Best Clothes Dryers of 2024 - Consumer Reports (2024)

Doing laundry can be a tedious task. The best clothes dryers we test can ease the chore, from drying your clothes more thoroughly to handling larger loads. And our testing shows that some of the best dryers are also among the least expensive.

CR’s clothes dryer ratings of over 190 models are based on performance, reliability, noise, and convenience (for instance, whether the door is high enough to clear a laundry basket).

A majority of consumers recently surveyed by CR said they prefer electric dryers over gas dryers. Nonetheless, our decades of research and testing show that gas dryers compare favorably with their electric counterparts. You’ll find both types of dryers, as well as compact dryers, in our comprehensive ratings.

If your dryer is on its last tumble, the models below are among the top electric, gas, and compact dryers from our tests. For helpful information as you shop, see our clothes dryer buying guide, which also lists the brands we test. Need a washer, too? Check out our picks of the best matching washer/dryer sets and the best washing machines.

Best Electric Clothes Dryers

Best Gas Clothes Dryers

Best Compact Clothes Dryers

How CR Tests Clothes Dryers

In our labs, we dry laundry loads of different sizes and fabric mixes (like cotton/polyester blends and synthetic delicates) to determine a machine’s drying performance. A dryer’s controls and ergonomics, such as ease of loading and unloading, determine its convenience score. The sound quality and volume of an 8-lb. laundry load define its noise score as judged by an expert panel.

You can learn more about our tests in CR’s clothes dryer buying guide.

Tips for Choosing a Clothes Dryer

Dryers come in a wide range of prices, from about as little as $300 to as high as $2,300, but most of the dryers in our ratings fall between $600 and $1,300. For a dryer that offers top performance at a great price, look for models identified in our ratings as a CR Smart Buy. And remember that regardless of price, you’ll get the best value out of your dryer purchase if you choose a reliable one.

LG models dominate our ratings for standard-sized dryers. The brand performs better than any other in CR’s lab tests and reliability ratings, claiming the top 18 electric dryer spots and the top 12 gas dryer spots. Samsung leads in the compact dryer sector, but Miele is not far behind.

Some dryers offer special features or cycles. One example is a steam option that unwrinkles your clothes by spraying a little water into the drum while heating and tumbling. But the features that will make the most difference in everyday use are sufficient capacity and a moisture sensor, which detects how dry a load is and automatically turns off the machine. This prevents overdrying and also saves energy.

That’s important, because in generating the heat required to dry clothes, a dryer uses much more energy than a clothes washer. An Energy Star certified dryer can save as much as 20 percent on your energy costs. For the most efficient and eco-friendly dryers, look for those that receive our Green Choice designation.