The Best Electric Dryers That Tackle Laundry Quickly And Efficiently

Electric dryers have the thankless task of ensuring that your clothes come out perfectly dry, with no damp holdovers in sight. But the best electric dryers have added features that go beyond the basics, including specialized cycles, steam cleaning options and even smart capabilities, so you can get your drying cycle started (and adjusted) from just about anywhere.

Electric dryers plug into an outlet and use metal heating coils to dry clothes quickly and … [+] efficiently.

Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers

In case you’re not well-versed in dryer types, these essential appliances can generally be divided into two categories: gas and electric. Gas dryers require a gas hookup to operate, while electric dryers plug into an outlet and use metal heating coils to dry clothes quickly, explains Mallory Micetich, home expert at Angi. Electric dryers are typically more popular than their gas counterparts, and they tend to be less expensive, Micetich points out.

The best dryer for you depends on a few factors, including the capacity you need, how interested you are in special features, whether you want a stackable washer and dryer and, of course, your budget. These are the best electric dryers out there to help make laundry day a little more seamless.

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Best Overall Electric Dryer

Cutting Edge Technology Without Unnecessary Bells And Whistles

Samsung Electronics America

Samsung 7.4 Cubic Feet Electric Dryer With Sensor Dry

No matter how you look at it, electric dryers are expensive. But this Samsung version manages to jam a lot of features in a comparatively small price tag. The dryer is 7.4 cubic feet, which is roomy enough for the needs of most families, and gives the option of choosing from 10 preset drying cycles to find that just-right level of dryness for you. Sensor drying also automatically tweaks the runtime and temperature to ensure that damp clothes won’t be in your future. The door is reversible, too, so you can configure it to meet the needs of your laundry space. Another nice feature: The dryer has a smart care system, allowing you to troubleshoot any issues that may pop up from an app on your phone.

Best Large Capacity Electric Dryer

A Dryer That Can Handle A Full Set Of King-Sized Bedding

Lowe’s

LG TurboSteam 9 Cubic Feet Stackable Steam Cycle Electric Dryer

Whether you have a larger family or just prefer to run your dryer as little as possible, the LG TurboSteam has a whopping nine cubic foot capacity that’s one of the largest you’ll find on the market. But, while you can fit a full set of king size bedding in a single load, this dryer has more going for it than just its spacious size. Enjoy LG TurboSteam technology to work out wrinkles in 10 minutes or less, while the brand’s special ThinQ App lets you control the laundry from wherever you are. There’s even a FlowSense Duct Clogging Indicator to tip you off to when it’s time to clean out your ducts. While you’re probably not pinning your decision on how the inside of your dryer looks, it’s also good to know that the dryer’s stainless steel drum won’t show its age over time.

Best Front Load Electric Dryer

A Sleek Appliance With 36 Cycle Combinations

Whirlpool 7.4 Cubic Feet Electric Wrinkle Shield Dryer

Whirlpool’s front load dryer offers up plenty of nice features to make your laundry experience seamless, including some you may not have thought of. This sleek dryer boasts three sensors to help protect your clothes against over-drying by tracking moisture and temperature, while also ensuring it avoid the dreaded still-damp phenomenon once the cycle is done. Flip between 36 cycle combinations to find the one that’s right for your particular load. There’s even a sanitize cycle to help tackle 99.9% of common household bacteria. A wrinkle shield feature offers extended tumbling after the cycle ends to help lower the risk you’ll need to iron.

Best Stackable Electric Dryer

A Dryer With A 30-Inch Depth Ideal For Small Spaces

Lowe’s

LG 7.4 Cubic Feet Stackable Electric Dryer

This dryer from LG was specially designed to be stackable, allowing you to make good use of valuable floor space. The dryer also has a 30-inch depth to fit into tight spaces or more shallow closets. A roomy 7.4 cubic foot capacity holds plenty of clothes, while sensor dry helps detect when you load needs more time or can call it quits early. The dryer is known for its quiet operation, allowing you to run it any time of day without worrying about being disturbed. A neat additional feature to consider if you have to dress up for work: The dryer’s EasyIron option will lightly moisten your clothes for easy ironing if you prefer to finish your items off that way.

Best Energy Efficient Electric Dryer

An Energy Star-Certified Machine With A 15-Minute Fast-Dry Option

Best Buy

Electrolux 8 Cubic Feet Stackable Electric Front Load Dryer with Steam Predictive Dry

With an 8 cubic feet capacity, this dryer from Electrolux is roomier than average. But it’s also Energy Star-Certified and has several features to help you avoid running your dryer for too long. The appliance’s Predictive Dryer feature quickly figures out the perfect drying time for your load to give you a just-right run time without wasting energy, while the 15-minute fast-dry option lets you get that pair of jeans out of the wash and on your body as quickly as possible. Flip between nine cycles to find the one that’s right for you, as well as a Perfect Steam wrinkle-releasing feature to keep your clothes smooth and ready to go, right out of the dryer.

Best Electric Clothes Dryer With Steam Cleaning

A Roomy Dryer That Takes Out 99.8% Of Bacteria

Best Buy

GE Profile 7.8 Cubic Feet Smart Front Load Electric Dryer

This GE Profile dryer features steam cleaning that can help take out wrinkles and reduce odor. It also uses the power of steam to tackle up to 99.8% of certain types of bacteria to give you a deep clean. The brand’s SmartHQ features allow you to stop, start and keep an eye on your laundry from anywhere thanks to your phone. The dryer even personalizes your cycle selections automatically once it learns your preferences, making it even faster to get clothes that are perfectly dry. A gentle mist toward the end of your cycle reduces static, and you can even enjoy a quick dry cycle to tackle small loads when you’re in a hurry. At 7.8 cubic feet, this dryer is slightly roomier than average.

Best Smart Electric Clothes Dryer

A Dryer That Lets You Start Your Cycle While You’re At Brunch

Best Buy

LG 7.4 Cubic Feet Stackable Smart Electric Dryer With Built-In Intelligence

Smart features aren’t for everyone, but can make laundry an easier experience for those who rely on them. This dryer features ThinQ technology, which syncs your machine to an app on your phone, allowing you to do things like put your dryer on wrinkle release when you’re on your way home from brunch to get perfectly crisp clothes when the timing is right. The dryer features Sensor Dry to detect moisture in your clothes and adjust the cycle accordingly. It also has a quiet operation, so you don’t have to stress about disturbing you or family members when it runs. It’s also stackable in case your space is limited.

How We Chose The Best Electric Dryers

To determine the top models currently on the market, we first spoke with experts in the field about the qualities that distinguish a great electric dryer from one that’s subpar. We then scanned the market, identifying the most popular electric dryers you can buy right now. Factoring in what we learned from the experts, as well as customer reviews, we narrowed down our list to the best of the best.

What To Look For In An Electric Dryer

Here are the factors most worth considering as you begin shopping for your ideal electric dryer.

Capacity

The right electric dryer capacity for you depends on two factors: the size of your household and your personal preferences. Many quality models feature 7.4 cubic feet capacities, which is a generous size that can handle most loads. If you have a large family or prefer to run your dryer as little as possible, though, you may want to consider something with a larger capacity. The LG TurboSteam has a spacious 9 cubic feet capacity, making it ideal for people who want something extra roomy.

Stackability

If floor space is limited, you may want to consider stacking your washer and dryer. Just keep in mind that you can’t stack any old model—you need ones designed to sit on top one another. You also need to make sure you have the right equipment to link your vent to your dry, Micetich notes, and that you can comfortably reach all of the parts of your appliances that you’d need to access. Careful measurements are important—the depth, height and width of your machine should all be considered.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency can help save you money down the road, especially if you tend to use your dryer frequently. Additionally, some models come with added features that can help keep down the cost of your electrical bill. For example, “some electric dryers have sensors that can detect when your clothes are dry, which can help make them more energy efficient,” Micetich says.

Additional Features

Many of today’s electric dryers boast enticing features like smart connectivity, steaming and sensor drying, all of which can make your laundry experience smarter and more efficient. Before you hit checkout on a model with all the bells and whistles, though, it’s important to consider which features you’ll actually use. Additional features typically raise the overall cost of the machine, and you don’t want to pay extra for something you won’t ever take advantage of.