Credit:
Reviewed / Jon Chan
Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
Credit:
Reviewed / Jon Chan
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
Learn more about our product testing
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
This two-in-one washer-and-dryer unit offers solid performance, automated cycles, and user-friendly controls. It’s not great for delicates, though. Read More
This highly efficient Energy Star-certified washer-dryer combo comes with a large mold-resistant drum, high-end features, and an excellent warranty. Read More
The Samsung WF50A8600AV is excellent. It has solid cleaning power, a huge wash drum, and a ton of extra features, including antimicrobial coating. Read More
The Maytag MHW8630HC is a powerful washer that lets you do laundry on your terms. It's 5.0-cu.-ft. drum can handle just about anything. Read More
Investing in a well-made, energy-efficient front-loading or top-loading washing machine can ensure you're always looking sharp. The best washing machines remove stains, help prevent wrinkles, and get rid of odors from your clothes.
Over the years, we've tested hundreds of washers to evaluate their stain removal, efficiency, capacity, and ease of use. Out of all of the washing machines we’ve tested, these are the cream of the crop. Between their cleaning performance and their cutting-edge features, these washing machine reviews check all the right boxes.
The Electrolux ELFW7637AT (available at Electrolux) is our favorite washer to date. It offers superior cleaning and can tackle stains from protein to oil, features a blazing 15-minute Fast cycle, and has a spot for pods in the detergent drawer. While this Electrolux washer is the best we've tested, there are plenty of other washing machines that are worth checking out.
The front-loading ELFW7637AT has excellent stain removal performance, a detergent pod dispenser, and a 15-minute Fast wash.
Good cleaning power
Large wash drum
Steam, antibacterial coating, and tons of other features
Delicates cycle is rough on clothes
Power Heavy Duty cycle
High number of features
Streamlined controls
Expensive
Slow cycles
Large wash drum
Fast cycles
Solid stain-scrubbing power
Causes more wear and tear damage than average
AI Wash cycle is underwhelming
Fast, effective wash cycles
Large wash drum
Steam, stackable, other features
On-board controls can be difficult to read
Loud chime has no volume controls, just on and off
Streamlined interface
Strong cleaning performance
Fast Quick cycle
HIgher than average wear and tear on Normal and Delicates cycles
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. For an in-depth look at how we lab test washing machines, read this. 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 the solid recommendations and washing machine reviews for someone looking for any type of washing machine at any price point.
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 you go to purchase a new washing machine.
While it may seem like a minor design difference, studies (including ours) 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, soil levels, water 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.
Mark Brezinski works on the Home Team, reviewing refrigerators, minifridges, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, air purifiers, and fans.
Julia is the Senior Scientist at Reviewed, which means that she oversees (and continually updates) the testing of products in Reviewed's core categories such as televisions, washing machines, refrigerators, and more. She also determines the testing methods and standards for Reviewed's "The Best Right Now" articles.
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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