Samsung WA5451ANW/XAA

As a rule, front-loading washers use less water and electricity than top-loaders. The Samsung WA5451ANW/XAA, however, is an exception. This 4.7-cubic-foot washer meets the Tier III requirements of the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), the strictest efficiency standards for washers in the country. It also performs very well in professional tests, with very good to excellent scores for cleaning performance, noise, vibration and gentleness on fabric.

Users generally agree, saying the Samsung washer is effective, quiet and easy to use. However, some find its cleaning performance unsatisfactory, complaining that the low water use means it cannot clean as many items in a single load. We also read some complaints about reliability, most often involving control panel failures. Overall, we found better reviews for the top-loading LG WT4801CW (*Est. $750), which is also less expensive.

ConsumerReports.org includes the Samsung WA5451ANW/XAA in its latest tests of front-loading and top-loading washers, rating it on such factors as cleaning performance, efficiency, vibration and gentleness. This washer also receives nearly 200 reviews from users at BestBuy.com and Lowes.com. The 2011 Home Appliance Survey conducted by J.D. Power and Associates provides information about customer satisfaction with the Samsung brand as a whole, though it does not evaluate this particular model.