Best washer/dryer

February 1, 2006 9:28 AM

Any advice on the best values on new washer and dryers?

We have bought a new home and are looking for a new washer/dryer set. My previous set was an open box special from Best Buy and served it's purpose, but now that we have some money I want to get the best bang for our buck.

Background:
There are only two of us, and we do about six loads of laundry per week. I wash almost all my clothes in cold water using the new cold water Tide. We do a few delicate loads, and I would like, but don't require a washer with a less harsh aggitator than the one we have now. I would also like a more energy efficient set, as long as it actaully saves money in the long run. Also, we will get seperate units, not a combo unit.

Anyone have any advice on specific makes and models? Are the front loaders worth it? Where might I find the best deals?

posted by vianetman to home & garden (18 comments total)

I switched to a front loader a few years, and I'm very very happy with it. It uses less water, and my clothes last a lot longer because the wash cycle is so much easier on them.
posted by alms at 9:44 AM on February 1, 2006

Front loaders are great, and we recently purchased the LG "Tromm" washer and dryer. However, they were our second choice. Our first, a new model from GE called the "Adora," was a disaster. The first load we put in the Adora dryer caused the machine to start shorting out and sparking from inside the back of the dryer!

When we contacted GE and insisted on returning the scary device, they said it was Home Depot (where we bought the set) that was responsible for handling the return. Home Depot said GE was responsible. After a lot of run-around and irritated phone calling, we were able to exchange the machines for the LG model, but after dealing with GE's support people, I will certainly never buy another of their appliances. They were extremely unhelpful. We found out from the folks at Home Depot that ours was not the first return due to this sparking/shorting problem, so I'd definitely avoid that model.

The LGs are great, but there is one caveat: front-loading washers go through a very fast spin cycle, and if you have the machine on a wooden floor, rather than, say, a cement basement floor, the thing can shimmy back and forth and make a ton of noise. The installers recommended putting sheets of styrofoam between the washer and dryer and washer and wall, and that does help, but I never run the washer on anything faster than the medium spin cycle anyway, because it's so loud (and yes, it's perfectly level - very important).

We haven't had the machines long enough to compare water usage, but they do a great job at cleaning. And they have pleasant, easy to use interface, with harmonous little beep noises that make you feel like you're in a Swiss train station.
posted by TochterAusElysium at 9:58 AM on February 1, 2006

I'm enamored with the new combo-units (front load, washer/dryer are the same drum). You can get vented or ventless, they are vastly more efficient than standard systems. They have scheduled completion times, so you can program a load to be done when you wake up, or when you get home from work.

My friend has a LG3677 and swears by it. I'll be getting one (maybe not the same model) for certain when I move this month.
posted by Four Flavors at 9:59 AM on February 1, 2006

Front loaders rule. They're also common as dirt these days, at least in Canada. If there is a washer advertised in a sales flyer, it is inevitably a front-loader.
posted by five fresh fish at 10:03 AM on February 1, 2006

front-loading washers go through a very fast spin cycle, and if you have the machine on a wooden floor, rather than, say, a cement basement floor, the thing can shimmy back and forth and make a ton of noise

Purchase a hard rubber mat (typically made from shredded tires, should cost about $10 for a 5x5' size) and 1" high-density MDF cut to size. Place mat on floor, with a bit of a gap away from walls; place MDF on mat, again with gap.

That should pretty much solve the problem.
posted by five fresh fish at 10:05 AM on February 1, 2006 [1 favorite has favorites]

I have a GE Profile that was a Consumer Reports best buy. To put it kindly, I am now a doubter of consumer Reports because of their suggestion. Fisher Paykal is fine for the washer.

The pricey Maytag Neptune has had ALOT of problems according to family though Maytag may have fixed problems since the last two years.

The Costco line, Kirkland, is basically the GE simply re-branded.

Good luck to you.
posted by jadepearl at 10:11 AM on February 1, 2006

We just bought Whirlpool Duet washer and dryer and
i'm terribly in love with them. Costco has the best deal I could find.
posted by orangemiles at 10:28 AM on February 1, 2006

We got the Siemens/Bosch from BestBuy and it's great.
posted by zeoslap at 11:03 AM on February 1, 2006

We got a not-quite-top-of-the-line front-loading washer and dryer pair from Frigidaire and are in love with it. Fast, quiet, didn't cost the earth, and they're stackable, too, letting us save a useful chunk of space in our tiny basement.
posted by rosemere at 11:17 AM on February 1, 2006

Just so you know, the funky new Kenmore colored washer/dryer sets are the same as the Whirlpool Duet series but with color and a different brand.

By the way, there is no difference between Tide Cool Water and Tide, except for label, dye, and fragrance. Same with "all-temperature" Cheer and regular Cheer. This from a friend who works in development at P&G.
posted by MeetMegan at 12:02 PM on February 1, 2006

We recently bought a top-loading Fisher Paykel washer at Lowes -- it's supposedly got the efficiencies of a front loader. In the Web research I did before purchasing, they seemed to get overwhelmingly good reviews.
posted by dbelson at 12:06 PM on February 1, 2006

how are you two and do six loads of laundry a week?
posted by yonation at 1:34 PM on February 1, 2006

No, six sounds about right for two people -- unless you are paying no attention at all to the fabric and color of the clothes you are washing. I'd find it difficult to do a full week's laundry in less than four loads, and I'm only one person. (Not all the loads are full, of course.)
posted by kindall at 2:36 PM on February 1, 2006

I bouth a basic Maytag when my last one called it quits. I went for the basic model instead of the one with the bells and whistles. The basic machines seem to be the same but the cost wasn't and it's worked great for over 5 years. The Maytag Repairman wouldn't lie, right?
posted by JamesMessick at 8:10 PM on February 1, 2006

I believe the March 2006 Consumer Reports has a piece rating new washers and dryers.
posted by spira at 12:47 AM on February 2, 2006

IMO one of the most important factors is noise; we've just got rid of a small, cheap dryer that came with our apartment in favour of a Bosch mostly because when the dryer is on, you can't hear yourself think - let alone hear the TV!

It may be just a story, but I've had several independent pieces of advices from family, friends and colleagues that combination washer/dryer machines tend to be more unreliable than two separate machines. If space is that much of an issue, an extended warranty would be a good idea, as would a nearby launderette!
posted by Chunder at 1:23 AM on February 2, 2006

My spouse, a repair person, recently told me that replacement parts for stacking units are considerably more expensive than those for stand alone washers/dryers. As I understand it, this is mostly because you are more likely to repair the stacking unit than to replace it. Anyway, he likes the new lower water usage front loaders. Beware of too many bells and whistles, it doesn't sound like you need them anyway.
I am sure he would also like me to mention the trend toward putting your laundry units in a closet. This is a great space saver, but consider the difficulties should they need to be repaired. It may double the amount of time required and therefore your bill!
Overall, just buy what you like and need, check the warranty and don't go overboard on the options. Myself, I like Whirlpool, nice styling and large capacity, without excessive water use.
posted by alltomorrowsparties at 2:49 AM on February 2, 2006

My uncle repaired major appliances for years and just recently stopped doing it for a living. I asked him what to replace my 20 year old Whirpool with, and his response was "Whatever is cheapest". The major companies have outsourced all the manufacturing, to a point where they are all basically made by the same factories, regardless of brand. The cost to fix a broken washer, is generally more than a low end model is worth (the reason said uncle no longer fixes them for a living).

If you only plan on using a couple modes, there's no need for "all the bells and whistles". Electronic panels on washers and dryers are too expensive to bother replacing, and really just add cost and no real improvement in ease of use.

Front loaders generally cost 2 to 4 times as much, and will use less water, but are also more complex and spin faster. That means they're more likely to need repair. Unless water/sewage costs in your town are high, I can't see the real benefit of them.

He did warn me that Maytag is no longer the quality brand they used to be, and my friend's front loading Neptune will attest to that. GE and Whirlpool seem to still be the best for lasting longer.
posted by inthe80s at 8:56 AM on February 2, 2006