Front-Loading Washers

Front-loading washing machines are most energy efficient

Front loaders are considered to be the best performing and most energy-efficient washing machines. Their horizontal tubs tumble clothes, or a wash plate or impeller somersaults clothes in and out of the water. Because gravity helps tumble the laundry and because there is no vertical agitator pulling and twisting the clothes, front-loaders are gentler on clothes and cause less tangling than top-loading machines. The bad news is that high-efficiency (HE) washers cost more than traditional top-loaders, and they still get complaints for reliability. In general, however, reliability has been improving for front-loaders, and for the Samsung WF448AAW (*Est. $1,400) in particular, we read unusually good user ratings.

Another caveat is that because of their design, front-loading washers require more daily attention. For example, we've read many reports that front-loaders can develop a mildew smell caused by the water that can remain standing in the gasket and other washer parts after a cycle. Users say that owners can wipe away water after cycles or leave the washer door open for a few hours to allow water to evaporate, but this doesn't always work. Affresh Washer Cleaner Tablets (*est. $7 for three tablets), developed by Whirlpool, are supposed to combat mildew and odors in high-efficiency washers. However, owners posting to online forums say that dishwasher detergent also works well.

Most experts agree that front-loading washing machines (also called horizontal-axis washing machines) do a better job of cleaning clothes than top-loaders. High-efficiency washing machines use less water, energy and detergent than conventional top-loaders. Front-loaders use about half as much water and detergent as traditional top-loaders according to the Energy Star website. In addition, their fast spin speeds of up to 1,300 rpm remove more water from clothing, thereby reducing drying time and resulting in further energy savings. Because of the design, you can't soak clothes and you have to use special low-sudsing HE detergents that cost more than regular laundry detergent.

Budget front-loading washers

With front-loading washing machines now common, several manufacturers are offering inexpensive models that can compete price-wise with top-loaders. The 3.5-cubic-foot Amana NFW7200TW (*Est. $650) earns very good scores for performance, noise level and gentleness in one professional test and receives a ConsumerGuide.com Budget Buy award. It is Energy Star-rated and includes a stainless-steel washtub, eight wash cycles, five temperature settings and electronic touchpad controls. The seal between the door and washer tub is treated with Microban, a substance that inhibits the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew. We found more than 60 reviews for this washing machine at HomeDepot.com, where it receives an average of 4.5 stars (out of five). The vast majority of owners describe the washing machine as quiet and effective, but a few complain that it becomes unbalanced easily and that the spin cycle doesn't effectively remove water from towels. Unlike most front-loaders, we saw no complaints about mold growth or odor, and only one owner (so far) reports that the machine broke down. One drawback might be the long cycle time of about 85 minutes; several owners comment on this. In one comparison test, this Amana washer is louder than others, but we didn't read many noise complaints in user reviews.

Another option is the Frigidaire GLTF2940F (*Est. $730), which is not much more expensive than some nicer top-loaders. This model also does well in tests for energy efficiency. The Frigidaire is a bit less stylish than more expensive front-loading washers, with a smaller door and less stainless-steel trim. The Frigidaire washer still has all the essential cycles, including several wash cycles and temperature settings along with a 3.5-cubic-foot capacity. This model is Energy Star-rated and is available in white and black. In reviews, the Frigidaire cleans as well as pricier front-loaders. The standard wash cycle is 55 minutes -- much shorter than some. Owner comments are generally good; most say it does a great job and is quiet, but others say that water collects in the bellows (the rubber door seal) and, if not removed, starts to smell. While the Frigidaire is inexpensive for a front-loader, owners may have to wipe away collected water after running a wash load. Some owners suggest just leaving the door open for remaining water to evaporate. We also read some complaints about breakdowns.

The Frigidaire Affinity ATF6700F (*Est. $900) isn't quite a budget model, but it's still less expensive than many front-loading washing machines. It's a bit more stylish and has a larger door than the GLTF2940F, but it offers similar features, including seven wash cycles and five temperature levels, a stainless steel drum, and 3.5-cubic-foot capacity. Like the Frigidaire GLTF2940F, it has a 55-minute cycle time, is Energy Star-rated and is available in black and white. The Frigidaire receives an average of 4.4 stars (out of five) in more than 30 owner reviews at Sears.com, as well as a Budget Buy award at ConsumerGuide.com. Most owners posting to review sites are satisfied with the washer, which they say is quiet and easy to operate, but there are several reports of mechanical failures occurring shortly after purchase. A few owners complain that clothes don't get as clean as they'd like.

High-end front loaders

Most front-loading washers cost more than $1,000 and have fancier features than the basic machines discussed above.

Samsung SilverCare washing machines (*Est. $900 to $1,400) use a unique cleaning technology. These models have two small silver bars that scrape together to release silver ions -- tiny silver particles that are supposed to help kill bacteria and sanitize clothing. Samsung says that the silver bars should last 10 years or 3,000 cycles before needing replacement at a cost of $50 to $75. The resulting silver ions are injected during the wash cycle. Performance reviews find that the Samsung SilverCare washing machines perform very well overall and do actually keep laundered clothes smelling fresher for a longer period. Consumers rave about the SilverCare washing machines, writing that it does an excellent cleaning job and is a very quiet machine.

Samsung's SilverCare washing machines received considerable publicity in 2006 when environmental activism groups expressed concern that the silver ion technology could cause harm to the environment by killing benign microorganisms and disrupting the ecosystem. Although the Environmental Protection Agency announced in 2007 that the technology would be classified as a pesticide, this ruling was not based on any perception of harm but on Samsung's claim that the washing machines "kill 99.9% of odor-causing bacteria" in clothing. Because the washers are promoted as having bactericidal properties, they are subject to strict testing to ensure that the technology is both effective and safe. The washing machines are expected to receive final approval when the test results are released in May 2009; meanwhile, the EPA has determined that any risk associated with the washers is low enough that Samsung can continue to market them.

The 4.5-cubic-foot Samsung WF448AAW (*Est. $1,400) is one of several models that include SilverCare technology as well as a steam-cleaning feature. According to Good Housekeeping magazine, the washer performs consistently and is very water-efficient; it also receives the highest overall score in another professional test. Although many front-loading washing machines receive good scores in tests and all are very efficient compared to conventional top-loaders, we read more consistently positive owner feedback for this Samsung washing machine than others. Nearly 20 owners at BestBuy.com say the Samsung washer is quiet and gets clothes very clean -- even when using cold water -- and praise the easy-to-use interface that includes separate settings for bedding, towels and wool clothing. One unusual feature that owners seem to like is the audible signal, which plays a brief tune rather than buzzing.

Most complaints about front-loading washing machines center on one of three problems: mold and mildew buildup, mechanical breakdowns and vibration. However, we were unable to find even a single user report of mold in the Samsung WF448AAW, and we saw very few reports of breakdowns compared to most other front-loaders. This model includes a vibration-reduction feature, which compensates for unbalanced loads and keeps the washing machine quiet and relatively still. According to owners, the vibration-reduction feature works well, and the washing machine is very quiet and only vibrates slightly during the 1,300-rpm spin cycle. Of course, no washing machine is perfect -- the Samsung costs more than twice as much as a budget front-loader and takes 90 minutes to complete a normal wash.

Another innovative (but expensive) front-loading washing machine, the LG SteamWasher WM2688HWMA (*Est. $1,400), has received very good professional reviews. The SteamWasher does well in tests for washing performance and energy and water efficiency. This model offers a 4-cubic-foot capacity and features plenty of automated features, including temperature control and detergent dispensing, as well as a touch-screen display. For those who love convenience gadgetry, the LG SteamWasher can be integrated with a home network to display its progress on your computer. Unlike most high-efficiency machines, it has an internal water heater and two optional steam settings: a cycle to moisten clothing for easier ironing and a cycle to steam clothes to aid in deep-cleaning/sanitizing. The SteamWasher comes in white and navy.

In professional tests, the LG SteamWasher is among the best at getting water out of clothes; it has spin speeds up to 1,320 rpm. J.D. Power's major appliance study showed that LG washing machines in general have the highest customer satisfaction rating of all brands. The owner reviews we read at sites like Epinions.com and BestBuy.com are mostly positive; owners especially liked the large capacity, quiet operation and energy efficiency. Curiously, we found hundreds of complaints at ConsumerAffairs.com and in appliance forums about mold and mildew buildup in this and other LG front-loaders. This discrepancy may be explained by the length of time owners have been using the machine -- most of the positive reviews we read were written shortly after purchasing the washer, whereas the complaints were mostly from owners who had been using it for more than six months. There are now two class-action suits in progress against LG because of mold buildup in front-loading washers, which owners say occurs even if the machine is properly maintained. This is not a concern with only LG washers. We found user comments about mold build-up in other brands of washers, too.

We found plenty of owner reviews, but no professional tests, for the LG WM2455HW (*Est. $1,000). This washing machine has a larger-than-average 4.2-cubic-foot capacity, sanitary cycle, electronic controls with LCD screen and is Energy Star-rated. It's available in white and dark grey. On the whole, owner feedback is positive at Sears.com and BestBuy.com, but we found more complaints than usual about mold, mildew and odor. Several owners say they loved the washing machine until mold buildup caused the washing machine and their clothes to develop an offensive odor. Reliability complaints about this washing machine were a bit more common than with other front-loaders, and some owners say the controls are confusing and give incorrect cycle-time estimates.

Another good, but even more expensive front-loading washer is the Miele Touchtronic W 4840 (*Est. $1,850). This is a high-end European model that does well in tests in several areas including wash performance, water and energy efficiency and low noise. This 4-cubic-foot washer has a stainless-steel honeycomb drum with interior light, 11 wash cycles, automatic temperatures and automatic detergent and bleach dispensers. It is available in white. The W 4840 also has six water temperatures and six spin cycles, more than most front-loaders, and is Energy Star-rated. This model has an audible signal that is also adjustable, a feature not usually found with washers.

One of the Touchtronic's more unusual features is a PC Update function that can transmit washer information online to a Miele technician who can change the programming parameters of the washer, such as reducing water or electricity use. Unlike most front-loaders, this model is stackable. High-efficiency detergent is recommended. Most owners posting comments at various sites praise this washer. They say the Miele W 4840 is quiet, efficient and cleans well. About half also say the wash cycle -- 100 minutes -- is too long. The high price is the main drawback.

The front-loading Kenmore Elite HE5t King Size Capacity Plus 47081 washer (*est. $1,300) has a 4-cubic-foot capacity. Reviews say the HE5t has great water extraction with its 1,300-rpm spin cycle, so clothes take less time to dry. Its 12 cycles include delicates, silk, wool, a "whitest-white" cycle that includes the automatic addition of bleach, an express cycle and a sanitary setting, which heats water to 160 degrees. That's hot enough to kill dust mites in bedding. The Kenmore HE5t washer does all this while keeping energy consumption low. The Kenmore Elite HE5t also scores points for low noise level. Owners like that it comes in some interesting designer colors, such as Pacific blue and Barolo red. One downside is that the HE5t's typical wash cycle is unusually long -- about 100 minutes -- which can be rough on clothes.

The Kenmore Elite HE5t King Size Capacity Plus 47081 and the Whirlpool Duet are nearly identical (Whirlpool makes both). There are only small differences in wattage, spin cycles and overall aesthetics. Whirlpool's version of the HE5t, the Duet WFW9400S (*Est. $1,100), has similar features and is available in white-blue on metallic and silver metallic on white. The more basic Whirlpool Duet WFW9200S washer costs around $900 and comes only in white-on-white.

The Whirlpool Duet WFW9400S (*Est. $1,100) washing machine has a 4.1-cubic-foot capacity and stainless-steel washtub. There are 14 cycles and five wash/rinse temperatures, along with electronic controls, a bleach dispenser and a porcelain lid. The typical wash cycle takes about 65 minutes -- shorter than the wash cycle on the Kenmore Elite HE5t. The Duet, like most washers, has a one-year warranty. Although the Whirlpool Duet does well in some professional reviews, we read a lot of complaints about mildew smells, indicating there could be a problem with water being left behind in the washer. A similar model is the Whirlpool Duet Steam WFW9600T (*Est. $1,350) that does well in tests for washing performance. While it is more expensive than the WFW9400S, this model receives only fair ratings at Epinions. Many owners complain about the clothes not getting clean, the rinse cycle not getting out the detergent or water leaking on the floor.

We found good professional reviews for washing machines in the Bosch Nexxt series, and consumer reviews report the Nexxt models run quietly, even during the spin cycles. With a 4-cubic-foot capacity, the Bosch Nexxt 500 Plus series WFMC5301UC (*Est. $1,100) offers quiet performance and high-efficiency extras. This model is Energy Star-rated and has an onboard water heater that heats water up to 155 degrees Fahrenheit, while a digital temperature sensor continually monitors the temperature. It's all part of the Sensotronic II Plus system, which senses load size, water level and temperature needs. This model comes in white or in silver or in champagne/white duo-tone for $100 more. We read the same wide-ranging complaints for the Bosch Nexxt washers as we did for other brands.