Sincere Product Reviews: Clothes Dryers In The Modern Age

The Modern Clothes Dryer is NOT what it used to be...

If you find yourself in need of a new clothes dryer for the first time in years, you are likely to be in for a shock. Time does indeed march on.

When you are buying a new clothes dryer today, you definitely will have plenty of choices, and you will have plenty of homework too. One might think that washers and dryers are simple devices for a simple job – and that person would be wrong. We agree that perhaps they should be simple – but the truth is that they no longer are.

In an effort on the part of manufacturers to differentiate their goods, technology creep has taken us to the point of no return. As smart as today’s clothes washers and clothes dryers might be, they are deaf, dumb and blind when compared to what will be sitting on the showroom floor in the next twenty years.

Modern clothes dryers are not only smarter, but they are packed with a plethora of features that you never needed – and probably still don’t need – but what does what YOU want have to do with anything?

We cannot tame the technology jungle, but maybe if we hand you a machete and point out the way, you can make your own way into the clearing. With this as our goal, let us discuss the features and design of the modern clothes dryer.

Here are the things that you need to consider, if you plan to buy a modern clothes dryer.

Features

Capacity (in cubic feet)
Temperatures
Cycles
Moisture Sensor
Noise reduction system
Time remaining display
Lint filter light
End of cycle signal
Custom Programs
Smart Phone Compatible (Yeah, yeah)
Duct blockage monitor
Drying Rack

Cycles & Design

Steam Refresh (who could live without it?)
Wrinkle Reduction
Delicate Clothes Cycle
Quick Dry Cycle (Life’s a rush…)
Heavy Duty Cycle
Permanent Press Cycle
Sanitize Cycle
Bulky/Bedding Cycle (Does it make the bed too?)
Towels Cycle
Air Fluff Cycle (yes, that’s right)
Child Lock (Aw, Cmon)
Drum Light (Huh?)
Reversible Door (Step back)
See-Through Door (No respect)
LED Display (easier to see, but probably less informative)
Stackable
Pedestal

Now, don’t look at us like that. We KNOW that we are only talking about a simple clothes dryer – but then again – maybe these just aren’t so simple any more. All of these features do have their place. The real question is if you care to pay for them.

While we are not going to dissect this list item by item, we have given you a grand place to begin your online research to learn more – and you should learn more – to understand what you might be getting – or giving up.

Researching the lists above will generate many questions, but before tackling these, you should understand some of the more basic questions first.

Here are some basic questions you need to ask yourself first:

How often do you do laundry?
What type of clothes do you want to dry?
Where will your dryer be located?
Do you do other chores while doing the laundry?
What features have you been wishing for in your current dryer?

The answers to these questions will help you to narrow down your choices of machine significantly. If your needs are light, you might do just fine with a portable dryer. You can find a nice selection of these by searching for “portable dryers” HERE.

Placement of your dryer is SUPER important. Be sure that you have the venting, or you may need to consider a vent-less clothes dryer.

If you are multi-tasking many other chores your clothes dryer could use a moisture sensor. This way, you don’t need to keep running down the basement (placement, placement) to see if your clothes are dry. It will automatically stop when your clothes are dry and not before. Also, if you tend to leave clothes in the dryer after the cycle is complete then a refresh cycle might help reduce wrinkling of your clothes.

The drum size on your clothes dryer will dictate its expense. Models will vary in features and style, but as the drum size increases, you will unavoidably pay more, all other things being equal.

It is safe to say that anything in the mid-price range will come in a smaller size. Naturally, the cheaper models will have less programming choices, drying cycles, bells and whistles, but maybe you really do not need these – as women have not for hundreds of years.

The final item only becomes important when you have considered the first four. Now, you understand what you really need, and it is time to draw up your wish list. First, you need to be sure that what you want has even been invented! Check the lists above for help with that. Once you find it, do some research to learn if it really is what you imagined, or just some bum gadget with a fancy name.

Do not forget to check out the warranty and maintenance plans on any clothes dryer that you buy. NEVER leave the store without one. If you dryer blows up after the store guarantee, you will rue the day that you declined the maintenance contract.

Dryers are expensive. They are advanced pieces of modern technology that can fail from many causes, just in case you didn’t get the memo. You won’t fix them in ten minutes with a screwdriver – not any more. PAY the thirty bucks, and save yourself some serious grief!

Many manufacturers cover the first year of your warranty, but you still need to buy any extensions and to check to be sure that they service your area before settling your purchase. Be SURE that you have coverage. ‘Nuff said!

We hope that these tips will get you thinking about what goes into buying a modern clothes dryer. You can buy them on line to save yourself some money, since you won’t get the unit that you saw in the store anyway.

If you are covered then you have little to worry about. Besides, online vendors are usually more cognizant of possible shipping hazards than local store dealers might be. They ship machines like yours every day – and want as few complaints as possible.

That’s all we have. If you ‘ve got more, please just leave them in the comments. Till then…

Shop Smart & Prosper…