Buying Guide: Best Clothes Washing Machines For The Money
Unless you want to find yourself washing your clothes in a metal wash tub like they did in the olden days, you will likely find yourself shopping for a washer for your home, apartment, or duplex. There is always the option of a laundrymat but over the course of a few years that gets to be pretty pricey not to mention the struggle of searching your home for quarters each week.
#1 Top Rated Clothes Washer (Editor Selection) — Click Here!With so many great purchase options available for washers, it’s important to know which washer model will meet both your basic needs as well as any add ons you might want to have. Keep reading to see which models our editors think offer the best bang for the buck.
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Our Clothes Washer Ratings At-A-Glance
Top 10 Best Washing Machines Reviewed
Below is our list of the best clothing washers for the money based on our team's ratings of the products. For reviews and more product information, scroll down the page or click on the links.
(9.5 / 10)
(8.1 / 10)
(10 / 10)
(8 / 10)
(9.9 / 10)
Top Clothes Washing Machine Reviews
Still can’t decide between the models listed in the chart up above? Keep reading to see what our editors have to say about the washers that they compared. The reviews below can help you making a buying decision.
Speed Queen AWNE92S Topload Washer Review
If you are tired of the mildew and mold smell that comes with traditional front load washers, it is time to try the Speed Queen AWNE92S Topload Washer. This washer works quickly and washes clothes the way they were washed in the past. It has an agitator and your clothes will smell cleaner than they ever have before. It features a display that lets you know exactly how long the load will take. You can even program a delayed start to start the load at a different time. The bottom line: this machine is fast and efficient at cleaning clothes, no matter how dirty they are.
Pros: Quiet, Easy to Use, Fast.
Cons: Uses a lot of water in the wash.
Speed Queen 3.3 Cu. Ft. White Top Load Washer Review
Make laundry time a fun time with the Speed Queen Top Load Washer. This machine has seventeen was cycles and two speeds that cleanse every ounce of dirt from clothes. The 3.3 cu. ft. capacity of the washer makes it the perfect appliance for a single person or small family. This washing machine is heavy duty with 473/710 RPM spin speed and a 1/2 HP motor that is meant to last many cycles.
Pros: quick cycle, commercial machine, soaking options available, rotary dial
Cons: no temperature options for rinsing (always cold), cleaning is difficult due to drum’s position
LG 27″ 4.5 Cu. Ft. Ultra Large Capacity Front Load Washer Review
There are some washing machines that take forever to actually finish washing clothes. That is not the case with the LG TurboWash 5.2 Cu. Ft. Front Load Washer. This washer is designed to make the process lighting fast so you can get more done with your day. It is a stylish washer in graphite steel and will fit in with any modern decor. The LG TurboWash 5.2 Cu. Ft. Front Load Washer is the washer you want if you are looking for style and efficiency with your washer. Your clothes washing days are about to get that much easier.
Pros: Provides a fast wash to fit anyone schedule.
Cons: Can develop a mold and mildew smell without proper cleaning.
GE 4.6 Cu. Ft. White Top Loading Washer Review
GE is proud of its highly rated appliances in the home setting. Their newest models are cost effective and valuable for the standard user. Buyers likely want to follow information on their favorite model before committing. GE 4.6 Cu. Ft. White Top Loading Washer is listed as a white model. Its color scheme is just the start, given its unique top loading design. A 4.6 cubic foot tub will handle a considerable amount of clothes. Its stainless steel design will prevent rust and even major scratches. A digital readout will allow users to hone their settings. There is a photo gallery online that showcases its utility. A washing machine hose and hook up will be made available.
Pros: 14 distinct washing cycles, 6 different temperatures, Stainless steel tub
Cons: May not remove grass stains, Not always quiet
Avanti TLW21PS Top Load Washer Review
It’s the washing machine of the future! This top-loading washer from Avanti is also top-notch. It features a stainless steel wash tub with a pulsating bottom that eliminates the need for an agitator. This washer also offers electronic controls with LED status indicators for each cycle and multiple pre-programmed automatic wash cycles.
Pros: Smaller than standard washing machines, easy to move with the wheels, strong spin cycle
Cons: Hoses can leak on occasion, can be loud if not placed on a flat, even, hard surface
Explore your Options
Energy efficiency is a hot topic right now, and no other appliance gets so much focus in regards to this subject as washers do. Two types of washer are available when it comes to energy efficiency and those are high efficiency models and traditional models. While you will end up paying more up front for the high efficiency washer, you can see that money come back to you through yearly energy savings of $60 per year for a basic Energy Star certified washer and $106 per year with a “most efficient” Energy Star washer. There is also the potential for state issued rebates which provide a great purchase incentive. Check to see if your state offers these, as it could make a high efficiency model well within your price range.
Loading options are available in two designs: front loader and top loader. The top loader designs are one of the top selling machines in the country, and are considered more traditional in style. Top loader washers come in both traditional efficiency and high efficiency and are usually found with a center post agitator to help wash clothes. All front loader washers that are currently available for purchase are considered high efficiency.
Standard or Common Features
All makes and models of washers have various features, but there are a few that all share in common. One is the dial, which is how you select the options you want for your wash cycle. These vary depending on model, but are usually found in the form of a twist dial, push button dial, or touch pad dial. They all do the same thing, but some look and feel nicer than others depending on your preference.
Another feature is wash size capabilities. High efficiency machines can generally be expected to wash anywhere from 24-28 pounds of laundry per load. A traditional top washer will take on about 12-16 pounds of clothes per wash. Both of these are dependent on how much wash you need to get done a week. A traditional top loader might be enough for a single adult or couple, but throw a few kids into the mix and you may want to reach for the high efficiency washing machine.
All washers have a spin cycle, allowing any excess water to be spun out of clothes which reduces drying time. Another standard feature is going to be your load size and wash level. Load sizes usually come in small, medium, or large although some machines offer an extra large option for bigger jobs. Depending on the level of soil that is in your clothes, you can choose from a light, medium, or heavy wash cycle. All of these are standard options on a washing machine, so some machines may come with extra features.
Close Consideration Needed
Make sure you think long and hard about what needs your washing machine should meet. No matter which model you choose, you likely won’t be spending less than a couple hundred dollars on one, and with the more luxury options available you could even end up spending upwards of a thousand dollars. For this reason, you need to ask yourself a few questions to ensure you are purchasing the best washer for your needs.
- How much laundry do you wash each week? If you find yourself washing a lot of clothes, a front loader washer is going to be optimal for you due to larger load capacity. Don’t have daily laundry duty? You can probably get by with a standard top loader.
- Are you frequently washing heavy items? If you find that you are frequently washing heavy items such as bedding or towels, you may need to give more consideration to the options your washer features. Washing these items frequently will be made easier with an extra rinse and extra spin cycle.
- What’s the soil level like in your home? If you have soccer stars sitting at your dinner table every night, chances are they come with a messy uniform or two. Sound like you? Make sure presoaking is an option on your washing machine.
- What features do you need? These are all personal to you. Is hygiene a huge deal? Make sure you purchase an NSF-certified washer, which washes clothes at higher temperatures optimal for better cleaning and a 99.9% elimination of microorganisms through its sanitizing wash cycle. If you are often pressed for time, a time saving wash feature is going to be a good thing to keep in mind. Finally, if your washer will be located in a dark area of the home such as a basement or a poorly lit laundry room, consider purchasing a machine with light up display to make your laundry duty easier.
A brand new washer can be an exciting, albeit stressful, purchase. Make it a little easier on yourself by reviewing some basic options of washers, deciding what you really need out of it, and then purchase accordingly. Failure to do so could leave you stuck with a washer that doesn’t do enough for your laundry life!
