WHEN it comes to drying your laundry, the easiest thing to do is put it in a clothes dryer but which tumble dryers are the best?
Tumble dryers, also known as clothes dryers, come in many different shapes, sizes, and — most importantly — price points so we’ve rounded up the best of the bunch for you to choose from.
Many of us don’t have the space to hang our clothes out to dry so this simple machine is essential for lots of households.
Whether you want a top loading tumble dryer or a swing door dryer, our buying guide has something for you.
Many of these tumble dryers are on sale over June so you may find you can grab a deal as well as a top-of-the-range clothes dryer.
Where to buy clothes dryers
Most retailers who sell household items like fridges and vacuums will also sell clothes dryers, such as:
Amana 6.5 cu. ft. Top Loader Electric Dryer
- Amana 6.5-cu ft Top Loader Electric Dryer, $519.99 – buy from R.C. Willey
This tumble dryer is the perfect middle ground when it comes to dryers, as it is one of the cheaper options but still has some great features.
Top loader dryers mean you don’t need to worry about having enough space to open the door, making them ideal for smaller rooms.
Amana’s model has automatic dryness control which prevents overdrying for more delicate materials, as well as a steam setting to stop wrinkles forming on your dress shirts.
Maytag 7.4 cu. ft. Electric Vented Dryer with Hamper Door
- MayTag 7.4 cu. ft. Electric Vented Dryer with Hamper Door, $1149 – buy from Home Depot
One major benefit of Maytag is the 10-year warranty that comes with the products; given that you should replace your clothes dryer every 10 to 15 years, this is almost a lifetime cover.
This model also exceeds government standards to help conserve natural resources which also saves you money on your utility bills.
The hamper door design means your clothes never need to touch the dirty floor — they can sit on the door while you fold them, ready for your dresser.
Samsung – 7.5 cu. ft. Smart Dial Electric Dryer with FlexDry and Wifi
- Samsung – 7.5 cu. ft. Smart Dial Electric Dryer with FlexDry and Wifi, $1,299 – buy from Samsung
Samsung’s FlexDry technology means that this large capacity dryer has settings to handle more delicate laundry at the same time as drying your usual load.
This energy star-certified clothes dryer has a variety of settings from a 30-minute dry to a steam and sanitize cycle which removes bacteria and wrinkles in one.
To top it all off, this tumble dryer has a smart AI dial that learns your favorite cycles and allows you to customize the options available.
LG 7.4 cu. ft. Gas Dryer with Side Swing Door and Wi-Fi
- LG 7.4 cu. ft. Gas Dryer with Side Swing Door and Wi-Fi, $1,349 – buy from Lowes
Technology and ease marry up with this dryer, which connects to the ThinQ app so you can program it from your phone, setting the load to wash while you’re out.
Sadly it won’t fill the tumble dryer for you but with a 7.4 cubic feet drum, you will be able to fit even more in each batch of laundry.
LG even gives you indicators to show when the lint trap needs to be cleaned or the duct declogged so you can keep your clothes dryer in good condition for longer.
Electrolux 8.0 cu. ft. Front Load Electric Dryer with Steam
- Electrolux 8 cu. ft. Front Load Electric Dryer with Steam, $1149 – buy from Home Depot
This massive capacity electric-powered dryer is ideal for families who run through lots of loads of washing, thanks to an 8 cubic feet drum.
Electrolux doesn’t stop there; this also has a fast dry cycle that lasts just 15 minutes, perfect for an emergency sports kit wash.
There is also a sportswear-specific cycle on this clothes dryer so your best pair of cycling shorts won’t shrink.
Samsung 7.2 cu. ft. Gas Dryer with Reversible Door
- Samsung 7.2 cu. ft. Gas Dryer with Reversible Door, $849 – buy from Wayfair
With eight pre-set cycles, this Samsung tumble dryer is the perfect choice for people who want a simple, fuss-free dryer.
The drum is 7.2 cubic feet, meaning you can fit in large loads without the worry of overfilling and stopping them from evenly drying.
Features such as the air fluff cycle are great for towels while the speed dry setting will get your favorite shirt dry in half an hour, so you can wear it that evening.
HotPoint 6.2 cu. ft. White Gas Vented Dryer with Auto Dry
- HotPoint 6.2 cu. ft. White Gas Vented Dryer with Auto Dry, $679 – buy from Home Depot
This HotPoint, also called GE, has a 120ft venting capability, meaning there is lots of flexibility on where you can fit this.
Flexibility isn’t limited to fitting as cycles can last up to 80 minutes, giving you control over how dry you want your washing and the ability to tackle stubborn items like towels.
LG 7.3 cu. ft. Smart Electric Dryer with Sensor Dry
- LG 7.3 cu. ft. Smart Electric Dryer with Sensor Dry, $1049.99 – buy from Best Buy
Another energy star-rated clothes dryer, this time from leading tech brand LG, which comes with LG’s easy-to-read LED display and SmartThinQ technology.
Along with the nine drying cycles and five temperature options, this has a sensor to detect the moisture level of your clothes and adjusts the drying time accordingly.
One customer’s review said: “This dryer is perfect. It works quietly. It fits perfectly in my laundry room. Very satisfied”
Whirlpool 7.0 cu. ft. Electric Dryer with Moisture Sensing
- Whirlpool 7.0 cu. ft. Electric Dryer with Moisture Sensing, $764.99 – buy from Best Buy
Whirlpool has given a lot of control back to the user with this tumble dryer, allowing you to set just 15, 30, 60, or 90-minute cycles so you can control the dryness of your laundry.
The wrinkle shield option keeps your clothes tumbling for up to two and a half hours after the cycle finishes so during busy times you know your clean washing won’t wrinkle.
Moisture sensing technology also means the dryer will stop heating once the clothes are dry, which protects the fabric.
GE 3.6 cu. ft. Stackable Electric Dryer
- GE 3.6 cu. ft. Stackable Electric Dryer, $674.99 – buy from Best buy
For single people or those who don’t have large loads, this small stackable dryer from GE might be a perfect choice.
The drum is only 3.6 cubic feet, meaning the whole unit itself can be much smaller, so if space is limited this dryer could still fit.
GE even designed this to be portable so if you live a more nomadic lifestyle you can take this with you when you move with ease.
Speed Queen 7 cu. ft. Reversible Door Electric Dryer with Pet Plus
- Speed Queen 7 cu. ft. Reversible Door Electric Dryer, $1559 – buy from AJ Madison
If you have pets, this tumble dryer is the one for you as Speed Queen features a Pet Plus setting that aids in the removal of pet hair from clothes.
With 12 different cycles and four temperature settings, you can personalize this dryer so it works best for you.
There are also loads of handy features on this Speed Queen clothes dryer, such as an interior light and an end-of-cycle signal – this was designed with users in mind.
What is a heat pump tumble dryer?
A heat pump tumble dryer uses hot air to absorb moisture from your laundry.
The machine keeps recycling this hot, dry air, making them very energy efficient.
While heat pump dryers cost less to run and are generally more environmentally friendly, they tend to dry clothes at a lower temperature and the programs take longer.
What is a condenser tumble dryer?
A condenser tumble dryer uses very hot air to dry clothes and it collects the moisture from your laundry into a container located inside the dryer, which needs to be emptied after each load.
This is ideal if you’re not able to vent the moisture outside using a hose.
As condenser clothes dryers do not need an external hose they can be installed anywhere in your home and, on average, they dry clothes faster than a heat pump dryer.
What is a vented tumble dryer?
A vented tumble dryer draws and heats air from the room in which it’s located and expels the hot air and moisture through an external vent or hose.
While vented models are the cheapest on the market, they’re also the least energy-efficient and often need to be installed by a professional as the hose leading out from the dryer needs to expel outdoors, either through a window or permanently fitted through an external wall.
Do I need a vented, condensing, or heat pump dryer?
Where your dryer will be located will dictate what type you are able to buy.
Vented models are the cheapest but they need to be professionally connected to a vent in an outside wall to get rid of moisture.
This isn’t physically possible in some homes, but there is an alternative: a condenser model.
This type of machine doesn’t require a vent so you can place it wherever you need to, however, the trade-off is that you will have to empty the wastewater container regularly.
You could also opt for one of the newer energy-efficient heat pump dryers – these also store excess water in a container.
Heat pump machines are also the most energy efficient – they save energy by recycling the hot air they generate.
This does mean that some models take a bit longer to fully dry your clothes but with most high-end machines, this time difference is negligible.
What size drum should I choose?
Depending on the size of your household and the amount of washing you normally get through, most families will choose a machine with a 7 cu. ft to 8 cu. ft. capacity drum.
You can dry a full-sized duvet in an 8 cu. ft. model while on the other end of the scale, single-person households could opt for a tiny 3 cu. ft. dryer.
Check if it’s top loading or has a side door to work out the space you have to fit the dryer in.
What features should I go for?
Think carefully about features: it’s not worth paying for all the bells and whistles if you’re not actually going to use them.
The most expensive tumble dryer models tend to have the latest technology such as WiFi connectivity and specialized drying programs for denim or linen.
However, don’t feel like you have to splash the cash in order to get a good dryer – it’s always worth doing some research as there are cheaper brands and models that have some of the fancier features that are very well reviewed too.
Useful features to look out for include sensor technology, which automatically senses when clothes are dry and turns off the machine. Quick-dry, Refresh, and Delayed Start buttons can also prove useful for some households.
How to clean a tumble dryer
If you notice your clothes aren’t coming out from your dryer quite as dry as they used to, or they’re giving off a stale odor, it’s probably time to give your tumble dryer a clean.
The lint filter should be cleaned out after every use to keep your dryer working well – to do this, make sure the appliance is fully cooled down.
Locate the filter (usually just inside the door or on the front of the machine behind a door), remove lint with a brush, and vacuum any stray pieces before popping it back in place.
For the inside of the drum, use warm water and white vinegar to wipe down the drum itself and the door seal to remove any mold or gunk. Leave the dryer door open to dry fully before using it again.
Do tumble dryers shrink clothes?
Dryers can shrink clothes when used incorrectly – the combination of high heat that draws water from your clothes and the tumbling action means shrinkage is possible. Certain materials like natural animal fibers are also more prone to contract when exposed to heat.
To combat this, when drying delicate fabrics, it’s best to opt for the lowest temperature setting you can.
Always read care labels and don’t tumble dry if the label indicates the garment isn’t suitable.
Where to put a tumble dryer in a small house
If you go for a vented clothes dryer you’ll have to place it near a door or window in order for the hose to lead outside.
For heat pump and condenser dryers you have more options.
In smaller houses, if you have the luxury of a utility room, many people opt to stack their dryer on top of their washing machine using a stacking kit to save space.
If this isn’t an option or you don’t have a utility room, another idea is to pop it in a garage.
Failing this, if you have a generous amount of storage space in your kitchen, another idea is to remove a cupboard for your tumble dryer.
How to use a tumble dryer
Make sure your clothes aren’t sopping wet before loading them into your dryer – a quick spin cycle in your washing machine should remove excess water.
Untangle your clothes and load them into the dryer, checking the care labels for any delicate items to make sure they can be tumble-dried. Make sure you don’t overload your dryer as your clothes won’t dry if the machine is too packed. Separate clothes into two piles if there are too many for one load.
To reduce static, add a clothes dryer sheet inside the drum – these will also soften up rough fabrics and add a pleasant scent to your wash load.
Select a drying program and press the start button and once the program has finished, check to see if your washing is dry.
Check larger items for wet spots and if needed, place any of those items back into the drum and set the timer for another 15 to 20 minutes.
When your laundry is totally dry and the machine has cooled, empty the lint trap.
How much do tumble dryers cost?
Depending on the type of model you go for (as vented clothes dryers tend to cost less), prices for a tumble dryer range from around $400 for a very basic model and go all the way up to $1.800 for the biggest and best models.
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