Maytag Centennial MEDC400VW

Users describe the Maytag Centennial MEDC400VW as a simple, basic electric dryer that is a good value for the money. This 7-cubic-foot dryer provides most of the basics: seven drying cycles, three temperature settings and, most importantly, a moisture sensor. It also includes a few nice extras, such as extended tumbling to prevent wrinkles, an interior drum light and a reversible door. Users like its large capacity and find its dial controls easy to use. Although most say it is quiet and dries clothes quickly, this dryer gets only average scores for drying performance and noise in independent tests. Some users do find that the machine takes too long to dry a load and that the auto dry setting leaves clothes still damp. We also saw several complaints about this dryer's lint filter, which is on the top of the dryer rather than inside the door. Users say the filter spills lint all over the place when it is removed. This dryer and its gas equivalent, the Maytag Centennial MGDC400VW (Discontinued), come with a one-year warranty. If you can afford to spend more, you may be happier with the top-rated LG DLE2101W (*Est. $775), which has more features and attracts fewer user complaints.

The Maytag Centennial MEDC400VW is included in the latest reviews of dryers at ConsumerReports.org. It also attracts a large volume of user reviews at HomeDepot.com and Sears.com. The J.D. Power and Associates 2010 Laundry Appliances Study provides information about the Maytag brand in general, but it does not rate individual models.