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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

Suffice it to say, the overall performance here just doesn't cut it. The combination of flimsy parts, inexact estimated times, and slow, ineffective cycles with forest-fire-like temperatures knock this machine down several big-picture pegs.

Front

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The uppermost part of the {{product.name}} is a plastic mantle that showcases a shiny cycle dial and an array of plastic-covered buttons (the kind that sometimes crack over time) which control extra features, customizable options, power, and start.

Controls

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Interior

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The interior of the CDWT980VSS.

The lint trap is flimsy and open-sided. Many traps are made with synthetic mesh which lint clings to effectively, but this one is made entirely of cheap plastic, which isn't as textured and allows the lint to go flying around if you aren't careful.

Sides

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Olympus SZ-31MR iHS side views

Back

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Speed & Performance Overview

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We peered curiously into this dryer after testing the temperatures: Might it have the power to transport hapless launderers to the South Pacific? Is there a piña colada button too? Did a fire-breathing dragon pass through? No. Evidently, this GE summons Hephaestus whilst drying clothes on Normal, Quick, and Towels / Sheets cycles, which reach 163.2, 155.6, and a blazing 175.3 degrees, respectively. This is far too hot. It's a sock pile, not the shield of Achilles. The Quick cycle drags on for nearly 40 minutes and the Bulky cycle clops along for 76, but at least the laundry comes out dry (or nearly dry) every time.

Normal Cycle Performance

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With desert-like heat, the Normal cycle tortures 100% of the water out of a load in a standard 58 minutes -- which is exactly what the estimated time claims, happily. Aside from the 163.2 degree temperature, this cycle is doing what it should.

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Delicates Cycle Performance

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The Delicate cycle, unlike the other cycles, will not blow-torch the water out of your laundry. Though it takes longer than we'd like at 68 minutes, but all save 3% of the moisture is removed from a load and the temperature is very, very gentle -- 112 degrees.

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Bulky Cycle Performance

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This Towels / Sheets cycle reaches an alarming temperature of 175.3 degrees. Your comforter won't turn into a flaming comet or anything, but this is far too hot, and this cycle only removes 85% of the moisture. To be fair, this test is a really tough one. A comforter is the thickest thing that probably ever goes into a dryer, and as such it tends to tangle and retain a damp center.

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Quick Dry Cycle Performance

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The Quick cycle lumbers on for all of 37 minutes and blasts 100% of the water out of a load at a toasty temperature of 155.6 degrees. We wish that both the time and the temperature were lower, but at least it gets things dry, which is more than a lot of Quick cycles can do.

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Dry Cycles

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The {{product.name}} comes armed with eight major cycles: Cottons, Mixed Loads, Perm Press, Delicates, Towels / Sheets, Antibacterial, Speed Dry, and Timed Dry. Additionally, there are four special cycle, which are Steam Refresh, Steam Dewrinkle, Quick Fluff, and Dewrinkle. In order to use the steam options, users must connect the dryer to a water supply.

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Customization

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As one would hope for on a mid-range machine like this, the {{product.model}} has a fairly generous list of customizable options. Change the volume or alter the temperature within five varying degrees (including a No Heat setting). Toy with five levels of dryness or five varying times that range from 30 to 80 minutes. Alter settings and save a cycle of your own with the My Settings button, which the dryer will recall later.

Additional Drying Options

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This GE offers several great extra options like Dewrinkle Tumble, Extended Tumble, and Delay Dry. Eco Dry is available too, which makes the settings more eco-friendly. Launderers can track the remaining time by watching the display (which is often inaccurate) or note the progress of the machine with the LED bar at the top that indicates whether the load is still drying, damp, or cooling down. Utilize the drying rack for no-tumble items or listen for the Damp Alert, which incorporates a dryness sensor to let you know when to remove items that you wish to only partially dry.

Controls

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This dryer is strewn with cheery green LEDs that indicate each selection you make, a smooth dial that clicks from cycle to cycle, and a simple set of buttons that control all the extras.

Door

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The door is unobjectionable. It opens and closes with a definitive "click," which we relish. It is reversible. You are not permitted to watch your underpants tumble.

The interior of the CDWT980VSS.

Lint Trap

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The lint trap is flimsy and open-sided. Many traps are made with synthetic mesh which lint clings to effectively, but this one is made entirely of cheap plastic, which isn't as textured and allows the lint to go flying around if you aren't careful.

Conclusion

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As much as we would love to recommend this $799 MSRP {{product.model}} for its great user interface and its thorough drying abilities (not to mention its sale price of $670), its unreasonable temperatures convince us not to. Heats of over 175 degrees are for miniature pizzas, not for laundry.

Okay, so maybe you're a big bearded fellow living deep in the woods and all you wear are thick jean overalls and canvas shirts - even your socks and underpants are made of denim! A blazing hot Normal cycle doesn't deter you! Fine, then enjoy the range of customizable options and extra features that this GE offers, like Eco Monitor and Steam Refresh. Just don't let your one set of prized silk sheets anywhere near your new dryer.

Meet the tester

Virginia Barry

Virginia Barry

Former Managing Editor

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Virginia is a former Managing Editor at Reviewed.com. She has a background in English and journalism. Away from the office, Virginia passes time with dusty books & house cats.

See all of Virginia Barry's reviews

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