There's a load of good news in our
latest report on washing machines and dryers. The price of many washers has fallen over the past year, and you can save even more by taking advantage of the federal
$300 million cash for clunkers for appliances rebate program.
(Use our
interactive map to see when the rebate program kicks off in your state and find out
which products are eligible. For more shopping advice, use our
free buyer's guide to washers, check out our continuously updated ratings of
front-loaders and
top-loaders, available to
subscribers, and find the
best places to buy appliances.)
Overall, washing performance among tested machines was high, and some GE, Kenmore, and LG models in the $700-to-$850 range were noteworthy. The latest tests also looked at vibration, steam cleaning, and odor-fighting options on some models. Remember, the typical front-loader can save you up to $130 a year on energy and water costs over a top-loader and will likely be gentler on your clothes. One downside to that efficiency is longer cycle times, which help washers meet stricter Energy Star qualifying standards. Some tested models needed as much as 105 minutes to complete a normal cycle.
The clothes dryers we tested for this latest report did not include significant new features, but moisture sensors, rust-resistant porcelain tops, stainless-steel drums, and clogged-lint-filter alarms that can prevent
dryer fires are noted in the
dryer ratings (available to
subscribers).
—Gian Trotta
Essential information: Mold growth in some washing machines remains a big topic on our
appliances forums and has sparked
class-action lawsuits. Try the suggestions in this blog to
try to minimize the problem, and be sure
not to use too much laundry detergent. Stay on top of the
latest news related to washing machines.
