Best Washers for $800 or Less

These workhorses from CR's tests handle loads of laundry

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You don’t have to pay $1,000 or more to get a washing machine that cleans well. And while we’ve tested plenty of washers that cost far more, most of us would rather spend less.

“Eighty-three percent of all washers sold in the past 12 months were $800 or less,” says Eric Voyer, vice president of TraQline, a company that tracks trends, market share, and consumer behavior for the retail industry.

We combed through our washing machine ratings looking for the best washers that currently sell for $800 or less. We found washers that clean well, and most are water- and energy-efficient, even the more basic agitator top-loaders. So what’s the catch? Most aren’t gentle on fabrics, and many are noisy.

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You'll note some significant variations in cycle times, depending on the type and model of the washer. Top-load agitator models are generally the fastest, with cycle times ranging from 35 to 80 minutes on the normal wash/heavy-soil setting we use in our tests. Top-load high-efficiency (HE) units' cycle speeds range from 45 to 85 minutes. Front-loaders are the slowest; their speeds can range from about 75 minutes to two hours.

CR members can read on for ratings and reviews of nine full-sized HE top-loaders, agitator top-loaders, and front-loaders for $800 or less that performed well in our tests. Note that prices fluctuate, and we update this article regularly to help you find good washer deals.

Best HE Top-Loaders for $800 or Less

Best Agitator Top-Loaders for $800 or Less

Best Front-Loaders for $800 or Less

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