These Are the Absolute Best, Most-Reliable Washing Machines Money Can Buy

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We know that washing machines are a big purchase. And for an appliance that’s supposed to make daily chores a bit easier, it can be a pain to choose the right one that’ll meet all your needs. The product category has changed dramatically over the years, adding smart features, specialized wash cycles, and more. To help you figure out what features you actually need, we used our experience in researching and evaluating washing machines over the last eight years to select the best washing machines available today.

If you're looking for a high-powered washing machine that'll remove the heaviest of stains and get your clothes looking fresh in no time, these front- and top-loading washing machines are the best you can buy.

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The Best Washing Machines of 2023

• Best Overall: LG Electronics 4.5-Cubic-Foot Front-Load

• Best Top-Loader: LG 5.5-Cubic-Foot Top-Load

• Best Budget Washing Machine: Samsung 4.5-Cubic-Foot Front-Load

• Best for Stain Removal: Electrolux SmartBoost High Efficiency Front-Load

• Best for Large Families: LG Signature TwinWash Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Front-Load

How We Selected

For this guide, we sifted through more than 90 models, comparing functions and reading consumer and editorial reviews of them, and we consulted studies from experts in the field of appliances. We referred to the latest National Appliance Repair Report, which was published by Puls, a company based in San Francisco with more than 4,000 fully vetted appliance technicians across the country.

We also looked at repair and reliability data from Yale Appliance and Consumer Reports, in addition to J.D. Power’s annual Laundry Appliance Satisfaction Study and the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ASCI) Household Appliance and Electronics Report. We also sifted through thousands of consumer and editorial reviews of them, too — including from our colleagues at Good Housekeeping, who tested many models in-house.

We’re constantly keeping our eye on what’s out there and updating this guide accordingly. Case in point: We refreshed this guide three times in a single month after our previous best overall pick was discontinued, and newer models were released.

If you’re ready for an upgrade, check out our ultimate guide to finding the best washing machine for you, your budget, and, ultimately, your laundry room. To learn more about washing machines and how to choose the right one for you, read on below our product picks to get answers to the most frequently asked questions.

If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, this LG washing machine (model number WM4000HWA) won’t disappoint. Based on our extensive evaluation, LG is one of the most reliable brands of washers, as it currently holds the number-one spot in both product and service quality in the ACSI rankings. It has more J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Awards for appliances than any other manufacturer for three years running, and its washing machines require less servicing in this first year of ownership than most other brands. LG was also the second-most recommended brand of washing machine by repair technicians at Puls, coming only behind Whirlpool.

With a spacious 4.5 cubic-foot capacity, this machine provides plenty of room for a king-sized comforter or a week’s worth of dirty clothes. If you’re regularly running ultra-large loads, you even have the option to add a second washer to it, so you can finish two loads at a time. Or you could split the difference and shop the LG WM4200HBA washer instead. That model offers two additional cycles (a spin cycle and another catered toward washing sportswear) and has a larger 5.0-cubic-foot capacity. This means you have roughly 11% more room for laundry. That could mean the difference in having an extra towel or two in each load or give you the space to wash more pillowcases when you clean your bedding.

Using this model is easy — just press the power button and turn its single knob to select your cycle. (There are 12, with the option to upload additional ones with a smartphone.) Then, press the start button. There’s an additional touch panel to adjust the water temperature, spin speed, and soil-level settings, along with a handful of buttons for triggering specific settings like an extra rinse, steam function, or LG’s exclusive TurboWash setting.

This option tackles large loads in less time by combining the rinse and spin cycles, and spraying a detergent-water mixture directly onto your clothes. It can cut washing times in half and will clean a regular-size load in just half an hour. There’s also a steam setting to reduce common household allergens by more than 95%, making it certified asthma- and allergy-friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. The WM4000HWA is equipped with an internal heater for making the water hot enough to kill germs, dust mites, and parasites. We also like that it’s equipped with a durable, rust-resistant, stainless-steel drum and premium- and stylish-looking tempered-glass door.

We wish the control panel had physical buttons, and editors at Wirecutter also complained that its predecessor’s nearly identical control panel was difficult to use in the dark. Fortunately, you can control the washing machine using your smartphone, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa-powered speaker, too. This functionality comes in handy for starting the laundry while you’re out. The machine will even send a notification to your phone when your clothes are finished washing.

Another plus is that the washing machine is incredibly energy- and water-efficient: It’ll cost you about $10 to run each year. Overall, the WM4000HWA finds a strong balance for effective stain removal without being too harsh on your clothes. Plus, it’s reliable and priced under $1,000.

Top-loading washing machines don’t clean as thoroughly as front-loading ones do, and they also use significantly more water and energy. But if you’re looking for a top-loader, the LG WT7400CV is the best one you can buy and leaves your clothes feeling fresh and clean.

If you’re not the most careful and tend to just dump your laundry basket straight into the machine, this LG will work with it. It’s equipped with a large, 5.5-cubic-foot drum that can accommodate the largest of loads. While it has the space and strength, its standard cycles aren’t the speediest — some will take more than an hour to finish. This can make laundry day much more of a drag when you have several loads to tackle.

To make up for this, the LG has a TurboWash setting, which saves up to 20 minutes. It combines the rinse and spin cycles by using dual nozzles to spray a concentrated detergent solution directly onto your clothes to tackle stains. This brings the cycle time down to less than 40 minutes.

Another nifty cycle, called ColdWash, uses cold water and different motions to clean your clothes effectively. The washer’s tub and motor will rotate independently and in opposite directions, which creates a powerful water flow that causes your clothes to rub against each other. This gives the cleaning performance of warm water, with the added benefit of saving energy. There’s no agitator in this washer, either, which lessens the risk of ending up with damaged garments.

For allergy sufferers, we recommend the (more expensive) LG WT7900HBA top-loader, which is equipped with a trademarked Allergiene cycle and hot water heater that eliminates 95% of pet dander and dust mites. Regardless, given this washer’s large tub, quietness, and wide feature set, it’s worthy of your consideration.

If you’re willing to put up with fewer and louder cycles, and forfeit some advanced features for a much more affordable price, this stackable, front-loading washing machine from Samsung is a great value pick. It features a large 4.5-cubic-foot capacity, and an attractive, white, stainless steel finish.

Yale Appliances and Puls repair technicians named Samsung once of the most reliable brands, and its front-load washers ranked highest in customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power’s laundry appliance 2021 satisfaction study.

With this washer, you get 10 cycles. There are no sanitize cycles for the allergy-prone, nor speed cycles like Electrolux’s or LG’s TurboWash cycle we mentioned earlier. There’s also no built-in steamer for killing bacteria, so it isn’t ideal for washing cloth diapers, either.

But this Samsung’s strength is its affordability and lack of fuss as it goes about its work. It’s an easy-to-use, energy- and water-efficient washing machine that just works. Its heavy-duty cycle may take an hour, but it’ll remove grass stains and grime with no problems. It’s worth mentioning that reviewers at Consumer Reports and Reviewed.com remarked that Samsung’s washers weren’t particularly gentle on clothes. So, we don’t recommend this model for folks who have lots of delicates to clean.

Still, this washer should meet the needs of most people, who’ll appreciate its attractive looks and stellar price.

This Electrolux washing machine has straightforward controls that aren’t cluttered and confusing like LG’s can be. And it only has 11 cycles, compared to other model’s 12 to 20. We also love its convenient dispenser drawer that accommodates single-dose detergent pacs — making it a great pick for those who prefer to use Tide Pods.

What makes the Electrolux shine, however, is its SmartBoost feature. Basically, the washer uses an extra water pump that pre-mixes detergent or fabric softener with water that’s then evenly distributed onto your clothes. This ensures that each fiber in your load gets hit with cleaner. It even uses steam to help lift dirt out of your clothing and linens.

A 15-minute fast-wash cycle will come in handy when you’re in a bind and need to quickly wash something before heading out. There’s also an exclusive StainSoak feature that selects the perfect combination of tumbling, detergent concentration, and temperature for removing certain stains that you can select from the washer’s intuitive display, including difficult substances like blood, chocolate, and red wine.

Editors at Wirecutter said the similar but now-discontinued Electrolux EFLS627U washer removed more stains than any other washing machine they tested. The staff at Reviewed.com named an upper-range Electrolux the best overall washing machine as well. We think this midrange model is a better buy and will stretch your dollar further while still offering impressive performance.

This 4.5-cubic-foot, front-load washer has a normal wash cycle time of 47 minutes, while its heavy-duty cycle can take more than 2 hours — a tad on the slow end. In comparison, LG offers a TurboWash setting that cuts wash times in half to just 40 minutes while offering the same performance as a normal cycle.

The pros outweigh the cons, though, and we still feel confident in recommending this Electrolux. The washing machine offers a bevy of features, impressive cleaning performance, and a sleek design.

Standing at 29 inches wide and nearly 34 inches deep, the LG WM9000HVA is an insanely large washing machine. It’s equipped with an enormous drum that offers a 5.2-cubic foot capacity, making it a good option for big families and folks who wash many towels or lots of bedding. This machine tackles large piles of dirty clothes in fewer loads, saving you some time and stress on laundry day. It’s so big that you can fit a king-size comforter and a full set of bedding in a single load.

Besides being huge inside and out, the washing machine does a great job at removing stains. And it has 14 wash cycles and five temperature settings to cater to your washing needs. We appreciate the addition of the speed, sanitary, and Allergiene wash cycles. The latter two use steam and hot water, respectively, to get rid of dust mites, pet dander, and bacteria.

This washer is packed with all the bells and whistles you need to make your laundry less of a chore. You can pair it with a nifty app to monitor its washing progress and adjust cycles, soil levels, and water temperature, too. The machine is quiet and incredibly speedy — a normal cycle will take a little over half an hour. It’s even equipped with LG’s TurboWash feature, using powerful, high-pressure sprayer nozzles to help get your clothes cleaned quickly.

It’s worth mentioning that LG sells an even larger variant of this washer, dubbed the LG Signature WM9500HKA. We don’t think it’s worth spending the extra money to go for the bigger 5.8-cubic-foot capacity. You’d be better off putting that money toward the compatible SideKick pedestal washer for washing small loads or delicates separately.

Instead of buying your washer and dryer separately, the LG WashTower is a two-for-one solution that consists of a clothes dryer on top and a washing machine underneath — both in one unit. The WashTower is more modern and less commercial-looking than laundry centers you’ve likely seen in apartments, but it’s also 3.5 inches shorter than a typical washer-dryer stack. Don’t let its shorter size fool you, though: The appliance is still packed with spacious drums — a 4.5-cubic foot washer and 7.4-cubic foot dryer. That’s enough space to wash and dry a king-size comforter.

We like that the WashTower has an easy-to-reach control panel that’s located right in the center, so you can quickly make your cycle selection. There’s a normal cycle; one for bedding, delicates, and heavily soiled items; and a convenient 15-minute quick wash. Heavy loads take close to 2 hours to complete, while normal cycles finish in just under an hour.

What sets the WashTower apart from other machines is that the washer and dryer communicate with each other to save energy and cut down laundry times. The dryer will even preheat when the washing is near completion. The appliance also has integrated sensors that detect fabric texture and load size, and it can automatically adjust water temperature and wash motions to achieve the perfect clean. The WashTower is the only appliance we know of that can predict the completion time for both washing and drying your clothes. It’s also the only laundry center that’s available in a ventless, heat-pump-equipped variant — perfect for people who are unable to vent their dryer or just want a way to save on energy bills.

The washing machine isn’t packed with as many specialized cycles as other appliances we’ve compared it against, but you can download extra cycles using the free LG ThinQ app. We were happy to see that it still includes LG’s TurboWash 360 cycle, which works wonderfully at removing stains, and LG’s Allergiene cycle to reduce allergens. The dryer also has a built-in steamer, which helps curb wrinkles and sanitize your clothes.

With a combined capacity of 6 cubic feet, this dual washing machine from Samsung is sure to please large families that need to conquer mountains of laundry. It has a large 5-cubic foot front-loading drum, in addition to a separately controlled mini 1-cubic foot washer at its top.

This washing machine is quite similar to the LG’s TwinWash pedestal washer we mentioned earlier. But rather than being located at the base like the LG, Samsung’s small washer is on top. The mini washer is ideal for quickly washing delicates or lightly soiled clothes. If you want to use warm water on the top washer and cold on the bottom, you’re free to do so, too.

Whether you’re washing bedding or activewear, there’s sure to be a cycle for your laundry needs. There are 12 total. Some cycles use a built-in steamer to help remove stains, and, because the washer is equipped with an internal water heater, your hot water will reach temperatures of up to 153 degrees Fahrenheit — hot enough to kill bacteria. Even hotter: This washer has Wi-Fi, and sends push notifications to your smartphone when cycles are done.

Our sister site Good Housekeeping has named this washer as a top pick because of its flexibility and excellent cleaning performance. Plus, it’s stunning and comes in a sharp black stainless steel finish.

If you’re renting, and your landlord won’t pay to have a washing machine installed (or you don’t have enough room or the right hookups for a full-size model), you should get a portable washing machine.

This small but mighty pick from Black + Decker is ideal for those who want to avoid the laundromat at all costs. The 0.9-cubic-foot tub may not be the biggest, spin the fastest, or even be the most effective at removing stains, but it’s affordable, energy-efficient, and doesn’t require any special electrical or water hookups. Plus, you can fit it virtually anywhere thanks to its small footprint. And for those who need more capacity: Black + Decker sells configurations with capacities as large as 3.0 cubic feet.

This is also one of the few portable washers to have several spin cycles for your specific washing needs. You have the choice of heavy, gentle, normal, rapid, and soak modes. The washer comes with an adapter for attaching it to your sink, as well as a hose for draining. Best of all, it spins quietly and doesn’t vibrate, so it won’t keep you or your neighbors up at night.

This luxurious-looking appliances from GE offer an innovative vent system that aims to eliminate and prevent odors from gathering at the drum — which is a common problem with front-loading models.

Our colleagues at Good Housekeeping said they were impressed that the drum and door seal were bone dry after a full vent cycle. “The wash cycles are speedy and very effective and cleaned our cotton and polyester stain swatches in both warm and cold water,” Carolyn Forte, executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care and Cleaning Lab said. “Even the quick wash removed a set-in stain in just 20 minutes.”

Besides that, the washing machine is equipped with a unique automatic detergent dispenser so you don’t have to fill it every load. The dispenser holds up to 32 loads of detergent and conveniently dispenses the correct amount each time you do laundry. The washing machine features a useful “Sanitize + Allergen” cycle that eliminates 99% of common bacteria and allergens.

All in all, the GE appliance looks great and it performs fantastically, but if you aren’t a fan of the GE’s navy exterior, we also recommend this sharp-looking Samsung washer that comes in a unique champagne color.

Washing Machine FAQ

Where are the best places to buy a washing machine?

• Home Depot offers financing options and free standard delivery on appliance purchases of $396 or more, which includes basic hook-up service. This includes everything from un-crating to setup, leveling, and connecting the dryers. The retailer also tests your new appliances after installation to make sure everything is working correctly, and then they remove all of the packing materials. You can get more information here, and read frequently asked questions about delivery and installation.

• Lowes offers free appliance delivery seven days a week for up to 75 miles from a fulfillment location. They occasionally have free next-day delivery during sale periods and offer financing packages. Lowes’s installers will connect the appliance, test it, and haul away the old one for an additional fee.

• AJ Madison sells most major appliances and includes free nationwide delivery on orders of more than $499. The retailer only delivers products to your front door, however — and it doesn’t offer installation of your new appliance or hauling away of the old one unless you live in New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania.

• Best Buy delivers appliance purchases totaling $399 or more for free. The techs will unbox and install your new washing machine, plus remove the old one for an additional fee. Best Buy has also received the “Highest in Customer Satisfaction” J.D. Power Award for the past five years in a row.

• Sears offers great prices on washing machines, and the retailer has several installation services available. It will deliver and unpack your washer, inspect it for damage and defects, determine if any additional work needs to be done prior to installation, connect your new appliance, explain codes and permits, level and secure it, test it, and even teach you how to use it. The techs will also remove all packaging materials, plus haul away your old washer for an additional charge.

How much should you expect to spend on a high-quality washing machine?

Non-commercial, full-size washing machines can cost anywhere between a closeout $250 price and $2,100. Portable washers can cost as little as $100. We recommend spending $400 minimum on a full-size model to get a reliable washer that’ll last you and your family several years. If you want a feature-filled one with steam cycles, smart functionality, and a modern-looking design, expect to pay at least $900.

How do you clean a washing machine?

Soap builds up residue and scum — which can eventually turn to mold — so you’ll want to occasionally clean your washing machine. We recommend filling your washer with hot water and mixing in a little vinegar and baking soda to clean it. Check out all the steps!

What brand of washing machine is most reliable?

Whirlpool, LG, and Samsung are the most reliable brands of washers. Yale Appliance found that less than 7% of the sales of these units required servicing. J.D. Power also ranks Samsung and LG as highest in terms of customer satisfaction. These brands were also ranked the most favorably by repair technicians at Puls in 2019 and 2020.

Can you stack any compact washer with any compact dryer?

Stacking a dryer on top of a front-load washing machine is a great way to save space in your laundry room. But stacking the two is a lot more difficult than it sounds. You need to ensure the machines are secured so vibrations don’t cause them to tumble. You also need to make sure you have the proper venting, and measure several times. Many manufacturers sell stacking kits for their specific washing machines.

Do washing machines without agitators clean well?

Even though front-load washing machines are more energy-efficient and use less water, many buyers prefer older agitator-style washing machines. Both types have their pros and cons. Our verdict is that top-load agitator models are harsher on clothes and don’t clean as well as other washers. On the plus side, they typically have shorter cycle times and are cheaper. If you want a machine with an agitator, we recommend the Whirlpool WTW8127LC.

How long does a washing machine last, on average?

The average life expectancy of a new washing machine is about 11 years. So if you purchased your washing machine before 2010, you’re due for a replacement. Older models just aren’t nearly as energy- or water-efficient as today’s, so you’ll have some peace of mind knowing your electric bill will go down if you splurge for a new upgrade.

What size washer do you need to wash a king-size comforter?

Capacity is one of the most important factors to consider when shopping for a new washing machine. A king-size comforter will fit into a 3.8-cubic foot machine, but you shouldn’t add anything else to the load while you’re washing it. You’ll need 5.8 cubic feet of space to wash king-size comforters and full sets of bedding in a single load. And generally when you’re buying a new washer, you need to consider not only how much laundry you’re doing now, but how much you expect to do in the future. A size of 4 cubic feet is enough to wash 12 to 16 pounds of laundry, and this should suffice for a family of two. At 4.5 cubic feet, a large-capacity unit can hold up to 20 pounds of laundry — a must for a bigger family.

What’s the best laundry detergent to use?

If you’re in a rush and don’t want to fuss with liquid, we recommend Tide Pods laundry detergent pacs. For washing your baby’s clothes and linens, we’re fans of Dreft liquid detergent. As for washing your own clothes, you can check out all our reviews of detergents here.

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