Front-Loading Washers

Front-loading washing machines get the best reviews

Of all the front-loading machines covered in the reviews we read, the clear standout is the LG SteamWasher WM3875HWCA (*Est. $1,150) . This Energy-Star-rated, front-loading washer has a 4.2-cubic-foot capacity, 14 wash programs and a super-fast maximum spin speed of 1,400 rpm. It also offers the same ColdWash feature as the LG top loaders discussed above, which uses "enhanced washing motions" to get clothes cleaner without hot water. However, its real selling point, as the name suggests, is its steam feature. Various cycles use steam for deep cleaning, freshening (a quick touch-up to remove wrinkles and odors) and allergen removal. This washer comes in white or gray (as the WM3875HVCA, which costs about $100 more). Like other LG washers, it is backed by a one-year warranty, with the motor covered for 10 years. It can be stacked with a matching dryer -- either the LG DLEX3875W (*Est. $1,175) or the gas LG DLGX3876W (*Est. $1,475) .

The LG SteamWasher WM3875HWCA scores highly in one independent test, with very good to excellent scores in every category: performance, efficiency, noise, vibration and gentleness to clothes. It also receives high ratings (around 4.7 stars out of 5, on average) from more than 130 owners at BestBuy.com, HomeDepot.com and AJMadison.com. Users praise its cleaning performance, quietness and large capacity. Opinions vary about the steam cycle; one user at HomeDepot.com describes it as excellent for removing wrinkles, while another at BestBuy.com says it leaves clothes too damp. The main problem users cite with this machine is its high cost, although some describe it as "worth the extra money." This washer generated fewer complaints about mildew and odor than most front-loading machines, although many users noted that preventing these problems requires extra maintenance -- wiping down the door gasket and propping the door open after each wash.

Another steam-equipped washer that performs very well in professional reviews is the Whirlpool Duet WFW97HEXW (*Est. $1,175) . This 4.3-cubic-foot washer qualifies not only for an Energy- Star rating but also for Tier III certification from the Consortium for Energy Efficiency, the strictest efficiency standard for washers. It offers 12 wash cycles, six temperature settings and a maximum spin speed of 1,400 rpm. In addition to its deep-cleaning steam cycle, it has a special allergen-removing cycle and an EcoBoost option, which (like the LG's ColdWash cycle) increases tumbling action to get better cleaning with cooler water. The dryer's "precision dispense" feature holds up to 36 loads' worth of detergent, eliminating the need to measure detergent for each load. Instead, you pour a regular size bottle into the reservoir and then the machine adds the proper amount of detergent automatically. This washer is available in white or silver as the WFW97HEX (*Est. $1,175) . Matching dryers include the Whirlpool Duet WED97HEXW electric dryer (*Est. $1,200) and the Whirlpool Duet WGD97HEXW gas dryer (*Est. $1,275) . Whirlpool backs this washer with a one-year warranty.

The Whirlpool Duet WFW97HEXW gets outstanding results in professional tests. Good Housekeeping calls it a "gentle giant," saying it does a great job with delicates. Reviewers also praise the machine's FanFresh feature, which "tumbles and airs out a load for up to 16 hours to curb mustiness." In another independent test, this washer achieves top scores for cleaning performance and efficiency, with very good scores for gentleness, vibration and noise level. We did not see a large volume of user reviews to back up these professional test results, but the 10 or so reviews that we pulled from various retail sites were mostly enthusiastic. Users at AJMadison.com and Sears.com love the FanFresh feature, which they say leaves the washer "bone dry" and prevents odors. Another user at Sears.com says the steam feature "really gets the stains out," and one at AJMadison.com says the fast spin cycle cuts drying time in half. The only negative review we found was at ABT.com, where a user says the machine, far from being gentle, caused otherwise undamaged clothes to tear -- including brand-new sheets and underwear. The user says many other owners cite the same problem in their reviews, but we did not see evidence to confirm that statement.

For those who don't consider a steam cycle a necessity, the Samsung WF330ANW/XAA (*Est. $850) offers good performance with a significantly lower price tag. Its 3.7-cubic-foot, stainless-steel washtub is covered in diamond-shaped indentations, which Samsung says prevent snags and reduce wear and tear on clothing. This Energy-Star-compliant machine has nine wash cycles, four temperature settings and four spin speeds, maxing out at 1,300 rpm. There is a special cycle for cleaning the machine itself with hot water and no soap. The Samsung washing machine is also available in blue as the WF330ANB/XAA (*Est. $900) . It can be stacked with the matching DV330AEW/XAA electric dryer (*Est. $900) or DV330AGW/XAA gas dryer (*Est. $975) . The Samsung WF330ANW/XAA has a one-year warranty for parts and labor, but other components are covered for longer: two years for the control board and three years for the stainless-steel tub.

The Samsung WF330ANW/XAA performs well in one professional test, earning very-good-to-excellent marks for its cleaning performance, efficiency, noise, vibration and gentleness. User reviews for the Samsung washer back up this professional evaluation. We found more than 225 comments about this washer at Lowes.com, BestBuy.com and Sears.com, with overall ratings around 4.5 stars out of a possible five. Users praise this front-loading machine's large capacity, great cleaning and quiet operation. The most commonly cited problem is the long cycle time, a trade-off that many users describe as "well worth it" because the clothes come out nearly dry after the spin cycle and require less time in the dryer. We also saw complaints about mildew and odor, including some from users who say they have been very careful about preventive maintenance. In addition, several owners describe frustrating customer service from Samsung when they attempted to get problems fixed. One user at Sears.com reports having to wait three months for a repair; another went through four service calls and countless hours on the phone with customer service, only to receive a replacement machine that was also problematic.

The Samsung WF350ANW/XAA (*Est. $1,000) , sold only at Lowe's, is very similar to the WF330ANW/XAA. The capacity, spin speed and most of the settings are identical but the WF350ANW/XAA includes a Deep Steam stain-removal setting that is not available on the lower-priced washer. This machine also lacks the three-year warranty for the washtub, though it does have the two-year warranty on the control board. The choice of colors is also different: The WF350ANW/XAA does not come in blue, but it is available in red (as the WF330ANR/XAA (*Est. $1,100) ). Matching dryers include the electric Samsung DV350AEW/XAA (*Est. $1,000) and the gas Samsung DV350AGW/XAA (*Est. $1,075) , also sold exclusively at Lowe's.

One consumer publication recommends the Samsung WF350ANW based on its similarity to the WF330ANW/XAA, although the washer has not actually been included in tests. It gets top marks for capacity and efficiency, and very good scores for cleaning, gentleness, noise and vibration. At Lowes.com, this washer earns an overall rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 from about 35 users. Owners say the machine is quiet and easy to use, and most add that their clothes come out clean, fresh-smelling and nearly dry. However, a few say the machine does not remove stains or odors well, and we also saw a few complaints about excessive vibration and long cleaning cycles. Users have little to say about the machine's steam cycle, either positive or negative; the only comment we found was, "I've only used the steam cycle once and have no evidence that it's life-changing."

Another front loader that does well in professional testing is the Kenmore 4027 (*Est. $925) . This highly efficient 3.5-cubic-foot washer gets a Tier III certification from the Consortium for Energy Efficiency, in addition to the basic Energy Star-rating. It features Kenmore's Smart Wash technology, which gives users a choice of four washing motions: tumbling, rolling, scrubbing or stepping (each is recommended for specific fabric types). It has eight wash cycles, five temperature settings and a maximum spin speed of 1,100 rpm. This machine is available in white only; it can be stacked with the matching Kenmore 8027 electric dryer (*Est. $925) or the Kenmore 9027 gas dryer (*Est. $1,025) . The Kenmore warranty covers parts and labor for one year.

The Kenmore 4027 front-loading washer is among the top performers in one professional test. It gets excellent or very good scores for washing performance, water and energy efficiency and gentleness, though its noise level is rated average. This washer is sold only through Sears, so it is not reviewed at most other sites; however, the 130-plus user reviews at Sears.com are mostly positive, averaging 4 stars out of 5. Users say the washing machine not only cleans very well but also spins clothes nearly dry, cutting down on dryer time. Its efficiency and quiet operation are also appreciated. However, several customers mention that water does not drain properly from the machine's detergent drawer -- a problem that could eventually lead to mold buildup. The drawer can be removed, drained and wiped dry by hand, but some users find this inconvenient. Several reviewers also describe repeated breakdowns or other mechanical problems, and a few say that the machine cannot handle large loads. "So much for energy savings," says one reviewer: "I'm doing more loads and using more water than I should have to."