They're Not All Made The Same: Where To Buy Consumer Reports' Top Pick For Dryer Balls

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If you're trying to save money on single-use dryer sheets, make more eco-friendly choices, or simply prevent your sheets from balling up in the dryer, investing in some dryer balls is the way to go. These spheres, usually about the size of a tennis ball or baseball, tumble around with your clothing in the dryer, ensuring that hot air gets where it needs to go. The result is fewer wrinkles, decreased drying times, and completely moisture-free, refreshed clothing.

With that being said, however, there are plenty of options out there. Even the choice between silicone versus wool versus plastic dryer balls can get a bit overwhelming, but relying on the advice of Consumer Reports can help you get started on the right foot with a high-quality product. The non-profit organization's top pick is the Everspring 100% New Zealand Wool Dryer Balls, and after considering the results from their expert's tests, the affordable price point, and the impressively high ratings, we're inclined to agree that you should be using these wool dryer balls in your laundry.

There's one caveat to this product, however — Everspring is a private label brand owned by Target, meaning its products are only available at this retailer. If you frequently do your shopping at Target, this certainly isn't an issue, but for those who don't have easy access to Targets in their area or prefer to do their shopping elsewhere, getting your hands onto this particular product could require an online order or slight change of routine.

Consumer Reports is known for its hands-on testing of products, and these dryer balls are no exception. As shared in an article on the Consumer Reports website, the tester found that this product significantly cut down on drying time, leaving their laundry ready to go in an impressive 15 minutes. They also noted that the balls were smaller than some other options on the market, which helped to decrease the noise that can sometimes be caused by solid objects tumbling around in the drum and be a disadvantage to using dryer balls in the laundry.

Another major pro is the price. Dryer balls can be used up to 1,000 times if they're properly maintained, and this three-pack retails for $12.79. That's about what you can expect to pay for a large pack of dryer sheets, so the dryer balls are certainly a more cost-effective alternative. While there are less expensive dryer balls out there, the fact that these are 100% New Zealand wool and produce less noise helps to set them apart from the competition.

Customers also agree that this product is worth the investment, giving it an impressive 4.5 star rating across over 1,300 reviews on Target's website. Many reviewers note their effectiveness and the fact that they've held up well over time, though, as with anything, a few disagreed. Some unsatisfied customers noted that they weren't very helpful for reducing static in their laundry, while others expressed annoyance that the dryer balls left lint on their fabric. Overall, however, the general impression seems to be positive, especially when compared to the cost and risks of using dryer sheets.