Best Dryers of 2021

It wasn’t that long ago that most people dried their laundry on outdoor clotheslines. These were easy to use and cost very little. But, the downside was that this method depended very heavily on the weather. If the weather was warm and sunny then things were easy, but if it were cold, rainy, or really humid then things became more complicated.

Modern clothes dryers, in conjunction with washers, have made doing a load of laundry a much easier task to accomplish. New dryers are typically easy to use and can dry even large loads. They can be high-efficiency appliances loaded with features. But, all this innovation can make choosing which dryer to purchase a complicated affair. We’ve sorted through various features from how much a dryer will hold to whether or not to choose a gas or electric dryer and narrowed things down to our list of the best eight dryers of 2021.

The Best Dryers of 2021

#1 LG Electric Dryer-DLEX9000V
#2 GE Electric Dryer-GTD72EBPNDG
#3 Whirlpool Electric Dryer-WED5000DW
#3 Whirlpool Gas Dryer-WGD5000DW
#5 LG Electric Dryer-DLE7300WE
#5 LG Electric Dryer-DLEX3700W
#7 Samsung Electric Dryer-DVE60M9900V
#8 Amana Electric Dryer-NED4655EW

Compare the Best Dryers of 2021

Best Dryers in Detail

LG - 9 cubic foot Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Electric Dryer with TurboSteam Review

Model number: DLEX9000V

The DLEX900V has the largest capacity of any of the dryers in our ratings with 9 cubic feet, which LG says is large enough to dry a king-size bedding set in a single load. It also includes features such as sensors to determine if your clothes are dry and a steam cycle to prevent wrinkles.

For more information on LG dryers see our full review: LG Dryers Review.

GE - 7.4 cubic foot Aluminized Alloy Drum Electric Dryer with Sanitize Cycle and Sensor Dry Review

Model number: GTD72EBPNDG

This dryer is the highest rated Energy Star qualified dryer in our ratings. The GE GTD72EBPNDG has features such as a sanitize cycle that GE claims will eliminate 99.8% of some bacteria and the option to keep the dryer’s drum moving, but without heat which should help minimize wrinkles.

For more information on GE dryers see our full review: GE Appliances Dryer Review.

Whirlpool - 7 cubic foot Top Load Electric Dryer with Wrinkle Shield Plus Review

Model number: WED5000DW

One of the least expensive dryers in our ratings, this top load dryer has a capacity of 7cubic feet and will measure the moisture level and temperature of your laundry to help prevent overdrying, which can wear out your clothes quicker.

For more information on Whirlpool dryers see our full review: Whirlpool Dryer Review.

Whirlpool - 7 cubic foot Top Load Gas Dryer with Wrinkle Shield Review

Model number: WGD5000DW

This Whirlpool model is only available in white and is the only gas dryer in our ratings. This model is basically the gas version of the previous entry on our list, but because the heating element in gas dryers is hotter than in electric dryers it will likely dry your clothes faster and use less electricity. The downsides are that it will require a gas line and is more expensive than the electric version.

For more information on Whirlpool dryers see our full review: Whirlpool Dryer Review.

LG - 7.3 cubic foot Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Top Load Electric Dryer with Sensor Dry Technology Review

Model number: DLE7300WE

The second LG model to make our ratings, this top load dryer is Energy Star-certified and includes LG’s LoDecibel Quiet Operation feature for a quieter operating experience. It also includes convenient features like sensors that indicate when your vent or lint filter needs to be cleaned.

For more information on LG dryers see our full review: LG Dryers Review.

LG - 7.4 cubic foot Smart Wi-Fi Enabled SteamDryer Review

Model number: DLEX3700W

This front load dryer when paired with its matching washer can be stacked to save floor space. The third LG dryer in our ratings also includes a steam feature to help reduce wrinkling, a moisture sensor to indicate when your laundry is dry, and can respond to voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

For more information on LG dryers see our full review: LG Dryers Review.

Samsung - 7.5 cubic foot Smart Electric Dryer with FlexDry Review

Model number: DVE60M9900V

With a 7.5 cubic foot capacity, this Samsung dryer has steam features, a stainless steel drum, and is Wi-Fi enabled. Unique among the models in our ratings this dryer includes a small secondary dryer that Samsung refers to as FlexDry. This can be of benefit if you are only drying one or two smaller items and don’t want to use the larger drum.

For more information on this dryer see our full review: Samsung Dryer Review.

Amana - 6.5 cubic foot Electric Dryer with Wrinkle Prevent Option Review

Model number: NED4655EW

The Amana dryer is the smallest and least expensive dryer in our ratings. This top load dryer is light on features but does include an Automatic Dryness Control which has a sensor that informs the dryer when your laundry is dry. This will prevent overdrying and unnecessary energy use.

For more information on this dryer see our full review: Amana Dryer Review.

How to Choose the Best Dryer

When purchasing a dryer there are a number of things to keep in mind. Some of the most important are your budget, where it will be placed, and the capacity.

The space where you place your dryer is important. You’ll want to be able to run a vent for your dryer (assuming it isn’t ventless), have enough space behind the dryer for the vent line, and access to either a 240-volt outlet for an electric dryer or a gas hookup for a gas dryer. If you’re planning to move your laundry setup keep this in mind when choosing the new location. Many dryers offer placement flexibility by having doors that can be mounted to open in a variety of ways, so if you need to place your dryer against a side wall you can mount the door in a way that won’t limit your access. If floor space is really limited you’ll want either a compact dryer or a stackable dryer. These dryers will usually have a matching, or suggested, washing machine to partner with and can be placed one on top of the other saving floor space.

For many people as long as dry clothes come out of their dryer they are satisfied, but even that requirement allows for wiggle room. If you are not limited by either space or your budget you can get a large capacity washer and dryer which will allow you to do fewer loads of laundry. Just keep in mind that capacity isn’t everything. If you have a large family or go through lots of laundry than a larger capacity dryer might be a good option, but if you have a smaller family or prefer to do small loads of laundry throughout the week a smaller capacity model might satisfy your needs.

You will also want to consider whether or not you want a gas or electric dryer and the energy efficiency of your dryer. Typically, gas is a more energy-efficient option for dryers. Because it uses gas to fuel its heating element it uses less electricity and tends to dry clothes faster than an electric dryer. The downsides being that gas dryers are more expensive and require a licensed technician for the installation which will also cost more.

Electric dryers on the other hand are less expensive, but generally less energy efficient and take longer to dry laundry. That being said, there are several Energy Star-qualified dryer models available in our ratings of the best dryers. Energy Star is a United States government-backed program to certify energy efficiency in consumer products as well as buildings, private and commercial. Energy Star claims that in 2018 alone it and it’s partners helped save American consumers $35 billion in energy costs. Dryers certified by Energy Star may also qualify for rebates in certain locations. You can visit the Energy Star website’s Rebate Finder page and input your zip code to see if your dryer or other appliances qualify.

Below we’ve created a list of features to consider when choosing a dryer.

What to Look for in a Dryer

Once you’ve decided on the top-level criteria for your dryer you can begin to look into the various features of different models. Dryers have come a long way from only having a few different cycles and an end-of-cycle buzzer. Modern dryers occasionally come with their own apps that can be used as a control panel to start and stop loads, schedule drying times, adjust settings and cycles, indicate maintenance issues like when the lint trap or vent lines need to be cleaned, and even troubleshoot your dryer should a problem arise.

In terms of drying features, many dryers have heat and moisture sensors to indicate when a load of laundry has finished drying. These sensors can save you money over timed loads by stopping a cycle when the laundry is dry and not when the timer says so. This can prevent overdrying, which is when your dryer keeps going even after your clothes are dry. Overdrying can add wear and tear to your clothing, shortening its lifespan. Temperature and moisture sensors can also prevent underdrying. No one likes hearing the buzzer for a load of laundry go off only to open the door and find your clothes are still wet.

Dryer cycles have been around for a long time, but those have expanded beyond those like Permanent Press and Delicates to include cycles that dry your clothes quicker, add steam, or increase the energy efficiency of your appliance. These different cycles will often have different names depending on the manufacturer. Some dryers even include features to help keep your clothes wrinkle-free such as the aforementioned steam cycle as well as a feature that will turn the heating element of the dryer off while the drum continues to spin. This will prevent the clothes from overdrying while keeping everything moving to reduce the number of wrinkles and creases in your laundry.

Below we have a short list of some of the common features available in modern dryers:

How Much Does a Dryer Cost?

The dryers in our ratings range in cost from just under $500 to almost $2,000, with most falling in the range between $750 and $950. Our least expensive dryer, the Amana NED4655EW ($499), is also our smallest with a capacity of 6.5 cubic feet. The most expensive dryer in our ratings is the Samsung DVE60M9900V which costs $1999 (this dryer is also available in white with the model number DVE60M9900W). This high-end dryer doesn’t have the largest capacity, so while larger dryers are generally more expensive than smaller capacity dryers, size isn't the only indicator of price.

In general gas and ventless dryers will be more expensive than comparable electric dryers. Another thing that can increase the cost is the finish. Basic finishes, like white, can be $100 less expensive than stainless steel or other finishes.

Features are also a big driver in terms of cost. The $1,999 Samsung DVE60M9900V dryer is described by Samsung as being two dryers in one. It includes a smaller drying feature on the top of the unit in addition to the traditional drum dryer that is its main dryer.

Types of Dryers

One of the biggest differences between dryers is that of gas and electric dryers. Below is a brief overview of the differences.

Gas Dryers

Because gas dryers use gas instead of electricity to power their heating elements gas dryers use less electricity when drying a load of laundry. The temperature used to dry laundry is generally higher than their electric-powered counterparts resulting in a shorter drying time and the use of less fuel to do so.

One of the downsides to purchasing gas dryers is their expense. For example, two almost identical Whirlpool dryers made our ratings, the main difference between them is that one is an electric dryer and the other a gas model. The gas model is $100 more expensive than the electric version. Gas dryers also require a certified technician to be installed.

Electric Dryers

While generally less energy efficient than gas dryers, electric dryers are less expensive to purchase and install. You can also save some money by installing an electric dryer yourself. Electric dryers don’t dry clothes at as high a temperature as gas dryers and so take longer to dry laundry loads. Although not considered as efficient as gas dryers, that doesn’t mean that electric dryers can’t be energy efficient, as several models in our ratings are Energy Star-certified.

For more information on gas and electric dryers visit our guide Gas vs. Electric Dryers.

Learn More

For more information about dryers visit our guide:

For more information on home appliances visit these guides:

Our 360 Methodology for Evaluating Dryers

The following describes our 360 approach to researching and analyzing Dryers to provide guidance to prospective consumers.

1. We researched the companies and products people care most about.

U.S. News analyzed and compared a variety of publicly available data, including internet search data, to determine which dryers Americans are most interested in. We found 40 dryer models that stand out across different ratings sources as well as in terms of volume of searches. Once we identified these models, we narrowed our list to the best models in this category.

With the final list of best dryers determined, we compared available products features and specifications offered by each model across several criteria to assist the consumer in making the best decision based on their needs. We reviewed price, warranty, capacity, energy efficiency, dimension, and other unique features that consumers consider when purchasing a dryer.

2. We created objective 360 Overall Ratings based on an analysis of third-party reviews.

Our scoring methodology is based on a composite analysis of the ratings and reviews published by credible third-party professional and consumer review sources. The ratings are not based on the personal opinions, tests or experiences of U.S. News. To calculate the ratings:

(a) We compiled two types of third-party ratings and reviews:

Please note that not all professional and consumer rating sources met our criteria for objectivity. Therefore, some sources were excluded from our model.

(b) We standardized the inputs to create a common scale.

The third-party review source data were collected in a variety of forms, including ratings, recommendations and accolades. Before including each third-party data point into our scoring equation, we had to standardize it so that it could be compared accurately with data points from other review sources. We used the scoring methodology described below to convert these systems to a comparable scale.

The 360 scoring process first converted each third-party rating into a common 0 to 5 scale. To balance the distribution of scores within each source’s scale, we used a standard deviation (or Z-Score) calculation to determine how each company that a source rated was scored in comparison to the source’s mean score. We then used the Z-Score to create a standardized U.S. News score using the method outlined below:

(c) We calculated the 360 Overall Score based on a weighted-average model.

We assigned “source weights” to each source used in the consensus scoring model based on our assessment of how much the source is trusted and recognized by consumers and how much its published review process indicates that it is both comprehensive and editorially independent. The source weights are assigned on a 1-5 scale. Any source with an assigned weight less than 2 was excluded from the consensus scoring model.

Finally, we combined the converted third-party data points using a weighted average formula based on source weight. This formula calculated the consensus score for each product, which we call the 360 Overall Rating.