Best Electric Dryers for $800 or Less
Consumer Reports' tests show that you don't have to break the bank to score 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 a current machine that just quit on you—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: In the past year, laundry manufacturers have passed higher steel, copper, aluminum, and shipping costs on to consumers through price hikes and fewer promotions, with prices for some dryers spiking more than $100. But help may be on the way. According to market analyst firm OpenBrand, some manufacturers leveraged the brief window between old and new tariffs to stockpile inventory, fueling speculation about bigger promotional sales for Labor Day and Black Friday shoppers.
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 into the middle of the market. Still, those moderately priced machines 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 Larry Ciufo, who supervises CR’s laundry lab. “Compared with 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. In our ratings, we provide an estimate of how much an electric dryer costs to operate per year, so you can factor that post-purchase cost into your shopping.
CR buys and tests electric dryers—the more widely sold type—as well as gas and compact dryers. Our dryer ratings include about 150 full-sized and compact models from brands such as 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 have three- to seven-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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