We updated this guide in October 2022 to include a new GE washer based on updated testing by the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Products Laband ensure all products were in stock, available and accurately priced. Show From top-loaders to front-loaders, washing machines have advanced over the years with new features and styles. Today's washers are smarter, gentler, clean better and easier to use than the early models were. But as such, choosing the perfect one can seem overwhelming with all the options available. To make easy work of finding the best washing machine, here at the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Products Lab, we test washers as we have for 122 years for not only how well they clean and care for your clothing, but how easy and intuitive they are to use. In performance testing, we run stain removal tests on regular, heavy-duty and delicate cycles. In our most recent test of 12 washers, we took 288 stain removal measurements per load (over 860 measurements per machine, or more than 10,300 in all!). And if the machine has a specialty setting (such as bulky bedding or quick wash), we evaluate those cycles as well. We also test each model's control panel and score how easy and intuitive it is to use and its responsiveness, plus how much energy and water each machine consumes. Based on our extensive data collected over more than 122 years testing, these are the best washing machines you can buy. Our top picks:
Read on for more details about our best washing machines of 2022, things to consider when shopping for the best washing machine and more. Complete your laundry essentials kit by shopping our best laundry dryers and best laundry detergents, plus find out what's the best way to clean your washing machine. And be sure to check the latest Black Friday deals around the internet and on Amazon on washing machines and other appliances. 1 Best Overall Front-Loading Washing Machine GE Appliances UltraFresh Front Load Washer with OdorBlock
2 Best Overall Top-Loading Washing Machine Maytag Top Load Extra-Large Capacity Agitator Washer
3 Best Value Washing Machine GE Top Load Washing Machine
4 Best Voice-Enabled Washer GE Profile Washer with Smarter Wash Technology
5 Best Innovative Washing Machine Whirlpool Top Load Washer with 2-in-1 Removable Agitator
6 Best Washing Machine with Longest Warranty Speed Queen Top Load TR7 Washing Machine
7 Best Front-Loading Washing Machine for Large Families LG Front Load Smart Washer with Sidekick Pedestal
8 Best Smart Washing Machine Samsung Smart Dial Front Load Washer with Opti-Wash
9 Best Stackable Washer and Dryer LG WashTower Laundry Center
10 Best Compact Front-Loading Washing Machine Miele TwinDos Washing Machine
How we test washing machines The Good Housekeeping Institute has been testing washing machines for 122 years (since they were invented!). We base our tests on the industry standards developed by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM). To evaluate the cleaning performance of each load — whether regular, heavy-duty or delicate — we include carefully-placed pre-stained strips of fabric with six stains on each. At the end of the cycle, once the strips have air dried, we take measurements on each stain (for a total of 288 measurements per load) to calculate a total stain removal index for the cycle. For just three cycles on each machine, that's over 860 measurements. We also test any specialty cycles, such as bulking bedding or speed wash, to see if they perform up to our expectations, and confirm any sanitizing cycle can reach a high enough temperature for the required amount of time to adequately kill germs on fabrics. Gentleness is tested by washing cotton swatches with five pre-cut holes. When they come out of the machine, the holes are frayed: The more fraying, the more damaging the cycle. For our last test of 12 washers, we counted over 1,000 frayed threads. We also check the water and energy usage of each machine and score how easy the washing machine is to use, including if the control panel is responsive and intuitive to use, ease of loading with a set amount of laundry and how easy it is to open and close the door. And on top of performance testing, we evaluate the owner's manual for how thorough, clear and complete it is. What type of washing machine is better: Top-loading or front-loading? The first decision you’ll have to make is whether you want a front- or top-loading machine. In Good Housekeeping Institute tests, both types clean so well you likely will not notice a difference in your clothing, though our tests show front loaders do perform a bit better. Which you choose is really a matter of personal preference. ✔️ A front-loading washing machine is the most energy-efficient option. It uses the least amount of water in each load. Clothes get cleaned when they tumble in a small pool of water that’s added by the machine once it senses the weight and type of load. Front-loaders can easily handle big, bulky items, like comforters and sleeping bags, but do require bending to load and unload the tub. Most manufacturers sell pedestal drawers to raise the appliances up off the floor and save some strain on your back. If space is tight, a front load washer can be stacked with its matching dryer and placed in a closet, bathroom or any narrow area where water, electrical connections and venting are available. (Non-venting dryers are becoming more widely available for installation in spaces where outside venting is not an option and our tests show their performance rivals that of vented models, too.) Keep in mind that water often puddles in the door gasket, dispensers and even the drum itself at the end of the cycle and can lead to mold growth and odors. If you choose a front loader, you’ll need to be diligent about cleaning the gasket and dispenser and leaving the door ajar or drying the machine down so the drum dries out and odors don’t develop. ✔️ A top-loading washing machine is a good choice if you like a more traditional configuration. Because the water in top-loaders drains down and out, they are less likely to develop mold and odors than front-loaders, and that's the reason many consumers prefer them. However, it’s a good idea to clean the tub and dispensers of all washing machines about once per month. Newer, high-efficiency top-loading models provide excellent cleaning and are still energy efficient even though they use more water than front loaders. Top loaders may or may not have a center agitator. Those without agitators have huge tubs for extra-large loads and gently bounce clothing under a shower of water. Some are so deep that reaching into the bottom to grab the last sock can be challenging for short consumers. And new models offer the option of adding water for deep washes and rinses, if desired, for more thorough cleaning. Agitator models may be less expensive but may be a little less gentle on fabrics, though they, too, are getting better. They get clothes clean by moving them through a pool of water so fabrics are well rinsed. Detergents, especially single-dose packs, are more likely to dissolve completely in them. Top loaders with agitators may have smaller tubs and generally use the most water of any style washer. What to look for when shopping for a washing machine Beyond deciding whether a front-loading or top-loading washing machine is best for your needs, here are a few other aspects you may want to consider: ✔️ Capacity: If you find yourself washing bulkier items often or especially large loads you’ll want to opt for a large capacity washer, usually without a center agitator. However, if you tend to wash smaller loads a standard capacity washing machine should be just fine. Make sure you try reaching inside the drum of whatever machine you are considering to make sure it's easily accessible to you. ✔️ Smart features: More appliances, including washing machines, are starting to come with smart features. These features make doing laundry easier by allowing you to schedule a load of laundry from your phone, send notifications when the cycle is finished, order detergent and more. And more machines use Artificial Intelligence to anticipate your cycle selections and care for fabrics for a better, more convenient laundry experience. Just keep in mind these extra features can be more costly. ✔️ Detergent dispensing: Rather than pouring detergent directly into the washing tub or into the dispenser every wash, some washers come with bulk dispensers that you fill once for multiple loads. These machines will automatically dispense the correct amount of detergent into each load according to the cycle and options you’ve selected and the size of the load the machine senses. Another thing to keep in mind when it comes to detergent: If you use detergent packs, some washing machines have special single-dose dispensers that ensure the pack is fully dissolved and released at the correct time in the cycle. ✔️ Cycles: Look for the cycles that you use most frequently or washing machines that are programmable if you like to customize your cycle. Other types of cycles that are useful are sanitizing options to kill germs and help with allergies, steam for better stain removal and quick wash for lightly soiled items that don’t need a full cycle to get clean or for items you need in a hurry. If you like having lots of control over how you do your loads, look out for machines that don't allow you to override the preset temperature and spin options on some cycles. You may find using these machines frustrating. Why trust Good Housekeeping? Carolyn Forté has been testing washers, dryers and other laundry room essentials, like laundry detergents and stain removers, for more than 40 years in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Products Lab. She often consults with the appliance industry, especially washing machine manufacturers, about appliance testing protocols and consumer laundry habits, researches and writes our laundry how-tos and personally tests or oversees all of the testing done for all of the Cleaning Lab's product guides. Carolyn Forté Home Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Who makes the most reliable front load washer?Our ratings include more than 40 front-loaders from brands such as Electrolux, GE, LG, Maytag, Samsung, Speed Queen, Whirlpool, and others. LG is the only front-load brand we've tested that rates Excellent for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction.
What brand of washer has the least problems?What brand of washing machine is most reliable? Whirlpool, LG, and Samsung are the most reliable brands of washers. Yale Appliance found that less than 7% of the sales of these units required servicing. J.D. Power also ranks Samsung and LG as the highest-ranking manufacturers in customer satisfaction.
Is there a front load washer that doesn't mold?The latest GE washers, for example, have the UltraFresh vent system, which is designed to help keep mold at bay. If cleaning the door gasket is a dealbreaker for you, a GE front loader with an UltraFresh vent system could be the solution.
Do frontBased on data from CR surveys of more than 100,000 members who purchased a new washing machine between 2011 and 2021, front-load washers do present some drawbacks, notably that they are prone to mold, mildew, and odor.
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Consumer reports front load washer and dryer
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