Skip to main content
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

BUY NOW
  • 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

Front

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The {{product.name}} sits on top of a dryer in a combination unit. Controls for both washer and dryer are above the dryer's door.

Controls

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Interior

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The interior of the CDWT980VSS.

A small lint filter is set behind the door.

Sides

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS side views

Back

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Speed & Performance Overview

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

With its limited cycles, the {{product.name}} did a very good job getting clothes thoroughly dry in very little time. It did suffer from a poorly designed delicates cycle, though.

Normal Cycle Performance

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The {{product.name}} did a great job on the sensor dry, low heat cycle, which we used to test its normal drying performance. A test load of laundry emerged entirely dry after 63 minutes.

{{ attachments(5115862da1ecef4842000dba)

Delicates Cycle Performance

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Maytag recommends using the "Fluff Air" cycle for delicate fabrics, but 24 minutes of room temperature tumbling just won't get clothes dry no matter how fragile they are. Our test load emerged 89 percent still wet.

{{ attachments(5115864889d2fcba6d000be8)

Bulky Cycle Performance

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

In under an hour, the {{product.name}} got a test load of bulky laundry nearly dry. There was still a little moisture left, but a ten minute timed dry cycle would take care of that.

{{ attachments(511584687dbea2cf8400051f)

Quick Dry Cycle Performance

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

In just 27 minutes on the "Freshen Up" cycle, the {{product.name}} got a four pound test load of laundry nearly three quarters of the way to fully dry. That outperforms even standalone dryers.

{{ attachments(511586643fe67d32e00001e7)

Dry Cycles

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The {{product.name}} has two sensor-controlled cycles with either high or low heat, a timed dry cycle and a "Fluff Air" option. According to the owner's manual, "Fluff Air" should be used for delicate fabrics, but it proved woefully inadequate in our tests.

{{ attachments(5115860ed6a82059080003a8)

Customization

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Once you've selected high or low heat, there aren't any ways of customizing a cycle.

Additional Drying Options

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

You can't add any options to the existing dry cycles, which makes this unit less appealing as a dryer.

Controls

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Controls are shared with the washer, and live above the dryer door. There are only two knobs -- a cycle selector, and a switch that both starts and stops the dryer and turns the end cycle signal on and off. You'll know when a cycle is done when the loud buzzer goes off.

Door

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The door is easy to open, but it's also pretty high up. If you're not very tall or have limited mobility, you may have trouble lifting heavy, wet clothes up to the dryer.

The interior of the CDWT980VSS.

Lint Trap

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

A small lint filter is set behind the door.

Conclusion

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Though it's attached to a washer, the $1200 {{product.name}} has good enough drying performance that it can compete against standalone washers. It lacks any customizable features or drying cycle options, and its high-up placement means some users may find it hard to load with wet laundry, but its small footprint makes it ideal for homes that are short on space.

Meet the tester

Keith Barry

Keith Barry

Former Editor in Chief, Reviewed Home

@itskeithbarry

Keith was the Editor in Chief of Reviewed's appliance and automotive sites. His work has appeared in publications such as Wired, Car & Driver, and CityLab.

See all of Keith Barry's reviews

Checking our work.

Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.

Shoot us an email

Up next