Best Eco-Friendly Washing Machines of 2026, Based on Our Lab Tests

For this list, we look first at each machine’s performance, along with its energy and water consumption. To a lesser degree, we consider the washer’s reliability, its gentleness on clothes, and whether it’s Energy Star certified, meaning it uses 20 percent less energy and about 30 percent less water than conventional washers.

Performance matters because a machine that doesn’t clean well may lead to repeated washings, wasting resources. In our washing performance test, we track how well the washer cleans prestained swatches in a representative test load of mixed cottons using the machine’s most aggressive normal setting.

We also gauge a washer’s total water consumption per pound of laundry. Washers that minimize water use by adjusting the water level based on load size, and innovations like dual water systems that reuse rinse-cycle water, further enhance water conservation efforts. For our energy-efficiency score, we calculate the amount of electricity required to operate a washer, heat the water it uses, and spin clothes after washing. The most energy-efficient washers in our ratings typically cost the least to use over the course of a year, which is reflected in the Annual Usage Cost listed in our ratings. If a machine isn’t in our ratings, check the yellow EnergyGuide label on the washer to see how much that model will cost you to operate.

Front-load washers, including compacts, can cost well over $1,000, significantly more than top-loaders. But they are the most water-efficient machines you can buy. Full-sized front-loaders use an average of 10 gallons per load, compared with 13 gallons for high-efficiency top-loaders and 20 gallons for top-load agitators. Despite longer wash times than top-loaders, they’re energy misers. The annual usage cost for front-loaders in our ratings averages less than $30 a year. Plus, their high spin speeds extract more water from clothing than other machines, meaning your dryer doesn’t have to work as hard.

Below are some of the top-rated energy- and water-efficient washers we’ve tested, all of which also have reliability ratings that are average or better. We also point out those machines with a high gentleness score because they will cause less long-term wear and tear on your clothes and flush fewer microfibers down the drain and into our waterways.

We singled out three high-efficiency (HE) top-load washing machines in our ratings for their excellent energy and water efficiency. But only one model is CR Recommended, and each has its own drawbacks. Overall, top-load HEs don’t clean as well as front-loaders, but their roomy tubs let you wash larger family-sized loads using less water. These washers typically adjust water levels automatically based on load size.

Twelve compact front-loaders earn our top scores for energy and water efficiency. Many cost more than traditional front-loaders, but they’re some of the most energy-efficient, water-efficient, and gentle washers on the market. Here are the top eco-friendly compact washers.