Clothes Dryers: Expert and User Reviews

Our AssessmentConsumerReports.org currently tests only electric dryers. Since editors have found that gas and electric dryers perform similarly, however, gas versions of tested models are also rated based on the results for the electric versions. The site rates 76 electric clothes dryers and 75 gas equivalents; each receives an overall rating plus individual scores on drying performance, capacity, convenience and noise. Yet not all the dryers rated here have actually been tested -- some are evaluated based on their similarity to tested models. The ratings for dryers cover a much wider range than for most products reviewed at this site, with overall scores ranging from excellent to poor. In total, 19 gas and electric dryers are recommended, including three that are highlighted for their affordability.

Our AssessmentJ.D. Power and Associates doesn't test individual dryers; rather, it attempts to gauge overall customer satisfaction with the major appliance brands. This press release summarizes the results of the 2011 Laundry Appliance Satisfaction Study, in which more than 5,500 consumers who recently purchased dryers are asked about their overall satisfaction. For the fourth year in a row, Samsung receives the highest ratings based on performance, features, style, price, warranty and ease of use. Whirlpool Deluxe, LG and Kenmore Elite also receive high ratings from consumers, while Admiral, Roper, GE and Amana get the lowest overall scores. The report also notes that the brands most often recommended by salespeople at major appliance retailers are LG, Samsung and Whirlpool.

Our AssessmentBestBuy.com is a good source to check for dryer reviews, but the site provides far fewer user ratings than HomeDepot.com or Sears.com. Only three electric dryers -- two from Samsung and one from LG -- attract a good number of reviews with high overall ratings.

Our AssessmentThe Good Housekeeping Research Institute tests 10 steam-equipped dryers (and their matching washers, if they exist) in this undated review. Each steam dryer is evaluated based on drying time, ease of use, wrinkle removal, energy use and customer service. The dryers aren't rated, but it's easy to tell from the accompanying analysis which clothes dryers perform best overall. However, all but two of the recommended dryers are now discontinued, making this article's usefulness limited.

Our AssessmentHomeDepot.com sells more than 100 gas and electric dryers. Most dryers attract at least a handful of reviews, but only a few have received a good number of user comments. Overall, electric dryers get the highest ratings here, including those from Maytag, Admiral, GE and LG.

Our AssessmentEpinions.com is an independent user-review site. While reports here are often more detailed than those at retailer sites, most dryers aren't rated at all. Discontinued models are also shown, making the site more difficult to browse. Still, Epinions.com is worth a visit once you've narrowed your choices.

Our AssessmentBuzzillions.com has a good selection of dryer reviews, but all of the ratings are compiled from sources we rank higher, such as BestBuy.com or HomeDepot.com. This site can be useful for a general overview of reviewer opinion, but not all feedback is listed here and a larger number of reviews can usually be found by visiting the individual retailer sites. That's why we rely on other sites to rank dryers and turn to Buzzillions.com only to gain additional insight into users' opinions on our top-ranked products.