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identifying the best Clothes Dryers. See our ratings criteria
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| 1.
Consumer Reports
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Clothes Dryers
Editors of Consumer Reports
June 2007
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Consumer Reports includes clothes dryers in its continual testing program, so new models are tested as they hit the market and results are added to the ratings chart, which currently is comprised of 34 dryers. Editors say there are fewer performance differences among dryers than among washers. The editors recommend choosing a dryer with a moisture sensor instead of a thermostat. The editors also recommend gas dryers. Although gas dryers cost about $50 more than electric models, they tend to cost less to operate in the long run.
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Clothes Dryers Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.
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| 2.
Good Housekeeping.com
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Luxury Appliances for Less
Editors of Good Housekeeping
Not Dated
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Good Housekeeping hasn't done a comprehensive report on dryers in quite some time, but it does report on them in articles such as this one, which details high-end products that editors think are a good value. The General Electric DBVH512EFWW receives a nod as the fastest dryer tested, with special features such as an antibacterial cycle. The LG Tromm DLE3777W works well and has an oversized lint filter that does not have to be cleaned as often. Unfortunately, the article is brief and short on details.
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| 3.
J.D. Power & Associates
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2006 Major Home Appliance Study: Dryers
Editors of J.D. Power and Associates
Nov. 1, 2006
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Over 12,000 people participated in this survey about major home appliances. Dryer brands were rated in six categories: performance, price, features, ease of use, style/feel and warranty. Bosch and LG are tops in overall satisfaction. Other well-liked brands are Maytag, GE Profile and Kenmore Elite. Budget GE dryers earn the lowest ratings. This survey is interesting for gauging general brand reliability, but it doesn't cover any specific models.
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| 4.
About.com
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Laundry Appliances
Mariette Mifflin
Not Dated
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Mariette Mifflin is the guide to housewares and appliances. She reviews a handful of dryers, including the Whirlpool Duet YWED8500S and WFW8300S, the Maytag Performa PDET920 and the Maytag Performa PYET344A2W, none of which are current models. Ratings are based on actual usage versus simply restating manufacturer's information, so they have a good level of credibility and approach things from a typical consumer's point of view. Though the individual write-ups are brief, they do include a quick summary, pros, cons and a rating. Note that ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com.
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| 5.
ThatHome Site.com
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Laundry Room Forum
Contributors to ThatHomeSite.com
As of Nov. 2007
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This extremely active discussion site includes thousands of posts on all sorts of large appliances and its Laundry Forum provides many posts on washers and dryers. A number of people who post have a surprising amount of knowledge not only about dryers, but also about potential pitfalls and repairs. If you are having any kind of problem, chances are someone here has encountered it as well and have likely found a solution. Although the discussions about dryers aren't as common as those about washers, the Kenmore HE5 receives mostly positive comments. There is also a big debate about the Fisher & Paykel Smartload; some owners report problems with the dryer's heating element and door hinge. A few complaints about the Kenmore He4t also have surfaced, mostly involving a control panel that becomes unresponsive.
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| 6.
Choice.com.au
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Clothes Dryers
Editors of Choice.com.au
July 19, 2006
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Choice magazine is published by the Australian Consumers Association and, as such, it functions a lot like Consumer Reports. Few rated dryers are available in the U.S., but if you are looking for a dryer to use in Australia, you should start your research here. Each dryer receives ratings on specific performance issues, as well as an overall score. The Fisher & Paykel ED56 receives high marks for performance, including ease of use, but it’s not available in the United States. The Miele T 4124 scores even higher, thanks to greater energy efficiency, but again, it’s not available in the U.S.
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| 7.
Which.co.uk
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Tumble driers
Editors of Which.co.uk
Jan. 2007
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Which? magazine is the British equivalent of Consumer Reports. In January 2007, the site updated its dryer test, this time testing 75 dryers for energy efficiency, drying time, noise and ease of use. The resulting Best Buys include brands that are more popular outside of the U.S., such as AEG-Electrolux, Bosch, Miele and Siemens. Also, the majority of the brands tested are condenser dryers, which are not as easily available in the U.S.
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| 8.
Dulley.com
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Vent/No-Vent Clothes Dryers
James Dulley
2005
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James Dulley is an engineer who writes about household appliances and other topics related to the home. In this bulletin, Dulley lists sixteen "highest-quality, most efficient" clothes dryers. Unfortunately this report is now two years old, so picks are outdated. Brands on this list include Amana, Bosch, Kenmore, Maytag and Whirlpool. Dulley recommends buying dryers with electronic controls, moisture sensors and reversible drum rotation. This article also includes tips on how to wash and dry clothes more efficiently.
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| 9.
Abby'sGuide.com
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Clothes Dryers
Editors of Abby's Guide
Not Dated
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This piece is a detailed guide on purchasing a dryer, what to look for and how to save on energy bills. Four dryers also receive short reviews, including the LG DLE2514W and DLE5977W, the Whirlpool LER4634PQ and Whirlpool Gold GEQ9800PW, most of which are no longer available. Editors recommend a dryer with a moisture sensor, gas as the power source and a good reliability record
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Clothes Dryers Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.
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| 10.
Epinions
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Dryers
Contributors to Epinions
As of Nov. 2007
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This site uses a voting system to rate products, but there aren't many contributions here on the subject of dryers. While Epinions is worth a check once your choice is narrowed down, most dryers aren't rated at all. A handful of models do earn one or two comments -- not enough to determine overall performance.
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| 11.
About.com
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Before You Buy A Dryer
Mariette Mifflin
Not Dated
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This detailed article 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 that ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com.
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| 12.
How Stuff Works.com
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How Clothes Dryers Work
Karim Nice
Not Dated
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This is a multi-part article discusses how clothes dryers work, starting with how the air flows through the machine. There is also a discussion of the tumbler and the controls and finally an article about the safety systems of dryers. There are no reviews of dryers nor are there recommendations, but if you are interested in the mechanics of dryers, this is a useful series of articles.
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| 13.
Consumer Guide.com
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Dryer Reviews and Prices
Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
As of Nov. 2007
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Consumer Guide lists a bunch of dryers here, giving them ratings for performance and other factors. However, there's no indication that these models were tested in any way nor is there an explanation of how these picks were chosen.
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Clothes Dryers Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.
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| 14.
Amazon.com
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Clothes Dryers
Contributors to Amazon.com
As of Nov. 2007
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The section for dryers on Amazon.com also includes accessories and drying racks, but few models are listed here. At the time of our search, several LG brand dryers were rated well by owners, but not many other brands are included here at all. A Frigidaire and a Maytag model warrant poor ratings, but only one review each.
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