Consumer Reports: Dryers

On the whole, clothes dryers do a good job. More sophisticated models dry your laundry with greater finesse.

Dryers are relatively simple. Their major differences are how they heat the air (gas or electricity) and how they're programmed to shut off once the load is dry (thermostat or moisture sensor). Gas models typically cost about $50 more than electric ones, but they're usually cheaper to operate.

Consumer Reports has found that dryers with a moisture sensor tend to recognize when laundry is dry more quickly than machines that use a traditional thermostat. Because they don't subject clothing to unnecessary heat, moisture-sensor models are easier on fabrics. And since they shut themselves off when laundry is dry, they use less energy. Sensors are now offered on many dryers, including some relatively low-priced ones. Thermostats are generally available only on the most basic dryers.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

The top four brands--GE, Maytag, Kenmore (Sears), and Whirlpool--account for more than 80 percent of dryer sales. Other brands include Amana (made by Maytag), Frigidaire (made by Electrolux), Hotpoint (made by GE), and KitchenAid and Roper (both made by Whirlpool). You may also run across smaller brands such as Crosley, Gibson, and White-Westinghouse, all of which are made by the larger brands. Asko, Bosch, and Miele are European brands. Fisher-Paykel is from New Zealand, LG from Korea, and Haier from China.

Full-sized models. These models generally measure between 27 and 29 inches in width--the critical dimension for fitting into cabinetry and closets. Front-mounted controls on some models let you stack the dryer atop a front-loading washer. Full-sized models vary in drum capacity from about 5 to 7 1/2 cubic feet. Most dryers have ample capacity for typical wash loads. A larger drum can more easily handle bulky items such as queen-sized comforters. Price range: electric, $200 to $1,000; gas, $250 to $1,100. Buying a more expensive model may get you more capacity and a few extra conveniences.

Space-saving models. Compacts, exclusively electric, are typically 24 inches wide, with a drum capacity roughly half that of full-sized models--about 3 1/2 cubic feet. Aside from their smaller capacity, they perform much like full-sized machines. They can be stacked atop a companion washer. Some compact dryers operate on 120 volts, while others require a 240-volt outlet (as do full-sized electric dryers). Price range: $200 to about $1,400.

Another space-saving option is a laundry center, which combines a washer and dryer in a single unit. Laundry centers come with either gas or electric dryers. There are full-sized (27 inches wide) or compact (24 inches wide) models available. The dryer component of a laundry center typically has a somewhat smaller capacity than a full-sized dryer. Models with electric dryers require a dedicated 240-volt power source. Price range: $700 to $1,900.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

Full-sized dryers often have two or three auto-dry cycles, which shut off the unit when the clothes reach the desired dryness. Each cycle might have a More Dry setting to dry clothes completely, and a Less Dry setting to leave clothes damp for ironing, plus gradations between those two extremes.).

Most dryers have a separate temperature control that allows you to choose a lower heat for delicate fabrics, among other things. An extended tumble setting, sometimes called Press Care or Finish Guard, helps to prevent wrinkling when you don’t remove clothes immediately. Some models continue to tumble without heat; others cycle on and off. An express-dry cycle is meant for drying small loads at high heat in less than a half hour. Large loads will take longer. Touchpad electronic controls found in higher-end models tend to be more versatile than mechanical dials and buttons--once you figure them out, that is. Some models allow you to save favorite settings that you use frequently. Some high-end dryers have a display with a progression of menus that enable you to program specific settings for recall at any time. Such menus can be time-consuming (and sometimes confusing) to navigate, but they may allow custom programming or offer detailed help information otherwise available only in the manual.

A top-mounted lint filter may be somewhat easier to clean than one inside the drum. Some models have a warning light that reminds you to clean the lint filter. It’s important to clean the lint filter regularly to minimize any fire hazard and to maintain the dryer’s efficiency. It’s also advisable to use metal ducting (either rigid or flexible) instead of plastic or flexible foil. Plastic or foil ducts can create a fire hazard if they sag and clog with lint, causing lint to build up in the dryer, where it can ignite. You should clean the ducts out at least once a year.

Most full-sized models have a drum light, making it easy for you to spot stray items that may be hiding in the back. Some models allow you to raise or lower the volume of an end-of-cycle signal or shut it off. A rack included with many dryers attaches inside the drum and is intended to hold sneakers or other items that you want to dry without tumbling. Models with drop-down doors in front may fit better against a wall, but side-opening doors may make it easier to access the inside of the drum.

HOW TO CHOOSE

Consider gas. Both gas and electric dryers perform comparably, our years of testing show. Gas dryers cost about $50 more than comparable electric models, but the likely savings in fuel costs should more than make up the difference in the long run. An electric dryer requires a 240-volt outlet, a gas dryer a gas hookup. If you have both, don't rule out a gas dryer because it costs $50 or so more than its electric counterpart. (Consumer Reports tests only electric dryers, which account for about 80 percent of the models sold, but equivalent gas models are listed in the Ratings.)

Insist on a moisture sensor. As noted earlier, overdrying can damage or shrink fabrics, and moisture sensors can minimize that possibility. Sensors are available on about half the dryers on the market, including most priced above $350. Whether a specific model has a sensor or thermostat may not be obvious from labeling or controls. Check the literature, visit the manufacturer's Web site, or pick a highly rated dryer that we've tested.

Don't get hung up on capacity. Manufacturers describe dryer capacity (as they do washer capacity) with terms such as extra large, super, and super plus. The differences aren't meaningful for everyday use. Most full-sized dryers can hold a typical wash load. If you want to dry big, bulky items, choose a model judged excellent for capacity in our Ratings.

Start in the middle. When using an automatic setting rather than a timed one (which Consumer Reports generally recommends), set the control to the midpoint and raise or lower it as needed. Using More Dry routinely can overdry clothes and waste energy. Use Less Dry to leave clothing damp for ironing. Don't worry about knowing when an automatic cycle is done: If you don't hear the buzzer, an extended tumble without heat prevents wrinkles if you don't remove clothes immediately.

Don't pay for unnecessary extras. Higher-priced dryers may offer a dozen or so choices, including specialty cycles such as “speed dry” (15 minutes of high heat, for example). These can usually be replicated with standard settings. A choice of heat level, timed and auto-dry, and a few fabric types (regular/cotton and permanent press/delicate) is usually plenty. Touchpads look impressive and may allow you to save custom settings but don't improve performance. Nor do stainless-steel tubs, unlike in washers.

Get a quiet dryer for living areas. If your dryer will be near the kitchen or a bedroom, look for a model judged very good or excellent for noise.