Clothes Washer Buying Guide
Clothes Washer Types
Traditional Top Load Washers
Traditional Top load Washers have been the staple of American washing machines for decades. Laundry is loaded through a door in the top of the unit and a load size (or water level) is selected. There is an agitator in the center of the tub which facilitates the movement of the clothing through the water - this is the action that cleans clothing.
A majority of top load washers are 27 inches wide and offer capacities adequate for large families. These capacities range from 2 to 4 cubic feet.
Average Price Points: $300 to $600
Bottom Line: New traditional top load washers offer great value, cleaning, and capacities. However, entry level front load washers price points are rapidly falling.
High Efficiency Top Load Washers
A newer style of top load washer mimics the traditional top load washer in look and feel but uses a different agitator that offers many of the advantages of front load washers. Most of these units have achieved Energy Star status from the U.S. Department of Energy, a testament to their engineering and efficiency.
The use of a different agitator type allows these machines to use less water and energy while, at the same time, being gentler on your clothing and getting them cleaner. These units can also spin at a faster rate, removing more moisture from your clothing and reducing drying time and cost. Also, the smaller agitator and larger tub size allow these models to offer capacities up to 5.9 cubic feet.
Average Price Points: $450 to $1,100
Bottom Line: Great choice if you like the benefits of front load washers but prefer the form and function of top load washers.
Front Load WashersFront load washers are superior to traditional top load washers in four major ways - capacity, cleaning, clothes care, and conservation.
Capacity: the average front load washer capacity is 4 cubic feet and sizes are available up to 4.7 cubic feet. Large enough to fit a king size comforter and generally 25 to 30 percent larger in capacity than traditional top load washers.
Cleaning: Front load washers offer superior cleaning action with better stain removal.
Clothes Care: By design, front load washers have a gentler washing action resulting in less wear and tear on your clothing. This is one feature that is often ignored but studies show that the average value of a load of laundry often exceeds the cost of the washer.
Conservation: Most front load washers are Energy Star rated and use about half the electricity and water of traditional top load washers. The spin speeds are also significantly faster, removing more moisture from clothing, reducing drying time and cost.
Price Points: $500 to $2,000
Bottom Line: Front load washers have become extremely popular because they offer significant improvements over traditional top load machines. The additional expense up front is often recuperated in energy costs, longer lasting clothing, and time savings over the life of the machine.
Compact Washers
Compact washing machines come in a number of different varieties. What is important is that compact washers are generally 24 inches wide or less, fitting into spaces where other washers will not.
Compact washers may be permanently connected to a water supply or truly portable and on casters (wheels) so that they may be stored when not in use.
Compact washers are available in both front load and top load configurations. Front load can often be stacked with the dryer for further space savings.
Average Price Points: $300 to $850
Bottom Line: There is a wide variety of compact washing machines that will fit almost any space you have available.
Laundry Centers
Laundry centers are one piece units with a washer on the bottom and a dryer on the top. This is often an simple solution when you would like to fit a washer and dryer in a narrow spot. Laundry centers are available in both top load and front load washer types.
Stackable Laundry Centers are generally available in two widths - 24 inch or 27 inch.
Average Price Points: $900 to $1,400
Bottom Line: An excellent and often inexpensive choice when you need to fit a washer and dryer in a narrow space (such as a utility closet) with no assembly required.
Combination Washer/Dryer
Combination washer dryers are front load one piece units that wash, drain the water, and then dry. These are an alternative when you do not have space or the necessary requirements for a stand alone dryer.
Average Price Points: $800 to $1,600
Bottom Line: A good laundry option for those who previously could not have had a washer and dryer in their home.
