Which Brands Make the Most Reliable Washing Machines?

Based on CR’s surveys of nearly 65,000 consumers, these popular brands come out on top in terms of reliability

By Keith Flamer
Home & Appliances Writer

Updated April 4, 2025

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green arrow pointing up with a Front-Load LG-WM3400CW Washer — Laundry day isn’t so fun when your washing machine breaks down. CR's member surveys provide the inside scoop on the most reliable washer brands.

An unreliable washing machine can throw a big wrinkle into your everyday life. In fact, reliability is the factor that CR members are most likely to deem very important when weighing their next washing machine purchase. That’s why it pays to invest in a quality washer that’s built to last so that you can avoid repair costs. Our latest member surveys that record owners’ experiences with nearly 74,500 washing machines can help you find just that.

In this article

Most Common Problems With Washing Machines
Most Reliable Washers: Front-Loaders High-Efficiency Top-Loaders Agitator Top-Loaders Compact Front-Loaders

Make a greener choice for your laundry room by choosing one of the best eco-friendly washing machines from CR’s tests.

Most Common Problems With Washing Machines

Among the CR members surveyed, the most commonly reported washer problems were tangled or balled-up clothes (11 percent), odor (9 percent), and mold or mildew (7 percent). Five percent reported issues with non-spinning drums, water drain failure, clothes not cleaning, or excessive vibration over time.

In our 2023 survey, we found that mold, mildew, and odor complaints were much more common among owners of many brands of front-loaders and compact washers. And HE top-load washers were singled out for not cleaning clothes thoroughly.

Below, CR members can view highlights from our reliability survey and find washer brands that score well in both the survey and our lab performance tests. If you’re shopping for a new appliance, check our washing machine buying guide to learn the pros and cons of different washer types, and review our complete washing machine ratings to see how 120-plus models performed in our tests and for details on their features.

Best Front-Load Washer Brands

Mold, mildew, and odor complaints haven’t slowed the popularity of full-sized front-load washing machines. Buyers of this washer type represent 43 percent of our surveyed sample. Large capacities, superior cleaning performance, and superb water and energy efficiency make front-loaders an attractive choice.

Become a member to read the full article and get access to digital ratings.

We investigate, research, and test so you can choose with confidence.

Keith Flamer

Keith Flamer has been a multimedia content creator at Consumer Reports since 2021, covering laundry, cleaning, small appliances, and home trends. Fascinated by interior design, architecture, technology, and all things mechanical, he translates CR’s testing engineers’ work into content that helps readers live better, smarter lives. Prior to CR, Keith covered luxury accessories and real estate, most recently at Forbes, with a focus on residential homes, interior design, home security, and pop culture trends.