If your machine will be located near a living area, consider a washer that earns a very good or excellent score in our noise tests. If space is tight, also consider the compact washers we’ve tested. ![]() Check dimensions in our washing machine ratings, and note which front-loaders can be stacked with a matching dryer. ![]() That might be ideal if you live in an apartment or condo, or if you lack space for two appliances. Full-size washing machines are generally 27 inches wide compact washers are typically 24 inches wide.Īn extra-large washer-dryer combo machine may be harder to squeeze through door frames, but these ventless machines can be set up anywhere near a water hookup. Measure the doors to your home to make sure a new washer can fit through them. Measure the space you have to work with, allowing at least 6 inches behind the washer for water hookups, and about an inch between the washer and dryer. ![]() A pedestal boosts a front-loader’s height-making loading easier-but you’ll pay $250 or more for the convenience.įor more information on front-loaders, see “ 5 Things to Know About Front-Load Washers.” Front-load washers Ratings Front-loaders are generally more difficult to load than top-loaders.Mold can be a problem with any type of washer, but in CR’s member survey, 14 percent of front-loader owners said theirs had mold or mildew, compared with 3 percent of HE top-loader owners and 1 percent of top-load agitator owners.(That can be a concern with wood floors but not concrete ones.) Some transmit vibrations to the floor.Wash times are long, often 65 to 120 minutes using the normal wash/heavy soil setting.They’re available in a wide range of capacity, features, and prices, from $530 to $2,200.Most can be stacked with their matching dryer to save space.Front-loaders use less water and extract more of it, thereby saving energy and shortening dryer time.These machines typically earn an excellent or very good score for cleaning performance in our tests.In addition to the lab test results, we incorporate each washer brand’s reliability and owner satisfaction scores from CR’s member survey into the Overall Score for each washer. Our testers also measure how much vibration the washer transmits to a wood floor, and our panelists judge the washer’s noise levels during the fill, agitate/tumble, drain, and spin cycles. We also record the energy needed to dry the laundry we just washed: Washers that extract more water shorten dryer time and score higher in our energy-efficiency tests. Water- and energy-efficiency scores are among the factors we use to determine the Green Choice designation for washers. We also evaluate how gentle a washer is on fabrics, and record the amount of water and energy each machine uses. The lighter the stain after laundering, the higher the machine scores in washing performance. They analyze each swatch with a spectrocolorimeter before and after washing. To test how good a washing machine is at cleaning clothes, CR’s testers use fabric swatches stained with red wine, cocoa, carbon (which is similar to soot), and other hard-to-remove stains. Our tests also reveal the laundry products that waste loads of money. If your washer does break down, check our Repair or Replace Tool for practical advice to help you decide whether it’s financially feasible to repair or replace your machine. You’ll see warranty information in our washing machine ratings. Speed Queen, however, offers warranties ranging from 3 to 7 years. Most of the full-sized machines we’ve tested come with a 1-year warranty on parts and labor. No matter which washer model you choose, follow our maintenance tips to keep it running smoothly. Some washers even deploy downloadable software fixes or offer remote access, so you can control your washer with your smartphone.īuying a matching washer and dryer set with compatible settings on each machine is popular and convenient. In addition to basic models, you’ll now find smart washers that respond to Alexa voice commands or "talk" to their matching dryer you’ll even see washer-dryer combos that perform both functions in the same appliance, eliminating the need to transfer loads from one machine to the other. But most fall in a price range $500 to $1,400. Washers sell for $500 to $2,500, depending on the type, capacity, efficiency, and features. ![]() The most eco-friendly washers, which earn our Green Choice designation, are the most energy-efficient and have the smallest environmental footprint. Some clean clothes better, some wash clothes more gently, some save energy, and some are more likely to last. Modern washers look sleek and high-tech, but not all are created equal. But when it comes to the dirty work-the actual cleaning-an efficient washing machine can lighten your load for years to come. All that sorting, loading, fluffing, and folding can be a drag.
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