We've Tested Hundreds of Washing Machines. Here are 15 of the Best Models You Can Buy Right Now.
Take your pick from these impressive front-loaders, top-loaders, compacts, and all-in-one options from Consumer Reports' latest tests
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For CR’s engineers, doing laundry is a mission. By putting hundreds of stained fabric swatches into washing machines, they’re able to see how well each appliance handles red wine, cocoa, and soot. Cycle after cycle, the testers determine the best washing machines for every budget and look for innovative features that make doing laundry faster and easier.
Best Agitator Top-Load Washers
Agitator top-loaders clean clothes through friction in a twisting motion and generally don’t perform as well as other types of washers. But they remain popular, in part because they cost less.
Best High-Efficiency (HE) Top-Load Washers
High-efficiency top-loaders generally perform well in our tests. Like front-loaders, the absence of a center agitator allows clothes to move more freely about the drum. But top-load HEs tend to tangle clothes more, which can lead to excess residue or some clothes not getting clean.
Best Front-Load Washers
Full-sized and compact front-loaders perform best in our comprehensive tests. They tangle clothes less than top-loaders and generally have higher performance scores. But these washers are more prone to mold and mildew if not cleaned routinely.
Best Compact Front-Load Washers
A compact washer paired with a compact dryer may be your only choice if your laundry area can’t accommodate full-sized machines. These space-saving appliances represent a tiny market share, but they’re gaining in popularity among downsizing retirees as well as younger urban/suburban dwellers organizing their townhouses and condos.
Best All-in-One Washer-Dryer Combos
An all-in-one washer-dryer combo is a single front-load machine that washes and dries clothes in the same sealed drum, with programmed controls that perform both functions in tandem or individually. These dual-function machines take a load off laundry day by eliminating a major hassle—transferring wet, heavy clothes from washer to dryer. But our tests reveal that these machines tend to wash better than they dry, and they take much more time to dry clothes than a stand-alone dryer.
What's the Most Reliable Washing Machine Brand?
Washing machines typically last a decade or more. No matter its cleaning capability, a washer that doesn’t stand the test of time is no winner. So we also incorporate survey data for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction into our washer ratings (as well as our dryer ratings). Our surveys indicate that LG is the most reliable brand that makes front-load and top-load HE washers, while Speed Queen is the most reliable brand for top-load agitators. Electrolux, LG, and Miele shine among compact front-load washers.
If you’re wondering whether you should repair or replace your current washer, we have you covered there, too, with our interactive repair or replace calculator. It takes the guesswork out of that decision based on how much you paid for your washer, how old it is, and how expensive it’s going to be to fix.
How CR Tests Washing Machines
We test top-loaders with agitators, high-efficiency (HE) top-loaders (the type without a vertical spindle), and front-loaders, including compact front-loaders. We also test all-in-one washer-dryers, a relatively new option in the market. The machines are from familiar brands such as Amana, Electrolux, Frigidaire, GE, LG, Maytag, Samsung, and Whirlpool, as well as lesser-known brands like Fisher & Paykel and Miele.
Our Green Choice designation helps you identify the most eco-friendly washers in our ratings. Identified by a green leaf icon, Green Choice washers earn superior marks for water efficiency, energy efficiency, brand reliability, and gentleness on fabric. Our designation considers a washer’s overall environmental impact, including its weight, volume, and entire life cycle.
@consumerreports For optimal laundry success, follow these tips from our resident laundry expert, Rich Handel ☺️. Learn more through the link in our bio. #laundrytok #laundry #cleaningtok #laundrytiktok
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