Maytag MVWC465HW Washer Review

When we put it through the paces, we confirmed that this machine's PowerWash cycle is an effective stain remover—though that's standard to all Maytag washers and doesn't necessarily make this one stand out.

The 3.8 cu.-ft. tub is modest in size, the cycles are slow, and the price on the street can run you $600. We think you can find a better value: check out the GE GTW485ASJWS, which actually runs a little bit cheaper.

Design and Features

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There’s nothing wrong with a basic white washing machine like this one—it’s traditional, with a clean look. The pole agitator, which cleans by pushing the clothes against itself, one another, and the stainless steel drum, has a long-standing reputation for good washing. And a control panel with knobs looks simple to use, which is true, as you’re looking at it in bright light. All of this can put you at ease, especially if you learned to do laundry in your parents’ laundry room.

If you’re easily overwhelmed by machines with too many choices, this Maytag’s design, along with its 12 cycles, five temperature settings (from tap cold to hot) and four rinse options, allows you just enough flexibility to give each washload what it needs.

We don’t think of the Deep Fill option as something you need every day, but it can be helpful for washing very dirty clothes in larger loads. You’re the best judge of what your laundry needs, but adding water dilutes the detergent, which can result in less cleaning power. In most cases, you should count on Auto Sensing to determine the right amount of water for the load.

You might benefit more from the Deep Rinse option, which flushes out excess detergent and fabric softener, leaving clothes, and the washer, cleaner.

Performance

If you want better-than-average stain removal from this washer, the PowerWash cycle is the one to go with. That heavy duty cycle gets the job done right, though it takes a whopping two hours and 24 minutes to finish. The Normal cycle is not quite as good at cleaning, but it’s done in 47 minutes.

After each cycle, our test laundry came out of the MVWC465 relatively soggy, meaning it would need to spend more time spinning in the dryer. That's an energy expense that can add up. Not to mention the extra hours you'll spend in the laundry room.

We estimate the cost of running this washer for a year to be about $72.

What user reviews say

Although there are a limited number of reviews so far, buyers, especially those replacing old machines, are satisfied with this model, giving it an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars over several sites. Owners appreciate its ease of use, and many report that it cleans well for them. We also noticed some complaints about the running noise and the time it takes to complete a cycle.

Warranty

Maytag provides a 10-year limited parts warranty, which covers the drive motor and the basket.

The Bottom Line

While the MVWC465HW passed our tests, its retail price—together with its smallish 3.8 cu.-ft. tub—don’t add up to the best value. Aside from the PowerWash cycle, stain removal is just average. Still, if you have a small family, don’t do tons of laundry, and have plenty of time, this washer may be all you need.

But, before you buy, consider the GE GTW485ASJWS. With a larger drum than the Maytag, and a Normal cycle lasting only 34 minutes, it can clean more clothes better and faster. It also scored much higher, won our Editors Choice and Best of Year badges, and it costs less.