How to choose

This article is the archived version of a report that appeared in July 2009 Consumer Reports magazine. Visit our washers and dryers pages to see the very latest information on washers and dryers.

We suggest replacing your washer or dryer when a repair will cost more than half the price of a comparably priced model.

Let location be your guide

The closer the laundry area is to living space, the more noise and vibration matter. Top-loaders are slightly noisier but don't vibrate. Our tests revealed huge variations in how much front-loaders vibrate. Concrete slabs or floors can absorb vibrations well, but wood-framed floors don't.

Weigh all the features

Colorful finishes might be worth the extra $200 if your laundry area is a showpiece. Otherwise, splurge on automatic dispensers for detergent, bleach, and fabric softener, plus auto temperature control to ensure consistent water temperature and performance.

Avoid early retirement for dryers

The technology hasn't changed much, so you won't really get better performance or efficiency. If you're buying a washer and dryer, choose the washer first. There's much more variation in performance and reliability. Use solid metal ductwork to vent your dryer, not coiled-wire foil or plastic, which pose a fire hazard.