February 2008
Washers and dryers: Performance for less
STEAM CLEAN Whirlpool's Duet Steam front-loader (foreground) did noticeably better at removing stains but is pricey at $1,600.
What a difference a year makes. Our latest tests found budget-friendly washers, including a $400 top-loader, that cleaned
as well as the $1,500 front-loader at the top of our Ratings (available to subscribers).
That's in stark contrast to the top-loading washers we tested for this washers and dryers review, some of which were mediocre performers, as manufacturers struggled with new energy standards. Improvements include midwash soaking and more aggressive agitation. Two top-loaders, a $480 GE and a $400 Estate, also have short cycle times. But they still use more energy and water than front-loaders.
More front-loaders are also hitting the market under the $1,000 mark as manufacturers widen their product lines. A $650 Frigidaire Gallery front-loader, a CR Best Buy, is efficient and gentle on your clothes.
Manufacturers are still pushing pricier models with features such as steam settings, fancy drums, sleeker styling, and even germ-fighting silver technology. But as we found in our tests of 20 front- and 22 top-load washers and 39 dryers, some of those extras aren't worth the money. Here are the details:
Steam settings on the rise. Three front-loaders, the Kenmore Elite HE5t Steam, Whirlpool Duet Steam, and LG Tromm SteamWasher, have steam modes that claim to boost cleaning, sanitize fabrics, and remove stains. Such settings did better at removing stains—the LG's, less so—but the models cleaned well even when we didn't use the steam.
We also tested the steam settings of Kenmore's and Whirlpool's matching dryers. Both use a water hookup and heat to get rid of wrinkles and odors, and they mostly did so with the shirts we tested. But the steam mode allows only up to four garments per load. Another wrinkle: At $1,100-plus, those dryers cost about twice as much as our Best Buys.
Novel designs fall short. Miele's front-loader has a tub with a honeycomb design that's billed as gentler on clothes. But the $1,900 Miele was only middling for gentleness. Staber's $1,300 washer, the priciest top-loader we tested, requires that you load clothes through the top into a chamber that spins like a front-loader. Yet that design significantly reduces capacity.
Silver technology under scrutiny. Samsung's SilverCare front-loaders release silver ions into the water to fight germs. Our test loads of clothes worn after we washed them in one such Samsung (since discontinued) suggested that the silver might slow growth of odor-causing bacteria. But the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that silver in wastewater could harm aquatic life and told us that Samsung is expected to submit data to prove the technology can be used without unreasonable risks.
Best washer and dryer: How to choose
Front-loaders, because of their higher spin speeds, might vibrate too much for living spaces. Also, some newer units are deep, so measure carefully if your washer and dryer are in a tight location. Other points to keep in mind when seeking the best washer and dryer for you:
Top- or front-load washer? With better, more efficient performance, front-loaders spin out more water, so clothes dry more quickly. But they still cost more and have longer cycles. The best high-efficiency top-loaders are improving wash performance, though conventional top-loaders, while typically less adept at washing, cost much less and have shorter cycles.
Amortize costs. Washer and dryer owners tend to keep their units 10 to 13 years, says a study by the National Association of Home Builders. So high-efficiency models can end up costing the same as or less than standard models. Our best washer and dryer Ratings (available to subscribers) for energy and water efficiency show the most-efficient models.
Be choosy about features. Auto temperature control gives you consistent water temperature and wash performance on a given setting. Automatic dispensers release detergent, bleach, or softener when needed. Extended-spin cycles don't extract much additional water. In general, you might never need more than four or five wash cycles. Porcelain tops are more dur-able and scratch-resistant, but they're pricey. Color adds pizzazz but costs about $100 more per unit when available.
Don't assume you should replace your dryer if you buy a new washer. But most newer dryers have moisture sensors that automatically stop the dryer when the laundry is dry. If a unit doesn't specify whether it has a sensor, look for bare-metal bands in the drum. Also consider a dryer that lets you lower or mute the volume of an end-of-cycle signal.
Skip extended warranties. Our survey data show that major appliances tend not to break during the typical extended-warranty period. When they do, repairs tend to cost about the same as the warranty. Instead, check whether buying with your credit card extends the manufacturer warranty.
That's in stark contrast to the top-loading washers we tested for this washers and dryers review, some of which were mediocre performers, as manufacturers struggled with new energy standards. Improvements include midwash soaking and more aggressive agitation. Two top-loaders, a $480 GE and a $400 Estate, also have short cycle times. But they still use more energy and water than front-loaders.
More front-loaders are also hitting the market under the $1,000 mark as manufacturers widen their product lines. A $650 Frigidaire Gallery front-loader, a CR Best Buy, is efficient and gentle on your clothes.
Manufacturers are still pushing pricier models with features such as steam settings, fancy drums, sleeker styling, and even germ-fighting silver technology. But as we found in our tests of 20 front- and 22 top-load washers and 39 dryers, some of those extras aren't worth the money. Here are the details:
Steam settings on the rise. Three front-loaders, the Kenmore Elite HE5t Steam, Whirlpool Duet Steam, and LG Tromm SteamWasher, have steam modes that claim to boost cleaning, sanitize fabrics, and remove stains. Such settings did better at removing stains—the LG's, less so—but the models cleaned well even when we didn't use the steam.
We also tested the steam settings of Kenmore's and Whirlpool's matching dryers. Both use a water hookup and heat to get rid of wrinkles and odors, and they mostly did so with the shirts we tested. But the steam mode allows only up to four garments per load. Another wrinkle: At $1,100-plus, those dryers cost about twice as much as our Best Buys.
Novel designs fall short. Miele's front-loader has a tub with a honeycomb design that's billed as gentler on clothes. But the $1,900 Miele was only middling for gentleness. Staber's $1,300 washer, the priciest top-loader we tested, requires that you load clothes through the top into a chamber that spins like a front-loader. Yet that design significantly reduces capacity.
Silver technology under scrutiny. Samsung's SilverCare front-loaders release silver ions into the water to fight germs. Our test loads of clothes worn after we washed them in one such Samsung (since discontinued) suggested that the silver might slow growth of odor-causing bacteria. But the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that silver in wastewater could harm aquatic life and told us that Samsung is expected to submit data to prove the technology can be used without unreasonable risks.
Best washer and dryer: How to choose
Front-loaders, because of their higher spin speeds, might vibrate too much for living spaces. Also, some newer units are deep, so measure carefully if your washer and dryer are in a tight location. Other points to keep in mind when seeking the best washer and dryer for you:
Top- or front-load washer? With better, more efficient performance, front-loaders spin out more water, so clothes dry more quickly. But they still cost more and have longer cycles. The best high-efficiency top-loaders are improving wash performance, though conventional top-loaders, while typically less adept at washing, cost much less and have shorter cycles.
Amortize costs. Washer and dryer owners tend to keep their units 10 to 13 years, says a study by the National Association of Home Builders. So high-efficiency models can end up costing the same as or less than standard models. Our best washer and dryer Ratings (available to subscribers) for energy and water efficiency show the most-efficient models.
Be choosy about features. Auto temperature control gives you consistent water temperature and wash performance on a given setting. Automatic dispensers release detergent, bleach, or softener when needed. Extended-spin cycles don't extract much additional water. In general, you might never need more than four or five wash cycles. Porcelain tops are more dur-able and scratch-resistant, but they're pricey. Color adds pizzazz but costs about $100 more per unit when available.
Don't assume you should replace your dryer if you buy a new washer. But most newer dryers have moisture sensors that automatically stop the dryer when the laundry is dry. If a unit doesn't specify whether it has a sensor, look for bare-metal bands in the drum. Also consider a dryer that lets you lower or mute the volume of an end-of-cycle signal.
Skip extended warranties. Our survey data show that major appliances tend not to break during the typical extended-warranty period. When they do, repairs tend to cost about the same as the warranty. Instead, check whether buying with your credit card extends the manufacturer warranty.
