Reliable, intuitive, durable washing machine?
August 24, 2022 5:42 AM Subscribe
I'm struggling to wade through the conflicting reviews online to find a new washer, and hoping the hivemind can help.
We're looking for a new washer that can meet most or all of the following criteria:
* Simple, reliable and durable, with intuitive controls.
* Ideally not-freighted with wifi-enabling or other 21st century cruft (flexible on this).
* Well-made enough to tolerate a sometimes humid basement.
I'm interested in hearing from anyone that has had a washer for a year or more that they're happy with. Out budget for this is $1200 or less.
We're looking for a new washer that can meet most or all of the following criteria:
* Simple, reliable and durable, with intuitive controls.
* Ideally not-freighted with wifi-enabling or other 21st century cruft (flexible on this).
* Well-made enough to tolerate a sometimes humid basement.
I'm interested in hearing from anyone that has had a washer for a year or more that they're happy with. Out budget for this is $1200 or less.
We have had a Samsung WW22K6800AW since 2019 which meets all your criteria (we keep it in a non-climate-controlled basement and it has never needed maintenance) and which it looks like you can still buy (many brands change model numbers constantly which is infuriating).
Two notes:
- it is 24" wide, if you have more room/better access you may want to get a larger model. You can easily get double the capacity for essentially the same price.
- As with many Samsung appliances, it plays a verse of Schubert's Die Forelle when it's done doing whatever it's doing, but you can turn that off if you find it annoying.
posted by goingonit at 5:54 AM on August 24, 2022
Two notes:
- it is 24" wide, if you have more room/better access you may want to get a larger model. You can easily get double the capacity for essentially the same price.
- As with many Samsung appliances, it plays a verse of Schubert's Die Forelle when it's done doing whatever it's doing, but you can turn that off if you find it annoying.
posted by goingonit at 5:54 AM on August 24, 2022
Haven't purchased a new washing machine recently, but we have had an LG for about 12+ years now and it still feels new. We like it.
posted by terrapin at 6:05 AM on August 24, 2022
posted by terrapin at 6:05 AM on August 24, 2022
Is there an independent appliance store in your area which provides sales and service? (i.e. not Best Buy or Home Depot?)
They probably have a good idea which models break down the most because they're the ones fixing them.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 6:07 AM on August 24, 2022
They probably have a good idea which models break down the most because they're the ones fixing them.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 6:07 AM on August 24, 2022
Part of our recent kitchen renovations had us buy a new washer last year, and we went into a local salesroom to look. Basically our criteria was the same. We ended up going with this Amana model, which was the most basic and less faff-filled one they had. A ++, would recommend. She's coming up on a year with us and we have no complaints.
posted by Kitteh at 6:10 AM on August 24, 2022
posted by Kitteh at 6:10 AM on August 24, 2022
Nur Miele, Miele sagte Tante, die alle Waschmaschine kannte.
I agree with Tante, you need to get a Miele, if you can. The cheapest model is probably also the best for your specs. Even a used Miele is better than most other appliances. It is one of the few companies that still build things to last. My washing machine is the only item I've ever used a credit card for, and it is still going strong 23 years later.
After renovating our farm, we had to let go of the 40-year old washing machine there, because the dust from the building site had got into everything, and getting it cleaned up would be very costly. But the man who came with the new one told me he would clean and sell the old one on, on his own time.
Also, they have very long guarantees, here it is ten years, but I think that varies by region.
posted by mumimor at 6:18 AM on August 24, 2022
I agree with Tante, you need to get a Miele, if you can. The cheapest model is probably also the best for your specs. Even a used Miele is better than most other appliances. It is one of the few companies that still build things to last. My washing machine is the only item I've ever used a credit card for, and it is still going strong 23 years later.
After renovating our farm, we had to let go of the 40-year old washing machine there, because the dust from the building site had got into everything, and getting it cleaned up would be very costly. But the man who came with the new one told me he would clean and sell the old one on, on his own time.
Also, they have very long guarantees, here it is ten years, but I think that varies by region.
posted by mumimor at 6:18 AM on August 24, 2022
Speed queen top loader.
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 6:18 AM on August 24, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by Geckwoistmeinauto at 6:18 AM on August 24, 2022 [6 favorites]
We are exactly at the one-year mark of our new LG turbo-loader, which replaced our absolutely ancient top-loader (which we loved, but when it finally broke our wonderful repairman scoured the universe for the part he needed...but it was simply no longer to be found). So far I completely love it. It is wifi enabled, but we have not hooked it up.
posted by BlahLaLa at 6:50 AM on August 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by BlahLaLa at 6:50 AM on August 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
Best answer: We got this GE one last year from an independent appliance store. There were only three models that fit our criteria and they ruled out one. It was this GE model or a Speed Queen, which they advised would be overkill for us based on the number of people and loads per week. I have been very happy with it. You do have to use a little care when loading to make sure things are evenly distributed, but I have been very pleased.
posted by XtineHutch at 7:52 AM on August 24, 2022
posted by XtineHutch at 7:52 AM on August 24, 2022
Best answer: I asked this question last year, still very very happy with my purchase (Whirlpool WTW4855HW).
posted by nkknkk at 8:22 AM on August 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by nkknkk at 8:22 AM on August 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
we got a LG top load washer last year , rated as one of the best by consumer reports. Its been working well and uses less water and energy so that's an added bonus. It does have Wifi and you can get an app. But if you don't want to , then don't enable the wifi.
posted by radsqd at 5:50 AM on August 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by radsqd at 5:50 AM on August 25, 2022 [1 favorite]
Speed Queen mechanical top loader. No electronics means it's less susceptible to water damage, it'll be repairable forever, and it's a brand that's made for laundromats so it can take years of abuse.
posted by bink at 9:43 AM on August 25, 2022
posted by bink at 9:43 AM on August 25, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
I had a most basic whirlpool and I loved it. I believe it was just the cheapest at lowes (or something similar). Buttons were obvious and easy to use.
posted by raccoon409 at 5:54 AM on August 24, 2022 [1 favorite]