Pros
-
Power Heavy Duty cycle
-
High number of features
-
Streamlined controls
Cons
-
Expensive
-
Slow cycles
The MHW8630HC also comes with several add-on features that may make your life easier. For example, Fresh Hold, a 24-hour cycle that periodically rotates the drum to help prevent wet laundry from developing an odor so you can get to it on your own terms.
About the Maytag MHW8630HC
- Dimensions: 32 15/16” x 38 ⅝” x 27” (D x H x W)
- Capacity: 5 cu. ft.
- Cycle selection: Normal, Heavy Duty, Whites, Towels, Bulky Items, Delicates, Quick Wash, Wrinkle Control, Drain & Spin, Clean Washer with Affresh, Colors, Sanitize, Overnight Wash & Dry (12hr), Custom Cycle
- Warranty: One-year warranty on the whole unit, 10-year warranty on motor and drum
What we like
It handles stain removal like a champ
The MHW8630HC has plenty of cycles and the Extra Power Feature
As far as our lab tests go, Maytag washers always do well on our cleaning tests, and the MHW8630HC is no exception. This front-loader has a feature called Extra Power, which adds a little extra oomph for a lot of extra clean.
The Heavy Duty cycle, with Extra Power activated, is one of the most powerful washes we’ve ever tested. In fact, if we judged this washer by the Heavy Duty cycle alone, the MHW8630HC would be tied for first place as our best washing machine.
It offers freedom and flexibility
Our testing found the Overnight Wash & Dry can deal with small loads.
The MHW8630HC has features that give you more flexibility when doing your laundry. Micromanagers will like that you can select among five spin speeds (including no spin), four soil levels, and five temperature settings.
For those who don’t separate out their clothes into colors and whites, a massive 5-cubic-foot drum also gives you the option to turn laundry day into laundry hour.
Finally, there are the Fresh Hold and the Overnight Wash & Dry options. Both work on the same principle.
With Fresh Hold, you can set the MHW8630HC to tumble laundry for up to 24 hours after a cycle has finished. Keeping the laundry moving prevents odors and excess wrinkles from forming, which allows you to get to laundering your clothes on your schedule, not the machine’s.
You can also wash and dry a shirt or two with the Overnight Wash & Dry. During testing, we successfully washed and dried a dress shirt and a washcloth, together.
It turns the temperature up—and up
This Maytag has its own internal heater.
On the Sanitize cycle, our sensors picked up temperatures of around 130°F. Combined with detergent and agitation, that is hot enough to kill 99.9% of common illness-causing bacteria like pneumonia. This is above and beyond what a washing machine normally does to bacteria and viruses. While most people don’t need a true sanitize, those households that use cloth diapers or have someone who is prone to illness will greatly appreciate it.
What we don’t like
You have to wait for the best clean
The Maytag MHW8630HC used long cycles to deal with stains.
While the MHW8630HC put up some impressive stain removal numbers, we did have to wait for them.
With its Extra Power feature activated, the Heavy Duty cycle lasted for more than three hours.
This Maytag does have a 40-minute Normal cycle and a 15-minute Quick cycle. However, if you want the Extra Power for the best clean, you’ll need to tack on 15-minutes of extra time.
There is no place for powdered detergent
We couldn't find a place to put powdered detergent in the dispenser.
The MHW8630HC has an automatic detergent dispenser, which means you can place up to eight loads worth of liquid detergent into the drawer, and it will disperse the appropriate amount of soap based on the weight of the laundry in the drum.
This is all well and good, but we failed to find a place for powdered detergent or detergent pods. Sadly, both need to go directly into the drum.
Other washing machine models that have a similar automatic dispenser feature use a cartridge that can be removed so powdered detergent can be used.
What users are saying
Out of 378 user reviews between online retailer AJ Madison and Maytag’s own site, we get an average user rating of 4.2 stars out of 5. Users cite how much they like the quiet operation and powerful stain removal. Detractors talk about long cycle times and difficulty with the app.
Should you buy the Maytag MHW8630HC?
Yes, it’s a fine washer for a family.
The MHW8630HC lets you get to your laundry on your schedule. The Sanitize cycle kills bacteria on cloth diapers and blankets. The massive drum helps make sure you can fit all your laundry in, including comforters.
The MHW8630HC is on the expensive side, but you’re getting what you pay for.
Related content
-
-
The Best Ventless Dryers of 2023
best-right-now
feature
Meet the testers
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.
Kyle Hamilton
Product Tester
Kyle Hamilton is a product tester at Reviewed, specializing in home appliances and technology.
Checking our work.
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.
Shoot us an email
