag a top-notch dryer for less than $800. In fact, the top two dryers in our ratings are Smart Buy LG models costing considerably less. Both earn top scores: One has slightly superior drying performance, while the other is a tad quieter.
LG electric dryers dominate in our tests, with excellent reliability and owner satisfaction ratings to match. But you can find a quality dryer among many brands. Twenty-nine of our 30 top-rated models offer excellent or very good drying performance, and more than half of those are under $800. They include models from Samsung, Maytag, and Best Buy’s Insignia brand.
Dryers are improving each year, and technology is filtering down-market. Just know that dryers priced in the middle range may vary in performance, settings, noise, and design. They also might sacrifice some bells and whistles like WiFi, touchpads, sleek designs, and efficient moisture sensors.
“Moisture sensors are the most important dryer feature,” says Richard Handel, Consumer Reports’ lead laundry appliance tester. “Compared to thermostats, they more accurately determine how dry your clothes are, then shut the machine off or move it into a cool-down mode.” That prevents overdrying, which is tough on fabrics and wastes energy and money.
You’ll find more than 200 full-sized and compact models in our dryer ratings from a range of brands, including Amana, Electrolux, Frigidaire, GE, Kenmore, LG, Maytag, Samsung, and Whirlpool. Most come with a 1-year warranty. We buy and test electric dryers, the more widely sold type, and use the test results to create the ratings for their gas versions, because past tests found they perform similarly.
To make it easier for you to choose, we combine test results, predicted reliability, and owner satisfaction into an Overall Score for each model. The filters in our ratings will also help you narrow your selection. Be sure to check our clothes dryer buying guide, too, for help in zeroing in on the right brand and model for your needs and wallet.
Below, CR members can read on for ratings and reviews of top-rated electric dryers that typically sell for $800 or less. (Note, of course, that prices fluctuate.) We’ll guide you down the middle road to find dryers that suit your budget.
Best Electric Dryers for $800 or Less
LG DLE3400W
CR’s take: We expect the top-rated LG DLE3400W to perform similarly to the CR-tested LG DLEX3700W (now discontinued). The tested model delivers solid performance across the board, nabbing an ace rating in our noise evaluation and near-top-level ratings in our drying and convenience tests. This stackable, Energy Star-certified machine, with a claimed capacity of 7.4 cubic feet, is equipped with a moisture sensor, an extended tumble, custom programs, and an end-of-cycle signal—offering all of these features at a fairly low price. As a brand, LG gas dryers boast top-notch reliability and owner satisfaction scores in CR’s latest member survey.
LG DLE7300WE
CR’s take: The Energy Star-certified LG DLE7300WE flawlessly and quietly dries clothes inside 7.3 cubic feet of claimed capacity. At 45 inches high, it’s a tad taller than standard dryers and isn’t stackable. It has a moisture sensor, WiFi, and a duct-blockage indicator, meaning it will detect and remind you of a clogged vent between your quarterly or semiannual cleanouts. What’s more, LG is one of the most reliable dryer brands in our ratings, and CR members are supremely satisfied with their electric models.
LG DLE7400WE
CR’s take: The 7.3 cubic-foot LG DLE7400WE quietly delivers solid drying performance. Energy Star-certified, its automatic dryness control detected finished loads within 5 minutes in our tests. It has an extended tumble cycle, WiFi capability, and a control panel with a rotary dial and an electronic touchpad.
LG DLE7000W
CR’s take: The LG DLE7000W is one of the least expensive electric dryers in our ratings. This white, no-frills machine won’t knock your socks off, but it will certainly dry them very effectively along with the rest of your laundry. It offers 7.3 cubic feet of capacity with a moisture sensor that detects when the laundry is at its desired dryness level, whether that’s damp-dry for ironing or fluffed and ready to wear. It doesn’t offer WiFi but it’s Energy Star rated and comes with a 1-year warranty.
LG DLE7150W
CR’s take: CR members are satisfied with LG’s quality, reliability, and performance. This no-frills LG DLE7150W dryer is no different. It’s a little noisy but, thanks to a moisture sensor, our tests show this midrange appliance dries clothes quite well within a 7.3 cubic-foot drum. It offers extended tumble, an end-of-cycle signal, and a side door opening. At only 29 inches deep, this dryer is a good choice for a smaller space. It’s Energy Star rated.
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