LG DLEX8600BE 7.3 Cu. Ft. Smart Electric Dryer review: over 24 high-tech drying programs

I hate doing laundry, but it’s become a little more fun with a fancy, stylish dryer like the LG 7.3 cu. ft. Ultra Large Capacity Rear Control Electric Dryer with LGEasyLoad Door, AI Sensing, and Turbo Steam.

This large dryer is sleek and minimalistic, with a glass door, touchscreen buttons, and a cycle knob that can run through up to 24 preset programs and 20 drying settings. Any kind of drying program you can think of, this LG dryer has – a drying option for jeans, bedding, towels, and even AI Dry and Steam Fresh. Yes, that’s right. It can steam freshen your wrinkled clothes and pillows, and AI can be used to determine the drying time and temperature of a load. With the LG ThinQ app, I could remotely start, stop, and adjust the settings of every drying session.

Considering all those features, the price is excellent, even if the AI Dry option struggles with large and/or mixed fabric loads. Keep reading to see how well this dryer performed and why it's a great companion to the LG 5.5 cu. ft. Mega Capacity Smart Top Load Washer, WT8600CB.

If you're looking to purchase one of the best dryers available, we have you covered.

LG 7.3 cu.ft Ultra Large Capacity Rear Control Electric Dryer: Key specs

LG 7.3 cu.ft Ultra Large Capacity Rear Control Electric Dryer: Setup

Since the LG 7.3 cu. ft. The Ultra Large Capacity Rear Control Electric Dryer was ordered through the LG site, and I received free in-home delivery. There is an install fee of $39.99, which is my route. It’s well worth it, in my opinion.

If you order through Best Buy or Home Depot, you can pick the dryer up at the store or deliver it with or without the installation service. Either way, both stores charge a delivery and installation fee. Order directly from LG and take advantage of the free in-home delivery and a lower-priced installation fee.

I was able to schedule the installation day that I preferred. Upon arrival, one of the delivery people set to work unhooking my old washer and dryer while the other unpackaged the LG washer and dryer.

The products were assembled, so they had to move the washer and dryer in place. They even added new ductwork. While they didn’t show me how to use the washer and dryer, the delivery drivers provided me with the instruction manuals and told me to call customer service if I had any issues (none ever arose). The entire process took about 30 minutes.

Whether installing the dryer yourself or with the free in-home delivery, you should ensure a four-hole outlet. I should also note that the dryer shares the water facet with your washing machine so that you can utilize the steam feature.

Users can download the LG ThinQ app and connect it to the dryer. I highly suggest doing this as it allows you to adjust the dryer's settings in the app, receive notifications when a cycle is done, and even remotely start and stop the dryer. I had no trouble downloading the app and connecting the dryer with Wi-Fi. It took only a few minutes.

• Score: 9 out of 10

LG 7.3 cu.ft Ultra Large Capacity Rear Control Electric Dryer: Design & features

In one word, the LG 7.3 cu. ft. Ultra Large Capacity Rear Control Electric Dryer is “sleek.” The dryer only comes in matte black, which is better than white, as white shows scuffs and dust (trust me, my old dryer was white). The black glass door and the glass touch display are incredibly unique.

The glass door is placed on the front of the dryer, allowing me to set my basket underneath the door and pull out the clothes. The drum is made with NeverRust stainless steel. At 7.3 cu. ft., the dryer is quite large. I easily fit a king-size comforter inside and 17 towels (and there was still room left).

I’ve never seen a lint filter like the one in this LG dryer. It’s thin, but when you pull it out, you realize it’s like a basket you can unclip and open to remove the lint. It’s easy to remove the lint with your fingers. The dryer reminds you to remove lint from the dryer before every use and after several uses to clean the lint filter with water.

The cycle selector knob has an LCD screen that allows you to cycle through various programs – Normal, AI Dry, Timed Dry, Bedding, Towels, Delicates, Quick Dry, Antibacterial (high temp, very dry cycle), Permanent Press, Steam Fresh, Heavy Duty, and Airy Dry.

The date and time appear on the screen when the dryer is unused. Upon turning on the machine, the screen has seasonal-inspired images and messages like “It’s Winter!” These images change occasionally (you can also choose your favorite image in the app). There is a check button on the bottom of the knob that lets you make your dryer selections.

On either side of the knob is a glass touchscreen with the power button on the left side. A settings button, wrinkle care, and energy-saving button are on the far right side of the control panel. To the left of these buttons are the temperature and dryness settings. To adjust between the temperature settings of low, medium-low, normal, medium-high, or high, I only need to tap “Temp.” and the options appear on the knob's screen.

The dry level options are damp, less, standard, more, and very. Timed dry options are 10-minute increments between 10 and 100 minutes. The settings button displays the following options: low static, drum light on, remote start, control lock, cycle list edit, and damp signal.

You can use this dryer with the LG ThinQ app, meaning you can start and stop the dryer remotely on your phone and choose a cycle, temperature, steam, damp signal, energy saver, low static, and wrinkle care setting. Even if you don’t use the app to set a drying cycle, it will notify you when the dryer has finished the job.

Additional drying programs are absent on this dryer, like steam sanitary, super dry, jeans, blanket refresh, low temp dry, overnight dry, easy ironing, small load, large load dry, X Large load dry, wrinkle prevention, and rack dry. If I want them to appear on the dryer, I have to go into the app and add them.

The app also tells me how much energy I've used and tracks all the cycles. A Smart Diagnosis feature is also on the app to utilize in case of troubleshooting problems.

• Score: 9 out of 10

LG 7.3 cu.ft Ultra Large Capacity Rear Control Electric Dryer: Performance

Using the LG 7.3 cu. ft. Ultra Large Capacity Rear Control has been a joy. Size-wise, I had no trouble fitting king-size comforters or duvets, pillows, rugs, jeans, towels, or sweaters in the dryer. I’m single, so I don’t need a 7.3 cu. ft. dryer, but it was convenient to simply do a single large load a week and be done with it.

I tested as many programs as possible and found that the dryer was moderately quiet – between 60 and 65 dB – no matter the program I used. To be fair, I know some dryers are more silent, but the dryers I've used in the past were much louder, so I was glad that this one is on the quieter side.

I typically used the following drying programs: Normal, AI Dry, Timed Dry, Bedding, Towels, Quick Dry, Jeans, and Steam Fresh. It was better to dry like materials with like to achieve the best drying results. Sometimes, when I used the Normal or AI Dry feature on a large load with a mix of clothing types, bulkier items like jeans would come out damp at the end of the cycle. Using the Jeans program to dry my jeans produced excellent results, as did the Towel program when I dried 17 towels in a load.

If I had to choose between Normal and AI Dry, I would select Normal Dry. For one, it takes a few minutes for the AI to detect the fabric type. I also found that the AI Dry function sometimes programmed a longer drying time than was necessary. For instance, I steamed and cleaned some pillows that were slightly damp afterward. So, I used AI Dry, which set the timer to 34 minutes. They were completely dry when I pulled the pillows out at 27 minutes. Once, I even used the AI Dry program on a small load of mixed fabrics, and there were still a few damp clothing pieces by the end.

I was surprised that the Bedding feature didn’t fully dry a comforter and a king-sized duvet (which I dried separately). I had to time dry the duvet for ten more minutes and the comforter for another 30 minutes. This may have been my fault because I set the temperature and dryness level to "normal." If I’d put them to "high" and "very," then perhaps the comforter and duvet would've dried entirely. I’ve since learned that sometimes, when items came out slightly damp, it was a user error on my part and that I should have used a higher dryness level and temperature setting.

My favorite program is the Steam feature. I bought a steamer a few years ago and highly prefer it over an iron. But now that I have this LG dryer with a Steam Fresh program, I can steam clean my clothes hands-free.

I put a very wrinkled dress in the dryer to test it and pressed the Steam program. I could see the steam forming inside the dryer. The cycle ran for 10 minutes. When I pulled the dress out, I discovered that most of the wrinkles had disappeared, and the dress was ready to wear. There were a few wrinkles around the buttons, but honestly, I don't think anyone would've noticed if I wore the dress and went out in public. Now that I have this feature, I can throw clothes into the dryer and steam them as I run around the house, getting ready without stopping and using an actual steamer.

All in all, I was impressed with how the LG 7.3 cu. ft Ultra Large Capacity Rear Control Electric Dryer works. It’s changed my laundry drying game, and I don’t know if I will ever return to a dryer without all these features.

• Score: 8.5 out of 10

LG 7.3 cu.ft Ultra Large Capacity Rear Control Electric Dryer: Care & Maintenance

Maintenance is relatively easy for this dryer. After every drying cycle, you must empty the lint filter. I use my finger to remove the lint reasonably quickly, but if necessary, you can use a vacuum to clean the filter, water, and soap. The app and the machine notify you when you might need to wash the filter with water and then let it air dry before reinstalling.

The only other maintenance required of this dryer is cleaning the exterior of dust and dirt. You should occasionally clean the inside of the drum with a damp cloth.

• Score: 9 out of 10

LG 7.3 cu.ft Ultra Large Capacity Rear Control Electric Dryer: Price & value

Considering the smart and AI features – and the stylish look alone – I expected this dryer to be more expensive than it is. It typically sells for $1,299, but the price was reduced to $999 during my testing period. The high-quality design, many programs and settings, and the Steam feature make this price tag more than fair; it’s a downright steal.

This LG dryer is currently available on the LG website, as well as Best Buy and Home Depot. All three are offering additional perks at the time I’m writing this. For instance, Best Buy is offering a $75 gift card when you buy this LG dryer, while Home Depot will extend the limited warranty from 1 to 2 years at no cost, provide a $50 rebate, and take off $100 if you buy an LG washer and dryer set. LG offers further discounts for bundling appliances and a $100 credit for laundry and drying cleaning service from Rinse.

• Score: 9.5 out of 10

Would I buy the LG 7.3 cu.ft Ultra Large Capacity Rear Control Electric Dryer?

Even though it doesn't come with a hands-on demonstration, the LG DLEX8600BE dryer excels in setup with convenient delivery, installation options, and a user-friendly process. Though it lacks additional drying programs, its design combines sleek aesthetics, practical functionality, and advanced technology.

Because of the large capacity, versatile drying programs, and Steam Fresh feature, performance is good, but some user experimentation and minor AI Dry inconsistencies need to be fixed for optimal performance. With easy-to-use features and a lint management system, care and maintenance are easy, though cleaning may need to happen a lot.

While slightly cheaper alternatives may lack the same features, this dryer offers exceptional value with competitive pricing, high-quality features, and additional retailer perks.

How does the LG 7.3 cu.ft Ultra Large Capacity Rear Control Electric Dryer compare?

If you love the LG brand, you could always consider the LG 7.4 cu. ft. Ultra Large Capacity Smart wi-fi Enabled Front Load Electric Dryer, DLEX4000B. It has a lot of the same features as the LG 7.3 cu. ft DLEX8600B Dryer that I tested but differs in the design. The programs and settings are visibly labeled on this dryer, and many more buttons might be overwhelming to some.

TopTenReviews chose the GE GFD55ESSNWW 7.8 Cu. Ft. 10-Cycle Electric Dryer is the best overall dryer for its phenomenal sensor drying and large size – 7.8 cu. ft. It lacks a steam function and only has ten drying cycles. At least it’s about half the price of the LG I tested.

The Maytag MED7230HW 7.4 Cu. Ft. Smart Electric Dryer does have a steam function and app connectivity, and it’s more affordable than the LG 7.3 cu. ft Ultra Large Capacity Rear Control Electric Dryer. While it may have fewer drying programs, at least its moisture-sensing technology is praised, especially regarding heavy loads.

How I tested the LG 7.3 cu.ft Ultra Large Capacity Rear Control Electric Dryer

I used the LG 7.3 cu.ft Ultra Large Capacity Rear Control Electric Dryer for about three weeks. I tried various loads during that time, including various clothing types, from jeans to sweaters, bedding, and towels. I made sure to use different preset programs and settings, too. In doing this, I better understood how to best utilize this dryer for my drying needs.

Learn more about how we test.