Front-Load Washer Review

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average American family washes about 400 loads of laundry each year. Those with only lukewarm feelings about helping the environment might not care that these washing machines clean with a powerfully petite carbon footprint, but almost any consumer will appreciate the fact that they can lead to a lower power bill.

All of the models in our front-load washer lineup bear the EPA’s Energy Star label, which means they will cut users’ energy costs by about a third and water costs by about half.

Aside from the potential savings, these front-load washers have a universal reputation for getting clothes clean and removing stains that other appliances miss. Front-loaders represent a departure from the top-loading design, with its central agitator, which fill, at least partially, multiple times during one wash cycle. This style of washer is designed to move clothing through a small amount of water instead of sloshing it around in a full tub. You can help protect the world’s water supply one load of laundry at a time and pinch pennies in the process. TopTenREVIEWS will help you compare the best front load washing machines side-by-side. Take a look at our Learning Center for even more information and articles about front-load washers.

Front-Loading Washers: What to Look For

As we considered various units, we looked for those that were easy to use with a great set of features. The best products, like the Whirlpool WFW9250WL, Amana NFW7300WW and Samsung WF330ANW, had standard options as well as some nice surprises. We looked for the following qualities among the units we researched:

Features
Front-load washers are generally designed with automatic dispensers for detergent, bleach and fabric softener, which makes getting the right amount that much easier. We made sure the appliances in our lineup had that feature. If you are to invest several hundred dollars in a new appliance, you should be able to expect other conveniences as well – things like a delayed start option, quiet operation and an add-a-rinse feature. The best machines also incorporate features that address common weaknesses in the front-load design, like vibration and noise.

Ease of Use
Though they’ve gained respect for being easy to use overall, front loading washers are not without flaws. Not everyone wants to bend that far over, over and over, when doing laundry, but you can add a pedestal to most units so they are not so low to the ground. Other features that can make these washers easier to use include digital displays and locks that keep children from changing settings. We looked for any advances that will make doing the laundry less of a chore.

Design
The look of each of the products in our lineup was a low priority but still warrants a mention. Many homes are designed with open concepts that will show off your new appliance. For that reason, we liked sleek models made in a variety of colors. Other elements that impressed us were potential energy savings and a design that allows the washer to be stacked with a matching dryer for space savings.

Help & Support
The best front-load washers are backed by great customer support from the manufacturer itself in a variety of formats, including telephone, email and live chat. We also like products that offer rock-solid warranties on parts and labor. The longer the warranties, the more confidence they inspire.

In an ever-expanding sea of front-load washer models, it is worth some effort to investigate which one will best suit your lifestyle. Our side-by-side comparison and detailed reviews will help you find the perfect machine for your family.

At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don’t Have To.™