Buying Guide: Best Clothes Washing Machines For the Money

Unless you want to find yourself washing your clothes in a metal washtub as they did in the olden days, you will likely find yourself shopping for washing machines for your home, apartment, or duplex.
There is always the option of a laundromat 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.
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 to offer the best bang for the buck.
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The Best Clothes Washing Machines You Can Buy
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 washing machines are available when it comes to energy efficiency and those are high-efficiency models and traditional models.
While you will end up paying more upfront for the high-efficiency washer, you can see that money come back to you through yearly energy savings. 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 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 on Washing Machines
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 touchpad dial. They all do the same thing, but some look and feel nicer than others depending on your preference.
What about size?
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.
Strength of the spin
All washers have a spin cycle, allowing any excess water to be spun out of clothes which reduce 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 for Washing Machines
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 of 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 a 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.
Also, consider these questions
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.
Chose the Best Washing Machines for You
Brand new washing machines 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!
Last update on 2021-01-16 at 18:12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API