The Best Washer Brands Compared According To 103,000 Reviewers

The washing machine market in the United States is huge – Americans spend over $6.6 billion on them every year!

It’s no surprise that many companies are competing for your attention, and with so many options available, making a decision can feel a bit overwhelming. After all, washing machines aren’t exactly cheap!

They can also last more than 10 years when well-maintained, making it even more important to choose wisely.

You’ve probably noticed that finding reviews for washers can be more challenging than for other products, such as laptops or phones, making it even harder to make a decision.

Don’t worry, though! We’ve got you covered. To help you choose the perfect washer brand for your needs, we’ve analyzed a huge public database of appliance reviews and data – including over 103,000 reviews on washers alone.

We’ve also consulted with our appliance expert, James Blackford, to get his professional opinion on the best washer brands. This way, you can relax, knowing you’re making an informed decision.

Read on to learn more about the best washer brands!

The Best Washer Brands Compared Using 103,000 Reviews

We all know how important it is to have a washing machine we can count on to keep our clothes fresh and clean.

In fact, 80% of Americans own a washer and consider it an essential appliance. This is why choosing a brand that fits your lifestyle and budget is very important.

To help you make the right choice, we’ve analyzed more than 103,000 customer reviews. The washer brands that people love the most are:

The top 3 highest-rated brands are LG, Samsung, and Electrolux, with LG being the clear winner with an average rating of 4.61 stars.

It’s no surprise that LG is the best-rated brand, given its reputation for advanced technology and sleek designs.

And while Electrolux may not be as well-known for its technological advancements, it still offers high-quality performance and useful and innovative features, such as the Perfect Steam.

It’s important to note that the other 5 brands shown in the graph have also received high ratings, indicating they could be a good choice too.

Bear in mind that there are other things you should keep in mind besides the brand, such as your budget, frequency of use, size of your family, etc.

Appliance Repair Expert On The Best Washer Brands

To help you understand the main differences between the top-rated washer brands, we teamed up with our appliance expert, James Blackford, who has more than 16 years of experience repairing all types of appliances.

He evaluated different washer brands based on their life span, quality of parts, aesthetics & features, and price.

Read on to see what our expert had to say!

Overall Washer Brand Thoughts

Whether you want to replace your current washer or are a first-time buyer, James recommends getting an LG machine.

“LG makes the best laundry equipment when it comes to durability, quality of parts, and effectiveness”, he explained.

James says this brand is so good that Kenmore’s elite series is manufactured by LG.

He also recommends Whirlpool washing machines because of their quality. “Their top and front load washers are good, they aren’t over-engineered, and have durable quality components”, James said.

However, when shopping for a new washing machine, you need to keep in mind other factors, such as its type.

“Front-load washers typically clean better and have larger capacities compared to top-load washers. But, top-load washers from brands like Hotpoint or Roper tend to be cheaper, the only downside is that they’re usually louder and their components wear out faster”, James explained.

When we asked him about washers & dryers (all-in-one units) and laundry centers, he told us that it’s best to avoid these models. “They typically do a really bad job at cleaning and are only suitable for small places like college dorms”, he said.

James also explained that many people prefer top-load washers with an agitator, which can be hard to find. “If you’d like a washer with an agitator, Whirlpool, Kenmore, and GE have some models available. However, I wouldn’t recommend getting a GE washer due to its low-quality components”, he said.

He also mentioned that some people believe that top-load washers with wash plates don’t clean as effectively as those with agitators, but he assured us that this is not true.

While you already know which washers our expert recommends the most, he also has some great insights on other popular brands.

I’ve organized James’s thoughts in order of cleaning performance, from the highest-rated brands and working down to the lowest, so you can easily read through them and make an informed decision.

LG

As mentioned in the section above, our expert’s top pick is LG. Here’s how he rated it:

“LG washers are hands-down the best overall. They have superior quality, great features, and a long lifespan. They aren’t over-engineered and do a great job at cleaning”, James explained.

Our expert also mentioned that LG top-load washers are better than other brands because they use more water to ensure a thorough wash without being inefficient.

Bear in mind that this brand can be a bit expensive. According to James, who rated the price on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the most affordable and 10 the most expensive, LG washers earned an 8.5 rating.

Whirlpool

James also recommends Whirlpool washers because of their quality. Here’s how he rated them:

“Whirlpool has a wide range of prices to fit your needs. You can choose from models with a standard belt drive and motor, which are cheaper, or a stator and rotor motor drive that’s a bit more expensive, but more efficient and longer lasting”, he said.

James also explained that Whirlpool washers not only have good engineering, but also some awesome aesthetic features.

Speed Queen

Speed Queen is also one of our expert’s favorite brands. Let’s see how he rated it:

“Speed Queen is like the Viking or Sub-Zero of washers, but not as stylish. It’s the only brand that makes washers of such high quality that they offer a warranty of more than one year”, he explained.

James also said that it’s important to keep in mind that Speed Queen washers have fewer cycles and less availability of front-load units compared to other brands.

“But, if you’re willing to pay for a premium brand for the best quality and durability, Speed Queen is the way to go”, James mentioned.

Maytag

James also thinks Maytag is a solid choice. Here’s how he rated it:

“Maytag, Kenmore, and Whirlpool are quite similar in most aspects, but Maytag stands out in some of their models by providing washers that are sturdier and tougher than the others”, he explained.

James also mentioned that Maytag does a good job with little fuss, has a reasonable price and nice aesthetics. Just like other similar brands, it also offers water level control.

Electrolux

Now, let’s see how James rated Electrolux:

“Electrolux is a decent mid-range option that sits between Whirlpool and GE in terms of quality. While not as solid as Whirlpool, Electrolux is better than GE in every way”, he explained.

James also mentioned that Electrolux washers are a great choice if you want something that looks nice and will last.

Frigidaire

Moving on, let’s take a look at how James rated Frigidaire:

“Frigidaire and Electrolux washers are quite similar, with the only difference being that Frigidaire has a more basic appearance and doesn’t offer front-load washers, he said.

If you’re looking for a washer that does a decent job at cleaning and is affordable, James recommends considering Frigidaire.

Hotpoint

If you’re looking for a more affordable option, you have probably considered Hotpoint washers.

Let’s see how James rated the brand:

“Hotpoint is a step up from second-hand models and is a great choice if you’re on a budget and need something that will get the job done”, James explained.

Bear in mind that they have a basic appearance and that there are better options with higher quality and longer life span.

GE

Now, let’s see which brands didn’t quite make it to James’ top picks. Here’s how he rated GE washers:

“Like with other appliance types, GE tries to copy the features and looks of their competitors, but doesn’t prioritize good engineering or quality parts”, he explained.

James even compared GE washers to a guy selling fake Rolex watches: “They may look nice, but they break down after only a short period of time”.

So, if you’re looking for a new washer, you should definitely save your time and money and avoid buying a GE.

Samsung

Although Samsung is one of the most famous washer brands, James doesn’t recommend it. Here’s why:

“Samsung washers are over-engineered and complex. The amount of issues these washers have is significant, and finding a technician who is willing to repair them can be difficult”, he explained.

James says that if you must get a Samsung washer, go for the cheapest top load model. “These models are more affordable and have fewer bells and whistles, which means fewer opportunities for things to go wrong”.

He also mentioned that despite its disadvantages, Samsung offers the prettiest models with a wide range of features and buttons.

Samsung also offers a wide variety of price ranges to choose from. The more features a model has, the more expensive it will be.

GE Profile

GE Profile washers are at the bottom of James’ list. Here’s why:

“Since GE Profile is a sub-brand of GE Appliances, I also don’t recommend it. These washers usually break down within a month” he explained.

You can find other brands that are priced similarly and offer better cleaning performance. Plus, they can last longer.

Insignia

Unfortunately, James hasn’t had a chance to work with Insignia washers yet. This is why he didn’t rate them.

However, we found that Insignia is Best Buy’s exclusive brand and most customers seem to have positive things to say about it.

These washes typically come with a lower price point, and industry experts and customers agree that they do a great job at leaving your clothes fresh and clean.

Keep in mind that when buying a new washing machine, you need to consider other factors, such as its type, capacity, price, and more.

Fisher & Paykel

Unfortunately, James couldn’t rate Fisher & Paykel washers because he hasn’t worked with them yet.

However, industry experts and customers have mixed reviews. While some of them say the high price is totally worth it, others claim that others brands can deliver the same performance at a more reasonable price.

Remember, don’t rely solely on these comments. If you’re interested in this brand, keep in mind your needs and preferences before making a purchase.

Are More Expensive Washers Better?

It’s common to think that expensive products are better than their cheaper counterparts. In fact, this belief can be even stronger if you don’t have enough information about a product.

You see, studies show that when consumers are uncertain about a product, they can easily assume that the expensive option is of better quality.

We also talked to marketing experts, who told us that people could even feel more enjoyment and pleasure when they buy an expensive product, even if it’s not better than a cheaper one. This is because expensive products often create a sense of exclusivity and luxury.

Now that you know how our minds can sometimes trick us into thinking that an expensive product is better, try not to focus on the price alone when looking for a new washer.

To prove this with our data, we compared 103,000 customer ratings with the average price of washers:

Try to focus on the blue line on the graph – it’s mostly straight, which means that people rated the cheaper models (less than $1,000), just as highly as the most expensive ones.

In other words, you don’t always need to spend a hefty sum to enjoy a product.

And remember, you need to keep in mind other factors when buying a washer, this way you’ll make an informed decision, and you’ll know that price is not necessarily an indicator of quality.

The Brands With The Most Washer Models

When it comes to washing machines, people have different needs and preferences. For example, big families may need a washer with a larger capacity and more features.

This is why brands offer different models. In fact, LG and Samsung are the brands that offer the most.

But, is this an indicator of quality?

Not necessarily.

Although LG and Samsung are the best-rated brands according to customers and have the most models, it doesn’t necessarily mean they have better quality than the brands that offer fewer models.

It could simply be that since they offer a wider selection than other brands, people are more likely to find a washer that suits their specific needs.

Actually, if you notice, Electrolux is also one of the top-rated brands, and it only offers 6 models at Best Buy (36 models less than LG)!

LG and Samsung may also have more budget to invest in developing and marketing new models, which is why they offer more products.

So, while higher ratings and more models can be a good sign, they aren’t necessarily an indicator of quality.

In fact, marketing experts agree that sometimes offering too many models can be counterproductive for brands.

You see, it can be a great source of profit, but brands can overlook design flaws more easily, which makes it harder to maintain consistent quality across all models.

How To Find Your Perfect Washer

Although we’ve already analyzed over 103,000 reviews and talked to our expert, James Blackford, there are still other things you need to keep in mind when shopping for a new washing machine.

You need to measure your laundry room to choose the right size and capacity. Efficiency, features, materials, wash programs, and price are also important factors to consider when making a decision.

I know it can be a bit overwhelming or challenging to think about all these factors. Luckily, our washer buyer’s guide can help you understand each of them in-depth.

So, make sure to check it out by clicking here to choose the perfect washer that meets your needs!

Washer Brand Comparison Summary

Now, let’s summarize everything we’ve discussed so far!

Both customer reviews and our expert agree that LG is the best brand. They like that these washers have a long lifespan and high quality components that ensure the best washing performance. They also seem to enjoy their features and design.

But, it’s important to note that although Samsung and GE are high-rated brands according to customer reviews, James doesn’t recommend them based on his experience. He explained that these brands have a lot of components that can easily break down.

So, it’s important to consider both perspectives before making a decision.

Don’t forget that you need to consider other things when shopping for a new washer, such as the size of your laundry room, features, capacity, and more.

Check out our washer buyer’s guide to learn more about these factors and make the right choice!

And remember, the brand with the highest price tag or the most models doesn’t always guarantee the best quality. Sometimes our mind can trick us into thinking otherwise.

The ultimate decision will depend on your lifestyle, needs, and preferences.