Best electric dryer
- Excellent drying performance
- Large capacity
- Steam setting
- Easy to use
- May tangle clothing
- Bulky items may not dry fully
- Our Analysis
The Samsung DV520AEW/XAA is one of the most expensive dryers covered in our sources, but both professionals and users say it offers a lot for the money. It has 7.5 cubic feet of capacity and a wealth of useful features: 13 drying cycles, adjustable temperature, a moisture sensor (which experts say is key for conserving energy and preventing overdrying), a stainless-steel drum with an interior light and a drying rack. One of the features owners appreciate most is the steam setting, which can be used to freshen clothes and remove wrinkles.
In professional tests, this dryer gets high marks for its performance, quiet operation and ease of use. The most common problem, according to reviews, is that clothing may become twisted and tangled. Bulky items, in particular, tend to wad up and may not dry thoroughly. If the Samsung is too steep for your budget, you might prefer the more basic Whirlpool WED4900XW (*Est. $500) . Though it has fewer features, it gets good ratings for performance and durability.
The Samsung DV520AEW/XAA is included in the latest dryer tests at ConsumerReports.org. The Good Housekeeping Research Institute also subjects this dryer to rigorous testing and awards it an overall grade of A-minus. We did not find very many user reviews for this dryer, but it receives high overall ratings from about 20 reviewers at BestBuy.com and another handful at the Samsung site. We also referred to the latest consumer satisfaction survey from J.D. Power and Associates for information about customer satisfaction with Samsung dryers in general.
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.org
ConsumerReports.org has ratings on its website for more than 80 electric clothes dryers, including the Samsung DV520AEW/XAA, and their gas equivalents. Each dryer receives an overall score plus individual scores on drying performance, capacity, convenience and noise.
Review: Clothes Dryers, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, As of June 2012
2. Good Housekeeping
Testers at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute award the Samsung DV520AEW/XAA an overall grade of A-minus. Editors praise its drying performance, wrinkle removal and ease of use and also say that Samsung's customer service is helpful. The only downside they cite is severe tangling and twisting of laundry in a large load.
Review: Samsung 7.5 cu. ft. Steam Electric Dryer, Editors of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, May 2011
3. BestBuy.com
The Samsung DV520AEW/XAA receives about 20 reviews from users at BestBuy.com, earning an overall rating of 4.7 stars out of a possible 5. Owners love the dryer's steam cycle, large capacity, low vibration and wrinkle removal. The main problem, consumers say, is that large items ball up and do not dry fully.
Review: Samsung - 7.5 Cu. Ft. 13-Cycle Steam Electric Dryer - White, Contributors to BestBuy.com
4. J.D. Power & Associates
In J.D. Power and Associates' latest survey on laundry appliances, Samsung is the top-rated dryer brand for the fourth year in a row. It earns top marks for overall satisfaction, ease of use, performance, styling, features and price; only its warranty is rated less than outstanding.
Review: 2011 Laundry and Kitchen Appliance Satisfaction Studies, Editors of J.D. Power and Associates, Aug. 3, 2011
5. Samsung.com
Fewer than a dozen owners have reviewed the Samsung DV520AEW/XAA on the manufacturer's website. They generally like the dryer's performance and steam cycle, but there are assorted complaints about vibration, problems with sensor drying and wadding of large items.
Review: 7.5 cu. ft. Steam Electric Dryer, Contributors to Samsung.com
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Clothes Dryers
- Best electric dryer Samsung DV520AEW/XAA *Est. $950
- Best gas dryer Samsung DV520AGW/XAA *Est. $1050
- Best budget electric dryer Whirlpool WED4900XW *Est. $500
- Best budget gas dryer Maytag Centennial MGDC300XW *Est. $600
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