Best Dryer Balls (2026)

Dryer balls soften laundry, reduce drying time, and eliminate the need for chemical-laden dryer sheets. Made from natural wool or durable plastic, they bounce around your dryer to separate clothes and improve air circulation. Here are the best dryer balls for every laundry routine.

In a hurry? The Budieggs Wool Dryer Balls 6-Pack is the best dryer ball for most people. Need something cheaper? Go with the Handy Laundry 6-Pack. Want premium quality? The Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls is worth the upgrade.

Product	Best For	Key Feature
Budieggs Wool 6-Pack	Best Overall	100% New Zealand wool with superior softening
Handy Laundry 6-Pack	Best Budget	Affordable natural wool at entry-level pricing
Smart Sheep 6-Pack	Best Premium	Ethically made with highest quality wool
Woolzies 6-Pack XL	Best for Essential Oils	Lab-tested 25% drying time reduction
Smart Sheep Colorful World	Best Decorative	Vibrant designs that brighten laundry day
Budieggs Dark Grey 6-Pack	Best for Dark Loads	Dark color hides lint from dark fabrics
Woolzies with Lavender Oil	Best Scented Bundle	Includes essential oil for fresh laundry scent
Smart Sheep 3-Pack	Best for Small Loads	Perfect quantity for apartment-size dryers
Friendsheep 3-Pack XL	Best Novelty Design	Adorable handmade sheep, bee, and flower designs
Woolzies Grey 3-Pack	Best Starter Set	Compact set for trying wool dryer balls

What to Look For

• Wool Quality — 100% New Zealand wool is the gold standard, offering superior softening and durability. Avoid balls with fillers or synthetic cores, which reduce effectiveness and lifespan.
• Size — XL dryer balls (about 2.75-3″ diameter) work best, providing more surface area to agitate clothes and absorb moisture. Smaller balls may not create enough separation between garments.
• Quantity — Use 3 balls for small to medium loads and 5-6 for large loads. Six-packs offer the best value since you’ll use multiple balls per cycle.
• Felting Quality — Tightly felted wool balls last longer and shed less. Hand-felted options typically offer better construction than machine-made alternatives.
• Essential Oil Compatibility — If you want scented laundry, ensure the dryer balls are designed for essential oil use. Add oils after drying on an air-fluff cycle to prevent heat damage.
• Lifespan — Quality wool dryer balls last 1,000+ loads or 2-4 years of regular use. They’re biodegradable at end of life, unlike plastic alternatives.

Budieggs Wool Dryer Balls XL 6-Pack — Best Overall

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The top-rated wool dryer balls with superior build quality and softening performance.

Budieggs dryer balls are made from 100% premium New Zealand wool with no fillers, chemicals, or synthetic materials. In lab testing by Reviewed.com, they delivered the best drying power and fabric softening of all products tested. Each XL ball is hypoallergenic and baby-safe, making them ideal for households with sensitive skin. The set lasts 1,000+ loads, replacing years of disposable dryer sheets.

Pros:

• Top-rated for softening and drying performance in independent testing
• 100% organic New Zealand wool with no fillers
• Hypoallergenic and safe for babies and sensitive skin
• 1,000+ load lifespan offers exceptional long-term value

Cons:

• May have slight wool scent initially
• Plain white design lacks visual appeal

Best for: Anyone wanting the best-performing wool dryer balls backed by independent testing.

Handy Laundry Wool Dryer Balls 6-Pack — Best Budget

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Affordable natural wool dryer balls that deliver solid performance at entry-level pricing.

Handy Laundry offers a budget-friendly introduction to wool dryer balls without sacrificing core functionality. These natural wool balls reduce wrinkles, decrease static, and shorten drying time just like premium alternatives. The reusable design replaces single-use dryer sheets and liquid fabric softeners, saving money and reducing waste over time.

Pros:

• Most affordable option for trying wool dryer balls
• Natural wool construction without chemicals
• Reduces wrinkles and static effectively
• Reusable for hundreds of loads

Cons:

• May not be as tightly felted as premium options
• Shorter lifespan than higher-end alternatives

Best for: Budget-conscious shoppers wanting to try wool dryer balls without significant investment.

Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls 6-Pack — Best Premium

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Ethically produced dryer balls with the highest quality wool and socially responsible manufacturing.

Smart Sheep stands out for both quality and ethics. These XL dryer balls are hand-felted in Nepal by women and minorities paid a living wage, then inspected and packaged by work-at-home mothers in the United States. The 100% premium New Zealand wool delivers the most luxurious feel of any tested product. With over 63,000 reviews on Amazon, they’re proven performers.

Pros:

• Highest quality wool with luxurious feel
• Ethically produced with fair-trade practices
• Woman-owned business supporting living wages
• No chemicals, synthetics, or fillers

Cons:

• Premium pricing compared to basic options
• Some users report initial wool odor

Best for: Those who prioritize ethical production and premium quality in their laundry products.

Woolzies Wool Dryer Balls XL 6-Pack — Best for Essential Oils

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Lab-tested to reduce drying time by 25% with excellent essential oil absorption.

Woolzies are pure handmade New Zealand wool dryer balls specifically designed for use with essential oils. Lab testing confirms they reduce drying time by 25%, saving energy and money on every load. The organic wool softens laundry naturally without chemicals, and the extra-large size provides maximum agitation. Add 3-6 drops of essential oil for naturally scented laundry.

Pros:

• Lab-tested 25% reduction in drying time
• Optimized for essential oil absorption and dispersal
• Hypoallergenic and safe for wool sensitivities
• 30-day money-back guarantee included

Cons:

• Essential oils sold separately
• Require air-fluff cycle for scenting, not heat

Best for: Those who want to add natural scents to their laundry using essential oils.

Smart Sheep Colorful World 6-Pack — Best Decorative

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Vibrant multi-colored dryer balls that bring joy to laundry day.

The Colorful World edition features the same premium New Zealand wool and ethical production as standard Smart Sheep balls, but in an eye-catching rainbow of colors. Each ball is still hand-felted in Nepal by fairly paid workers. The bright colors make it easy to spot if a ball gets trapped in clothing, and they add personality to an otherwise mundane chore.

Pros:

• Same premium quality as original Smart Sheep
• Vibrant colors brighten laundry routine
• Easy to spot if trapped in sheets or clothing
• Makes a great gift for eco-conscious recipients

Cons:

• Slight premium over plain white versions
• Colors may fade slightly over time

Best for: Those who want functional dryer balls with visual appeal and gift-worthy presentation.

Budieggs Dark Grey Wool Dryer Balls 6-Pack — Best for Dark Loads

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Dark-colored dryer balls that won’t show lint from dark fabrics.

These dark grey Budieggs offer the same top-rated performance as the white version but in a color that hides lint from navy, black, and dark-colored laundry. The 100% organic New Zealand wool delivers excellent softening and static reduction. Like all Budieggs products, they’re hypoallergenic, chemical-free, and rated for 1,000+ loads.

Pros:

• Dark color hides lint from dark laundry loads
• Same top-rated performance as white Budieggs
• 100% organic New Zealand wool construction
• Hypoallergenic and baby-safe

Cons:

• Harder to spot in dark dryer drums
• May transfer minimal dark fibers to light loads initially

Best for: Households that frequently wash dark clothing and want dryer balls that won’t show accumulated lint.

Woolzies 6-Pack with Lavender Essential Oil — Best Scented Bundle

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Complete scented laundry kit with dryer balls and lavender essential oil included.

This bundle pairs six XL Woolzies dryer balls with a 10ml bottle of pure lavender essential oil for naturally scented laundry. Add a few drops to the dryer balls and run an air-fluff cycle for fresh, calming lavender scent without chemicals or synthetic fragrances. The organic wool balls handle softening and wrinkle reduction while the oil provides the fresh scent dryer sheet users miss.

Pros:

• Includes essential oil for immediate scented laundry
• Pure lavender oil with calming aromatherapy benefits
• No synthetic fragrances or chemicals
• Complete solution for switching from dryer sheets

Cons:

• Only available in lavender scent
• Oil bottle is small and will need replacement

Best for: Anyone switching from dryer sheets who wants an all-in-one scented solution.

Smart Sheep 3-Pack Wool Dryer Balls — Best for Small Loads

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The right quantity for apartment-size dryers and small laundry loads.

Three XL dryer balls are perfect for small to medium loads in compact dryers. This Smart Sheep 3-pack delivers the same premium New Zealand wool and ethical production as their 6-pack at a lower entry point. Ideal for apartment dwellers, college students, or anyone with smaller laundry needs who doesn’t need six balls bouncing around.

Pros:

• Right quantity for small dryers and loads
• Lower upfront cost than 6-pack options
• Same premium quality as larger Smart Sheep sets
• Ethical fair-trade production

Cons:

• May need to purchase another set for large loads
• Higher per-ball cost than 6-pack purchases

Best for: Apartment dwellers and those with compact dryers who only wash small loads.

Friendsheep Wool Dryer Balls 3-Pack XL — Best Novelty Design

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Adorable handmade designs that combine functionality with whimsy.

Friendsheep dryer balls feature charming handmade designs including sheep faces, bees, flowers, and other playful patterns. Despite the novelty appearance, they’re made from the same high-quality New Zealand wool as serious competitors and deliver real softening and static reduction. Fair trade certified and made by artisan women in Nepal, they make excellent gifts.

Pros:

• Adorable handcrafted designs add personality
• Same performance as plain wool dryer balls
• Fair trade certified with ethical production
• Perfect gift for eco-conscious friends

Cons:

• Only 3 balls per pack (need more for large loads)
• Design details may fade over many cycles

Best for: Gift-givers and anyone who wants their laundry supplies to spark joy.

Woolzies Grey 3-Pack Wool Dryer Balls — Best Starter Set

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A compact introduction to Woolzies quality at a lower commitment level.

This 3-pack lets you try Woolzies’ lab-tested formula without the full 6-pack investment. The grey color offers a neutral alternative to white, hiding lint from both light and dark loads reasonably well. Made from pure New Zealand wool with no fillers, they provide natural softening and the same 25% drying time reduction as larger Woolzies sets.

Pros:

• Lower cost entry point for trying Woolzies
• Neutral grey works with all laundry colors
• Same lab-tested performance as 6-pack
• No fillers, additives, or chemicals

Cons:

• Only 3 balls limits effectiveness for large loads
• Higher per-ball cost than 6-pack options

Best for: First-time buyers wanting to test wool dryer balls before committing to larger quantities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best dryer balls for most people?

The Budieggs Wool Dryer Balls XL 6-Pack are the best dryer balls for most people. They earned top ratings in independent lab testing for softening and drying performance, use 100% organic New Zealand wool without fillers, and last 1,000+ loads.

How much should I spend on dryer balls?

Budget wool dryer balls cost $10-15 for a 6-pack. Mid-range options run $15-20 and often include better wool quality or ethical certifications. Premium sets cost $20-25 and offer superior construction, ethical production, or included essential oils.

Do wool dryer balls actually work?

Yes, wool dryer balls genuinely reduce drying time by 10-25% by separating clothes and improving air circulation. They also soften fabrics naturally, reduce static and wrinkles, and help collect pet hair and lint. Lab testing confirms these benefits.

How many dryer balls should I use per load?

Use 3 dryer balls for small to medium loads and 5-6 balls for large loads. The balls need room to bounce around and separate clothes, so don’t overload your dryer. More balls work better for bulky items like comforters and towels.

How long do wool dryer balls last?

Quality wool dryer balls last 1,000+ loads or approximately 2-4 years of regular use. You’ll know they need replacing when they start to look scraggly, shrink significantly, or begin falling apart. They’re biodegradable at end of life.

Can I add essential oils to wool dryer balls?

Yes, add 3-6 drops of essential oil to each dryer ball for naturally scented laundry. For best results, add the oil and run a 10-minute air-fluff (no heat) cycle rather than a regular heated cycle, which can damage the oils.

Are wool dryer balls better than plastic dryer balls?

Wool dryer balls generally outperform plastic in softening and moisture absorption, though plastic balls are more durable. Wool is quieter in the dryer, more eco-friendly, and compatible with essential oils. Plastic works fine but doesn’t soften as effectively.

Do wool dryer balls reduce static?

Wool dryer balls help reduce static by preventing over-drying—most static comes from leaving clothes in the dryer too long. However, they don’t eliminate static as completely as dryer sheets. Slightly under-drying or adding a damp washcloth helps further.

Will wool dryer balls leave lint on my clothes?

Quality wool dryer balls that are tightly felted don’t shed onto clothes. Initial lint is possible with cheaper balls, but washing and drying them once before first use helps. If shedding continues, switch to a higher-quality brand.

Are dryer balls worth it compared to dryer sheets?

Dryer balls are worth it for cost savings and environmental benefits. A $20 set replaces 2-4 years of dryer sheets, saving $50+ over its lifespan. They also avoid the synthetic chemicals and single-use waste of disposable sheets.

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Verdict

The Budieggs Wool Dryer Balls XL 6-Pack is the best choice for most people because they earned top ratings in independent testing for drying power and fabric softening. Their 100% organic New Zealand wool construction, hypoallergenic properties, and 1,000+ load lifespan make them an excellent long-term investment.

For budget buyers, the Handy Laundry 6-Pack delivers natural wool performance at an affordable entry price for trying dryer balls. And if you want the absolute best, the Smart Sheep 6-Pack justifies its premium with ethically produced, hand-felted balls made from the highest quality New Zealand wool by fairly paid workers.