Dryers.(drying equipment)(Buyers guide)

Most of these dryers scored at least a very good overall in our tests. Dryers judged excellent for drying were noticeably better than lower-scoring models at leaving a load damp for ironing and at drying delicates at low heat. All tested models can hold a typical wash load. Those judged excellent for capacity are best for bulky items like comforters. Those that scored less than excellent or very good for noise could be disruptive. Most have moisture sensors, which have proven better than thermostats at determining when laundry is dry.

Our Ratings rank dryers by overall score. Note that while our test scores are for electric dryers, equivalent gas models (listed on the individual model pages) have historically performed similarly in our tests. We have no Quick Picks for dryers at this time. Note that tougher new 2007 energy-efficiency standards for washers have prompted many manufacturers to discontinue previously tested dryers as they introduce new versions of both machines. You'll find additional test results for dryers in the January 2007 issue of Consumer Reports.

 
Within types, in performance order. 
 
          Brand & model                           Price    Overall 
                                                           score 
          Small type: similar model(s) 
 
                                                           P F G VG E 
Key 
number 
     1    GE Profile Harmony                      $800            84 
          DPGT750EC[WW] 
 
     2    LG  DLE5977[W]                            850           84 
 
     3    Maytag  Neptune MCE8000AY[W]             1000           83 
 
     4    Kenmore  (Sears) Elite Oasis              900           82 
          6706[2] Elite Oasis 7706[] 
          $960, Elite Oasis 7707[] 
          $1060, Elite Oasis 6707[] $1000 
 
     5    Maytag  Neptune MDE9700AY[WW]             800           81 
 
     6    Whirlpool  Duet GEW9250P[W]               800           81 
 
     7    GE  DBVH512EF[WW] DBVH512GE[] $700,       650           80 
          Adora DHDVH52GF[] (Home Depot) $680, 
          Adora DHDVH52EF[] (Home Depot) $630 
 
     8    KitchenAid  Superba Ensemble             1050           80 
          KEHS02R[MT] Superba Ensemble 
          KGHS20R[] $1110 
 
     9    Maytag  Neptune MDE7500AY[W]              800           75 
          Neptune MDG7500A[] $870 
 
    10    Amana  NDE8805AY[W]                       430           74 
          NDG8805A[] $500 
 
    11    Maytag  MDE4806AY[W]                      400           74 
          MDG4806A[] $450 
 
    12    LG  DL-E2514[W] DL-G2524[] $650           600           70 
 
    13    Frigidaire  LEQ2152E[S] (Lowes)           600           68 
          GLEQ2152E[] $670, GLGQ2152E[] $660, 
          LGQ2152E[] (Lowes) $650 
 
    14    Estate  by Whirlpool TEDS840J[Q]        $370            62 
          TEDS740P[] $370 
 
    15    Admiral  ADE7005A[W] (Home                350           56 
          Depot) ADG7005A[] $400 
 
    16    Speed Queen  CES68AWF[W]                  600           46 
          CGS68AWF[] $650 
 
Brand & model                           Test results 
 
Small type: similar model(s) 
 
                                        Drying       Capacity     Noise 
                                        performance 
 
GE Profile Harmony                        [A]          [A]          [A] 
DPGT750EC[WW] 
 
LG  DLE5977[W]                            [A]          [A]          [A] 
 
Maytag  Neptune MCE8000AY[W]              [A]          [A]          [B] 
 
Kenmore  (Sears) Elite Oasis              [B]          [A]          [A] 
6706[2] Elite Oasis 7706[] 
$960, Elite Oasis 7707[] 
$1060, Elite Oasis 6707[] $1000 
 
Maytag  Neptune MDE9700AY[WW]             [B]          [A]          [A] 
 
Whirlpool  Duet GEW9250P[W]               [A]          [A]          [B] 
 
GE  DBVH512EF[WW] DBVH512GE[] $700,       [A]          [A]          [B] 
Adora DHDVH52GF[] (Home Depot) $680, 
Adora DHDVH52EF[] (Home Depot) $630 
 
KitchenAid  Superba Ensemble              [A]          [A]          [B] 
KEHS02R[MT] Superba Ensemble 
KGHS20R[] $1110 
 
Maytag  Neptune MDE7500AY[W]              [B]          [A]          [B] 
Neptune MDG7500A[] $870 
 
Amana  NDE8805AY[W]                       [B]          [A]          [B] 
NDG8805A[] $500 
 
Maytag  MDE4806AY[W]                      [B]          [A]          [B] 
MDG4806A[] $450 
 
LG  DL-E2514[W] DL-G2524[] $650           [B]          [A]          [B] 
 
Frigidaire  LEQ2152E[S] (Lowes)           [B]          [B]          [B] 
GLEQ2152E[] $670, GLGQ2152E[] $660, 
LGQ2152E[] (Lowes) $650 
 
Estate  by Whirlpool TEDS840J[Q]          [C]          [B]          [C] 
TEDS740P[] $370 
 
Admiral  ADE7005A[W] (Home                [C]          [B]          [C] 
Depot) ADG7005A[] $400 
 
Speed Queen  CES68AWF[W]                  [D]          [B]          [C] 
CGS68AWF[] $650 
 
Brand & model 
 
Small type: similar model(s)                      Features 
 
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