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Goodbye static, hello softness.
Photo:Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Plus, they’remuch more eco-friendlythansingle-use dryer sheets.
Thicker towels may take longer to dry.
During testing, they stood out for their effective performance, durability, and reasonable price.
PHOTO: Amazon
When placed in the dryer with the towels, we found the dryer balls to be unexpectedly quiet.
We would compare it to the sound of them in heavy bedding.
Material:New Zealand wool |Amount:6 in pack |Diameter:3.18 inches
Best for Wrinkles
Grove Co.
PHOTO: Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Wool Dryer Balls & Essential Oil Set
They effectively reduce wrinkles and static in clothing.
These are some of the more expensive dryer balls we tested.
Six months later, they’re still going strong.
While they eventually began pilling and collecting some lint, they’re still intact.
While our linens didnt dry completely, they did get noticeably softer.
We also observed a significant reduction in static, as our clothes hardly clung together after drying.
The dryer balls looked the same before and after use, and the wool was almost completely undisturbed.
Theyre a bit loud in the dryer so you may not want to use them overnight or while napping.
There may be a few loose threads after drying.
Luckily, dryer balls can speed up the process.
With a starting circumference of 8.5 inches, these were some of the smallest dryer balls we tested.
Despite their compact size, they still delivered an impressive performance.
The scent of the essential oils transferred nicely as well, smelling fresh without being overpowering.
Although they were fairly loud in the dryer, we didn’t find the noise too disruptive.
While the lamb design did wear off during the six-month testing period, the dryer balls maintained their performance.
They dont remove static very well.
Heavy loads of laundry require heavy-duty dryer balls, and this Nellies two-pack certainly rose to the occasion.
With a diameter of 3.22 inches, these dryer balls were among the larger ones we tested.
Considering this pack only has two dryer balls, it isn’t the best value.
Even so, we think its impressive performance makes up for it.
They pill and get fuzzy over time, so they may not last as long as other dryer balls.
If youre tired of your clothes clinging together, dryer balls are a great way to reduce static.
This six-pack from Smart Sheep stood out in our testing for its ability to do just that.
We attribute this noiselessness to their soft and squishy material, which seemed to absorb the bounce.
Its worth noting that the dryer balls did get fuzzier over time.
The manufacturer said this is normal, though, and we didnt notice any change in performance.
Given their ability to reduce wrinkles and static, we think these dryer balls are an excellent option.
Next, we added six towels to the mix.
Before washing the towels, we evaluated their texture and softness.
If the balls were scented, we added two to three drops of essential oils per ball beforehand.
If the ball was made of wool, we cut it in half to observe the core.
We also considered whether they changed the texture of our linens over time.
Taking all these factors into account, we compiled our list of the best dryer balls.
Plastic dryer balls are less eco-friendly, but tend to last a long while and reduce drying time.
The bigger the size of the dryer ball, the shorter the drying time.
That said, oversized dryer balls are especially useful for large loads and bulky items like bedding and towels.
PHOTO: Grove Co.
Quantity
Dryer balls typically come in sets of three, four, or six.
The quantity you use should really depend on the size of your load.
Questions You Might Ask
How long do dryer balls last?
PHOTO: Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Most dryer balls, especially those made of wool, can last for hundreds and even thousands of loads.
We then took them home to see how they fared after six months of laundry in real-life scenarios.
We also received tips on how to shop for dryer balls fromAdam Morris, founder of Appliances Made Simple.
PHOTO: Walmart
PHOTO: Real Simple / Dera Burreson
PHOTO: Amazon
PHOTO: Real Simple / Dera Burreson
PHOTO: Amazon
PHOTO: Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
Real Simple / Dera Burreson
