Portable appliances promise convenience, but do they deliver? In this review, we delve into a portable clothes dryer that claims to handle clothes, shoes, and more with efficiency and ease. Priced around $50, it’s marketed as a must-have for travel, RVs, and cruises. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s break it down.
Where to Purchase
Here is the link where I purchased my unit on Amazon. The typical price is around $40.
Unboxing the Portable Dryer
The unit comes with several accessories, including drying bags, clothespins, a shoe-drying attachment, and a compact main unit. A standout feature is its UV lighting compartment, designed to sanitize clothes – a feature that has been well-received by many reviewers. However, some critiques emerged over the short power cord, an inconvenience for setups without a nearby outlet.
Performance Testing
The T-Shirt Test
To evaluate its efficiency, a simple T-shirt was used. After soaking, wringing, and placing a shirt in the dryer, the process began. The unit inflates a bag around the garment, directing warm air through it. After 30 minutes, the top of the shirt was partially dry, but the bottom remained damp. Extending the session to two hours yielded better results, with the top completely dry and the bottom mostly dry.
Verdict: Effective for lightweight garments but inconsistent drying patterns, especially at the bottom.
The Sock Experiment
The dryer was tested on socks – thick and thin pairs, both air-dried and machine-dried for comparison. Thermal imaging revealed uneven heat distribution but confirmed that the dryer generates noticeable warmth.
- Thin Socks: Fully dry after one hour in the dryer.
- Thick Socks: Dryer-assisted socks were mostly dry, outperforming air-dried ones.
Verdict: A clear win for lightweight fabrics, though thicker items may take longer.
Shoe Drying Feature
Using the shoe attachment, the dryer was tested on two pairs of water-soaked shoes. After nearly three hours:
- Shoes dried with the device were almost completely dry, barring minimal dampness at the toes.
- Shoes left to air dry remained notably wet.
Verdict: A strong feature, particularly for travelers or athletes needing quick drying.
Dress Shirt Trial
A wrung-out dress shirt underwent a three-hour drying session. While the top portions were fully dry, the cuffs retained slight dampness. Wrinkles were another issue, although the shirt was dry enough to pack or wear.
Verdict: Functional for emergency drying but unsuitable as a wrinkle-free solution.
Final Thoughts
This portable clothes dryer does its job, albeit with some limitations:
- Pros: Compact design, UV sanitation, effective for lightweight garments and shoes.
- Cons: Inconsistent drying patterns, slower performance for heavier items, short power cord, and potential bulkiness for tight luggage spaces.
Is it worth it? If you’re looking for a travel-friendly solution for light items or shoes, this dryer can be a helpful tool. However, it may not meet expectations for larger or thicker garments. Whether it’s a hit or miss depends on your specific needs and patience level.
Have you tried a portable clothes dryer? Share your experience below!
Video Review
Below you can watch my full review of this portable dryer.