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DEAL WATCH: Keurig K-Express | 22% off $69.99

Keurig has changed the face of coffee, and snagging one of these for less than $70 is a solid deal. Read Review

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  • Introduction

  • Front

  • Controls

  • Interior

  • Sides

  • Back

  • Speed & Performance Overview

  • Normal Cycle Performance

  • Delicates Cycle Performance

  • Bulky Cycle Performance

  • Quick Dry Cycle Performance

  • Dry Cycles

  • Customization

  • Additional Drying Options

  • Controls

  • Door

  • Lint Trap

  • Conclusion

  • Introduction
  • Front
  • Controls
  • Interior
  • Sides
  • Back
  • Speed & Performance Overview
  • Normal Cycle Performance
  • Delicates Cycle Performance
  • Bulky Cycle Performance
  • Quick Dry Cycle Performance
  • Dry Cycles
  • Customization
  • Additional Drying Options
  • Controls
  • Door
  • Lint Trap
  • Conclusion

Introduction

One could argue that the lack of explicit detail on the controls makes this a difficult appliance to use. They would be correct: this machine had one of the highest learning curves we've seen on a dryer. It's certainly not a machine for those who want to keep laundry simple; there are plenty of more straightforward models for those that don't like lots of complicated features. Those who do like bells and whistles are in for a treat, though, as this appliance is not only about discovery, but is backed by some impressive drying performance that's both effective and gentle on your clothing. The manufacturer has a recommended price of $1549, which makes it one of the more expensive models we've tested, but you're definitely getting your money's worth. Online prices are typically at $1299, too, which means a sale is easy to find.

Front

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This dryer has a standard enamel finish that the manufacturer has dubbed "Island White." A smooth exterior that uses pop-out knobs and stainless trim gives this {{product.brand.name}} a very modern look. Whether the design choices make this machine more or less functional is something we'll deal with in the Controls & Usability section, but we cannot deny that it makes for an elegant, eye-catching machine.

Controls

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The cycle select lists the primary eleven options, with a twelfth that serves as a "gateway" selection to customized cycles and a whole different list of choices. The knob itself pops in and out for when you need to use it, and the cycle symbols are lit with a blue glow when selected.

This machine uses four rectangular buttons to select from options that are shown on the digital screen just above them. The display itself will change every time you switch to a different cycle. If you're a fan of whimsical flourishes, keep an eye on the display while the dryer is working: tiny digital bubbles float up and away while your clothes tumble.

Interior

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The interior of the CDWT980VSS.

For all its fancy design elements and lengthy cycle list, this machine has a plastic lint trap with a very standard design. In fact, the lint trap probably the least remarkable thing about it.

Sides

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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS side views

Back

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Speed & Performance Overview

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Drying speed tended toward the average: Normal and Delicate tests ran just under an hour, while the Bulky cycle took about an hour and a half. Temperatures tended toward the cool side, which means the {{product.brand.name}} will likely take better care of your clothes than many other models available. The drying itself wasn't perfect—the only cycle to achieve complete dryness was the Normal setting—but other results came close enough to exhibit promise, as long as you throw clothes back in for an extra five or ten minutes.

Normal Cycle Performance

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Peaking at 143 degrees Fahrenheit, the Normal cycle was the hottest that we tested on the {{product.brand.name}}. Clothes came out perfectly dry in just under an hour. No surprises here, just standard drying performance.

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Delicates Cycle Performance

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As mentioned above, the Delicate cycle reached a peak heat of just 113 degrees Fahrenheit. This is ideal for a Delicate load, as cooler temperatures are typically gentler on fabrics and don't cause as much fading or damage. The {{product.brand.name}} only got our clothes down to 98 percent of their bone dry weight, which isn't perfect. If you're drying items that will have to be ironed afterwards, though, that extra bit of moisture can actually be helpful.

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Bulky Cycle Performance

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The Bulky test is usually where our dryers fail. No matter how good they do on every other cycle, the Bulky test proves to be too challenging. Not so for the {{product.brand.name}}: taking just over an hour and a half, our test comforter reached a 90 percent level of dryness. This is excellent, especially considering that temperatures peaked at only 129 degrees. The center of our comforter only got to 99 degrees, however, which explains that remaining 10 percent of moisture. If you don't mind going down and flipping your bulky items around slightly during the drying process, this machine should definitely be able to take of them.

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Quick Dry Cycle Performance

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The {{product.brand.name}}'s Fast Dry cycle didn't do a great job, and was the only cycle that really let us down. Clearly designed for smaller loads than even the light, four pound batch that we used, this cycle ran for just 14 minutes and got clothes down to 58 percent of their bone dry weight. If you're hoping to dry small batches of clothes very quickly, you may need about twice as long to remove all excess moisture. Alternatively, you could just do a Timed Dry for the same length at a hotter temperature; Fast Dry peaked at just 113 degrees, the same maximum heat as the Delicate cycle.

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Dry Cycles

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Prepare to have your mind blown. At first glance, you might think this dryer has 11 cycles—already a rather large amount—in addition to the ability to save a customized one of your own. The Favorites / Specialty setting, though, hints at one of this dryer's biggest secrets: a hidden selection of specialty cycles. After activating the Specialty setting, consumers are granted access to an additional nine more. You have options that sanitize clothes for children, that dry pet beds and rubber-backed bath mats, that are designed specifically for loads made up entirely of jeans, and even a cycle that will heat up the dryer so your cold clothes that were left overnight can be warm and toasty for comfortable wearing or easy folding. The specificity is almost absurd, but is means this dryer is equipped to handle almost any load type that a consumer could imagine.

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Customization

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In total, the {{product.brand.name}} offers seven different temperature settings. These range from Maximum Temp all the way down to Air Fluff. The user's manual states that not every temperature setting will be available for each cycle, only the ones that would be appropriate for each load type. The same is true of the five dryness levels: you'll only be able to choose from among the ones that fit the specific load type. If you do change the dryness level, however, the {{product.brand.name}} will remember your preferred setting and revert to that as opposed to the original default. Drying time can only be adjusted for the Time Dry cycle, moving in 15 minute increments for a duration limit of an hour and a half.

Additional Drying Options

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{{product.brand.name}} didn't stop after installing an absurd number of cycles into this machine, they put in an equally extensive number of extra features to make for even more complex drying combinations. First, the basics: you get a wrinkle guard and an extended tumble which can last up to three hours (it's essentially a long-term wrinkle guard. On top of that, the {{product.brand.name}} has a port in the back that can hook up to a water supply, giving you steam-based cycles and features that include a generic "add steam" (meant to reduce ironing, wrinkling, and static cling) and a separate anti-static. You have options to reduce energy use, to sanitize your clothes or remove allergens using extreme heat, to stop the dryer when clothes are appropriately damp for line drying, and many more. There's a "My Favorite" feature that lets you save up to three customized cycles, so play around to your heart's content to find the perfect drying combination for your laundry's needs. And if the built-in features weren't enough, this model also comes with a drying rack.

Controls

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The cycle knob itself is easy to use, moving between one selection to the next with fluid grace. The layout itself feels just fine; where it fails is in its attempt to cram more functionality into a smaller space. The four rectangular buttons have no labels because what they do changes depending on what's displayed on the digital monitor. You have to wait for the read-out to change whenever you press a button to alter something, and the slight lag can get rather frustrating. The "hidden" specialty cycles aren't indicated anywhere on the cycle knob; unless you can remember their order, you'll be flipping through all of them every time until you stumble across the one you want. Laundry is arguably a simple chore, but you'll absolutely need to hang on to the manual for this complicated machine if you plan on getting the most out of it.

Door

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The door itself is quite sturdy: it has a nice weight to it, feeling durable without being heavy or cumbersome. The frustrating part is its handle, or more specifically, the fact that there isn't one. The lack of a handle makes for a nice, smooth appearance, but having to push on the door to activate the little spring hinge can get old very quickly. If you don't mind that style of handle, though, there really isn't anything wrong with it.

The interior of the CDWT980VSS.

Lint Trap

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For all its fancy design elements and lengthy cycle list, this machine has a plastic lint trap with a very standard design. In fact, the lint trap probably the least remarkable thing about it.

Conclusion

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With 20 different cycles and a list of drying options so long it's almost ridiculous, the {{product.brand.name}}'s $1549 MSRP seems justified -- though we'd still recommend waiting for a good sale. Its drying performance isn't perfect, but its low temperatures make for effective and sensitive drying that very nearly hits the mark. What really made an impression on us, however, was the sheer number of cycle options and extra features available on this machine. The controls aren't exactly the most intuitive we've come across—in fact, this dryer has an abnormally steep learning curve. However, if you can master the digital display, then you'll unlock the hidden secrets this machine holds.

Meet the tester

Matthew Zahnzinger

Matthew Zahnzinger

Logistics Manager & Staff Writer

@ReviewedHome

Matthew is a native of Brockton, MA and a graduate of Northeastern, where he earned a degree in English and Theatre. He has also studied at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin and spends most of his free time pursuing a performance career in the greater Boston area.

See all of Matthew Zahnzinger's reviews

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