What is a unitized dryer?

Above is the energy use comparison for different types of dryers. Credit: How to buy the best clothes dryer | CHOICE

What is the best type of dryer?

On paper, the best type of dryer is the heat pump condenser dryer. This dryer is the most energy-efficient, and no venting is needed. Heat pump dryers don’t create hot air or moisture, so they’re perfect for apartments. They use less than half the energy of a vented or condenser dryer, so the higher purchase price is recouped on power bill savings over the dryer’s lifetime. However, the best type of dryer will depend on various factors, the most important being an individual’s preference. Every single dryer has its advantages, the one that works best for you will depend on the needs of your family and the amount of space available in your home. A large-capacity model will work for you if you have a large household that runs through laundry quickly. An energy-efficient model like a heat pump dryer will be better if energy efficiency is particularly important to your family.

How to buy the best dryer:

Are you mulling on how to buy a quality dryer? There are several factors to consider before purchasing a clothes dryer. These include:

1. How often will you be using your dryer?
2. The kind of laundry you normally dry.
3. The space and ventilation that are available to you.
4. How the dryer’s electric consumption impacts your energy bills
5. Your environmental footprint.

Here are dryer features to consider when trying to answer the question of what is the best dryer for you.

1. Venting/Ducting: The moist, hot air from the dryer has to be removed from your laundry efficiently. No moisture will help to prevent dripping walls and mold-ridden ceilings. You can set up your dryer near an open window or use an exhaust fan to do the job. An open window may not be possible for everyone, in which case you’re likely to need a venting kit. Not all dryers come with venting kits; it’s an optional extra for others. At the same time, not all venting kits suit all situations. To ensure you get what you need, discuss the installation with the sales staff. Remember, some dryers only have an exhaust vent at the front and can’t be ducted. So if your laundry has poor ventilation, check that the model is vent-kit compatible before buying.
2. Wall-mountable or stackable dryers: You will save space if you mount your dryer on the wall or stack it on a front-loading washing machine. Please be advised that some manufacturers only sell stacking kits as an optional extra. At the same time, they may only stack on their brand of a washing machine. Not all dryers are created equal, and only vented dryers can be wall-mounted. Condenser and heat pump dryers are too heavy and must be put on the floor or stacked on a washer.
3. Filters: You need a dryer with a front-fitted lint filter that is easy to access. The main reason is that the lint filter needs to be cleaned regularly for your dryer to operate efficiently and to reduce the risk of fires. 
4. Reverse tumbling: Check if the dryer is fitted with reverse tumbling. Here, the drum reverses the tumbling direction at regular intervals for more even drying and minimizing tangling. Increasingly, and to improve energy efficiency, manufacturers prefer to forego reverse tumbling by running everything – the compressor, fan, and drum rotation, off the one motor – to reverse the drum means changing everything else, which is not the same good for the appliance. While chasing lower energy consumption is admirable, it’s coming at the expense of functionality and performance. An increasing number of models don’t reverse, or the drum only changes for 10 to 90 seconds, resulting in laundry wadding up into a tight ball and not drying properly. The best dryers should make a reasonable balance between functionality and performance. 
5. Drying rack: Consider if you want a drying rack for your laundry or not. Some dryers come with a stand. You can mount that rack inside to hold items you don’t want to tumble, including gym shoes or delicates.
6. Auto program: This unit automatically detects when the load has dried. Auto programs will switch off the dryer when it detects the laundry is completely dry. The auto program saves energy and protects laundry from the damaging effects of overdrying. In practice, they are a hit and miss depending on the size of the load you’re drying.
7. Woollens program: This is a low-heat program. It is designed to dry certain wool or wool-blend clothing items. It is advisable to keep in mind that not all woolen garments can be safely dried in the dryer, even with a woolens program. Take time to read the garment care tag carefully and make sure it says that it’s safe to do so.
8. Delicates program: A delicates program is a gentle, low-temperature mode for drying delicate fabrics.  Just as with the wool above, please carefully read the care instructions on the garment. If it doesn’t say it’s safe to put in a dryer, you should air dry it instead.
9. Extra dry program: Some standards dictate that clothes dryers must be able to achieve a six percent or better moisture content, and if you’re using your dryers’ auto program, it will turn itself off once it reaches this point. If you’ve used a dryer with an auto function, your clothes still feel damp. Your dryer stops at this point because it makes your clothes easier to iron, prevents over-drying and damaging delicate fabrics, and improves energy efficiency. If you still want your clothes extra dry, say, for sealing them up in a bag for winter, an extra dry function can remove a little more moisture. This additional dry function gives you more flexibility but isn’t necessary for day-to-day use.
10. Delay time function: A delay start or delay time function allows you to set your dryer to start at a specific time, for example, when everyone is asleep. 
11. Anti-crease function: This setting prevents creases from settling into clothes by continuously, gently tumbling your clothes after drying has finished.
12. Child lock controls: This function is designed for child safety and prevents children from operating the unit. The machine will not run unless a certain button combination is pressed. 
13. Auto-start and child safety: Auto-start units will automatically turn on and start drying clothes when you shut the door. Though convenient, it carries a safety risk for small children. Who can easily climb into the dryer and shut the door behind them. Dryers with this function are not recommended for those with children or regular young visitors. 

Top 10 dryers:

Here are the top 10 dryers of 2022 according to The 10 Best Clothes Dryers of 2022 

1. Best Overall, Electric – Smart Top Load Electric Dryer with Extra Power Button – 7.4 cu. ft. White MED6230HW | Maytag

2. Best Overall, Gas – 7.5 cu. ft. FlexDry™ Gas Dryer in Black Stainless Steel Dryer – DVG60M9900V/A3 | Samsung US

3. Best Budget – Insignia – 6.7 Cu. Ft. 12-Cycle Electric Dryer – White

4. Best Splurge – Front Load Gas Dryer – 8.0 Cu. Ft. ELFG7337AW ElectroluxNA

5. Best High-Capacity – LG DLGX8101V: 9.0 cu. ft. Mega Capacity Gas Dryer w/ Steam™ Technology | LG USA Business

6. Best Stackable – Large Capacity Top Load Dryer with Wrinkle Control – 7.0 cu. ft. White MEDC465HW | Maytag

7. Best Compact – Miele W1 Classic & Miele T1 Classic

8. Best Energy-Efficient – GE 3.6 Cu. Ft. Stackable Electric Dryer with Portable White DSKP333ECWW – Best Buy

9. Best With Steam – 7.4 cu. ft. Smart Electric Dryer with Steam Sanitize+ in White Dryers – DVE52A5500W/A3 | Samsung US

10. Best Portable – Amazon.com: Panda 3200 rpm Portable Spin Dryer 110V/22lbs Stainless Steel

Frequently asked questions:

Q: Are clothes dryers safe?

Over the last couple of years, dryers have come with overheat detection. These dryers turn off when the temperature gets too hot. However, it is advisable to take extra precautions for your safety. These include:

• Follow the instructions in the manual.
• Plug the dryer directly into the wall socket. Not into an extension cord or adaptor.
• Allow good ventilation around your dryer.
• Childproof the dryer environment

Q: How can I tell if I overload a clothes dryer?

For clothes to dry, they need to tumble. Tumbling means the laundry is free-falling through the air in the dryer. How well it falls varies by type of laundry. A big blanket will need more space than socks. When you pack clothes too tightly in a dryer, they will not have room to fall. Make sure there is space.

Q: Why does the clothes dryer create dust?

What you see as dust is lint, and it comes from your clothes. The rubbing of your clothes inside the dryer against each other makes them erode. This erosion comes out of the dryer exhaust and is trapped as lint. 

Overall. A dryer is a convenient accessory in the home, especially if you have laundry. Sometimes the weather will not be conducive for hanging clothes.