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Dryer balls promise faster drying and less tangling, but not every material lives up to that promise. Wool absorbs moisture and releases it as vapor during a cycle, while plastic and rubber balls rely on their bumpy surfaces to create space for hot air, a difference that showed up clearly in testing.
Consumer Reports tested six popular dryer balls made of wool, plastic and rubber for drying speed, detangling and wrinkle reduction, so shoppers can find one that actually works.
Priced at $12.79 for three, the Everspring 100% New Zealand Wool Dryer Balls are made of 100 percent wool and come unscented. Consumer Reports named this its top pick, with the tester's laundry drying in just 15 minutes. CR found its performance held up well against other wool dryer balls evaluated, and noted its smaller size made the drying cycle noticeably quieter than the alternatives. Testers said the price, just under $13 for three, felt like a solid deal given how well the balls performed.
