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This excellent washer tops our best list, and it should top yours. It boasts remarkable cleaning prowess, and is easy to use and see. Read More
The Samsung WF53BB8700AT looks great, washes well, has a gigantic 6.1-cubic-foot wash drum, and comes with a ton of other features. Read More
This front-loading machine has decent cleaning performance, effective spin cycles, and useful features like steam settings. Read More
This front-loader is an above average performer across the board, with solid Normal and Delicates cycles, and an excellent Heavy Duty cycle. Read More
This GE model is a decent compact washer that can offer some good cleaning power for something its size. Read More
Over the years at our testing labs, we’ve proven that front-load washers are superior to top-loading washers. They remove stains better, their high-efficiency designs use less water, and are they're gentler on clothes. However, front-load washers are not perfect and one of their major drawbacks is that they can be expensive—but not always.
We've spent hundreds of hours testing dozens of front loaders at every price point. After analyzing all the data, we picked out the top budget performers.
In this roundup, the top metric was the price-to-performance ratio, or how well the washer moved stains versus how much it cost. The secondary metric revolved around useful features. Expensive washers tend to have a lot of luxury features like automatic detergent-dispensing and super-fast cycles.
The Electrolux ELFW7637AT (available at Best Buy for $899.99) came out on top for its helpful features, excellent stain removal, and overall value.
Editor's Note: Appliances purchases are a large investment of both money and time. We’ve not only compiled lists of the best washers to shop, but also the best places to buy in-stock appliances right now and the best times of year to buy appliances to take advantage of sales and new releases.
The front-loading ELFW7637AT has excellent stain removal performance, a detergent pod dispenser, and a 15-minute Fast wash.
The Electrolux ELFW7637AT excels in most categories, one of the most important being value.
To start, the machine just looks great and feels nice to use. In our testing, we found its cleaning performance is top-notch. This is partially thanks to its internal water heater, which helps the machine cleans and sanitize soiled garments.
The ELFW7637AT also has a ton of great features that improve the overall user experience. We like its detergent drawer, which helps ensure your suds get evenly distributed, and its Extended Refresh can keep clothes from wrinkling after a cycle has completed.
This front-loader has the look, feel, and power to satisfy just about everyone, and those with larger families will appreciate its higher-capacity drum.
Read our full review of the Electrolux ELFW7637AT front-load washer.
Has its own internal heater
The Samsung WF53BB8700AT brings the Bespoke line of design-forward appliances to your laundry room—and it won’t completely break your budget.
The WF53BB8700AT is a workhorse washer. Its cycles are both faster and erase more stains than the average washer. It’s important that it nails this core functionality, because it makes the clean aesthetics seem more like a bonus than something that’s inflating the price.
Where this washer really segments its value is with its feature set. You’ll get steam cycles capable of sanitizing or removing wrinkles. It also has a self-cleaning mode, interior LED, quiet cycles, and it can stack up with its paired dryer and still fit inside your laundry closet.
The Samsung WF53BB8700AT has a large, 6.1-cubic-foot wash drum, making it a great investment for larger families.
Overall, this washer offers a ton of value for its price.
Read our full review of the Samsung WF53BB8700AT front-load washer.
On-board controls can be difficult to read
Loud chime has no volume controls, just on and off
For a washer in its price range, the LG WM4200HWA has a lot to like. In our testing we found it had sufficient cleaning power to get out difficult stains, and spin cycles that removed a ton of water (so your dryer can relax). We also love its steam features that aid with wrinkle removal and sanitizing soiled laundry.
While it does have some flaws, we think they are minor: Its digital dial has some lag to it, which can make cycle selection tricky, and the wash cycles are harsher on clothes than the average washer.
Overall, though, this is an excellent machine that's well worth its purchase price.
Read our full review of the LG WM4200HWA front-load washer.
More wear and tear on gentle cycle than is typical
The Maytag MHW5630HW is built for families on the go who are battling busy schedules and an abundance of tough stains. This front-loading washing machine is an above average performer across the board as it tackles normal and delicate cycle settings. Where it really shines is on its Heavy Duty cycle.
A 15-minute quick cycle helps you squeeze in a load when you’re tight on time. The 12-hour Fresh Spin setting helps keep clothing fresh if you wash a load before you leave but don’t come home until hours later. We are disappointed in the Extra Power setting—it doesn’t increase cleaning performance and extends the wash time of the cycle.
Read our full review of the Maytag MHW5630HW front-load washer.
Extra Power offered no extra stain fighting
If you don't have a lot of space to spare, a compact washer like the GE GFW148SSMWW can be an excellent option. Typically these smaller units are more expensive than their full-size peers, but the GFW148SSMWW still manages to offer a great value, saving you some money in addition to saving you some extra floor space.
While its cleaning performance is slightly less stellar than other washers on this list, it still put up some good numbers—it should be more than capable of scrubbing out most stains with ease.
Its cycles can sometimes take a while to finish, but if you don't mind a wait this compact front-loader is a great buy.
Read our full review of the GE GFW148SSMWW compact front-load washer.
Good cleaning performance for a compact washer
Cycles take a long time to finish
Hi there! We're Reviewed's appliance testing team. Between us, we've spent many years testing major appliances including dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, and robot vacuum cleaners.
We have plenty of experience testing these products in the lab, but we've also used them like normal people would in the course of their daily lives, which means that we have a great sense for what appliances are bargains at their price points, and which appliances have really useful extra features (as opposed to the kitchen-sink approach to features).
With all this in mind, you can feel confident that when we recommend a product, we're giving it our Reviewed stamp of approval, which means two things: firstly, this appliance performs well, and secondly, this appliance is easy to use, especially our washing machine reviews. We're always reviewing new products, so stay tuned for our reviews and roundups of the latest products in laundry, refrigerators, dishwashers, and vacuum cleaners.
If you have a large family, or especially large laundry loads, you may want a high capacity washing machine, which is typically a capacity of 5.0 cu. ft. or greater.
Every washing machine that comes into Reviewed’s labs gets put through the same testing regime, which addresses both performance and user-friendliness. Performance tests focus on stain removal, wear and tear, water retention, and cycle time.
Beyond these performance tests, we also assess the usability of each washing machine, based on our experience; our main goal is to get the answer to one question: How easy is it to actually use this washing machine?
By combining the performance data with our own observations, we can make solid recommendations and washing machine reviews for someone looking for any type of washing machine at any price point.
For an in-depth look, read more about how we lab test washing machines..
Whether it’s an emergency replacement, or you’re just looking to class up your laundry room, there are a few things you should consider when purchasing a new washing machine.
While it may seem like a minor design difference, studies (including our own analysis) have shown that front-load machines are better stain removers and more efficient than top-loaders, and they'll cost you less over time. However, they are generally more expensive upfront than their top-load counterparts, which are more ergonomic, in that you don't have to bend over to do the laundry, and more convenient, since all you have to do to add another piece of clothing to an ongoing wash is to just lift the lid and throw it in.
Whatever you prefer, if you're shopping on a budget, we have lists of our picks for the best front-load and best top-load washers. If you don't have a strong preference, this list contains both top- and front-load washers.
Before you head out to the stores, be sure you know the size constraints needed for your washer. We’re not just talking about the width of the space you have in your laundry room for the washer itself (although that’s definitely important). Are the doorways in your home wide enough to actually allow the washing machine to fit through them during delivery? Will it be able to fit in narrow/tight stair cases? Take a tape measure and check the doorway width against the washer’s specs, and make sure you have a few inches of clearance.
Most washers have capacities ranging from 4.2 to 4.5 cu. ft. However, if you have a large family, or especially large laundry loads, you may want a high-capacity washing machine, which is typically a capacity of 5.0 cu. ft. or greater. At that capacity, you can fit nearly 1.5 times the amount of water and laundry that you could fit in a regular capacity washing machine, which means you get to run fewer washer cycles and finish your laundry in a shorter period of time. However, if you have fewer people in the house, you may just want a normal capacity washer; you don't want to pay for extra capacity you'll never use.
Keep your budget constraints in mind. Washer prices can run the gamut from $500 to $2,000 or more, but most tend to sit in the $800 to $1,200 range. We have recommendations for some washers with very low prices, but you can generally find great washers at any price point; it just takes a little bit of research, and figuring out which features and design aesthetics you can live without.
Also, if you can afford to wait until major holidays, most appliance manufacturers and retailers tend to offer steep discounts around those times of year; vigilantly searching for deals can save you hundreds of dollars.
How picky are you about your washer cycles? Do you want to be able to set specific cycle temperatures, water levels, soil levels, and cycle duration, or would you prefer to just hit two buttons and start washing? Do you want a cycle just for workout/sports clothes? Really consider how you do laundry on a day-to-day basis; if you prefer a straightforward washing process, you’ll probably want to buy a lower-tech dryer. Even if that extra customization seems very appealing, it may not make sense for you to buy that kind of washer if you’re not going to actually use those extra features regularly.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time. The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.
Mark Brezinski works on the Home Team, reviewing refrigerators, minifridges, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, air purifiers, and fans.
Senior Manager of Lab Operations
Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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