8 Best Clothes Dryers, Tested by Laundry Experts
These top-tested machines make quick work of wet laundry.
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Today's dryers do far more than simply get clothes dry, but extra features don't necessarily make a better machine. In my experience testing and working with clothes dryers, the best models are those that dry quickly without exposing fabrics to excessive heat, are easy to load and program, and offer features that actually make laundry day easier. Some dryers I've tested have even become fixtures in our Lab, where we rely on them week after week for other laundry testing.
Our top picks:
✔️ Best overall: GE Profile 7.8 cu. ft. Vented Gas Dryer
Fast, thorough drying with a roomy drum and useful smart features
✔️ Best value: Amana 6.5 Cu. Ft. Electric Dryer
Straightforward controls and solid drying performance at a wallet-friendly price
✔️ Easiest to use: GE 7.4 cu. ft. Gas Dryer
Simple controls and a wide door make loading, unloading, and programming easy.
✔️ Best smart: GE Profile 7.3 cu. ft. Smart Electric Dryer with Fabric Refresh
Smart features automate drying and add convenient ways to refresh clothes.
✔️ Best washer-dryer combo: Samsung Bespoke AI All-in-One Vented Combo
A high-capacity all-in-one machine that washes and dries faster than others we've tested
At the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab, we've tested hundreds of dryers as well as front-loaders and top-loading washing machines. We evaluate drying performance, fabric care, ease of use, capacity, and helpful features. We also regularly use these machines while testing laundry detergents, dryer sheets, and other laundry products. Based on our testing and hands-on experience, the GE Profile 7.8 cu. ft. Vented Gas Dryer is our best overall choice, thanks to its smart features and quick, effective drying.
Best Deal
Pros
- Innovative smart features
- Large capacity drum
- Easy to sync dryer with matching washer
Cons
- Some smart features won't work without the matching washer
WHY THIS MODEL IS OUR BEST OVERALL
When we tested this GE Profile in our Cleaning Lab, it quickly and thoroughly dried even our largest test loads of clothing, towels, and bedding without making fabrics feel scratchy or stiff. We found it easy to load, unload, and program, and its roomy drum handled a wide variety of items, including the bed pillows our Textiles Lab team was testing at the same time. There are plenty of useful extras, too. It has cycles designed to steam out wrinkles, reduce static, sanitize with heat, dry small loads in as little as 23 minutes, and more.
A mobile app lets you control it from anywhere or check the status of a load. It can even be linked to the matching front-loading washer, so once you connect them, the dryer automatically selects the correct cycle for the load it's about to handle.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY
Some of the dryer's smart features require the matching washer. In our tests, pairing the two worked seamlessly: After we ran a normal load in the washer, the dryer automatically selected the normal dry cycle. But you'll miss out on that functionality if you pair it with a different washer.
| Size | 28" W x 32" D x 39.75" H |
| Capacity | 7.8 cu. ft. |
| Power | Gas |
| Stackable | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
| Requires venting | Yes |
| Energy Star certified | Yes |
Pros
- Timed and automatic cycles
- Settings are straightforward
- Large lint filter
- Can continue to tumble after cycle ends to prevent wrinkles
Cons
- A bit wider than other dryers
- Some cycles were hotter and longer than others
WHY IT'S HARD TO BEAT AT THIS PRICE
This machine proves you don't need fancy extras or smart features to get good drying results. The Amana has basic knob controls instead of electronic touchpads and only comes in white. But you will find both timed and automatic cycles that monitor when the load is dry, along with three heat settings (low, high, and no heat). In our tests, we found it does the job just as well as some more expensive models but at a budget-friendly price.
Despite its simple design, it still has some thoughtful features. It has the option to keep the drum tumbling after the cycle ends to prevent wrinkles from setting in, and we found the large lint filter easy to clean.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY
Some cycles ran a bit longer or hotter than those of other dryers we tested, though temperatures remained steady and we didn't observe any fabric damage. At 29 inches, it's also slightly wider than most dryers, and you won't get extras like a drum light or end-of-cycle signal.
| Size | 29" W x 27.75" D x 44" H |
| Capacity | 6.5 cu. ft. |
| Power | Electric |
| Stackable | No |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Requires venting | Yes |
| Energy Star certified | No |
Pros
- Wide door opening with easy-to-grab handle
- Simple controls
- Connects to Wi-Fi for more features
Cons
- Not stackable
WHAT MAKES THIS DRYER SO EASY TO USE
Programming some dryers can get complicated, but the simple controls and easy-to-read displays on this GE model mean it doesn't have to be. All the buttons on its flat, sleek control panel are clearly labeled, and the cycle knob is easy to adjust too. Its 7.4-cubic-foot-capacity drum is roomy, and its wide door and external handle make it a cinch to load and unload.
We loved using this dryer so much that we kept it in our Cleaning Lab to dry all of the big loads from testing washing machines and laundry detergents. Our test kitchens also made good use of it for the aprons and dish towels they launder.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY
Beyond its easy-to-use design, this GE delivered impressive tangle-free results, and its delicates cycle clocked in at under 30 minutes in our tests. It's also Wi-Fi-enabled for remote monitoring, linking with a matching washer, and downloading specialty cycles. The main limitation is that this dryer isn't stackable.
| Size | 27" W x 31" D x 46" H |
| Capacity | 7.4 cu. ft. |
| Power | Gas |
| Stackable | No |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Requires venting | Yes |
| Energy Star certified | Yes |
Pros
- Large capacity
- Offers a 90-minute dry setting
- Can dispense fabric refresher or wrinkle reducer into the load
- Alexa voice-enabled
Cons
- Door is plastic
THE SMART FEATURES THAT SET IT APART
We liked this GE Profile series dryer so much, it earned a spot in our Good Housekeeping Cleaning Awards. We found it very easy to use, and we appreciate its large 7.3-cubic-foot capacity. It's a breeze to load and unload, and the quick cycles dry items thoroughly. This app-enabled dryer matches and links to its Alexa voice-enabled washer partner and automatically selects the best dry cycle for the washed load.
We like that the dryer offers timed dry settings up to 90 minutes, rather than the usual 60 minutes. We also found the display, which clearly shows the cycle status and time remaining, very helpful for drying bulky items like comforters and down coats.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY
One unusual feature is a chamber in the door that can dispense Febreze Fabric Refresher (a GH Seal star) or Downy Wrinkle Releaser directly into the load. The door itself, however, is made of plastic, which isn't what we expected from a dryer at this price.
| Size | 27" W x 31" D x 43.875" H |
| Capacity | 7.3 cu. ft. |
| Power | Electric |
| Stackable | No |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Requires venting | Yes |
| Energy Star certified | Yes |
Pros
- Excelled in our cleaning performance tests
- Dries much faster than other combos we've tested
- Has a no-touch lint filter
Cons
- Drying temperatures can be a little high
WHAT SETS THIS COMBO APART
This Samsung washer-dryer combo is a Cleaning Award winner and earned a Good Housekeeping Seal, thanks to its combination of speed, capacity, and performance. It has the largest capacity of any combo model we've tested, and it washed and dried our laundry faster than any other unit in our evaluations. Our standard cotton load came out clean in just 42 minutes, while the Super Speed cycle tackled a smaller load in only 28 minutes. It also performed well in stain-removal tests, earning a 90% score for lifting tough stains like chocolate and wine.
Its vented design gives it a major advantage in drying. In our tests, it removed a pound of water in less than 12 minutes, leaving an 8-pound load dry and ready to fold in under an hour.
There are plenty of convenience features, too, including 23 wash programs and bulk dispensers that can hold enough detergent for up to 47 loads. We found the 7-inch touchscreen intuitive to use, appreciated the app's remote monitoring capabilities, and especially liked the hands-free lint trap design.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY
This is a vented combo, so unlike many all-in one machines, it requires an exterior vent. Drying temperatures also reached up to 170°F on high in our tests, though they remained within a range safe for most fabrics.
| Size | 27" W x 44" H x 35" D |
| Capacity | 5.3 cu. ft. |
| Power | Electric |
| Stackable | N/A |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Requires venting | Yes |
| Energy Star certified | Yes |
Pros
- Small footprint with large capacity
- Doesn't require outside venting
- Plugs into a standard 120-V outlet
- Has a heat pump for efficient drying
Cons
- May not handle especially large loads
WHY IT WORKS SO WELL IN SMALL SPACES
With a width of 23.5 inches and a depth of 25.31 inches, this machine is a strong choice for small, awkward, or out-of-the-way spaces or in a second laundry location. But don’t let this dryer’s compact footprint fool you. Inside, it has a larger-than-expected 4.02-cubic-foot drum and its ventless design gives you more flexibility when deciding where to put it.
The Miele is energy-efficient, thanks to its heat pump technology, which also helps it dry clothes gently. It doesn’t skimp on cycles either, offering wrinkle-fighting steam and special settings for wool and silk, table linens and drapes, denim, and more. If you can’t easily connect it to a drain, collected condensation can instead be emptied from a drawer. It also plugs into a standard 120-V outlet.
Its drum reverses and alternates tumbling directions to keep clothing from tangling and creasing. And while ventless dryers can be slower than traditional models, we found the Miele to be faster than other ventless dryers we’ve tested.
For more customization, you can add a special Miele FragranceDos capsule to give laundry a fresh scent. Connect the dryer to Wi-Fi, and the Miele app also lets you monitor its progress and view performance data from your smartphone.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY
At this price, the Miele is an investment, and its compact drum may not be the best fit for especially large loads. But if space and installation flexibility are priorities, its ventless design, standard 120-V plug, and optional condensate drawer make it unusually versatile.
| Size | 23.5" W x 25.375" D x 33.5" H |
| Capacity | 4.0 cu. ft. |
| Power | Electric |
| Stackable | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Requires venting | No |
| Energy Star certified | Yes |
Pros
- Dries quickly and efficiently
- Variety of special cycles, including sanitize and steam
- Easy to operate
- Durable design
Cons
- Not stackable
- No Wi-Fi connectivity
WHY THIS TRADITIONAL DRYER STANDS OUT
This Good Housekeeping Seal holder proves that sometimes a more traditional design is all you need for great drying performance. The Speed Queen DC5 impressed us in our Lab tests, drying an 8-pound load in just 47 minutes. It was especially effective with smaller loads, reaching our target dryness levels in only 32 minutes. Moisture sensors automatically adjust cycle times and help prevent over-drying, which can extend the life of your clothes.
Its controls are straightforward, but you still get useful specialty cycles. Steam Refresh and Steam Boost help reduce wrinkles and revive lightly worn garments without a full wash. The sanitizing cycle reaches temperatures designed to help eliminate bacteria and freshen fabrics. And its durable construction is another reason this more traditional machine earned our recommendation.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY
This dryer deliberately keeps things simple, so you won't find some of the conveniences offered by newer competitors. It isn't stackable and doesn't have Wi-Fi connectivity or app controls. If those features aren't priorities, though, the DC5 offers the intuitive operation and strong drying performance that impressed us in testing.
| Size | 26.8" W x 42.7" H x 28" D |
| Capacity | 7.0 cu. ft. |
| Power | Electric |
| Stackable | No |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Requires venting | Yes |
| Energy Star certified | No |
Pros
- Dries well
- Helps minimize pet hair
- Equipped with a variety of special cycles like Steam and Anti-Static
- Energy-efficient
Cons
- Takes a bit longer to dry
WHY WE RECOMMEND IT FOR PET OWNERS
This Good Housekeeping Seal holder is ideal for pet owners because it's equipped with a unique Pet Plus Pet Hair Remover cycle that loosens and removes pet hair from dry clothing and linens before they go into the wash. That extra step can help keep shed hair from simply traveling with your clothes through the laundry cycle. In our tests, it delivered thorough drying, getting our 8-pound test load dry in about 63 minutes.
Pet hair removal isn't its only strength. You also get Steam Refresh, Steam Sanitize, and Steam Boost cycles to help reduce wrinkles, freshen fabrics, and sanitize items. An Anti-Static option also helps minimize cling. It's Energy Star-certified and backed by an impressive seven-year warranty.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BUY
You may have to trade some speed for the DR7's strong drying performance. In our tests, cycles tended to run longer than those of some competing models, especially with smaller loads. It's also a traditional side-by-side machine rather than a stackable dryer, so make sure you have the floor space for it.
| Size | 26.8" W x 42.7" H x 28.0" D |
| Capacity | 7.0 cu. ft. |
| Power | Electric |
| Stackable | No |
| Warranty | 7 years |
| Requires venting | Yes |
| Energy Star certified | Yes |
How we test clothes dryers
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab, we evaluate dryers under controlled conditions to ensure every model is tested consistently. Each dryer is installed in a climatology chamber on a specialized platform balance, where we maintain the same temperature, humidity, and venting conditions for every test. As a load dries, the balance lets us precisely track its weight and determine when all of the added moisture has been removed.
We assess everything from drying performance and fabric care to drum capacity, footprint, features, and ease of use. Based on industry-standard AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers) protocols, we attach temperature strips to the fabrics in the load to help us identify dryers that dry fabrics quickly without excessive heat that can damage them. We evaluate cycles from timed dry and normal to delicate and casual to see how well they dry clothes, bedding, towels, and more.
Drying time isn’t the only thing we evaluate. We also assess wrinkle removal according to fabric-grading standards we’ve adopted from the textile industry. We note any tangling or twisting of clothing and check whether specialty cycles, such as steam and refresh settings, perform as expected.
We evaluate ease of use from a consumer's perspective, too. We assess how clear and intuitive the controls are and how easy it is to open and close the door and reach inside the drum. We also review the owner's manual for accuracy, clarity, and manufacturer contact information.
Since a dryer’s lint filter should be cleaned between every load, we assess how easy it is to remove, clean, and replace the filter, aas well as whether we can remove lint trapped deep inside the chamber.
What to know when buying a clothes dryer
✔️ Gas vs. electric: If you are replacing a dryer you already have, sticking with the same power source is usually the simplest option. Gas dryers require a gas line hookup, while electric dryers require a 208-240V connection. If you are remodeling and running new lines, it's worth considering your options. Gas dryers are more expensive to purchase up front—about $100 more—but usually cost less to run over time than electric dryers. May dryer models are available in both gas and electric versions, so you usually don't have to sacrifice the model you want to stick with your existing setup.
✔️ Venting: Many dryers require venting to the outside to safely remove lint, heat, and moisture from your home. If you live in an apartment or want to install laundry appliances somewhere without venting, a ventless model may be a better fit. Instead of exhausting moist air outdoors, these dryers collect the removed moisture as water, which may drain automatically or collect in a container you'll need to empty. Most ventless or condenser dryers are compact models, but full-size ventless options are increasingly available, too.
✔️ Energy efficiency: If energy efficiency is a priority, consider a heat pump dryer. Rather than continuously exhausting heated air, heat pump models remove moisture from the air and recirculate the reheated air back through the drum, reducing wasted energy. When shopping, check the yellow Energy Guide label to get an idea of how much energy a model will use, how much it will cost to run, and how it compares to other models before you buy.
Features to consider when buying a dryer
Most dryers offer a range of standard features, including multiple cycle options, moisture sensors, extended tumbling to help prevent wrinkles, reversible doors, drum lights, end-of-cycle signals, child locks, and adjustable time and temperature settings. Beyond those basics, these are some of the extras we think are most useful.
- Steam: Dryers with steam are more complicated to install, but the feature can be worth considering if you regularly deal with wrinkled clothes or items that need refreshing between washes. To use it, the dryer generally needs a connection to the water supply that feeds the washer. Steam can help freshen fabrics and remove wrinkles and odors from clothing that doesn't require a full wash. It's also a useful way to refresh difficult-to-wash items, like throw pillows and stuffed toys.
- Wi-Fi connectivity: Smart features can do more than monitoring and remote control of a cycle. Depending on the model, apps can help diagnose and troubleshoot maintenance issues, add cycles for special types of clothing, like activewear, and communicate with the washer. In some cases, they can even deliver software updates directly from the manufacturer.
- Sanitizing cycles: A sanitizing cycle can be useful for items like bedding and towels. These cycles use higher heat, steam, and longer tumbling to kill 99% of bacteria in fabrics. Look for cycles certified by NSF or another reputable organization to make sure they perform as expected.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Noah Pinsonnault is a reviews analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab, where he tests and writes about major appliances and cleaning products, including clothes dryers, washing machines, and laundry detergents. He regularly works with the Lab's washers and dryers while evaluating laundry products, giving him hands-on experience with these machines beyond dedicated appliance testing. For this update, he reviewed the Lab's dryer testing data and methodology and refreshed our recommendations and buying advice.
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