Choosing the Best Washing Machine

 

There is no escaping dirty laundry, but a reliable washing machine that gently cleans clothes for years to come eases your load. Here’s how to find the best washing machine for your budget and needs.

 

Washers sell for around $275 to $2,500, depending on the type, capacity, and features. And while doing laundry may be a mundane task, the washer aisle is anything but boring. You’ll see multitasking machines that allow you to wash two loads at once, all-in-one front loaders that go straight into dryer mode, pod-dispensing front-loaders, built-in pretreat features, and more.

 

Buying a matching washer-and-dryer set remains popular. The coordinated styling makes a statement, but not all couples make a great pair. “The Best Matching Washers and Dryers” highlights the best from our tests. Want to save money? See “Laundry Products That Waste Loads of Money” and "How to Make Your Washer and Dryer Last Longer."

 

Lab-Tested for Your Home

To find out how well each washer cleans, CR’s testers use a spectrocolorimeter to analyze fabric swatches stained with red wine, cocoa, and carbon (which is similar to soot), among other stains, before and after washing. The lighter the stain after laundering, the higher the machine scores in cleaning. This test is meant to challenge the washer so that we can see real differences among the machines.

 

A washer that’s tough on fabrics is no dream machine, so we evaluate how gentle a washer is. Testers record the amount of water and energy the machine uses, and the energy needed to dry laundry. (Washers that extract more water shorten dryer time and score higher in our energy-efficiency tests.)

 

We measure how much vibration the washer transmits to a wood floor. And because it’s good to know which machines are noisy before you buy, our panelists judge the washer’s noise levels during the fill, agitate/tumble, drain, and spin cycles.

 

Washers that perform well but don’t hold up over time aren’t winners. That’s why it’s important to consider our latest reliability and owner satisfaction survey findings. And to make it easier for you to choose the best washer for your budget, we now incorporate lab test results, predicted reliability, and owner satisfaction into one Overall Score.

 

MORE ON WASHING MACHINES

 

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Best Matching Compact Washers and Dryers

Best Matching Washer and Dryer Sets

Washing Machine Types

Every type has its advantages and drawbacks. Do you prefer loading laundry from the top of a washing machine rather than bending to load a front-loader? A pedestal boosts a front-loader’s height—making loading easier—but you’ll pay $250 or more for the convenience.

 

Whatever you're considering, know that washers with a capacity of more than 4.5 cubic feet readily fit a king-size comforter in our tests. And if the warranty matters, most tested full-sized machines come with a one-year warranty on parts and labor. Speed Queen, however, offers warranties ranging from three to seven years. You'll see capacity and warranty information in our washing machine ratings.

 

The pros and cons below refer to the washer types as a group, based on our testing. There are exceptions, which you'll see in the ratings.

 

 An agitator top-loader washing machine.

Agitator Top-Loaders

Pros

• Usually the least expensive option.

• Cycle times are typically shorter.

• Cleaning often earns a Good score in our ratings, so these machines should clean a typically soiled load well. (They have a tougher time with heavy stains or soil, so pretreat.)

 

Cons

•  Many are tough on fabrics.

•  They typically use a lot more water.

•  Dryer times are often longer. (The washer’s tub can’t spin as fast as other washer types, so less water is extracted.)

•  Most are noisy.

 

To learn more, see "5 Things to Know About Top-Load Agitator Washers."

 

Top-Load Agitator Washers Ratings

 A high-efficiency (HE) top-loader washing machine.

High-Efficiency (HE) Top-Loaders

Pros

• Cleaning often earns a Very Good rating.

• Capacities are bigger than those of most agitator top-loaders.

• They use less water than many agitator washers and extract more of it, shortening dryer time.

• Most are relatively quiet.

 

Cons

• Wash times are long, often 60 to 80 minutes using the normal wash/heavy soil setting. (Save time using the normal soil setting.)

• Most aren’t gentle on fabrics.

• Laundry can tangle because of the low water level, longer wash time, and higher spin speed.

• Higher-capacity models may have deep tubs, making it difficult for some users to reach the bottom and grab that last sock.

 

Find out more by reading "5 Things to Know About High-Efficiency Top-Loaders."

 

Top-Load HE Washers Ratings

 A front-loading washing machine.

Front-Loaders

Pros

• Cleaning typically earns Excellent or Very Good scores in our ratings.

• They're gentler on fabrics.

• They use the least water.

• Dryer time is often shorter. (The front-loader uses less water and extracts more of it, saving energy.)

• Most can be stacked with their matching dryer to save space.

 

Cons

• Wash times are long, often 60 to 120 minutes using the normal wash/heavy soil setting.

• Some transmit vibrations to the floor. (That can be a concern with wood floors but not concrete ones.)

• Mold can be a problem with any type of washer, and consumers continue to post comments on this site about front-loaders with mold.

 

You'll see more information in "5 Things to Know About Front-Load Washers."

 

Front-Load Washers Ratings

 A compact front-loading washing machine.

Compact Front-Loaders

Pros

• Their 24-inch width makes them an option when space is tight. Height and depth vary, as you'll see in our washing machine ratings.

• Can be stacked with their matching electric dryer to save floor space.

 

Cons

• Most compacts sold are front-loaders, not top-loaders, limiting your options—and not everyone is a fan of front-loaders.

• Matching compact dryers are electric (vented or ventless). Gas models are not available at this time.

• They're small but expensive, ranging from $750 to $2,400 plus the dryer.

• Cycle times are long for washer and dryer, especially if the dryer is a ventless model.

• They tend to vibrate, some more than others.

 

For more information, see "Best Matching Compact Washers and Dryers."

 

Compact Washers Ratings

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Size Up Your Space

Bigger capacities often result in a washer that’s 2 or 3 inches wider than the usual 27 inches; the same is true of dryers. Measure the space you have to work with and allow at least 6 inches behind the washer for water hookups, and about an inch between the washer and dryer. Measure the doors to your home to make sure a new washer can fit through them. Check dimensions in the washing machine ratings, and note which front-loaders can be stacked with a matching dryer. If space is tight, also consider the compact washers we tested.

 

If a quiet machine matters, consider buying a washer that earns a Very Good or better score in our noise tests. You’ll know it’s working, but it shouldn’t disturb you. And while most manufacturers have reduced the vibrations that full-sized front-loaders transmit to the floor, take a close look at vibration scores in our washing machine ratings.

 

Leave 6 inches between the wall and your washer and dryer, and one inch between the two.

Illustration: Chris Philpot

For More, Check Our Full Washing Machine Ratings

Interactive Video Buying Guide

For more, watch our interactive video below. You can skip to chapters on types, features, and maintenance tips.

 

Count the Towels in Your Basket

Not everybody needs a washer that holds 17 thick, full-sized bath towels, which is what a washer with a 6.2-cubic-foot capacity, the biggest we’ve tested, should hold. Compact washers, on the other hand, typically have a claimed capacity around 2.3 cubic feet and can fit about six of these towels. You’ll see capacity noted in the ratings.

 

Two stacks of white towels. One with six and the other with 17 towels.

For More, Check Our Washing Machine Ratings

5 Fabulous Features

The more features, the higher the price. So narrow your options to high-performing washers that fit your budget, then consider features that add convenience or save time. Here are five to look for.

 

1 / 5

An automatic laundry detergent dispenser on a washing machine.An automatic temperature control on a washing machine.An extra rinse button on a washing machine control panel.A top-loading washing machine's stainless steel tub. An end-of-cycle signal that lights up on the washing machine control panel.

Automatic Dispensers

Designed to dispense detergent, bleach, and fabric softener at the right time, some washing machines can even hold up to several months’ worth of detergent.

 

Brands in CR's Ratings

Here are the brands currently in our ratings. We test year-round, and continue to add brands to our washing machine ratings.

 

Amana Bosch Electrolux & Frigidaire Fisher & Paykel GE Insignia Kenmore LG Maytag Miele Samsung Speed Queen Whirlpool

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