Best Electric Dryers for $800 or Less
Consumer Reports' tests show that you don't have to break the bank to get a good dryer
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When circumstances force you to consider a new clothes dryer—a new house, a laundry room upgrade, or, most recently, fear of impending tariffs—price is likely to be a major factor in your decision.
Prices on electric dryers range widely, from $450 to $2,200 (with $877 being about average), based on our ratings. But that could shift: Although 75.4 percent of dryers purchased in the last four quarters cost $800 or less, the market could see a 15 percent price spike if tariffs kick in, according to the market intelligence data firm OpenBrand. Early indicators point to this. In March, as tariff news ramped up, the number of dryers selling at that price range dipped to 68 percent, according to Bryce Tecson, an OpenBrand market analyst.
“Knowing that appliance purchases are driven by replacement—either broken appliances or those about to break—I would recommend buying sooner rather than later if your washer and dryer are on their last legs,” he says. “The Memorial Day promotional period may be the last ‘sweet spot’ where tariffs are not quite in effect and the inventory stockpile allows for decent deals.”
Best Electric Dryers for $800 or Less
What to Look for in a Dryer
Dryers are improving each year, and that technology is filtering down the market. Still, those priced in the middle range might sacrifice some bells and whistles, such as WiFi, touchpads, sleek designs, and efficient moisture sensors.
“Moisture sensors are the most important dryer feature,” says Richard Handel, Consumer Reports’ lead laundry appliance tester. “Compared to thermostats, they more accurately determine how dry your clothes are, then shut the machine off or move it into a cool-down mode.” That prevents overdrying, which is tough on fabric and wastes energy and money.
CR buys and tests electric dryers—the more widely sold type—as well as gas and compact dryers. Our dryer ratings include more than 150 full-sized and compact models from a range of brands, including Amana, Electrolux, Frigidaire, GE, Kenmore, LG, Maytag, Midea, Samsung, and Whirlpool. Most come with a one-year warranty, though the Speed Queen models in our ratings come with five-year warranties.
To make it easier for you to choose, we combine test results, predicted reliability, and owner satisfaction into an Overall Score for each model. The filters in our ratings will also help you narrow your selection. Be sure to check our clothes dryer buying guide, too, for help in zeroing in on the right brand and model for your needs and wallet.
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