Dryer buying guide

Dryers are even simpler than washers — but there's one decision that matters more than everything else combined: gas or electric. Get that right and the rest is easy.

Gas vs. electric — the big decision

Gas dryers cost more up front but are cheaper to run, and they heat up faster. They need a gas line in the laundry room.

Electric dryers cost less to buy but need a 240-volt outlet — not a regular wall plug.

The practical rule: buy whatever your laundry room already has. Running a new gas line or wiring a 240V circuit costs far more than any savings from switching fuel types. If you're not sure what you have, text a photo of the hookups and we'll help you figure it out.

What to check before you buy

It should produce real heat on every heat setting — no heat usually means a dead heating element or igniter.
The drum should turn smoothly without grinding or squealing.
Check the lint trap slides in and out and isn't cracked.
Make sure the timer or electronic controls advance through a cycle.

Measuring your space

Like washers, standard dryers are about 27 inches wide. Allow a few extra inches of depth for the vent hose behind the machine, and check the door swing. If you're buying a washer and dryer together, matching widths look right and fit the space evenly.

Buy the pair, save on both

Here's the thing about dryers: the smartest money isn't in the dryer, it's in the pair. A matching washer and dryer bought together with the bundle discount (up to 15% off) often costs less than buying them one at a time — which means the nicer dryer you were debating basically pays for itself. Match your washer's width, pick your fuel type, and bundle them.

Venting

Almost every home dryer in the US is vented — it needs a duct to the outside. Keep that duct short and clean; a clogged vent is the #1 reason dryers underperform and the #1 laundry-room fire hazard.