Before creating this list, we researched options and turned to Patric Richardson, the Laundry Evangelist, about the factors to consider when shopping for the best dryer balls. According to Richardson, dryer balls should be firm and smooth, about the size of a tennis ball. We chose the Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls as our best overall pick because they are made of 100% premium New Zealand wool, free of chemicals, and available in three designs. Here are the best dryer balls, according to our research. Smart Sheep is a women-owned and operated company manufacturing the best dryer balls from Nepal. They use ethical fair-trade practices and are inspected and packaged in the U.S. by work-from-home moms. These handmade, eco-friendly wool dryer balls can be used more than a thousand times. They are a great alternative to liquid fabric softeners and dryer sheets, which help reduce landfill waste. These wool dryer balls help dry clothes faster which saves time, money, and energy. Use them to soften your clothing, reduce wrinkles, and trap pet hair. We recommend using three for small or medium loads of laundry and five to six for large loads of laundry. The extra large size is ideal when drying larger items like towels. There are three colors and designs to choose from–white, marching penguins, or gray smiling sheep. As a perk for ordering this six-pack of wool dryer balls, you’ll also receive Smart Sheep laundry detergent strips for free. Price at time of publish: $20 Quantity: Six | Material: Wool | Scent: Unscented The best dryer balls evenly dry your clothing while reducing the overall dry time, which is why we love these. They increase airflow and decrease dry time by lifting and separating your clothes while in the dryer. They also have plastic tips, which help soften your clothing and decrease static. We recommend these plastic dryer balls because they offer a quick, affordable, and energy-efficient way to soften and fluff your laundry. Just remember that they may be a little noisier than wool dryer balls. Price at time of publish: From $10 Quantity: Six | Material: Plastic | Scent: Unscented If you want to minimize time spent doing laundry and do your part in helping the planet, consider these eco-friendly wool dryer balls. They are free of plastic and come with compostable paper packaging and an organic cotton storage bag. Best of all, Friendsheep plants one tree for each pack sold. These fair trade wool dryer balls are handmade in Nepal, supporting underprivileged women, fair wages, and ethical conditions. These splurge-worthy wool dryer balls made our list because they are hypoallergenic, eco-friendly, and effective at drying clothing. We also love that they maintain the absorbency of towels and help remove pet hair and lint. Even though they are a little pricey, you’ll save money in the long run because you won’t have to use dryer sheets or fabric softener. Price at time of publish: $32 Quantity: Six | Material: Wool | Scent: Unscented The best wool dryer balls cut down dry time and save energy which is why these wool dryer balls made our list. With a three-inch diameter, these oversized dryer balls are larger than many of the options on our list, meaning they are a good choice for drying items like towels. They lift and separate laundry while in the dryer, creating better air circulation and reducing drying time by up to 25%. This allows you to dry your clothes more quickly while saving energy costs. Using these wool dryer balls helps your clothing feel fluffier and softer without dryer sheets or liquid fabric softeners. Other benefits include fewer wrinkles and static cling. Although these dryer balls are unscented, you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a fresh scent. Price at time of publish: $12 Quantity: Six | Material: Wool | Scent: Unscented These eco-friendly and hypoallergenic dryer balls come in a six-pack. For best results, use all six with a large load of laundry and three with a small load. Since they are designed to keep your clothing soft and fresh while removing static and wrinkles, you may not need to iron your clothes which could save you additional time. These reusable scented dryer balls are anti-shedding and suitable if you’re sensitive to wool. Price at time of publish: $23 Quantity: Six | Material: Wool | Scent: Lavender These dryer balls are designed to prevent clothes from twisting, tangling, or rubbing against each other which results in less static. They are also effective at reducing wrinkles, so you might not need to iron your clothes after they come out of the dryer. Using these dryer balls also helps eliminate waste since they can be used in place of fabric softener. These durable and reusable plastic dryer balls have a 2.63-inch diameter and come in a set of four. At less than $10, they’re a great value. Price at time of publish: $9 Quantity: Four | Material: Plastic | Scent: Unscented A few benefits of using these wool dryer balls include softer clothing, reduced wrinkles, and less static. They can be used with clothes, sheets, and towels and last for about 1,000 loads of laundry. Like many others on our list, they are handmade using 100% organic New Zealand wool and free of chemicals. As an eco-friendly alternative to plastic dryer balls or fabric softeners, they can reduce drying time by about 20% to 30%, saving time and energy while protecting the environment. These wool dryer balls have sheep designs that are printed with natural organic plant pigments, so you don’t have to worry about the dye getting onto your clothes. However, the patterns may fade a little with time. Price at time of publish: $15 Quantity: Eight | Material: Wool | Scent: Unscented These 2.95-inch diameter organic wool dryer balls come in a package of six with a bonus cotton gift bag. Use three to four for a small or medium load of laundry and six for a large load of laundry. Although these dryer balls are unscented, you can add a few drops of essential oil to enhance the smell of your laundry. We recommend these extra-large dryer balls because they are eco-friendly, efficient, and reusable. However, you may notice numerous sizes, colors, and textures because they are handmade. Ringing in at $10 for a package of six, they’re a great value. Price at time of publish: $9 Quantity: Six | Material: Wool | Scent: Unscented As an eco-friendly alternative to dryer sheets, these reusable dryer balls work for about 1,000 loads of laundry. You won’t need to replace them until you notice loose fibers, which likely won’t be for three years, depending on how much laundry you do. They help your laundry tumble, which provides better airflow and heat circulation to speed up the drying process by up to 30%. These dryer balls come in a pack of six, and you can choose between white or black. It also comes with a muslin bag for convenient storage. For a few dollars more, you can purchase a set that comes with essential oils. Use three dryer balls for a small load of laundry and six for larger loads to keep your laundry soft, fluffy, and wrinkle-free. Price at time of publish: $13 Quantity: Six | Material: Wool | Scent: Unscented
What to Know About Dryer Balls Before Shopping
Quantity
You can purchase single dryer balls, but most come in a set that is convenient and cost-effective. Many of the options on our list come with six dryer balls, but you can find options with all different quantities ranging from two to 12 dryer balls. Pay attention to the cost per piece and make sure you purchase the quantity for your laundry needs. If you tend to have large loads of laundry or frequently wash items like towels, you may want to choose a larger set. For the quickest drying time, use two to three dryer balls in a small load of laundry and five to six in a large load of laundry.
Material
Dryer balls are made of wool or plastic. Most of the options on our list are handmade of 100% New Zealand wool. We also included some plastic materials that cost less than their wool counterparts. Wool is typically the preferred material for the best dryer balls because it’s heavier than plastic which means it can break up your clothing better for shorter drying times. Wool dryer balls are quieter than plastic dryer balls and better at absorbing moisture. “I prefer wool for two reasons,” Richardson says. “You can add scent to them if you wish, and they absorb some of the moisture of the dryer and release it back gradually as steam to help with wrinkles.”
Scent
When shopping for dryer balls, you’ll notice most are unscented. However, you can also purchase scented dryer balls if you want your clothing to have a specific scent beyond the smell of fresh laundry. Our pick for the best-scented dryer balls comes with essential oils so you can control the amount of scent. You can also buy regular unscented wool dryer balls, add your favorite essential oils–like lavender, citrus, or eucalyptus–and change the scent over time.
Your Questions, Answered
What do dryer balls do?
Dryer balls are an eco-friendly alternative to dryer sheets and liquid fabric softeners. “They speed up the drying time a bit and keep the centrifugal force of the dryer working, so clothes are less wrinkled, and large items like sheets don’t knot up as badly,” Richardson says. The best dryer balls also soften clothing, reduce static, and trap pet hair.
How many dryer balls should you use per load?
It depends on how big the load is. “You need at least two, but if you have a larger dryer you can use more,” Richardson says. Two to three dryer balls are often sufficient for a small load of laundry, but you’ll probably need five to six for a larger load–especially if you are washing items like towels.
Are dryer balls worth it?
Yes–dryer balls can help you save time, money, and energy by reducing drying time. They are affordable and reusable which makes them an essential part of doing laundry.
Who We Are
Erica Reagle is a freelance writer focusing on interior design and the home. For this story, she spent several hours researching important considerations when shopping for the best dryer balls. Erica also gathered insights from Patric Richardson, the Laundry Evangelist.
