The 5 Best Shoe & Boot Dryers [Ranked]
If you are in the market for an electric boot dryer, you will see that, for the most part, the styles available are pretty consistent, with the exception of the Dr. Dry electric shoe warmer (Source).
The electric Dr. Dry insert warmers are inserted into the shoe or ski boot using a heater that boasts an ability to completely dry a wet shoe or boot in around 3 or 4 hours, and a shoe that they described as soaking wet and around 12 hours.
The more traditional style of foot warmer has two dry ports- you just need to stick your running shoes, boots (and even gloves!) on it and warm air circulates up, drying your foot or handwear.
Contents
Comparing Them
| Boot Dryers | Our Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | The Dr. Dry Electric Shoe & Boot Dryer | 4.0 | $ |
 | The MaxxDry Heavy Duty Boot, Glove & Shoe Dryer | 4.8 | $$ |
 | The PEET Electric Shoe Dryer | 4.7 | $$ |
| The MaxxDry Regular Shoe & Boot Dryer | 4.6 | $$ | |
 | The DryGuy Simple Boot & Glove Dryer | 4.5 | $$ |
Our Top Pick: The PEET Electric Shoe Dryer
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
The Peet Original Boot Dryer is our top pick- its manufacturers boast that it can neutralize odors that are produced by bacteria and perspiration, and that it is ideal for all sorts of shoe materials including rubber, canvas, fleece, and leather.
Reviewer Feedback
Users provide highly positive feedback for this particular USA-made boot dryer, saying that it is easily assembled without tools, has a very strong and secure base that will even support steel-toed construction boots without wobbling, and it only draws around 36 watts of power. Plus it comes with a 25-year warranty.
Another reviewer says that it runs really quiet besides being energy-efficient. One reviewer, in particular, says that because the dryer ports point the boots and shoes up at a sharp angle it really dries out the hard-to-reach toebox. As a construction worker that wears and depends on comfortable working shoes during his 14-hour workdays, it's crucial that his boots be dry and toasty in the morning.
He also says that he uses this electric boot dryer for his son's running sneakers. Keeping running shoes dry and order-free increases their durability, so now he doesn't need to purchase expensive cross training speakers for his kids as frequently anymore.
Video Overview
Downsides
One downside is that there isn't a power button to let you know when it is running, so you will need to plug the cord in and pull it out to turn it off.
Pros
- Light
- Silent
- Suitable for different materials
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- No switch
- Have to be unplugged after use
- Complaints of malfunctioning
This Peet Original boot dryer is certainly a solid option if you were in the market for a shoe-drying solution.
Let's take a look at five other options that are available on the market today and see how they compare.
The Five Best Shoe & Boot Dryers
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
This electric shoe dryer offered by Dr. Dry is compact, light and effective for drying your shoes or boots quickly and safely. Users love that they can have dry and warm shoes in a couple of hours and that this electric dryer removes any unpleasant odor.
However, some do note they expected the shoe and boot dryer to produce more heat and warm their shoes faster. Suitable for different products and materials like gloves, liner, ski mask, ski boots, this boot warmer has a preset heating setting, so you don’t have to worry about burning or damaging your shoes by accident.
Moreover, it dehumidifies and deodorizes the footwear. Overall, it seems like a very practical item to have around the house.
Users are mostly happy with the performance and effectiveness of the Dr. Dry shoes dryer warmer. One user shares that she leaves the warmers plugged in for the night without worrying about fire hazards and that it’s safe to use it around kids and pets, too. She also comments that she would gladly buy more for her family so that they all can have warm and dry shoes in the winter.
Another customer is very surprised that this cheap shoe warmer doesn’t make any sound when it’s working, and it does a really good job of drying her husband’s boots. This reviewer also states that she was surprised that it glowed with a soft blue light when she turned it on. Users mostly complain that only one “shoe” worked or that it suddenly stopped working after a couple of weeks.
Pros
- Light
- Works quietly
- Safe to use around children and pets
- Low-cost
Cons
- Takes around 3-4 hours to completely dry the shoes
- Complaints that only one of the warmers works
Dry your boots in the wild
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
If you are wondering how to dry your boots and gloves quickly and efficiently, you might want to take a look at this heavy-duty dryer offered by MaxxDry. Users love that they can dry or warm multiple items simultaneously and that it’s effective for removing unpleasant smells.
However, some do note that it’s noisy. Suitable for all kinds of materials like leather, canvas, vinyl, rubber, plastics, etc., this top rated dryer heats up to 105 F, removes moisture and perspiration, has a heat switch on/off and a 3-hour timer.
Overall, it looks like a high-quality product suitable for everyone looking for a powerful shoe/ boot dryer.
Users express very positive opinions regarding this MaxxDry boot and glove dryer – they praise its functionality, design, and effectiveness. One buyer states that it dries his wader boots in one cycle, and he can set it up and forget about it without worrying about fire accidents. A happy customer shares that she uses it daily to dry and warm her husband’s boots and that the electric boot dryer keeps the boots from smelling horribly.
Another pleased purchaser comments that he uses it to dry skates, gloves, and boots, and it does the job for an hour. Moreover, it’s lightweight, and he can easily pack it and take it with him wherever he goes. The only thing that customers complain about is that it’s too noisy, and one person complains that he received a broken unit.
Pros
- Light
- Can dry multiple items simultaneously
- Suitable for different materials
- Heat switch
Cons
- Noisy
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
The PEET black electric dryer is well-built, durable and an efficient tool for solving your problems with wet and smelly shoes. Users love that it’s not only easy to put it together, but it works quietly and doesn’t damage their footwear.
However, some do note that there is no switch to turn it off. With two ports for thoroughly drying one pair of footwear, this PEET boot dryer runs on thermal convection, it is suitable for all types of materials, and it weighs only 2.9 pounds. It has a 25-year warranty, so it looks like a very useful tool for warming, drying and sanitizing shoes.
Generally, users have a very positive attitude towards this PEET electric boot warmer – they say that it’s functional, durable and uses very little electricity. One user shared that she used it on her son’s smelly cleats and in the morning they smelled like new. She was also completely amazed that the boot dryer worked so silently. Another customer states that he uses it daily, and every morning his shoes are warm and toasty.
He would recommend it to anyone whose shoes get often wet. A happy purchaser shares that this electric footwear warmer thoroughly dries her boots, hats, and gloves, and for her, it’s a necessity for anyone who wants warm, toasty shoes on a cold winter morning. However, some of the customers complain that since there is no switch, you have to plug and unplug it every time you use it. Some also mentioned that the PEET boot and gloves warmer arrived broken or it broke after a couple of months.
Pros
- Light
- Silent
- Suitable for different materials
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- No switch
- Have to be unplugged after use
- Complaints of malfunctioning
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
This MaxxDry SD shoe and glove dryer is functional, useful and a good choice for anyone who doesn’t want to deal with wet or cold shoes. Users love that that it does a great job of drying and warming their shoes overnight without any noise.
However, some do note that the glove adapter is not included in the packaged. This shoe and glove warmer runs on thermal convection, uses very little electricity and can be safely used on all kinds of materials. Moreover, it eliminates perspiration, bacteria, and mold so you don’t have to worry about skin irritation. It looks like a very efficient tool if you are not in a hurry to get dry shoes.
Generally, users are very happy with the MaxxDry boot, shoe and glove dryer. One user shares that for him, this is the best boot dryer available – he only has to plug it in, place the wet boots on it, and wait for the gently warm air to slowly dry them overnight.
Another purchaser states that this boot and glove warmer solved his smelly shoe problem once and for all, and he would recommend it to anyone who has similar problems. Some customers have complained that the MaxxDry SD warmer isn’t as powerful as they expected, and it took them a lot of time to dry their boots.
Some also would have preferred if there was a switch to turn it off or a timer.
Pros
- Silent
- Suitable for different materials
- Low electricity consumption
Cons
- Dries slowly
- Doesn’t have a switch or a timer
- No glove adapter
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
The DryGuy simple boot and glove dryer is light, easy to use and efficient for drying and removing unpleasant shoe odors. Users love that it doesn’t overheat their shoes and keeps them warm, dry and free of mold and bacteria.
However, some do note that there isn’t on and off switch. Made from plastic, this simple shoes and glove warmer runs on thermal convection, heats up to 105 F and can completely dry one pair of garments in 6-8 hours. It weighs only 3.4 and looks like a good choice if you are looking for a dryer of a good quality and price.
Users share mostly positive experiences with this footwear warmer dryer. One buyer comments that it works great for his wet and sweaty shoes and as an added bonus it’s silent. This buyer shared that he measured the voltage, and it was only 25.5 watts, so it wouldn’t have much effect on your electric bill.
Another purchaser states that this top rated boot dryer heats up completely in 20 minutes, and it takes about five hours to thoroughly dry his sweaty and damp boots. A happy user adds that the plastic heating tubes are sturdy, and he has no problems even with his heaviest boots.
However, some customers have complained that it arrived broken and didn’t heat up at all, while others would prefer if there was a switch so that they could be sure that it’s turned on.
Pros
- Light
- Silent
- Suitable for fragile material
- Low electricity consummation
Cons
- No switch
- No timer
- Complaints of malfunctioning
Boot Dryer Buying Guide
For those of you in the market for a boot dryer, there are a variety of high-quality options on the market. In our examination, surveying many different users, we found that, for the most part, all of the options provided strong drying functionality, helping to improve footwear comfort as well as reduce shoe odors caused by mildew, fungus and bacteria.
While they are frequently known as boot dryers, some users employ them to dry out gloves and there are actually different attachments you can purchase to dry waders and even helmets.
Some units like the MaxxDry have different heating options- you can choose to use mild heater even no heat at all in the case where you feel the materials are particularly sensitive, like neoprene certain expensive leathers and microfiber materials.
One user purchased this particular heavy-duty portable dryer to use the air-only setting on sweat-saturated football cleats, preventing them from becoming horribly smelly. During the winter months, they use their boot dryer for snow boots.
After a long afternoon of cross-country skiing, their snow boots got saturated and there's nothing as comforting as having a warm boot that is completely dry the next day for their subsequent skiing explorations. A truck driver who describes long trucking hauls creating sweat-saturated sneakers, says that these dryers are a lifesaver, reducing odor and making his shoes much more comfortable for his next long-haul trucking run.
How to dry leather hiking boots
One other reviewer chimes in, saying that as a house painter his sneakers are often made wet by dewy grass or by the occasional garden hose. He says that all he has to do is stick his gloves as well as his wet shoes onto the dryer and overnight they are made completely dry.
Interestingly there are some different variations of these dryers available- there is a multi dryer that has multiple heating vents so that you could drive two pairs of boots at the same time.
There's even a propane-powered boot dryer so you can have this functionality in areas where there is no electricity. Portable dryers are available that can be packed into your luggage, inserted into your shoes or boots, plugged into the wall to provide you with the comfort of a warm and toasty shoe in the morning.
Summing Up
Traditionally, drying a shoe was a real nuisance. You had to remove the insoles, loosen the laces, pull out the tongue of the shoe, and then depend on air circulation to eventually try it out. As it often happened, the shoe would still be wet the next time you want to use it- and there's nothing worse than putting on a wet sneaker.
Besides, the longer your shoes stay wet, the more prone they are to becoming a nasty, infected caves of dank grossness. Perusing the Internet, we see that many people are not aware that there are shoe drying solutions that are available.
They're still recommending the old methods of drying out sneakers and ski boots that include air circulation and then stuffing them full of newspaper before propping them up on a shoe tree. If you're in the market for a cheap and effective boot drying solution, check out our reviews and see which one would be a good fit for you.
