Which washers and dryers are rated the best

However, these factors are often missing from the manufacturers' descriptions. We broke down these factors in order to make your selection process a little easier. Did you know that there are different types of washing machines on the market? In agitator models, the agitator rubs against the clothes to get them clean. This helps to loosen soils and penetrate water and detergent into the fabrics.

In impeller or HE models, the washing machine utilizes drum motions to rub the clothes against each other. This is a much gentler option than an agitator machine. Although the type you choose will depend on your overall preference, both variations will get the job done. Front-load washers clean better than their top-loading counterparts. Although the wash times are longer on front-load machines, they are far more gentle on clothes.

These washers also use less water and spin at higher speeds. High RPM or revolutions per minute spin speed, in turn, extracts more water from your laundry and cuts down on drying time which also saves energy in the drying process.

You'll find that many HE models, whether front or top load, have a certification from Energy Star , the federal program that puts its stamp on the most efficient home appliances. Most front-load washers and dryers are stackable. You can also place them on storage pedestals to use them side by side. Washer dryer combos are a specialty product that belongs to the front load washer family. These products look exactly like a front load machine, however, they also incorporate drying feature.

They are ideal for apartments where there is limited space for laundry. These washers are relics of the olden days and cost less than their HE cousins. The wash cycle is substantially faster, but they use a lot of water. Still, many people opt for traditional washing machines because of their simple controls.

It's also intuitive to think that more water might yield a better clean. However, this is not necessarily true. We ranked the best agitator top load washers in our in-depth review. Top-load washers are still a popular choice in the US. Considering the superior cleaning performance of the front-load washers, manufacturers decided to marry these two technologies. HE-rated top-load washers generally have a larger capacity than that of their agitator counterparts. They also use less water and spin faster for better drying performance.

If you're still wondering which type of washer to purchase, read our front load vs top load washer comparison, where we cover the pros and cons of each type. This set of laundry is only inches wide, making it perfect for placement in a closet or under a countertop. Although typically meant for apartment living, this type of laundry set is also great if you live in a single-family home and would like a second set of laundry. These washers generally pair with ventless dryers. Dryers that feature a Heat-Pump system are at the pinnacle of technology and not only save energy but dry clothes faster compared to condensing dryers.

We ranked and reviewed the best compact washer dryer models in our comprehensive review. Dorm rooms and small apartments may not have space to plumb the laundry machines. If you want to save yourself the trip to the laundromat consider getting a portable washing machine.

These units are versatile and can be hooked up to regular faucets and drained to a nearby bathtub or sink. Gas dryers utilize a fan and natural propane to heat and dry your laundry. Although this process is more costly than electricity, it requires less drying time.

So eventually, the cost will begin to even out. Because you need a gas hookup in order to run this type of dryer, they are typically more difficult to install. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads.

Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. By Erica Puisis. Erica Puisis. Erica Puisis writes about home products for The Spruce and specializes in interior design and plant care. Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process.

Our Top Picks. Best Overall, Front Loading:. Sized right for most families, you can wash and dry up to 20 pounds of laundry in a single load with this efficient pair. Best Overall, Top Loading:. Fill up this spacious washer and dryer pair with your dirty laundry, and make use of a built-in faucet and large cycle selection.

Best Budget:. Available only in classic white, this laundry pair is reliable and affordable, but forgoes some of the fancy features. Best Laundry Center:. An impressive capacity, unique design, and short cycles make this pre-stacked set a practical and stylish pick for any home. Best High-Capacity:. A warranty-backed motor, intuitive smart features, and sleek looks make this front-loading washer and dryer worth the big bucks.

Best High-Efficiency:. Features like an extra power button on the washer, built-in WiFi, and an interior light in the dryer give this set the upper hand. Best Stackable:. With powerful stain fighting, efficient drying, and a depth of just 31 inches, this set does everything you need in less space. Best Smart:. Best Compact:.

Since the dryer doesn't require any external venting, you can place this space-friendly set in a multitude of tight spots. Best for Energy Savings:. This energy-saving set uses less power, but still delivers a thorough clean, and offers steam in both washer and dryer cycles. In This Article Expand. Our Picks. What to Look for in a Washing Machine. What to Look for in a Dryer. Why Trust The Spruce. What We Like Speed wash setting available Use Smart Pairing to auto-select dryer cycle based on washer settings Stainless steel washer drum.

The 8 Best Front Load Washers of What We Like Washer has built-in faucet for treating stains Dryer has a steam function to aid and prevent wrinkles Washer has a bulk dispenser. What We Don't Like Washer can unbalance when washing bulky items Need to clean lint trap of dryer very often.

The 8 Best Top Load Washers of What We Like Dual-action agitator for thorough cleaning action Washer has a deep fill setting for bulkier loads Dual porcelain tub protects fabrics from snags. What We Like Accessible control panel Impressive capacity for a laundry center Doesn't vibrate a lot. The 10 Best Laundry Detergents of What We Like Washer can have an impeller plate or agitator Can be controlled with voice commands Washer has an extra power button for bulkier loads.

The 8 Best Clothes Dryers of View On Ajmadison. What We Like Shallow depth is ideal for tight spaces Self-cleaning cycle washes tub and gasket of washer Steam function helps fight tough stains. What We Don't Like Dryer control panel hard to reach when stacked Need to purchase separate stacking kit. The 8 Best Stackable Washers and Dryers of What We Like Quiet operation Washer will wash and dry a small load Built-in air vents to prevent moisture buildup.

The 7 Best Smart Washers and Dryers of It features two separately controlled washers in one, allowing you to wash your lights and darks at the same time. The lower washer is the larger of the two and also features sanitizing and steam options. The upper is smaller and designed for things like single items and delicates. The washer even features Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to monitor the remaining cycle time, receive alerts when the cycle is complete, and schedule cycles.

Pressed for time? This baby can wash a full load in 30 minutes using its super speed feature. The matching dryer also has two dryers in one. Bottom line? You should never be without clean socks. But this machine offers more than impressive capacity. Need ready-to-wear clothes in a jiffy? The quick dry feature gets your stuff from wet to dry in minutes. It even has an app to help you monitor, start, and stop your laundry from anywhere you have service. Best of all, its Energy Star certified to help you save on utilities.

It has a compact, yet spacious capacity of 0. When you want to start a cycle, connect the hose, which is used for both filling and draining, and select a cycle. If any of this sounds familiar, you are probably using too much detergent. Just use less. Leave the door open between cycles. This will help prevent the washer from getting smelly. It lets the drum and gasket dry out between uses, which helps prevent mildew and mold from growing in the dark, damp crevices.

You might just need to be more diligent with wipe-downs and drum-cleaning cycles. Some manufacturers have started to incorporate simple features that work around the downsides to closing the door. LG washers including our main pick have a little magnet in the door latch that can keep the door propped open just a crack. This lets the drum breathe but stops the door from swinging wide open.

Most washers have small drain holes at the edges of their gaskets so pooling water can drain out. Wipe under the folds of the door gasket. A dry rag or paper towel is fine, no soaps or sprays needed. As long as you wipe under the gasket every few weeks, that should be plenty. If you stay on top of this, the gasket will never get too nasty. Lean toward the weekly wipe-downs if you use the machine frequently, if you add fabric softener to most loads, or if you keep your washer in a humid room.

Run a self-cleaning cycle. This means no clothes, very hot water, and a boric-acid-based washing machine cleaner like Affresh. A drum-cleaning cycle will dissolve that residue. Most washer brands recommend running a drum cleaning once a month, or every 30 to 40 loads. Really, though, two or three times a year should be enough preventive maintenance for most washers. Plan to run a few more than that if you run a lot of loads, use lots of detergent and fabric softener, or have a humid laundry room.

Even if you wash with bleach, you should still run an occasional self-cleaning cycle with a boric-acid-based cleaner. Bleach kills bacteria, but boric acid breaks up its breeding ground. Wash smaller loads. When your clothes move freely, they get cleaner. This also prevents a lot of wear on your washer. Beyond these basic preventive steps, expect that your washer will need service at some point. Repair Clinic has an excellent series of videos about what can go wrong and how you—a regular person with a simple set of tools—can fix many of the most common problems, including broken inlet valves, cracked hoses, and popped drive belts.

Once you start running into issues such as fried logic boards, busted filter housings, and dead direct-drive systems, call a technician and prepare yourself for a really big bill. Sort your laundry. Dryer moisture sensors work best with sorted loads—sorted by fabric weight and type and garment care.

And the faster-drying items will end up overdrying if heavier, slower-drying items prevent the sensor from ending the cycle.

Clean the lint filter after every cycle. You can vacuum the lint out of and around the filter as well as any lint or dust around or under the dryer. If the lint filter seems especially dirty, wash it with warm water, and make sure it dries thoroughly before you use it again. Clean your dryer exhaust hose every year. Use a wire brush to get the lint out. A leaf blower can help you clear it out, too.

Pick one day each year to clean your vent—Labor Day, the first day of spring, the beginning or the end of Daylight Savings, whatever. Power, July 31, Lorain Furniture and Appliance , YouTube. Kirk Rivas , YouTube. Laundry , Reviewed, November 1, Chris Zeisler, appliance expert, Repair Clinic , phone interview, January Georgios Tjoumakaris, product manager of floor care, laundry, cleaning products, Miele, phone interview, February 27, Sarah Bogdan is a staff writer at Wirecutter covering appliances.

Previously, she tested cleaning products and appliances at Good Housekeeping. Her degree in mechanical engineering and product design helps her understand how products work and how people interact with them. Liam McCabe is a senior staff writer for Wirecutter, and has covered the wild world of appliances since After testing dozens of robot vacuums, he is neither worried about AI nor holding his breath for self-driving cars.

He enjoys visiting factories and learning about regulatory loopholes, and has flooded our testing area only three times. Our pick. Upgrade pick. Miele W1 Compact and durable Although the Miele W1 holds only half as much laundry as most front-loaders, you can expect it to last at least twice as long.

Miele T1 The matching Miele dryer The matching, stackable dryer for the Miele W1 washer is a ventless heat-pump model, so it takes twice as long to dry a load as a vented model.

Also great. Budget pick. Everything we recommend. Why you should trust us How we picked What about matching dryers? Why you should trust us. For research, we did the following:. They told us about the most common repairs they make and the root causes of some breakdowns. Some of them recommended brands that they found to be the most reliable, simple to fix, and easy to find parts for.

They shared some info about the mechanics and chemistry of what goes on inside a washing machine while it works, and why the type of washer affects the cleaning performance. We read most of the washing machine reviews from the major editorial testing labs in the US, including Reviewed , Good Housekeeping , and CNET , and we talked to some of the writers and editors behind those reviews. We looked into their procedures, and as far as we can tell, they all run similar tests, though each lab weighs the results differently.

Power Laundry Appliance Satisfaction Study. These reviews provide great insight into near-term reliability problems or defects and the real-world frustrations of living with these machines. We read loads of emails, comments, message board posts, and tweets from our readers and pretty much anyone else who cared enough to weigh in on washing machines over the past few years.

How we picked. We focused on finding the washers with the best overall combination of the following:. Fabric care: A good washing machine should be able to remove stains and odors while minimizing wear or damage to fabric. Other features that can help with cleaning performance include a water-recirculating system the washer pumps some water out of the drum and then shoots or dribbles it back in , extra-hot temperature settings, automatic soak or prewash options, and, to a lesser degree, add-water options.

No brand is safe, though some ship fewer duds and do a better job of resolving problems than others. And a couple of brands namely Miele and Speed Queen make especially durable washers that are designed to last for 20 years or longer. But we do think most people prefer shorter cycle times, less noise and vibration, and minimal maintenance, so we favored models with those features. Most of our favorite washing machines turned out to be some of the most efficient models anyway—front-loaders almost always use less water and save energy.

That said, there are still some thirsty washers, which will cost you more to operate, though the amount varies greatly depending on your circumstances. What about matching dryers?