It does make a big difference if you pull the lint off the filter inside the drum before the next load goes in, otherwise if done outside, it is no different from a top mounted lint filter.

Yes, I think it makes a huge difference. Pulling the filter from inside the dryer or door contains the stuff that flies all over the place. Pulling the filter when it's on top of the dryer means the stuff flies all over the top of the dryer and nearby counters.

80% of the reason I chose the GE Harmony over the Whirlpool Cabrio was because of the location of the lint filter. I really wanted it to be in the door but Cabrio is on top of the dryer.

try_hard

I hate top lint filters, the front lint filter is much easier to clean. That is why I own a Cabrio HE washer and a Duet dryer. If you clean the front filter after each load you should never have a problem with lint flying around. And get yourself a lint brush, when you are done for the day use it to clean the area where the filter goes. That will help prevent lint build up in your machine or duct. And to keep things really clean, most machines with front lint filter have a removable panel by the filter. You can take the panel off a couple times a year and vaccum everything out. Much easier than my MIL's machine with the top lint filter. The lint is always jamming in the machine (I'm pretty sure she does not clean it after every load) and flying all over. Ick!

I've been using Whirlpool-made dryers with top-mounted lint screens since the 1960s. I found long ago that a way around having a dusty dryer top is to pull the filter out with the dryer running ... but get it done quickly so the dryer doesn't run that way for very long (the airflow intake is largely diverted through the filter chute *away* from the heating source) .. and BE CAREFUL so the lint-cake doesn't get sucked off the filter and down into the blower!

last two dryers have been with filter inside the door, has been much better then the top mounted filter. Seems that is mats together better inside of the door, but it is a much shorter filter length, maybe that has something to do with it.

I've had both kinds. It was never the deciding factor in choosing a dryer. I read somewhere that the top mounted filter is more efficient than the door one. Maybe, just because the top mounted ones are larger??? When you take them out and remove the lint, some of the dusty bits fall either on the floor or on the top of your dryer. You may think the top mounted ones are messier because you see the dust fall on your dryer, but that dust is falling on the floor when you swipe out the door mounted filters, but you just don't see it. I think we are splitting hairs here. Just make sure it is cleaned out before you run each load so your clothes dry faster, using less energy.

I think the real issue here is that you are probably more likely to clean out the filter after each load when it is inside the door, and sort of 'in your face' when you empty or fill the dryer.... I know when I had mine on top (4 dryers ago, so this is going WAY back in time!) I didn't empty it every load.... it didn't always 'occur' to me... and I was obviously WAY younger then too!

I heard form a salesman many years ago (take it for what a salesman is worth!) that is was better to be in the door as the air comes from the back to the front and then vents around to the back to get out... collecting the lint in one forward pass, while the top mount the air blows in from the back and then exits the back... needing to "turn around" with you clothes... supposedly not as good at catching lint and not as good for quick drying of clothes.... who knows if that is true or makes any sense... but I clearly remember being told that... it was the guy who sold me my Maytag set in 1979, the washer is what I replaced 18 months ago... the dryer was replaced in 1987 when I moved to an area without a gas connection... and had to switch to electric... just added this tidbit becuase he obviously pointed me to a solid machine... so maybe what he said about the dryer had some validity....????

I think the real issue is safety. I'm surfing because my expensive dryer with front lint catcher is dead. When the appliance guy came and opened up the front, there was so much lint everywhere that my vacuum choked. Now I have two appliances out of order. When the motor was removed, it was plain that lint and HAIR had really done a number on the gears. I'm obsessive about removing lint from the filter. I also got the lint duct brush to keep the duct clean. I wish I'd known how to open the machine to get to all the lint that gets in there. If the top-removal lint filter is larger, does it collect more lint? Why isn't the seal between the filter and the machine tighter?

What brands still have the filter in the door? I can't find one.

Jenny Porter,

Many choices. All front-loader match dryers have the filter at the loading door so they can be stacked (can't have a filter on top of the dryer when the dryer is mounted atop of a washer and the top of the dryer is not reachable). GE & Hotpoint dryers have always had the filter in the door. Speed Queen. LG. Samsung. Some Whirlpool/Kenmore/Roper/Maytag/Estate/Admiral/Amana models have it in the door, some on top.

I hate lint filters on top. Always have to clean the whole top of my dryer. Never

That stupid filter on top of (previous) dryers was the worst! I didn't realize GE has always had theirs at the door. I'm super pleased with my GE set and the dryer filter placement is one of the reasons why I bought it.

A trick to deal with dust fallout on the WP/KM top-filter is to pull it out for cleaning after turning the dryer on so there's some suction from the chute to pull the debris down ... just be careful that the entire mat of lint isn't sucked off the filter and down the chute into the blower and exhaust.

Yes, I always clean my top lint filter when the dryer is running. Much less of a mess.

Our Whirlpool dryer had the lint filter on the top. Ew.

One trick I use to keep the lint from going everywhere when I try to remove it from the filter itself is to give it a quick spritz with a water mister (one of those hand held things like all purpose cleaners, windex, etc. come in). The lint doesn't go flying everywhere when I lift it off and toss it in the trash when it has been slightly dampened. It didn't keep the top of the Whirlpool dryer clean, but it helps keep the rest of our laundry area clean from lint. (we don't use fabric softeners or dryer sheets, so there are no oils/gunk to hold the lint together.)