Best Indoor Dryer Vent Lint Trap 2021 – Reviews and Buying Guide

We can all agree that the ideal situation would be to vent your clothes dryer to the outside of your home. Unfortunately, this may not always be possible, especially if your laundry room has no provision for an outdoor vent.

Enter indoor dryer vent lint traps.

These devices capture lint, pet hair, and dust particles from your dryer, effectively preventing them from contaminating the air in your home. It’s a cheap and effective alternative to remodeling your home just to vent your dryer to the outside.

We’ve tested the top venting systems on the market to bring you our top picks for the best indoor dryer vent lint trap for 2021.

	BetterVent Indoor Dryer Vent	Dundas Jafine Indoor Dryer Vent	Lambro Industries Indoor Dryer Vent
	Best Overall	Best Budget Option	Best Lightweight Alternative
Material	Plastic	Plastic	Plastic
Dimensions	10 x 5 x 12 in	6.75 x 6.75 x 7.25 in.	7 x 6.5 x 5.75 in
MERV rating	5.00	4.00	4.00
Compatible devices	Electric dryers	Electric dryers	Electric dryers
	View on Amazon	View on Amazon	View on Amazon

How We Tested and Compared These Products

In our comparison of the various indoor dryer vent lint traps on the market, the first thing we sought to establish was whether they actually work. We’ve come across many venting systems that do the bare minimum and, as a result, end up releasing loads of dryer lint and dust particles into the air.

We only reviewed systems with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value of 4.00 and up from reputable manufacturers like BetterVent, Dundas Jafine, Lambro, and FunMas.

We also wanted systems compatible with electric clothes dryers since those are what you’ll find in most households. Bonus points if it had multiple filtration systems in addition to the conventional units that come with a water reservoir.

Other factors we were checking for include how lightweight and durable they were and whether they were easy to install.

Our Pick: BetterVent Indoor Dryer Vent Kit – Best Overall

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Features:

• Material: Plastic
• Dimensions: 10 x 5 x 12 in.
• MERV Rating: 00
• Compatible devices: Electric clothes dryer

BetterVent is a household name in the world of home ventilation systems. The company is best known for its range of high-quality, energy-efficient indoor dryer vent lint traps, whose performance in the industry is simply unmatched. This particular device was outstanding in every aspect. Everything from its design to performance was nothing short of impressive.

For starters, the double filter dryer vent kit adopts a unique design that allows it to capture everything from lint, pet hair, and dust. We were particularly impressed by how well it was able to trap even the finest dust particles. This can be attributed to the polyester filter and the stainless steel pre-filter screen that work in tandem to ensure nothing that could potentially lower the quality of the indoor air you breathe gets through.

Unlike most inside dryer vent systems we’ve come across, the BetterVent system doesn’t require water. We were a little skeptical about this at first. When we put it to the test, our initial concerns were immediately put to rest. The replaceable filter it comes with wasn’t just more effective; it made cleanup a breeze.

We also noticed that clothes dried up faster, and it released the warm, dryer air into the room. This was a handy feature during winter when there’s cold air all around.

The clothes dryer vent lint trap comes with Safety Vent Flap that automatically opens to keep the dryer from overheating if you forget to do routine maintenance on it. This system is activated when airflow is restricted by 80% due to lint buildup.

The complete kit comes with two polyester dryer vent filters, four calibration weights, mounting hardware, and an instruction manual. All in all, for the price, the BetterVent system delivers excellent value for the money. It is worth checking out.

Best Alternatives

Dundas Jafine Indoor Dryer Vent Kit – Best Budget Option

 

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Features:

• Material: Plastic
• Dimensions:75 x 6.75 x 7.25 in.
• MERV Rating:00
• Compatible devices: Electric clothes dryer indoors

Dundas Jafine has been around for more than eight decades, making it one of the country’s leading manufacturers of innovative, high-quality air distribution systems. This wealth of experience can be seen in the DudansJafine TDIDVKZW indoor dryer vent kit.

The first thing that stood out to us was the price. This unit has to be one of the most affordable indoor venting systems we’ve come across. We hooked it up to our electric dryer for one month to find out whether this price was a reflection of the kind of performance we could expect. We were pleasantly surprised by how well it trapped dust and lint.

Granted, it’s not as great as some of the top-of-the-line products like BetterVent, but if you’re simply looking for something affordable that works, this unit would be your best bet.

It doesn’t come with a filter. Instead, it has a plastic lint reservoir at the bottom you can fill with water that works just as well. We found that emptying it after every two dryer loads kept it from dispensing lint into the air. You can always add a makeshift filter (we used a nylon stocking) around the holes if you need to.

The unit comes with a plastic lint reservoir, two adjustable clamps, and a ProFlex dryer duct to connect your dryer to the lint trap. All in all, if you want something functional that retails for under 20 bucks, this is the best dryer vent lint trap in its class.

 

Lambro Industries Indoor Dryer Vent Kit – Best Lightweight Alternative

 

VIEW ON AMAZON

Features:

• Material: Plastic
• Dimensions: 7 x 6.5 x 5.75 in.
• MERV Rating:00
• Compatible devices: Electric dryer

This unit is another favorite. While it looks quite similar to the Dundas Jafine TDIDVKZW, this particular model comes with a filter around the holes above the reservoir. That way, any lint that escapes the polyester screen gets caught in the water reservoir below.

We used it for about two weeks and were quite impressed by the amount of lint it caught. It works better if you empty out the reservoir after every other dryer load to ensure the quality of air in your home stays clean.

While it wasn’t as effective as the BetterVent when it came to trapping smaller dust particles, it is still better than a ventless dryer system. It’s a great solution for anyone looking for a cheap, good-quality, functional lint filter that will get the job done.

 

FunMas Indoor Dryer Vent Kit – Best Advanced Filtration System

 

VIEW ON AMAZON

Features:

• Material: Plastic
• Dimensions:98 x 9.57 x 6.22 in.
• MERV Rating:00
• Compatible devices: Electric clothes dryers only

The FunMas 3-in-1 indoor clothes dryer vent lint trap has one of the most sophisticated filtration systems we’ve come across. It has a polyester filter, a stainless steel screen, and a water reservoir system to ensure no trace of lint escapes into the air. Its impressive MERV rating ensures that even the smallest particles like fine dust get filtered to promote clean air circulation in your home.

The upward design of the air outlet prevents pet hair, dust, and large chunks of lint from getting into the dryer vent hose and potentially damaging the device. It also releases warm air into the environment, allowing you to save on heating bills in the winter.

All in all, the lint-trapping capability of this system is nothing short of outstanding. It is the best option for individuals with asthma and any other respiratory condition.

 

How to Choose the Best Indoor Dryer Vent Lint Trap – Buying Guide

 

Not all indoor dryer vents are created equal. Some work and others don’t. Below are a few critical factors to keep in mind when choosing an indoor vent system to ensure you have clean, healthy air circulating in your home.

Performance

First off, you want an indoor dryer vent lint trap that works. Most budget systems come with a reservoir at the bottom that you fill with water to trap lint and dust particles. These are great if you’re looking for something functional and affordable. Higher-end systems have additional filtration mechanisms to ensure no trace of lint, pet hair, or dust particles escape into the air.

Look out for lint traps that have a steel pre-filter, a secondary lint trap usually made of polyester, and a water reservoir – or at least two out of the three components. These have a higher overall filtration rate compared to systems that rely on only one method to trap lint. They require less maintenance overall.

MERV Rating

MERV is short for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. It is a rating that defines how efficient an air filter vent kit is when it comes to catching particles in the air.

As a rule of thumb, you should always choose an indoor dryer venting system with a MERV rating of 4.00 and up. The higher this figure is, the more effective the device will be in trapping lint, fine dust particles, and pet hair.

Build Material

The other thing you need to think about is the material the lint trap is made of. You’ll find a wide range of devices made of plastic, metal, or a hybrid of the two.

Plastic dryer lint traps are lightweight and easy to install. They’re also quite durable and can withstand constant exposure to humidity. The downside is – they are not compatible with gas clothes dryer systems.

A gas dryer can get quite hot – hot enough to melt the plastic components in your vent trap and potentially cause a dryer fire. For safe dryer venting, you’re better off getting a metallic indoor dryer lint trap to avoid a potential fire hazard.

Maintenance

Vent lint traps need to be cleaned out every so often. The question becomes – how frequently do you want to do it, and how much of a mess can you handle. Systems with a water reservoir at the bottom to trap lint and other particles need to be cleaned out every two dryer loads. The cleanup process can also be quite messy.

Systems with more filtration elements like a stainless steel pre-filter and a disposable polyester filter, in addition to the water reservoir trap, require less frequent maintenance. You can empty the water after every 6-12 dryer loads.

FAQ

Are indoor dryer vents any good?

Yes, they are. While an outdoor venting system is generally the best option, indoor systems are a viable substitute in homes with no provision for an outdoor dryer vent. To avoid breathing contaminated air from your dryer indoors, ensure the dryer vent lint trap you get has a MERV rating of 4.00 and above. This ensures no lint or fine dust particles get released into your indoor air. We also recommend cleaning out the lint reservoir and filter after every dryer load.

Is electric dryer exhaust harmful?

Yes, it can be – in large quantities. Electric dryers produce a lot of moisture, which is a byproduct of drying clothes. If too much of this moisture is released indoors, it can cause mold and bacteria to build up, which can lead to a wide range of respiratory ailments.

Moist air can also cause other general condensation problems like dry rot in wood, which can damage the wooden struts in your home. Always use an indoor dryer vent lint trap with a dehumidifier to keep the humidity levels in the air in check.

What is the best type of indoor dryer vent?

When purchasing the best indoor dryer vent lint trap, look for a device with a MERV rating of at least 4.00 or higher. It’s also a good idea to find one with 2-3 filtration elements combined.

For instance, the BetterVent Indoor Dryer Vent has a stainless steel pre-filter combined with a polyester filter to trap lint, pet hair, and fine dust particles.

The FunMas Indoor Dryer Vent has a stainless steel pre-filter, a polyester filter, and a water reservoir. Each of the two devices has a MERV rating of 5.00.

Conclusion

There you have it – the best indoor dryer vent lint trap. Any of the devices we’ve reviewed here would make an excellent addition to your laundry room.

Based on our experience, if we had to pick a winner, it would definitely be the BetterVent Indoor Dryer Vent. It is one of the very few venting systems on the market that doesn’t rely on conventional water reservoirs to trap lint. We thought that was quite cutting-edge.