- Fast, efficient drying
- Large capacity
- Quiet
- Easy to use
- Steam setting
- Getting repairs can be difficult
The LG DLEX5101W is a 7.3-cubic-foot electric dryer with 14 drying programs, five temperature levels and an electronic control panel. It includes a wide variety of useful features, most notably a steam setting that can be used for freshening clothing (removing odors and wrinkles from up to five garments at a time) or for sanitizing nonwashable items like pillows. Professional reviews say this dryer offers excellent drying performance with very low noise, and the steam cycle does a good job of removing wrinkles. Owners like this dryer's capacity, ease of use and drying performance. However, we did see one or two complaints from users who experienced mechanical difficulties and said getting service from LG is a challenge. This dryer and its gas equivalent, the LG DLGX5102W (*Est. $1,100) , come with a one-year warranty. If your budget doesn't extend to four figures, you might consider the Samsung DV210AEW/XAA (*Est. $625) , which has fewer features but still gets good feedback from users.
The LG DLEX5101W is included in the latest tests of dryers at ConsumerReports.org, where it's evaluated based on drying performance, capacity, convenience and noise level. It also receives a recommendation from the editors of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute. We found more than 70 user reviews for the LG DLEX5101W at AJMadison.com and BestBuy.com. In addition, the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Laundry Appliance Satisfaction Study provides useful information about the LG brand as a whole, including reliability, features and price.
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.org
ConsumerReports.org has test results on its website for 76 electric clothes dryers, including the LG DLEX5101W, and their gas equivalents. Each dryer receives an overall rating plus individual scores on drying performance, capacity, convenience and noise.
Review: Clothes Dryers, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, As of Sept. 2011
2. Good Housekeeping
Editors of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute name the LG DLEX5101V (a dark-gray version of the DLEX5101W) as one of the top dryers in their tests, saying it does a good job of smoothing wrinkles. However, they don't describe their testing methods or name the dryers that didn't meet their standards.
Review: Clothes Dryer Reviews, The Good Housekeeping Research Institute, Not Dated
3. BestBuy.com
BestBuy.com has about 25 owner reviews for the gray LG DLEX5101V, as well as another 10 or so for the white DLEX5101W on a separate page. Overall, the dryer receives a rating of 4.7 stars out of 5 from users, who appreciate its large capacity, steam cycle and variety of settings. We did see one or two complaints about breakdowns and poor customer service.
Review: LG - SteamDryer 7.3 Cu. Ft. 14-Cycle Ultra Capacity Electric Dryer - Graphite Steel, Contributors to BestBuy.com, As of Sept. 2011
4. AJMadison.com
The LG DLEX5101W gets about 40 reviews at this retail site, with ratings averaging 4.8 stars out of a possible 5. Reviewers say the dryer is fast and efficient, as well as attractive, quiet and easy to use. We did read one complaint about a defective machine and a "really challenging" experience with LG's customer service.
Review: LG SteamDryer Series DLEX5101, Contributors to AJMadison.com, As of Sept. 2011
5. J.D. Power & Associates
In J.D. Power and Associates' latest survey on laundry appliances, LG comes in second for overall satisfaction among dryer brands; only Samsung scores higher. More than eight out of 10 owners say they're happy with their new LG dryers.
Review: 2011 Laundry and Kitchen Appliance Satisfaction Studies, Editors of J.D. Power and Associates, Aug. 3, 2011
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