Our favorite electric model is the Maytag Smart Electric Dryer because it has a generous capacity, offers 11 cycles at five different temperatures, and has remote programming. In the gas category, the best option is Samsung’s 7.5-cubic-foot Dryer with FlexDry, a front loader with smart capabilities and a sanitizing setting. Below are the best clothes dryers for a more leisurely, better laundry day. This clothes dryer also has the coveted extra power button. With a push of a button, you can elevate the drying power to make your clothes spin faster and minimize damp pockets in your items. In addition to a user-friendly control panel, this all-star appliance has smart capabilities, so you can program cycles and start and stop the appliance from the app on your smartphone. And it’s available in white or a metallic slate color, so you can choose which option matches your laundry room decor. Other notable features include advanced moisture sensing, quick-dry mode, and wrinkle prevention. While this front-loader isn’t stackable or Energy Star-certified, it’s an all-around excellent product. In fact, it’s so good that Maytag backs it with a 10-year warranty on the motor and drum. Price at time of publish: $1,049 Samsung’s signature Steam Sanitize+ mode promises to kill 99.9 percent of germs. The hot steam also helps smooth wrinkles and prevent creases. What’s more, this smart-enabled appliance syncs with a mobile app. This allows you to set different programs, start and stop cycles, check how much time is remaining, and troubleshoot gas clothes dryer problems—all remotely from your smartphone or tablet. Other notable features include a moisture sensor, reversible door, interior drum light, lint filter indicator, and three-way venting. Just a heads up—this clothes dryer isn’t Energy Star-certified and only comes with a one-year warranty. However, it’s still a stellar choice in the gas category, and it comes in three different finishes to blend in with your other laundry room appliances. Price at time of publish: $1,099 The front-loading design makes it easy to unload your clothes into a laundry basket. Not only that, you can switch the reversible door between left- and right-handed orientation. Other standout features include an LED screen, a moisture sensor, and a lint trap indicator. Though this dryer isn’t smart or Energy Star-certified, it’s still an impressive product, especially considering the affordable price. Price at time of publish: $450 Though it doesn’t have smart capabilities, there’s a lot to love about this energy-efficient dryer. The brand’s LuxCare system calls on an advanced moisture sensor to prevent over- or under-drying your loads, while predictive drying gives you a more accurate time estimate. You can get rid of wrinkles with the steamer or use the quick-dry mode to finish last-minute laundry chores in 15 minutes. We also like that the sophisticated lint shield traps particles without making a mess, even when clothes are still in the drum. Price at time of publish: $1,249 Considering how much laundry you can do at a time, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how quiet this machine is while running. The LED display and ultra-smooth dial make it easy to toggle between the 14 cycles and five temperatures. You can also control everything from your smartphone or tablet. Other standout features include a moisture sensor, steam sanitization, wrinkle prevention, child safety mode, and a reversible door. Price at time of publish: $1,189 With ten cycle options and four temperature settings, you can dry, fluff, and de-wrinkle just about any fabric. The extra power button allows you to easily add time or heat to your load without stopping and starting a new cycle. On the downside, this machine has no steam function or smart capabilities. However, this electric dryer stands out for its energy efficiency, quiet operation, moisture sensor, and wrinkle-prevention mode. Price at time of publish: $999 Though the drum might be small, it stands out for its honeycomb structure. This means you can expect gentler, more even drying with fewer wrinkles and creases in your clothing. The easy-to-read screen and smooth dial make it easy to toggle between the 12 cycles. Thanks to the built-in Wi-Fi and smart capabilities, you can also control it from your phone or tablet. It’s on the expensive side, but it’s worth the investment if you’re looking to save space. Price at time of publish: $1,499 This design-forward clothes dryer has a handy flat top, allowing you to use it as extra counter space for folding t-shirts or laundry detergent storage. You can use the dial to choose from 10 cycles and five temperatures or sync it to your smartphone through the built-in Wi-Fi. The connected app allows you to start, stop, program, and monitor your loads from anywhere. If there’s any downside to this front-loader, it’s that the warranty is only a year long, but all in all, it’s an excellent product. Price at time of publish: $1,049 This handsome white appliance has a glossy black door and control panel, plus chic rose gold accents. It has built-in Wi-Fi and smart capabilities, too, so you can program the cycles from your mobile device. This front-loader is on the pricier side and has a slanted top, so you can’t place detergent jugs or baskets on top. But if you’re looking for a gorgeous dryer with excellent features, this is your dryer. Price at time of publish: $1,199 One thing to note is that it doesn’t dry fabrics completely. When you pull them out, they’ll still be slightly damp, at which point you can hang them up to air-dry. Where does all the water go? A gravity draining system and attached spout allow you to use it without a sink or plumbing. Just set a small bucket or basin (not included) under the spout to collect the water. At 25.5 inches tall and 16 inches in diameter, it’s notably compact too.
Capacity
The capacity of a clothes dryer is measured in cubic feet, and this number determines how much laundry you can dry at one time. Capacity can range anywhere from 3.0 cubic feet in portable units to nearly 9.0 cubic feet in high-capacity ones. The average capacity of a clothes dryer is 7.3 cubic feet, which can comfortably hold a king-sized comforter and some sheets. When thinking about which capacity works best for you, consider the size of your washer. A full load in a 5.2-cubic-foot washer can easily fit into a 7.3-cubic-foot dryer and won’t come out damp.
Steam Function
Like washers, clothes dryers can have a steam function that helps reduce wrinkles and sanitize your clothes. In models with this function, steam is released into the drum during the cycle, adding moisture to the fabrics. Although this function adds moisture, it doesn’t delay the drying process and ultimately leaves your clothes feeling fresher. A steam function is usually found in pricier models but can be helpful if you want to freshen clothes quickly without running an entire cycle.
Standout Features
Dual-opening Door
A dual-opening door allows you to access your dryer in two ways: opening the door hamper-style or swinging the door to the side. This feature is convenient if you don’t have a matching washer and dryer set or if you have an unconventional laundry room and need your machine to be flexible. This type of door shouldn’t be confused with a reversible one, which you can install with a left or right opening.
Tempered Glass Door
Tempered glass keeps the door of your front-loading washer or dryer from breaking in a dangerous manner. Tempered glass, if broken, fractures into smaller, less-sharp pieces, so you won’t have to pick up sharp-edged pieces of glass if the door breaks. Since this is a safety issue, it’s great to have this feature whether you’re opting for a compact dryer for yourself or a large one that everyone in your family can use.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a freelance copywriter and product tester specializing in appliances, textiles, HVAC, and home improvement. Having recently moved into a new home that needed all new appliances, she is up to speed on today’s most popular dryers, as well as different types and sought-after features. She looked at dozens of models, combed through buyer reviews, poured over the specs, and considered products reviewed by our at-home testers before landing on the final selections. You can find more of her bylines on MyDomaine, Verywell Family, and Byrdie. Marisa Casciano is the large appliance expert for The Spruce and has researched the ins and outs of air purifiers, dishwashers, and more in the home space. She has personal experience with a Whirlpool and an Amana dryer. For this piece, she scoured hundreds of verified customer reviews. She also took notes on the information in user manuals for dozens of clothes dryers and thoroughly researched the units that can easily be paired with a matching washer, as well as unpaired and compact ones. Lastly, she read through third-party articles and checked out the recommended clothes dryers in person.
