What Size Converter for a Clothes Dryer?
Helvis Smoteks
The short answer
We do not suggest buying a US dryer and taking it overseas. You should buy one made for 220V/50 Hz — unless it's a gas dryer, in which case you can run it on a transformer (size it higher — around 2,000–3,000 W). Even then, the 50/60 Hz difference affects the drum motor, so there's a chance it won't work at all.
Have a specific dryer in mind? Talk to us.
Send us the make and model and we'll tell you honestly what will work for your destination — and whether we can source a unit that handles both voltage and frequency. Chat with Sam, email, or call.
Check your destination's power
Voltage, frequency and the plug all change depending on where you land. Open your region to see what you're dealing with — and the verdict for a dryer.
Why a 220V/50 Hz dryer beats bringing a US one
A US electric dryer is the hardest appliance to bring overseas, and a 220V/50 Hz dryer built for your destination is almost always the better move. Here's why. First, the heating element is huge — anywhere from an efficient 800 W heat-pump element to a 5,000 W vented coil — so any transformer would be big and heavy. Second, the drum motor is tuned to frequency, so on the wrong Hz it runs poorly or not at all. A native 220V/50 Hz dryer plugs into the wall as-is: right voltage, right frequency, no oversized transformer.
Gas dryers are the exception
A gas dryer makes heat from gas and only uses electricity for the drum motor and controls. You can run one on a transformer — but go higher than you'd think: use a 2,000–3,000 W transformer, not 1,000. And be aware: because of the 50/60 Hz difference, the motor may run poorly or not at all. Some work, some don't — send us the model and we'll advise.
"But my US dryer already says 220 / 240 volts"
This trips up a lot of people, so it's worth spelling out. US electric dryers are 220–240V but 60 Hz, and they're dual-phase (split-phase). That means they expect electricity delivered as two 110–120V legs plus a ground — which is how US homes wire their dryer outlets.
Overseas it's completely different: you get a single 220V leg, a neutral, and a ground. So even though the US dryer's label reads "220/240," it is not the same power and won't simply plug in and run abroad. You need a dryer that's 220V/50 Hz and made for overseas use.
US dryer (60 Hz, split-phase)
Two 110–120V legs + ground. Says "220/240" but it's NOT overseas power.
Overseas dryer (50 Hz)
Single 220V leg + neutral + ground. What you actually need abroad.
Some places need 220V / 60 Hz — and we carry those too
A few countries and applications actually need 220V/60 Hz dryers. We stock overseas versions of those (not the US split-phase style). This is exactly the kind of thing to confirm with us before you buy so you get the right one.
Shop 220V dryers built for overseas
Frequently asked questions
Can I run a US electric dryer overseas on a transformer?
We don't recommend it. US electric dryers are 220–240V / 60 Hz and dual-phase (two 110/120V legs + ground), while overseas power is a single 220V leg + neutral + ground — so the "220/240" label is misleading. On top of that, the 50/60 Hz difference affects the motor. Buy a 220V/50 Hz dryer made for overseas instead.
Does a gas dryer need a converter?
A gas dryer uses electricity only for the drum motor and controls, so it needs a transformer — but go higher than you'd expect: a 2,000–3,000 W unit. Even then, because of the 50/60 Hz difference the motor may not run at all in some cases. Send us the model via Chat with Sam and we'll advise.
Do you carry 220V / 60 Hz dryers?
Yes — some countries and applications need 220V/60 Hz, and we stock overseas versions of those (not the US split-phase style). Tell us your destination and we'll make sure you get the right one.