Best budget electric dryer
- Good drying performance
- Moisture sensor
- Large capacity
- Price
- Somewhat noisy
- Minor durability complaints
- Our Analysis
The Whirlpool WED4900XW is a budget-priced electric dryer that offers a surprising assortment of features for the money. It has 13 drying cycles, four temperature settings and a couple of nice perks like a reversible door, an interior drum light and a wrinkle-control setting, which tumbles the clothes every five minutes after drying to keep wrinkles from setting in. It also includes a moisture sensor, a feature experts say is useful for conserving energy and preventing overdrying. It has analog controls instead of digital, but users say that's a plus because they're easier to use.
Professional reviewers say this dryer does a good job of drying clothes, but it is somewhat noisy. We also saw a couple of complaints about this dryer's durability. Overall, though, users consider this dryer a great value for the price. It doesn't fare quite as well in reviews as the top-rated Samsung DV520AEW/XAA (*Est. $950) , and it doesn't have this dryer's wealth of features, but it also costs roughly half as much.
The Whirlpool WED4900XW is included in the latest tests of electric dryers at ConsumerReports.org. It also receives high overall ratings from about 80 users in total at BestBuy.com, Lowes.com and the Whirlpool site. A 2011 survey from J.D. Power and Associates provides useful information about customer satisfaction with Whirlpool dryers in general.
| Traditional Electric Dryer with AccuDryTM Drying System | |
(6 reviews) In Stock. |
|
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.org
ConsumerReports.org has ratings on its website for more than 80 electric clothes dryers, including the Whirlpool WED4900XW, 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. BestBuy.com
In roughly 30 reviews, the Whirlpool WED4900XW earns an overall rating of 4.8 stars out of a possible 5. Owners say this basic dryer has all the features they need, and its drying and wrinkle removal are great. Complaints on this site are few and fairly minor.
Review: Whirlpool - 7.0 Cu. Ft. 13-Cycle Electric Dryer - White, Contributors to BestBuy.com
3. Lowes.com
We found about 35 reviews for the Whirlpool WED4900XW at Lowes.com, with an overall rating of 4.3 stars out of 5. Owners praise its drying performance, large capacity and easy-to-use controls. However, there are a couple of complaints about durability and one or two about noise.
Review: Whirlpool 7 cu ft Electric Dryer (White), Contributors to Lowes.com
4. J.D. Power & Associates
In J.D. Power and Associates' latest survey on laundry appliances, Whirlpool dryers come in just below the average for overall satisfaction. The brand earns average marks in every category: ease of use, performance, styling, features, warranty and price.
Review: 2011 Laundry and Kitchen Appliance Satisfaction Studies, Editors of J.D. Power and Associates, Aug. 3, 2011
5. Whirlpool.com
The Whirlpool WED4900XW receives about 15 reviews from users on the manufacturer's website, with an overall rating of 4.8 stars out of 5. Owners are delighted with the dryer's features, capacity and energy use, though a few say it is on the loud side.
Review: Traditional Electric Dryer with AccuDryª Drying System, Contributors to Whirlpool.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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