Consumer Reports' Lowest-Rated Electric Clothes Dryer Costs Hundreds More Than Its Top Pick

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There's no doubt that electric clothes dryers make laundry a breeze. You no longer have to hang your clothes outside in the sun and wait hours for them to dry. However, not all electric dryers are built equally. You might think paying more will get you a better deal, but according to Consumer Reports, that is not the case. The organization routinely test different electric clothes dryers, and in its testing, the $1,034 GE GTX52EASP performed quite poorly compared with the $769.99 LG DLE3400W – the highest-rated electric dryer.

Consumer Reports found that, despite its high price, the drying performance of GE GTX52EASP was quite poor. It also struggled with mixed loads and couldn't maintain its temperatures properly. The publication also noted that the dryer costs more than usual to run, and it lacks an extended tumble feature that prevents clothes from getting wrinkled. All of these factors are why the GTX52EASP is ranked lower than all other electric dryers reviewed by Consumer Reports.

By comparison, the LG DLE3400W, which costs $265 less, had very good drying performance and offers extended tumble as well. Its quiet noise and good temperature settings for delicate cycles were also praised. That said, the LG DLE3400W dryer is not perfect. For instance, it comes with only a one-year warranty covering parts and labor, while the GE GTX52EASP dryer offers a five-year limited warranty on parts and labor. The LG dryer is also larger in size, so you'll need to make sure that it fits in your space. That's one of the most important things to consider when choosing a washer and dryer for the laundry room in your home.

While Consumer Reports gave the GE GTX52EASP a very low score, customers seem to have more mixed feelings about the dryer. For instance, the dryer has a 4.3-star rating based on 488 reviews on Abt, and many of the buyers appreciate it for its features and five-year warranty. Many reviewers also noted that the dryer can handle everyday tasks very well, with one customer even mentioning that it took less time than their previous dryer when it comes to drying clothes.

As for the negative reviews, buyers mentioned that the dryer struggled with large loads and needed repairs shortly after purchase. Some also pointed out that the GE GTX52EASP dryer has noise issues and leaves clothes wrinkled, which corroborates Consumer Reports' findings. The LG DLE3400W, by comparison, has more positive feedback from customers. It has an average rating of 4.5 stars based on about 1,200 reviews from Best Buy, with many buyers noting that it's quiet, able to hold large loads, and dries clothes very fast. Some also praised its stackable design, which makes it suitable for homes with limited space.

The LG DLE3400W had some negative reviews, too. For instance, a few buyers noted that it does not have an interior drum light, whereas other customers mentioned issues with its sensor. Such reviews are rare, but they are still worth keeping in mind before you purchase an electric dryer like this for your home. Also, note that most electric clothes dryers need to be vented, so make sure you have proper venting in your building. Clean your dryer regularly, too, if you want LG's dryer to perform as far above the GE GTX52EASP as Consumer Reports says it should.