Consumer Reports Selects Top Laundry Appliances

Consumer Reports’ latest tests published in their July issue found top-performing washers and recommended dryers for $500 or less — two years ago, people had to spend $900 or more to get a high-performing washer. Those models include the Maytag MTW5800T[W], $500, and Estate ETW44OOOT[Q], $400, among top-loading washers; and the Frigidaire Gallery GLER104FS[S], $450, and the Kenmore (Sears) 696 [2], $490, among dryers.

However, not all inexpensive washers performed well in CR’s tests. Many of the washers with the lowest scores cost $450 or less, including Frigidaire’s $370 FWS1233F[S] top-loading washer. More top-loaders washed as well as some front-loaders, earning a Very Good score including models from Estate, GE and Maytag. But top-loaders still lag behind front-loaders in energy and water efficiency.

CR’s testing also found that “speed wash” cycles — meant for lightly soiled small loads, advertised as taking 18 to 30 minutes — were a washout on four front-loaders from Bosch, Electrolux, Kenmore, and LG: Wash performance dropped significantly in every case. CR also found mixed results for steam cycles on washers, which didn’t improve performance enough in tests to justify its expense.

When selecting a washer, let location be your guide. The closer the laundry area is to the living space, the more noise and vibration matter. Top-loaders are slightly noisier but don’t vibrate. CR’s tests revealed huge variations in how much front-loaders vibrate.

If your dryer is working, keep it. The technology hasn’t changed much, so you won’t really get better performance or efficiency with a new one. If you’re buying a washer and dryer, choose the washer first. There’s much more variation in performance and reliability.