12 Best Dryer Vent Cover Reviews & Picking Guide 2023

Here’s a secret: one of the most important parts of your dryer isn’t actually inside your dryer at all!

At the end of your dryer vents is your dryer vent cover – a key component in ensuring your dryer works properly. It needs regular maintenance and should always be replaced once it starts wearing out. But with so many different designs and dryers, how do you figure out which one to pick?

That’s why we’ve compiled this list. Here are 12 of the best dryer vent covers and caps that are high quality yet affordable for any household. We’ve gotten multiple designs that can fit any dryer, duct system, and siding, and they’re all workable enough for you to install yourself! We’ll also cover frequently asked questions about dryer vent covers and the best designs for a specific need.

How Do You Pick The Best Dryer Vent Cover?

According to the NADCA certified duct cleaners, there are three things that your dryer vent should be able to do:

• Keep outside particles, insects, and other pests from entering your home
• Have proper airflow to prevent hot air, moisture, and lint from clogging your ducts
• Prevent backdrafts from entering and your house’s heating from getting out

The best dryer vent cover will tick off all these boxes, so all you need to do is to make sure that you buy one that’s compatible with your ductwork. Dryer pipes will usually range from 3 to 6 inches, though some models are universal and can fit on any residential vent exhaust. If you’re looking for more commercial vents, you’ll need a professional to set it up.

Here’s a pro tip when setting up a vent cover yourself: Check the diameter of the back pipe (if there is one), not the sides of the vent. Most people make the mistake of thinking that when a model specifies a size, it’s the size of the vent itself. That number refers to the diameter of the tubing, so you should check your pipes before buying.

Top 12 Picks For The Best Dryer Vent Cover

Now you know what makes the best dryer vent cover, how do you pick one for yourself? Here are some of the best options that we’ve reviewed.

1# Heartland Energy Saving Dryer Vent Cover- Editorial Pick

A premium model that you can install yourself, Heartland’s Natural Energy Saving Dryer Vent Closure is a high-quality and efficient product that can seamlessly integrate with your existing dryer pipes. It already has pre-drilled holes for easy attachment, it’s a sturdy and reliable fix to the most common problems encountered with dryer vent covers.

2# Imperial 4″ Outdoor Dryer Vent Cap

If you’re worried about critters getting into your home through your dryer vents, Imperial’s 4 Inch Dryer Vent Cover can help. It’s a sturdy pest-proof dryer vent cover with a built-in wire mesh that can keep most bugs and other tiny insects from crawling in, with a design that can give you good airflow even during winter.

3# Builder’s Best 084635- Best Roof Dryer Vent Cap

For large households and establishments that have industrial-type dryers, Builder’s Best Galvanized Steel Roof Vent Cap is the ideal airflow solution that can withstand heavy use, harsh weather, and other outside shocks. Suitable for bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room vents, this is one product that will serve you for a long time.

4# Deflecto – Dryer Vent Cover To Keep Birds Out

Dryer vents are favorite nesting spots for birds since they provide shelter and a regular supply of hot air, but this can affect how well your dryer works and risks harming the fauna in the area. The Deflecto Dryer Vent Hood is a straightforward way of making sure no birds get in your vents, with the bonus of helping you reduce your energy costs.

5# HY-C RVG-DVG- Pest Proof Dryer Vent Cover

Animals are some of the biggest culprits behind wrecked dryer vent covers: anything from a determined warbler to an untrained family dog can go through your screen or guard to access your vents. If you’re looking for a straightforward solution to put with your existing dryer vent, the HY-C RVG-DVG Universal VentGuard is your product of choice.

6# Deflecto Supurr-Vent- Low Cost Outdoor Dryer Vent Hood

For one of the cheapest yet still effective options for dryer vent covers, look no further than the Deflecto Supurr-Vent. It’s easy to install, costs a fraction of the price of most vent covers, and can fit most standard ducts. It does a respectable job at keeping wind, snow, and sleet away from your dryer vents, which can be helpful for residents in rainy areas.

7# Deflecto Dryer Vent Hood with Pipe

The Galvanized Dryer Vent Hood is another low-cost yet reliable product from Deflecto that you can quickly install in your own dryer ducts. Made of galvanized steel for extra corrosion resistance, it has a simple gravity damper that’s effective at keeping out rodents, birds, and other small animals from your vent systems.

8# Lambro 289W Dryer Vent Seal Reviews

One of the more affordable vent seals on the market, the Lambro 289W Dryer Vent Seal has a simple yet efficient design that disperses heat and keeps out drafts. It’s easy to install with your existing vent seals, and it provides good enough airflow to remove any lint from your dryer while avoiding buildup.

9# Deflecto DEFUBGWL Clothes and Bathroom Exhaust Vent

For a cheaper alternative to outside dryer vent covers, the Deflecto Universal Bird Guard is a cost-effective product that you can easily install, maintain, and replace. It can fit 3” to 4” dryer and bathroom vents, with a durable plastic construction that can tolerate moisture and heat while keeping out birds and rodents.

10# Deflecto Vent Guard

If you want a vent hood that can seal itself against outside drafts and tiny insects, then the Deflecto HR4W 4-inch Vent Hood is a superb choice. While it isn’t made of metal like other vent hoods, the plastic construction is light enough to install yourself and durable enough to resist most weather. It doesn’t require a lot of work to install and even less effort to maintain.

11# Imperial 4″ metal Screen Vent Cap

Louvered vent caps are some of the most aesthetic additions you can make to a house while still keeping a focus on the functional aspect. Imperial’s Louvered Vent Cap blends form and function in one durable and affordable package, it’s a great solution for properties aiming for a classic look that doesn’t sacrifice utility for looks.

12# Calimaero 4″ Exhaust Wall Vent

The calimaero Cowled Square Exhaust Wall Vent is a top-tier model that’s an excellent replacement for plastic vent covers, since it’s more durable against weather and the heat from your vent. It’s easy to install with its pre-drilled holes and included screws, with a simple yet elegant design that can keep your ducts lint-free.

How Do You Install A Dryer Vent Cover Properly?

Because dryer vent covers have different designs, they won’t always be installed the same way. The best way to check how to install your specific product is to check the package or the manufacturer’s website. Alternatively, you can get a professional contractor to install it for you, though most of the models we’ve mentioned are user-friendly enough to install yourself.

Replacing A Dryer Vent Cover In Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding can be difficult to work with since it’s less durable than brick or concrete. If your house uses this kind of material, here are the steps you need to take to replace your dryer vent cover:

• Remove the old dryer’s screws with a screwdriver or a power tool. That should be enough to get it to pop off. If it’s been caulked shut and sealed to the wall, you can use a utility knife to cut through.
• Assemble and attach the tubing (if there is any) and slide it with your existing pipes. Make sure that your tube will always go over existing tubing, not inside of it. This prevents lint from being caught on the edges.
• Insert the front plate and screw it securely to your siding. For fresh installations, you can cut a rough outline of your siding to make the surface flush with the plate of your dryer vent cover. The critical thing to remember here is that you should bend no part of it to fit, since that can cause leaks in your system.

And it’s that simple! You can use silicone or some other sealant if you don’t want to deal with any gaps, but remember that you’ll have to remove those when you need to maintain or replace your dryer vent.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

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Picking the best dryer vent cover is an investment that goes far beyond the initial price of the product. Properly installed and maintained, dryer vent covers can help extend the lifespan of your dryer, keep your home warm in the winter, and prevent any pests from going inside your ducts.

We’ve given you plenty of models for almost any kind of dryer vent in our list, but it’s ultimately up to you to check which one works best with your ductwork. Always check the compatibility of your tubing with the vent cover you’re getting by making measurements before going to the store. If you aren’t sure about getting it done yourself, hire a professional for the job to avoid any problems down the line.