Clothes Dryer Review

Comparing reviews of clothes dryers

Consumer Reports magazine's review of clothes dryers is the most comprehensive and credible source we found. Editors test 40 clothes dryers and rate them on drying performance, noise and capacity. ConsumerGuide.com also reports on lots of dryers. While whatever testing done -- if any -- is not reported, the reviews seem competent and relatively critical. Good Housekeeping magazine rates steam washers and dryers, but only the best models are discussed, and there's no indication of how many models were tested in all. J.D. Power and Associates rates dryer brands based on a survey of more than 3,600 consumers, but does not discuss specific models.

In addition, a host of retail and other sites give owners a chance to weigh in on their clothes dryers, and these can provide invaluable insights. While such reviews rarely, if ever, approach the depth and knowledge of the pros, many reflect usage over a period of time and sometimes delve into practical matters that even the experts overlook. When a dryer has accumulated a decent amount of feedback, clear patterns can often be seen. User review sites include Sears.com, BestBuy.com, HomeDepot.com and AJMadison.com. Discussions at GardenWeb.com's forums are useful as well.

Clothes dryers can cost upwards of $1,000, but experts typically say that aside from aesthetics, there are really few good reasons to spend that much. For example, the LG DLEX8377WM (*Est. $1,350) is loaded with the most advanced features. Its performance is complimented in professional reviews, yet the dryer is not particularly recommended due to its cost. Other dryers perform as well, or nearly as well, for substantially less -- sometimes by a factor of 50 percent.

The big selling feature of the LG DLEX8377WM is a steam function that's supposed to perk up wrinkled clothes and eliminate the need for ironing. But, as ConsumerGuide.com editors point out, while the steam feature works well, "dampening garments or drying them with a wet towel in a conventional dryer will produce a similar, but far more cost effective result." If you think you want a steam feature, other models have it for less, including the Kenmore Elite Oasis ST 68092 Electric Dryer (*Est. $1,100).