Budget Front Loaders

Less expensive front-load washers get mixed reviews

It is possible to find a good front-loading washing machine for under $750, but machines in this price range often have fewer features than washers priced at $800 or above. For example, washers in this category may not have as many wash cycles or temperature settings, and they lack trendy features like steam or sanitizing settings. If a basic model is sufficient for your needs, you may be able to get the benefits of a front loader at a price comparable to a top-loading machine.

The best budget-friendly front loader, according to our sources, is the GE WCVH6800JWW (*Est. $700) . This washer has a 3.5-cubic-foot capacity and is Energy Star-compliant. It includes a heater and an "adaptive logic" feature designed to optimize wash times based on what has been washed over the previous 10 cycles. The machine has 26 wash cycles, five temperature settings (including a sanitize setting) and a maximum spin speed of 1,100 rpm. The washer is backed by a limited one-year warranty and can be stacked with the GE DCVH680EJWW electric dryer (*Est. $700) or the GE DCVH680GJWW gas dryer (*Est. $800) . In addition to basic white, the washer is available in red as the WCVH6800JMV (*Est. $700) and in metallic silver as the WCVH6800JMS (*Est. $700) .

The GE WCVH6800JWW is well reviewed in one independent test, where it receives excellent scores for energy and water efficiency and very good scores for washing performance, gentleness and noise level. It also gets good reviews at HomeDepot.com and Viewpoints.com, earning an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 in close to 250 reviews. Users say they love this washer's large capacity, energy and water efficiency and quiet operation. "The GE front load washer is the best washer I have ever owned," says one reviewer. "The clothes come out clean and there is a noticeable difference in our power and water bills." We found a fair number of complaints about mold buildup and odor in this washing machine, especially around the door seal. Also, some users at HomeDepot.com say that the machine has a tendency to become unbalanced and rock vigorously -- so vigorously, according to one user, that it "put a hole in the wall and broke the face plate on the light switch." A few users report that turning down the spin speed or mixing heavy towels in with other clothes will eliminate this problem.

We also found good reviews for the Whirlpool WFW9050XW (*Est. $550) . This modestly priced, 3.5-cubic-foot front loader is Energy Star-rated and features an automatic detergent dispenser, six wash cycles, three temperature settings and a maximum spin speed of 1,100 rpm. Like most budget washers, this machine is available only in white. The optional stack kit allows it to be stacked with a matching dryer, either the electric Whirlpool WED9050XW (*Est. $550) or the gas Whirlpool WGD9050XW (*Est. $700) .

The Whirlpool WFW9050XW performs very well in professional tests. Its washing performance is very good, and its efficiency and gentleness are excellent. Its noise level is only average, but most users do not appear to find it bothersome. Of the 150-plus reviewers on Viewpoints.com, only 10 list noise as a significant drawback for this washer. Overall, users give this machine 4.3 stars out of 5, praising its efficiency and stain-removing power. Some reviewers note that the machine can vibrate excessively when washing heavy loads, and a few object to its long cycle time. Only a few found mold to be a problem, though one user notes that once mold is established, it can be difficult to eliminate. The biggest problem with the Whirlpool WFW9050XW is its limited availability. Most major retailers, such as Best Buy, Home Depot and Lowe's, do not carry it, so those who are interested in this washer may need to have it specially ordered.

Manufacturers LG and Samsung, widely known for their higher-end appliances, also carry some washers at the lower end of the price range. The LG WM2140CW (*Est. $700) is a basic front loader with a 3.5-cubic-foot capacity, seven wash programs, five temperature settings and a maximum spin speed of 1,100 rpm. It is also Energy Star-rated. Like other LG washers, it carries a one-year warranty that extends to 10 years for the motor; however, it does not include some of the features found on LG's more expensive machines, such as the special cold-water-boosting cycle. It is available only in white and can be stacked with a matching dryer: the electric LG DLE2140W (*Est. 650) or the gas LG DLG2141W (*Est. $700) .

The LG WM2140CW fares only moderately well in professional tests; though its efficiency is excellent and its gentleness very good, its actual washing performance is only average. Nonetheless, it receives enthusiastic recommendations from users at BestBuy.com, HomeDepot.com and AJMadison.com. In more than 180 reviews across all three sites, it earns an average rating of 4.6 stars out of a possible 5. Users appreciate its capacity, energy efficiency and excellent spin cycle, which renders clothes nearly dry; most also say it is quiet, though professional testers rated its noise level merely average. We did read more complaints about mold and odor for this machine than we found for most other front loaders. One user at BestBuy.com says that with regular maintenance -- wiping down the door and gasket and draining the detergent drawer -- mildew is not a problem. However, other users complain that the maintenance this machine requires is too onerous, especially the pump filter, which LG recommends be cleaned twice a month (a job that involves moving the machine). We did not see many complaints about this washer's reliability, but one user at HomeDepot.com warns that if there is a problem, getting repairs can be difficult because LG machines "are hard to fix and the parts alone cost just as much as a new one."

Samsung's budget-priced washer is the Samsung WF210ANW/XAA (*Est. $700) . The WF210ANW/XAAis a fairly basic model, available only in white. It is Energy Star-compliant and has a capacity of 3.5 cubic feet. This basic washer offers six wash cycles, four temperature options, three soil levels and three spin speeds. The warranty covers parts and labor for the first year, the control board for two and the stainless-steel tub for three. The washer can be stacked with the matching DV210AEW electric dryer (*Est. $625) or the DV210AGW gas dryer (*Est. $700) .

The Samsung WF210ANW is not an exceptionally good performer in professional tests. Although its water and energy efficiency are excellent and it is very gentle on clothes, its washing performance is average, and it vibrates more than most machines. However, the 250-plus user reviews we found at BestBuy.com and Lowes.com are generally positive, with ratings averaging 4.4 stars out of 5. Users on both sites say this washing machine is quiet, cleans well and is a great water and energy saver. Users also appreciate the machine's little touches, such as the delayed-start feature and the cheery end-of-cycle tune (which one user at BestBuy.com identifies as coming from Schubert's Trout Quintet). However, we found several complaints that the water in this washer, which does not include an internal heater, doesn't get hot enough to clean clothes effectively. Several users also find the cycle time excessively long -- although some say this is balanced out by reduced dryer time, since the machine spins clothes nearly dry. We did not see many complaints about mold and odor, though several users mention the extra maintenance (such as wiping down the gasket) required to prevent these problems.