Dryers have come a long way over the years. Sure, their primary function is still to dry your laundry, but manufacturers are constantly developing new models that have unique feature sets and identities. To find the right dryer for you, weigh the options you want and the price that you are willing to pay.

Many of the dryers featured below are relatively expensive; however, it is possible to get a quality dryer for substantially less. It may not have all of the tweaks and peaks of a more upscale model, but that does not mean it cannot work just as hard to bring you dry, clean clothes.


LG Electronics Steam Dryer DLGX8388 / DLEX8377

The LG DLGX8388 / DLEX8377 steam dryer comes with all the bells and whistles of a modern model. It features 7.3 cubic feet of interior space, which is about average for a larger dryer, but it is packed with nine programmable cycles and five temperatures, which give you a wide range of drying options. It also includes a moisture sensor, as well as a garment refreshing function that steams and tumbles your clothes, often in less than 20 minutes. You can use this function at the end of a cycle if you need extra time before folding and hanging, or by itself if you simply want to treat some wrinkled work clothes in the morning.

Dryer now steam clothes too. LG DLGX8388 / DLEX8377
Dryers now steam clothes too.
LG DLGX8388 / DLEX8377

Whirlpool Front-Load WED9400S / WGD9400S

The Whirlpool Front-Load WED9400S / WGD9400S has 7.0 cubic feet of interior space and features five temperatures and ten programmed cycles. The perks of this dryer are reflected in its price. For example, AccelerCare is included in this dryer, which means that if this unit is paired with its companion washer, the dryer should match the washer's cycle time; this means that less time is wasted going back and forth to the laundry room to change one load while the other is still in progress. This model also features an extended tumble cycle that keeps clothes fresh once they have been dried. In addition to its drying features, the Whirlpool WED9400S / WGD9400S comes in several designer colors: Black-on-black, Diamond Dust, White-blue Metallic Water, Biscuit-on-biscuit and white. Despite the fancy names, however, these colors are actually basic appliance colors.


Samsung DV337

Samsung's DV337 dryer includes several distinctive features. It comes with a moisture sensor and a dryness level selection, both of which can help you decide when to stop the dryer in order to remove items that need to be hung. Additionally, the door of this model can also be used as a drying station with the addition of an included rack, so you can hang-dry clunky or heat-sensitive items right where you are working. The DV337 is also a damage control unit, so it helps you to protect certain materials. It has 7.3 cubic feet of interior space, offers nine cycles and comes in four outstanding colors -- red, blue, gray and white.

Frigidaire GLEQ2152 / GLGQ2152
Frigidaire GLEQ2152 / GLGQ2152


Frigidaire GLEQ2152 / GLGQ2152

As mentioned earlier, it is possible to buy a dryer at a relatively low price and still get excellent results; consider, for example, the Frigidaire GLEQ2152 / GLGQ2152, which has been deemed a Consumer Guide Budget Buy for its inexpensive quality. Don't be deceived by its somewhat small 5.8 cubic feet of interior space or its simple black and white colors; at roughly half the price of the models mentioned above, this dryer features a dry moisture sensor. This sensor monitors the amount of moisture left in fabrics so you don't have to constantly check up on your clothes to make sure they are not shrinking or overheating. Once the temperature has reached its peak for the materials within, the sensor automatically shuts the dryer off. Despite its low price, the Frigidaire GLEQ2152 / GLGQ2152 has five temperature settings and seven programmed cycles; it also has an auto-press save function to extend tumble-drying. This is a small machine that performs like a big one.