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Reviewed
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
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Anyone with a lot of kids knows how quickly laundry can pile up. If you're tired of your free time being dominated by household busywork, you might want to consider upgrading your laundry game to one that’s well positioned for a large family.
To cut down on the need for multiple cycles, consider looking at large-capacity dryers. While you can easily buy a large-capacity washer and dryer as a set, if you're just looking to replace your dryer, we can recommend plenty of best dryers for large families that have drums roomy enough to fit more than your average load.
For a dryer to make this list, it not only has to have a large capacity, but it also has to be able to dry your laundry quickly; what good is a bigger dryer if you still end up having to run it repeatedly because that big pile of wet clothes is still damp?
Our favorite large-capacity dryer is the 7.4-cu.-ft. Maytag MED7230HW (available at Maytag) , which has a strong drying performance, as well as a number of useful extra features.
Editor's Note: Appliances purchases are a large investment of both money and time. We’ve not only compiled lists of the best dryers to shop, but also the best places to buy in-stock appliances right now and the best times of year to buy appliances to take advantage of sales and new releases.
The Maytag MED7230HW dryer features a hamper door, which opens from top to bottom. This makes loading easier and you won't have to stoop.
Solid drying
Good smart features
Hamper door for easier loading
None that we could find
Lots of cycle options
Steam mode
Well designed
Efficient
Higher cost than competitors
Features the Extra Power button
Comes in a Metallic Slate finish
Lint trap is not well-aligned
Most cycles are fast and get laundry 100% dry
Door-mounted touchscreen controls
Intuitive App
Need to bend over to read control panel
Fast, effective cycles
High capacity
Steam features
The lint trap is so large it's unwieldy
Pet Pro features only shine with paired washer
Solid drying performance
Microban coating
Excellent extra features
Long cycle times
Excellent Normal and Delicates cycles
Great steam features
Poor Quick Dry and Bulky/Bedding cycle
Expensive
We recommend large-capacity dryers for those who have larger families. For this group, there are a few factors that matter more than most: its capacity, its cycle times, and whether or not you'll need to run a second cycle because clothes are still damp.
Shorter cycle times and getting laundry completely dry the first time are important, because if you're already managing an entire household, you probably don't have much spare time to micromanage your appliances.
A high capacity is important for similar reasons: A higher capacity ultimately means you won't need to run as many cycles, so you can spend more time with your family and less time in the laundry room.
Large-capacity dryers typically have a drum size of 7 cubic feet and above. A dryer of this size can handle the laundry needs of a family of four. If your family is larger, you should look for capacities closer to 8 cubic feet.
Typically the best time to buy appliances is earlier in the year, particularly during Presidents Day sales. That's because newer models tend to roll out at the start of the year, which means older appliances benefit from clearance sale pricing.
But, you can usually find a good deal on a dryer at Best Buy, Lowe's, Appliances Connection, and AJ Madison.
According to our testing, Maytag really seems to know what it's doing in this space. As you can see from this list, Maytag owns several of the top spots, thanks to its combination of large drums, fast cycles, and relatively low prices.
Hello! We're Reviewed's appliance testing team. We've spent many years testing major appliances including washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, and robot vacuum cleaners.
In addition to lab-testing these products, we also use them just like you would in the course of your daily life. If a drawer doesn't slide smoothly, or a fixture is awkward to rearrange, we'll notice. This combination of objective and subjective testing helps give us a more holistic sense of what appliances are bargains at their price points, and which appliances have genuinely useful extra features (as opposed to the kitchen-sink approach to features).
With all this in mind, you can feel confident that when we recommend a product, we're giving it our Reviewed stamp of approval. This means two things: First, that this appliance performs well, and second, that this appliance is easy to use.
We're always reviewing new products, so stay tuned for our reviews and roundups of the latest products in laundry, refrigerators, dishwashers, and vacuum cleaners!
Every large-capacity dryer that comes into Reviewed’s labs gets put through the same testing regime, which addresses both performance and user-friendliness.
Performance tests include:
• Drying performance: How much water does each major dryer cycle actually remove from your clothes, and how quickly can it achieve that level of dryness?
• Maximum temperature: We record the maximum temperature in each dryer cycle. Some like it hot, but if dryer temperatures get too hot, it could damage your clothes.
Most dryers have capacities ranging from 7.3 to 7.5 cubic feet, enough to deal with the laundry that can fit in most washing machines.
The best dryers completely dry your clothes at a temperature that is hot (140°F-150°F), but not too hot (lest your clothes be scorched or damaged), and have short cycle times.
Beyond these performance tests, we also assess the usability of each dryer, based on our own experience using the device. This is done both during testing and during more casual use (one perk of working at Reviewed is that there are plenty of laundry machines on premises!). Our main goal is to answer the question, "How easy is it to actually use this dryer?" This involves cumulatively assessing the control panel, the door, the vent, and any smart features.
By combining the performance data with our own observations, we can make solid recommendations for any type of dryer at any price point.
Whether it’s an emergency replacement or you’re just looking to change up your laundry room, there are a few things to consider when purchasing a new dryer.
Before you head to the stores, be sure you know the size constraints on your dryer. We’re not just talking about the available width in your laundry room, although that’s definitely important.
Are the doorways in your home wide enough for a dryer to fit through during delivery? Will narrow or tight staircases present a problem? Take a tape measure and check the doorway width against the dryer’s specs, making sure you have a few inches of clearance.
Most dryers have capacities ranging from 7.3 to 7.5 cubic feet, enough to deal with the laundry that can fit in most washing machines. However, if you have a high-capacity washing machine (5.0 cubic-foot capacity or greater), you’ll need a dryer that can keep up with the bigger laundry loads, typically one with a capacity of 8.0 cubic-feet or greater. Otherwise, your dryer may struggle to dry large laundry loads in a single dryer cycle.
Keep your budget constraints in mind. Dryer prices can run the gamut from $500 to $2,000 or more, but most sit in the $800 to $1,200 range.We have recommendations for some dryers with very low prices, but you can generally find great dryers at any price point. It just takes a little research and figuring out which features and design elements you can live without.
Also, if you can afford to wait, most appliance manufacturers and retailers tend to offer steep discounts around major holidays. Vigilantly searching for deals can save you hundreds of dollars.
How picky are you about your dryer cycles? Do you want to be able to set specific cycle temperatures, drying levels, and cycle duration, or would you prefer to just hit two buttons and start drying? Do you want a cycle just for denim jeans?
Consider how you do laundry on a day-to-day basis. If you prefer a straightforward process, you’ll probably want to buy a lower-tech dryer. Even if extra customization seems appealing, it may not make sense for you to buy a dryer loaded with features you won’t really use.
Are you considering a dryer with steam? Steam is an easy and effective way to reduce wrinkles, remove stale smells, and refresh clothing.
However, if the dryer you’re eyeballing has steam, be sure to find out exactly how the dryer gets the water needed to create that steam. Most dryers will require access to an additional water line, but some dryers have a drawer where you can manually add water. If you don’t have that necessary water hookup, you may pay extra for a feature you can’t actually use.
Based on your laundry room configuration, which way should the dryer door open? If the opening direction doesn’t work in your laundry space, don’t worry, almost all dryers have reversible doors. All you’ll need is a screwdriver and some elbow grease.
It’s such a minor thing, it can be a big frustration when you use your shiny new dryer for the first time and learn you can’t open the door all the way.
Mark Brezinski works on the Home Team, reviewing refrigerators, minifridges, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, air purifiers, and fans.
Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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