For the fewest problems and longest lifespans, Speed Queen, LG, and Whirlpool are your best options. The right choice depends on whether you want heavy-duty commercial longevity or modern, feature-heavy reliability.
Speed Queen Washers and Dryers
This brand is often the top choice for people who want the most durable laundry machines possible, which the brand owes credit to machines that are tested to last 10,400 cycles, which is roughly 25 years in a typical home (based on eight loads of laundry a week).
Maytag and Whirlpool dryers are made by the same parent company (Whirlpool Corporation) and share many internal parts. Whirlpool is the company's flagship line, offering excellent reliability and straightforward value. Maytag represents a more premium tier, focusing on heavy-duty construction and extra features like steam settings.
The average residential clothes dryer lasts between 10 to 13 years. Proper maintenance, such as consistently cleaning the lint trap, clearing the exhaust vent, and avoiding overloading, can extend this lifespan up to 15 years.
Speed Queen and LG are widely recognized as the washer and dryer brands with the least problems. Speed Queen is the gold standard for commercial-grade durability, while LG consistently ranks as the most reliable brand for smart features and front-load models.
When shopping for washers and dryers, appliance experts currently advise avoiding Samsung, Frigidaire, and certain low-end or off-brand units (such as Insignia, Criterion, or Midea). These brands suffer from poor repair accessibility, systemic control board failures, and higher-than-average user complaints.
Deciding whether GE or Whirlpool is better depends on what you value most. Choose GE for modern features, smart home integration, and advanced odor prevention. Choose Whirlpool if you prefer straightforward, durable, and traditional machines that are easy to use.
You know your dryer is reaching the end of its lifespan when it repeatedly leaves clothes damp after a normal cycle, requires unusually long dry times, or produces loud squealing, grinding, or banging noises. Other major warning signs include a burning odor, the drum failing to spin, or the machine randomly shutting off.
GE dryers typically last between 10 to 14 years, which is the industry average for most consumer laundry appliances. However, their actual lifespan is highly dependent on usage, maintenance, and whether you have a simpler traditional model or a complex smart unit.
Age of the Dryer
Age is one of the strongest indicators when deciding between repair and replacement: Under 8 years old: Repairs are usually worthwhile. 8–12 years old: It depends on the repair cost and symptoms. Over 12 years old: Replacement may be more cost-effective (especially after a major failure).
Choosing between a Maytag and LG dryer depends on your priorities: Maytag is the go-to for heavy-duty reliability and rugged, traditional performance, while LG leads the market in smart features, energy efficiency, and premium tech like AI-driven sensors and steam options.
Most Common Maytag Dryer Repair Problems
Yes, but they are very similar. Both brands are owned by the Whirlpool Corporation, and they share many of the same internal parts. However, their positioning and features differ slightly:
When Do Washers & Dryers Go On Sale?
The overall best type of dryer is a heat pump dryer. Because they use an innovative, ventless closed-loop system, they are the most energy-efficient option available, are exceptionally gentle on your clothes, and can be placed virtually anywhere in your home.
Electric clothes dryers are the most popular choice among consumers, and they consistently set the standard for high quality in CR's tests. Many of our top-rated electric dryers are from LG, thanks in part to the brand's stellar reliability ratings and impressive owner satisfaction scores.
Heating element: If your dryer does everything but heat up, there's a good chance that its heating element is the number one suspect. Unfortunately, the heating element cannot be repaired, but it can be replaced.
Warning Signs That Your Dryer Needs Repair
One significant sign of trouble is when the dryer takes much longer than usual to dry clothes. If you find that your clothes remain damp after a standard cycle, it could signal a faulty heating element or clogged vents.
LG dryers typically last 10 to 13 years. With consistent care, maintenance, and regular cleaning of the lint filter and venting system, they frequently make it past the 15-year mark.
Yes, unplugging a dryer is an effective way to reset it. Doing so clears the control board’s memory, which is helpful for fixing electronic glitches, clearing error codes, and resolving minor start failures.
A gas leak can cause a fire. Check the drum, drive system and drum seals. The dryer won't heat and dry properly if drum seals are worn or damaged. Problems with the drum, drum support rollers, drum belt and drive motor can prevent the drum from rotating to tumble and dry the clothes properly.
Prices on electric dryers range widely, from $450 to $2,200 (with $877 being about average), based on our ratings.
When appliance brands are as famous as GE and Whirlpool, it's easy to confuse the two as the same name. But the reality is GE vs Whirlpool appliances are two distinct providers of home goods, and while both occupy the same category, they are not doppelgangers.
LG is widely regarded as the most reliable electric dryer brand for most households. It consistently earns top marks from major testing organizations and appliance technicians for having the fewest repair incidents and highest owner satisfaction.
The most common problem with GE washers is issues with the spin cycle, often resulting in the machine failing to spin or stop mid-cycle. This is typically caused by a faulty door lock/lid switch, a stretched drive belt, or a malfunctioning motor inverter board.