When it comes to brand performance—that is, how well on average each brand’s models perform in our Ratings—the results for front-loading and high-efficiency top-loading washers are mixed.
We’ve analyzed the data from our tests of front-loading and high-efficiency top-loading washers during the past three years. If you don’t find one of our recommended models at a retailer, use these brand report cards as a guide. Remember, manufacturing and design changes can affect performance of future models, and models within a brand can vary.
A number of brands stand out as solid choices, based on our tests over the last few years, but we’d urge some caution with half a dozen makes that have had hits and misses in our Ratings. For all other brands in our Ratings that are not mentioned below, we haven't tested enough models to address brand performance.
Please help us refine the information we present to you by taking this informal survey. There's no personal data to enter—just one question to answer and an open response page where you provide your feedback. Thanks in advance.
And don't forget to visit our in-depth washers coverage elsewhere on ConsumerReports.org.
Interested in a dryer? LG and Samsung dryers have received very good or excellent scores in our tests. We think that other dryers from those brands are likely to do as well. GE, Kenmore, Maytag, and Whirlpool dryers had fewer high-scoring models or more lower-scoring models, so for those brands, stick with models that scored well in our Ratings.
Rankings of front-loading washer brands
Kenmore, Maytag, Electrolux, and Samsung models have performed very well, with most rated very good or excellent. Given that record, we think that other front-loaders from those brands are likely to do as well. Whirlpool and LG front-loaders had some top-scoring models, though generally had fewer high-scoring models or more lower-scoring models. But even their worst performers were OK. For those brands, stick with models that scored well in our Ratings.
Some GE front-loaders were top-scoring models, though the brand generally had fewer high-scoring models or more lower-scoring models. But our latest product-reliability survey shows that its front-loaders have been repair-prone, so we suggest you avoid them.
Frigidaire front-loaders have performed inconsisitently and our latest product-reliability survey shows that they have been repair-prone, so we suggest you avoid them.
![]()
Rankings of high-efficiency top-loading washer brands
Samsung and LG and washers performed very well, with all of their models rated very good or excellent. Given that record, we think that other HE top-loaders from those brands are likely to do as well. Whirlpool, Maytag, Kenmore, and GE generally had fewer high-scoring models or more lower-scoring ones, so for those brands, stick with models that scored well in our Ratings.
![]()
Next steps
When you're ready to buy your new set, visit our washing machines section. Our buying guide will fill you in on the myriad details on today's high-tech TVs. Our list of recommendend models and Ratings of dozens of front-loading and top-loading models will provide you specifics on models you're considering. And our frequency-of-repair data will tell you which brands are the least and most reliable.
Please help us refine the washing machine information we present to you by taking this informal survey. There's no personal data to enter—just brief questions to answer. Thanks in advance.
Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers or sponsors on this website. Copyright © 2007-2013 Consumers Union of U.S.
Next steps
