Are dryer balls the laundry game-changer they're touted to be? The short answer is yes—but only if you think of them as reusable dryer sheets. For anyone stuck with an outdated dryer, whether you're renting or on a tight budget, the promise of faster drying, softer clothes, and reduced energy use can be incredibly tempting. But do these tennis-ball-sized wonders really deliver? As a professional product reviewer with over a decade of experience testing laundry gadgets, I decided to put dryer balls to the test. And here’s the surprising part: while they don’t live up to every claim, they’re still a valuable addition to your laundry routine.
But here's where it gets controversial: While dryer balls are often marketed as energy-saving heroes, the reality is a bit more nuanced. Let’s dive in.
How Do Dryer Balls Work?
Dryer balls are essentially an upgraded version of the old trick of tossing tennis balls into the dryer to prevent wet spots on comforters. The idea is that by creating space between clothes, they allow for better airflow, which should speed up drying. Available in wool, plastic, and rubber, wool dryer balls tend to be denser and heavier, making them more effective at softening fabrics compared to their lighter, often hollow, plastic and rubber counterparts.
And this is the part most people miss: While dryer balls can help prevent large items from twisting into a “laundry sausage”—a phenomenon where sheets or towels encapsulate smaller items—they don’t significantly reduce drying time or energy use. My extensive testing, which involved soaking clothes in water and weighing them post-dry, consistently showed negligible differences between loads with and without dryer balls.
Why Dryer Balls Might Not Slash Your Energy Bill
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that dryers consume about 782 kilowatt-hours annually, far more than a large fridge. The real energy drain comes from constantly reheating air, a process dryer balls can’t alter. Additionally, overloading your dryer negates their benefits, as they need space to create air pockets. Ironically, using dryer balls might lead to running more cycles if you’re forced to dry smaller loads.
Modern dryers with moisture sensors can also be fooled by dryer balls, which are dry and can cause the cycle to end prematurely, leaving clothes damp. But here’s the silver lining: Dryer balls excel at preventing tangling, reducing wrinkles, and softening fabrics—making them a worthy alternative to dryer sheets.
What Dryer Balls Can Do
Despite their limited impact on energy savings, dryer balls shine in three key areas:
1. Fabric Softening: As they bounce around, they loosen fibers, making fabrics like linen and high-density cotton softer over time.
2. Static Reduction: By preventing clothes from rubbing together, they minimize static cling.
3. Customizable Scent: Wool dryer balls can be sprayed with essential oils for a natural, chemical-free fragrance.
Bold claim alert: Dryer balls are not only reusable but also safer for towels than dryer sheets, which leave behind silicone-based oils that reduce absorbency. Plus, you control the chemicals you introduce, unlike with fragranced dryer sheets.
My Top Picks
I recommend Handy Laundry Wool Dryer Balls, made from 100% New Zealand wool, for their size, weight, and ethical sourcing. For a budget-friendly option, S&T plastic dryer balls are a solid choice.
Want to Save Energy? Try These Tips Instead
While dryer balls aren’t energy-saving miracles, here’s how you can reduce your dryer’s impact:
- Upgrade Your Appliances: Modern front-load washers and dryers are far more efficient, with some models recirculating hot air to save energy.
- Use Eco-Dry Cycles: These cycles use less energy by extending drying time, relying more on centrifugal force than heat.
- Choose Quick-Dry Fabrics: Opt for merino wool, polyester, or nylon, which dry faster.
- Air-Dry Partially: Hang clothes on a rack before finishing them in the dryer.
Thought-provoking question: Are dryer balls worth the hype, or are they just another laundry trend? Let me know your thoughts in the comments—do you swear by them, or do you think they’re overrated?
