How do I choose the best washing machine?

Choose based on your space, household size, laundry volume, noise tolerance, and whether you prefer front-load or top-load. Families usually need more capacity, while apartments may need compact or portable models.

Is a front-load or top-load washer better?

Front-load washers are usually more efficient, gentler, and easier to stack. Top-load washers are often easier to load, familiar to use, and can be simpler or cheaper to repair.

What washer size do I need?

Small households can usually use compact or standard-capacity washers. Families, bulky bedding, and heavy weekly laundry benefit from a larger drum so loads are fewer and clothes have room to move.

What matters most in a washing machine?

Capacity, cleaning performance, noise, reliability, space fit, efficiency, and repairability matter more than extra cycles you may rarely use.

How many cubic feet do I need for a family?

As a rough guide, 4.0 to 4.5 cubic feet handles most families well and can wash a king-size comforter. Couples and small households are usually fine with 3.5 to 4.0 cubic feet, while compact apartment units are often closer to 2.2 to 2.4.

Do front-load washers smell or grow mold?

They can, because the door gasket and detergent residue trap moisture. Prevent it by using HE detergent in the right amount, leaving the door ajar between washes, wiping the gasket, and running a monthly cleaning cycle.

How long does a washing machine last?

Most washing machines last about 10 to 14 years. Heavy-duty commercial-grade models like Speed Queen can run much longer, while budget units tend toward the shorter end, especially with heavy family use.

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The buyer's guide

Washing Machines

Reviewed by

Dr. Yocheved Yorkovsky · Science Editor, Health, Chemistry & Environment

The washer decision is really two questions: front-load or top, and how long you need it to last.

Two decisions settle most washing-machine shopping. First, front-load or top-load: front-loaders clean better and use less water, but cost more and ask you to leave the door open to avoid mildew; top-loaders are cheaper, faster to load, and more familiar. Second, how long you need it to last — a decade of average family use is a different purchase than a machine you want to still be running in 25 years. Everything else (capacity, steam, smart controls) follows from those two.

For most families the LG WM4000HWA is the answer: a large-capacity front-loader that washes a full load in 30 minutes, quiet enough to run overnight, for $1,099. Want the same format for less? The Samsung WF45T6000AW is a full-size front-loader at $799. Prefer a top-loader you can fill your own way, the GE GTW465ASNWW keeps it simple and mildew-free for $649 — we lay out that choice in front-load vs top-load. If you want a machine that outlives the others, the Speed Queen TR7003WN is tested for 25 years of laundry and carries a 7-year warranty; see how it weighs against the efficient LG in WM4000HWA vs Speed Queen. Tight on space, the Bosch 500 Series is apartment-quiet and stackable, and the BLACK+DECKER portable wheels up to the sink with no plumber for renters and dorms.

Not sure which fits your home? Take the 60-second quiz, or read the best washer for every type of home.

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What we look for in a great washing machine

Cleaning and capacityWeight 0.25
Cleaning performance and drum capacity for your household's laundry volume.
Space and install fitWeight 0.2
Standard, compact, portable, or stackable fit for your space and install.
Durability and reliabilityWeight 0.2
Build quality and expected lifespan — buy-it-once versus budget.
EfficiencyWeight 0.13
Energy and water efficiency and running cost.
NoiseWeight 0.12
Quietness for apartments and shared walls.
ValueWeight 0.1
Capacity, durability, and features relative to price.

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