Clothes Dryer Information

Condenser dryers eliminate the need for outside exhaust vents, using warm air circulating through the drum to extract moisture from clothes. Thus, these units are ideal for use in high-rises or apartments, as well as in a bathroom or closet. Though popular elsewhere in the world, only a handful of condenser dryers are made for the U.S. market (and models intended for use in other countries won't work in the U.S.). The Bosch Axxis WTE86300US (*est. $1,100) is one such model.

Be aware that condenser dryers take a long time to dry a load of clothes, sometimes more than double the time of a conventional dryer, and capacity is often much less. For the Bosch dryer above, capacity is just 3.85 cubic feet, compared to 6 to 7 cubic feet (or more) for standard gas and electric dryers.

If you prefer a combination washer/dryer or a stacking unit, please see our report on washer/dryer combos. In that report, we cover stacking full-sized washers and dryers, laundry centers (which combine a lower washer and upper dryer in one unit) and combo washer/dryers, which both wash and dry in the same tub. Several of the dryers in this report are also stackable.

Washers are covered in our companion report on washing machines.

"Before You Buy a Dryer" by About.com's guide to housewares Mariette Mifflin is a fairly detailed article that discusses all aspects of buying a clothes dryer. Topics include gas versus electric dryers, capacity, performance, extended warranties and must-have features such as a moisture sensor and drum light. This is a useful article for a general overview of dryers. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

If you are interested in learning more about how clothes dryers work, HowStuffWorks.com has an article, "How Clothes Dryers Work," by Karim Nice that delves into that topic in good detail.

Abby's Guide offers a helpful "Clothes Dryer Buying Guide."

GoodHousekeeping.com gives useful tips on buying and installing a dryer in its "Clothes Dryer FAQs."

Although Energy Star does not label clothes dryers because there is little difference in energy use among models, they do offer some tips on saving energy when using your clothes dryer.

The U.S. Department of Energy offers information about clothes dryers and energy efficiency.

The California Energy Commission's Consumer Energy Center has a helpful report about saving energy and money when using a clothes dryer.

WikiHow gives step-by-step photographic instructions for fixing a broken drive belt on a dryer drum in "How to Change a Clothes Dryer Belt."

The Consumer Product Safety Commission explains how "Overheated Clothes Dryers Can Cause Fires" and tells how to prevent these fires.

Detailed specification information can be found on the following manufacturers' websites:

Amana

Bosch

Fisher & Paykel

Frigidaire

GE

Kenmore (Sears)

LG

Maytag

Miele

Whirlpool