Watch this excellent video of comparisons of different hood types.

Personally I like the louvered ones.

https://youtu.be/cFOHGVhmyQA

That was a great video, georgect. Thanks for posting it. Looks like my first link above (the one called dryer wall vent) did well in your video test. I wondered if a rodent can get in that great big opening when the dryer is operating. Any chance of crtter entry with this one? I have linked it again below.

dryer wall vent

Another style that seemed to do well in this video was the three louvered style. The one tested was a plastic one which I don't think would last well. Here is the same style one in metal. That might be worth considering. We are looking at this style for our bath fans. Would you use these style for a dryer?

luxury metal flush louvered vent

Carol

Are you concerned about the quality because the vents will be placed out of reach or is it more about looks?

I've had my 3 louvred plastic dryer vent for well over 5 years with no issues.

The metal one look great as long as they don't rust or if wind lifts them they don't make a metallic slapping noise.

I do like the three louvered best for all applications.

Found this chart. However, it is put out by the maker of the dryer wall vent, so keep that in mind.

chart comparing different dryer vents

Carol

I still like the three louvered one's best.

I had a louvered vent that flapped madly during a strong wind. Changed it to the Heartland type, no more flapping. Only glitch is that the catch that holds the top closed (it opens for cleaning) broke off due to UV deterioration. I set a rock on top to hold it closed. The instructions state the housing should be painted (to match the house trim) for durability and protection, which I didn't do so.

Thanks georgect for your vote. We have had three louvered vents before (the plastic kind). They did wear out quickly. We have real winters here, and warm summers too (perhaps it depends on your climate ?). I am quick scared of mice and want nothing that will allow entry of rodents. I don't want the vent to be ugly, but function is even more important.

Thanks dadoes for your vote. I have not seen the Heartland in action. Glad to hear you like abd to hear how you problem solved when it broke. Some of the flapper style vents seem to have bumpers and/or magnets to keep them quieter. We too had one in the past that flapped in an annoying fashion (both inside and outside the home the flapping could be heard).

Carol

I watched the linked video. The Heartland style was worst for airflow restriction. My exhaust is very short, straight through the wall with no turns so it works OK for me.

My dryer vent comes out very close to the ground, so the Heartland cap gives me peace of mind, compared to the louvered cap it replaced. Of course I'm not happy to see how it performed in the tests. It doesn't seem to have increased drying time much, if at all, compared to the louvers. I found that the louvered cap tended to collect lint, so I wouldn't want to use one in an inaccessible location.

Thanks dadoes and suburb for your input . I have a feeling that video was put together by the company that sells the dryer wall vent. There is a very similar video on their website. If the Hearthland one is working well for you that is what matters. The Heartland has received many good reviews on Amazon too.

We were also researching ways to install the dryer without having it pushed out so far from the wall. The two solutions we have founds to keep it as close to laundry wall as possible are the following:

dryerbox

Or

all metal dryer vent

Anyone have experience with any of these products?

Have you seen the Robita Dryer Vent--it is flat and flexible and will not crush. This way dryer fits closer to wall. You can see it on Ebay by putting in Robita Dryer Vent or the Company is in Texas,might google them or You might find it on Amazon.

You can also buy a one way flap that fits behind your dryer to keep out mice etc. It opens when the dryer is blowing out but closes and will not open to the inside if a bird or mouse pushed against it. You will still need a hood for outside.

Hope this helped.

Thanks sparky. I had not heard of the Robita Dryer Vent. Seems like another good solution to allow the dryer to be pushed closer to the wall. Good find.

I am intrigued by this one way flap that fits behind the dryer. Is it a separate damper like I have linked below? The standard design of a dryer vent seems to be based on the idea that when hot air is blowing out no brave mouse would want to crawl against the warm air flow. I hope there is no such Olympic mouse (or bird) that can do that.

Is the separate damper I have linked below what you are referring to Sparky? Most hood styles would have another sort of damper (or one way flap/flaps) at the exterior of the house. Are you suggesting a second damper inside the house for extra mouse protection?

Separate damper for added critter protection?

I just checked, if you will go to Ebay, then enter in search Deflecto Draft Blocker Damper you will see the one I was talking about. They have one for $5 plus about $4 ship.

This info is very helpful. It makes sense that a second way to seal off the house would safe energy and be even more critter proof.

Carol