You won't find many differences among clothes dryers. Some are powered by electricity and some by gas. Some employ a moisture sensor to determine when to shut off, while others use a thermostat. Generally speaking, although they're initially more expensive than thermostat models, those that use a moisture sensor save energy, since they stop automatically when the clothes are dry instead of running for some additional time. For that same reason, they can be easier on your clothes. However, because their shutoff time is unpredictable, they could lead to clothes sitting in the dryer for a while and getting wrinkled.

Gas dryers are usually a little more expensive than electric dryers, but the energy cost for a gas model will be lower in most markets, so gas dryers might be the better long-term investment. Consider whether you prefer a side-opening or bottom-opening door. A side-opener gives you easier access, while a bottom-opener gives you a shelf for folding dry clothes. As with any major appliance, how long you plan to live in your house might influence how much you'll spend, since you'll often leave your appliances behind when you move.

Dryers can be noisy. Unless yours will be placed well away from living areas, look for a quiet model. If you want to save space, look for a combined washer-dryer unit. These typically perform as well as separate units do, but the dryer's capacity might be a little lower. Or, buy a compact dryer with front-mounted controls (as opposed to top-mounted controls) that can be placed on top of a front-loading washer.

If you can't always get the clothes out of the dryer as soon as they're done, or if you're just the forgetful type, look for an "extended tumble" feature that keeps the clothes in motion after they're dry. This prevents wrinkling.

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