LG Ultra Large Capacity Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Electric Dryer with Laundry Pedestal

Purchasing a dryer is an investment, so it’s important that you choose the right one based on the needs of your family, your space and your budget. In addition to these basic factors, features like steam-drying and wrinkle-removal options are bonuses that can tip the scale in favour of one machine over another. We tested the LG DLEX3700V 7.4 cu. ft. Ultra Large Capacity Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Electric Dryer (paired with the WDP4V Laundry Pedestal) and found it hit the mark with its many features and smart technology-enabled systems that allow you to start or check on the dryer from anywhere. While the cycle times can run slightly longer than expected, its generous capacity allows you to do larger-than-average loads without compromising the end result: delightfully warm and dry laundry.

CYCLES AND DRYING TIME

The LG DLEX3700V boasts 12 drying cycles, including presets for Normal, Heavy Duty, Bedding, Anti Bacterial, SteamSanitary, SteamFresh, Permanent Press, Delicates and Towels, plus the Speed Dry and Air Dry manual cycles. You can also use the Downloaded cycle to choose from a bunch of additional cycles through the LG SmartThinQ app (more on the app below). Additional settings let you choose the temperature and desired level of dryness (Very Dry, More Dry, Normal Dry, Less Dry and Damp Dry), though some cycles have settings locked in or limited options. Plus, there are 13 options, from Reduce Static to More Time or Less Time, that let you do laundry your way. Parents who tested out the dryer really liked that they were able to play around with the different cycles to find what suited their needs best. This may take some work at the outset when you first purchase the dryer (pretty typical for any large appliance), but once you know what you’re doing, you’ll reap the benefits quickly.

In addition to its large capacity, the LG DLEX3700V has many family-friendly features and functions. The Steam Sanitary cycle is ideal if you have a newborn or your kid is potty-training because it's designed to use high heat to kill germs. And the Wrinkle Care option is super handy when life happens and your clothes sit in the dryer for hours; it automatically tumbles clothes periodically to keep wrinkles from forming. Our editors and testers also appreciated the Reduce Static option—a handy option if you prefer to skip dryer sheets or fabric softener.

To test how effectively the dryer gets laundry dry, editors in our lab and parent testers tried out different drying cycles with various settings. An eight-pound load of mixed laundry on a normal cycle proved to take a bit longer than expected, but we found it possible to shorten the drying time by increasing the dryness level and temperature. Using a high-heat setting got everything nice and dry without producing that crispy over-dried effect that indicates damage to fabrics. We chalked this up to the LG DLEX3700V’s Sensor Dry system, which measures the moisture levels during a cycle and automatically adjusts the running time to achieve your desired level of dryness. We also threw a load of jeans, shirts, socks and underwear in the LG DLEX3700V on a manual setting, selecting low heat and a one-hour drying time, and the laundry dried just as it would in other dryers, with only the slightest bit of dampness left around the waistband of the jeans. Bedding proved to take longer than clothing, but the king-size down duvet we used in our tests was dried on low heat. In the end, it took a couple of hours to get it warm and ready for a cozy cuddle.

While the large capacity of this dryer means you can do double-sized loads with ease, we also like that you can easily throw in a small load and have it dry in about 25 minutes thanks to the Speed Dry cycle. And as an added bonus, if you’re in a hurry and want to wear a shirt that’s wrinkled, simply toss it in the dryer, turn on TurboSteam, and in 10 minutes you’ll be good to go.

How a dryer tumbles can be as important as the settings. Having to untangle your clothes as you unload them from the dryer is a pain, but, thankfully, the LG DLEX3700V rated well in this department. We found the tumble level to be effective without being overly aggressive.

SMART TECHNOLOGY

One of the coolest features offered by the LG DLEX3700V is that it pairs with LG’s free SmartThinQ app, which allows users to start and stop the dryer remotely, get status notifications, download additional dryer settings and run diagnostics. It's worth noting that Remote Start has to be activated, and it does shut off when you power off your dryer, so the functionality is limited. And you’ll need to turn the dryer off in the app if you want to open it or make an adjustments to settings on the machine—a potential frustration if find yourself standing in front of the dryer, your phone forgotten two floors up. That said, we like that you can download additional drying cycles to the machine through the app, and get notifications when your drying is done—no checking necessary, and super helpful for families who live in multi-level homes where it's difficult to hear the end-of-cycle chime from two floors up. (New parents will also appreciate notifications via the app because nothing is worse than having a babe’s nap cut short by an appliance beeping.) Plus, you can delay the start of a cycle—especially useful if you want to toss work clothes in the dryer before bed so that they can be steamed just before you get dressed in the morning.

ERGONOMICS

We tested the LG DLEX3700V in combination with the optional WDP4V Laundry Pedestal, which brought the door of the dryer up to about waist level. Our editors and testers ranged between five feet two inches and five feet eleven inches in height, and only the tallest had to bend slightly at the waist to comfortably transfer laundry from the matching washer, which is the same height when paired with the SideKick Pedestal Washer. Both our editors and parent testers said the door opened easily, yet felt sturdy and durable. The dryer's plastic-framed lint trap slides into a panel just inside the door and is easy to pull out, clean and put back in place.

The dryer’s control panel is on the front of the machine, just below eye level for shorter users, which is quite comfortable. The digital display on the panel can be somewhat difficult to read if there's glare from overhead lights, but this will really depend on the lighting in your laundry room. If it's an issue, shielding the screen with a hand makes reading much easier.

The pedestal drawer in the base of the dryer glides open smoothly, and features two compartments for storage. One thing to keep in mind is that the drawer does not have a child-safety lock, so it’s not ideal for storing laundry detergent or other possibly harmful chemicals if you have young kids.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The LG DLEX3700V Ultra Large Capacity Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Electric Dryer is Energy Star Qualified, and EnerGuide rates this dryer's energy use at 606 kWh per year, which is just slightly above average for dryers. (For comparison, the lowest in the range is 556 kWh and the highest is 650.)

FINAL WORD

If you’re in the market for a dryer that is user-friendly, customizable and offers loads of options, you’ll want to take a look at the LG DLEX3700V. Its generous capacity allows you to dry large loads—a blessing for families—potentially cutting down on your weekly laundry duties (at least when it comes to changing over the load). Our editors and testers appreciated the range of settings and the dryer’s effectiveness, and felt the SmartThinQ app added value to this dryer. Plus, nice-to-have features like the Wrinkle Care and TurboSteam settings get you out the door quickly on busy mornings, and Steam Sanitary deepens the clean when you need it most.