The 9 Best Washing Machines of 2024, According to Testing

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Laundry can seem like an endless chore when your hamper starts to fill up as soon as it’s emptied. Whether you’re doing laundry for one person or for the whole family, you’ll need a washing machine that has the right load capacity, wash cycles, and features to meet your needs and keep your clothes clean.

However, picking out a new washer means more than just choosing between a front-loading washing machine and a top-loader. The best washers on the market not only remove dirt, stains, and smells from your clothes; they also make the chore of washing even more intuitive and effortless.

According to Steve Sheinkopf, CEO of Yale Appliance, smart washing machines offer many useful features that you may want to consider. One feature Sheinkopf says is a winner is an automatic detergent dispenser. Fill it up with detergent (some models hold up to 40 loads’ worth), and it will be dispensed in the correct amount for each load. This feature is not only a timesaver, but it’s also a washing machine saver,

“Most people overfill the dispenser,” Sheinkopf says. “The excess detergent remains in the washer and can become an expensive future service call.”

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

LG Electronics WM4000HWA Front Load Washer at Wayfair $806

Best Laundry Tower:

LG Electronics WKEX200HB WashTower Laundry Center at Amazon $1,821

Best Features:

LG Electronics WKEX200HB Wash Features Laundry Center at Amazon

Best Top Loading:

Speed Queen Heavy Duty Top Load Washer at Amazon

Best Quiet:

Equator Advanced Appliances Electric Stacked Laundry Center at Amazon

Best All-in-One:

LG Smart Front Load Washer/Dryer Combo at Wayfair

Best Category:

LG Smart Front Load Washer/Dryer Combo at Wayfair

Best Overall

$806 at Wayfair

$798 at Lowes

$798 at Home Depot

Why You Should Get It: It took less time to clean than other washers we’ve used, and the unit was fairly quiet in use.
Keep in Mind: We would have preferred it if it was a bit taller.

Overall, the best washing machine is the LG Electronics WM4000HWA Front Load Washer. We liked the simple and effective unit, which was better than other washing machines we had used previously.

The machine uses five jets to spray clothes from different angles to help wash large loads of laundry faster. With a variety of settings—including a steam function and specific cycles for bedding, towels, and more—this washer has plenty of capabilities to suit different laundry types. We used the normal cycle most often during testing and found that it got the job done.

No need to sort your clothing before putting them in the machine, either; this smart washer uses AI technology and sensors to automatically determine fabrics and select the perfect wash setting. Its allergenic wash cycle uses steam to help remove up to 95 percent of dander and allergens from your clothing, and the machine is even certified by the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America.

Unlike some other washers, we noted that this wasn’t too loud and you couldn’t hear it unless you were quite close to it. It also sings a song to alert you when the wash cycle has finished, which we thought was helpful and not disruptive.

Though loading this washer was easy, we would have liked it if the unit was taller, causing less strain on our back. That being said, we did appreciate how much you could wash in one load. We typically washed five thick towels, two sets of queen sheets, and one or two blankets, depending on the size, and didn’t run into any issues. We also like that a wash cycle took 30–40 minutes, which we felt was shorter than other washing machines we’ve used.

Product Details: Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet | Dimensions: 39 x 27 x 30.25 inches | Number of Wash Cycles: 12 | Smart Features: Yes

Best Laundry Tower

$806 at Wayfair

$798 at Lowes

$798 at Home Depot

Why You Should Get It: It took less time to clean than other washers we’ve used, and the unit was fairly quiet in use.
Keep in Mind: We would have preferred it if it was a bit taller.

Overall, the best washing machine is the LG Electronics WM4000HWA Front Load Washer. We liked the simple and effective unit, which was better than other washing machines we had used previously.

The machine uses five jets to spray clothes from different angles to help wash large loads of laundry faster. With a variety of settings—including a steam function and specific cycles for bedding, towels, and more—this washer has plenty of capabilities to suit different laundry types. We used the normal cycle most often during testing and found that it got the job done.

No need to sort your clothing before putting them in the machine, either; this smart washer uses AI technology and sensors to automatically determine fabrics and select the perfect wash setting. Its allergenic wash cycle uses steam to help remove up to 95 percent of dander and allergens from your clothing, and the machine is even certified by the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America.

Unlike some other washers, we noted that this wasn’t too loud and you couldn’t hear it unless you were quite close to it. It also sings a song to alert you when the wash cycle has finished, which we thought was helpful and not disruptive.

Though loading this washer was easy, we would have liked it if the unit was taller, causing less strain on our back. That being said, we did appreciate how much you could wash in one load. We typically washed five thick towels, two sets of queen sheets, and one or two blankets, depending on the size, and didn’t run into any issues. We also like that a wash cycle took 30–40 minutes, which we felt was shorter than other washing machines we’ve used.

Product Details: Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet | Dimensions: 39 x 27 x 30.25 inches | Number of Wash Cycles: 12 | Smart Features: Yes

Best Features:

$806 at Wayfair

$798 at Lowes

$798 at Home Depot

Why You Should Get It: It took less time to clean than other washers we’ve used, and the unit was fairly quiet in use.
Keep in Mind: We would have preferred it if it was a bit taller.

Overall, the best washing machine is the LG Electronics WM4000HWA Front Load Washer. We liked the simple and effective unit, which was better than other washing machines we had used previously.

The machine uses five jets to spray clothes from different angles to help wash large loads of laundry faster. With a variety of settings—including a steam function and specific cycles for bedding, towels, and more—this washer has plenty of capabilities to suit different laundry types. We used the normal cycle most often during testing and found that it got the job done.

No need to sort your clothing before putting them in the machine, either; this smart washer uses AI technology and sensors to automatically determine fabrics and select the perfect wash setting. Its allergenic wash cycle uses steam to help remove up to 95 percent of dander and allergens from your clothing, and the machine is even certified by the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America.

Unlike some other washers, we noted that this wasn’t too loud and you couldn’t hear it unless you were quite close to it. It also sings a song to alert you when the wash cycle has finished, which we thought was helpful and not disruptive.

Though loading this washer was easy, we would have liked it if the unit was taller, causing less strain on our back. That being said, we did appreciate how much you could wash in one load. We typically washed five thick towels, two sets of queen sheets, and one or two blankets, depending on the size, and didn’t run into any issues. We also like that a wash cycle took 30–40 minutes, which we felt was shorter than other washing machines we’ve used.

Product Details: Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet | Dimensions: 39 x 27 x 30.25 inches | Number of Wash Cycles: 12 | Smart Features: Yes

Best Top Loading:

$806 at Wayfair

$798 at Lowes

$798 at Home Depot

Why You Should Get It: It took less time to clean than other washers we’ve used, and the unit was fairly quiet in use.
Keep in Mind: We would have preferred it if it was a bit taller.

Overall, the best washing machine is the LG Electronics WM4000HWA Front Load Washer. We liked the simple and effective unit, which was better than other washing machines we had used previously.

The machine uses five jets to spray clothes from different angles to help wash large loads of laundry faster. With a variety of settings—including a steam function and specific cycles for bedding, towels, and more—this washer has plenty of capabilities to suit different laundry types. We used the normal cycle most often during testing and found that it got the job done.

No need to sort your clothing before putting them in the machine, either; this smart washer uses AI technology and sensors to automatically determine fabrics and select the perfect wash setting. Its allergenic wash cycle uses steam to help remove up to 95 percent of dander and allergens from your clothing, and the machine is even certified by the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America.

Unlike some other washers, we noted that this wasn’t too loud and you couldn’t hear it unless you were quite close to it. It also sings a song to alert you when the wash cycle has finished, which we thought was helpful and not disruptive.

Though loading this washer was easy, we would have liked it if the unit was taller, causing less strain on our back. That being said, we did appreciate how much you could wash in one load. We typically washed five thick towels, two sets of queen sheets, and one or two blankets, depending on the size, and didn’t run into any issues. We also like that a wash cycle took 30–40 minutes, which we felt was shorter than other washing machines we’ve used.

Product Details: Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet | Dimensions: 39 x 27 x 30.25 inches | Number of Wash Cycles: 12 | Smart Features: Yes

Best Quiet:

$806 at Wayfair

$798 at Lowes

$798 at Home Depot

Why You Should Get It: It took less time to clean than other washers we’ve used, and the unit was fairly quiet in use.
Keep in Mind: We would have preferred it if it was a bit taller.

Overall, the best washing machine is the LG Electronics WM4000HWA Front Load Washer. We liked the simple and effective unit, which was better than other washing machines we had used previously.

The machine uses five jets to spray clothes from different angles to help wash large loads of laundry faster. With a variety of settings—including a steam function and specific cycles for bedding, towels, and more—this washer has plenty of capabilities to suit different laundry types. We used the normal cycle most often during testing and found that it got the job done.

No need to sort your clothing before putting them in the machine, either; this smart washer uses AI technology and sensors to automatically determine fabrics and select the perfect wash setting. Its allergenic wash cycle uses steam to help remove up to 95 percent of dander and allergens from your clothing, and the machine is even certified by the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America.

Unlike some other washers, we noted that this wasn’t too loud and you couldn’t hear it unless you were quite close to it. It also sings a song to alert you when the wash cycle has finished, which we thought was helpful and not disruptive.

Though loading this washer was easy, we would have liked it if the unit was taller, causing less strain on our back. That being said, we did appreciate how much you could wash in one load. We typically washed five thick towels, two sets of queen sheets, and one or two blankets, depending on the size, and didn’t run into any issues. We also like that a wash cycle took 30–40 minutes, which we felt was shorter than other washing machines we’ve used.

Product Details: Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet | Dimensions: 39 x 27 x 30.25 inches | Number of Wash Cycles: 12 | Smart Features: Yes

Best All-in-One:

$806 at Wayfair

$798 at Lowes

$798 at Home Depot

Why You Should Get It: It took less time to clean than other washers we’ve used, and the unit was fairly quiet in use.
Keep in Mind: We would have preferred it if it was a bit taller.

Overall, the best washing machine is the LG Electronics WM4000HWA Front Load Washer. We liked the simple and effective unit, which was better than other washing machines we had used previously.

The machine uses five jets to spray clothes from different angles to help wash large loads of laundry faster. With a variety of settings—including a steam function and specific cycles for bedding, towels, and more—this washer has plenty of capabilities to suit different laundry types. We used the normal cycle most often during testing and found that it got the job done.

No need to sort your clothing before putting them in the machine, either; this smart washer uses AI technology and sensors to automatically determine fabrics and select the perfect wash setting. Its allergenic wash cycle uses steam to help remove up to 95 percent of dander and allergens from your clothing, and the machine is even certified by the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America.

Unlike some other washers, we noted that this wasn’t too loud and you couldn’t hear it unless you were quite close to it. It also sings a song to alert you when the wash cycle has finished, which we thought was helpful and not disruptive.

Though loading this washer was easy, we would have liked it if the unit was taller, causing less strain on our back. That being said, we did appreciate how much you could wash in one load. We typically washed five thick towels, two sets of queen sheets, and one or two blankets, depending on the size, and didn’t run into any issues. We also like that a wash cycle took 30–40 minutes, which we felt was shorter than other washing machines we’ve used.

Product Details: Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet | Dimensions: 39 x 27 x 30.25 inches | Number of Wash Cycles: 12 | Smart Features: Yes

Best All-in-One:

$806 at Wayfair

$798 at Lowes

$798 at Home Depot

Why You Should Get It: It took less time to clean than other washers we’ve used, and the unit was fairly quiet in use.
Keep in Mind: We would have preferred it if it was a bit taller.

Overall, the best washing machine is the LG Electronics WM4000HWA Front Load Washer. We liked the simple and effective unit, which was better than other washing machines we had used previously.

The machine uses five jets to spray clothes from different angles to help wash large loads of laundry faster. With a variety of settings—including a steam function and specific cycles for bedding, towels, and more—this washer has plenty of capabilities to suit different laundry types. We used the normal cycle most often during testing and found that it got the job done.

No need to sort your clothing before putting them in the machine, either; this smart washer uses AI technology and sensors to automatically determine fabrics and select the perfect wash setting. Its allergenic wash cycle uses steam to help remove up to 95 percent of dander and allergens from your clothing, and the machine is even certified by the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America.

Unlike some other washers, we noted that this wasn’t too loud and you couldn’t hear it unless you were quite close to it. It also sings a song to alert you when the wash cycle has finished, which we thought was helpful and not disruptive.

Though loading this washer was easy, we would have liked it if the unit was taller, causing less strain on our back. That being said, we did appreciate how much you could wash in one load. We typically washed five thick towels, two sets of queen sheets, and one or two blankets, depending on the size, and didn’t run into any issues. We also like that a wash cycle took 30–40 minutes, which we felt was shorter than other washing machines we’ve used.

Product Details: Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet | Dimensions: 39 x 27 x 30.25 inches | Number of Wash Cycles: 12 | Smart Features: Yes

The Bottom Line

Overall, the best washer is the LG WM4000HWA 4.5 cu. ft. Ultra Large Capacity Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Front Load Washer. It took less time to clean than other washers we’ve used, and the unit was fairly quiet in use. It also sings a song to alert you when the wash cycle has finished, which we thought was helpful and not disruptive.

Our Testing Process

To find the best washing machines, we tested several units at home, providing insights after one month, three months, six months, and finally a full year of use.

We washed and dried at least two full loads of clothing per week—one being towels and/or bedding—making sure to pretreat any stains, if necessary. We noted any features, cycles, and settings that stood out compared to previously used machines.

When loading and unloading the machines, we noticed the size of the washer drums, as well as how easy or hard it was to reach in. We also observed noise levels during wash cycles. When a cycle was finished, testers looked to see whether any stains or soap residue remained and whether the spin cycle was effective at draining out most of the water.

For the washers with smart features, we connected the units to Wi-Fi, downloaded the app, and explored features. We also analyzed their energy and water bills during the months of testing, noting whether costs rose or fell with these newer, more efficient models.

After getting used to how the machine worked in general, we then explored other laundry settings, noting how effective each preset wash and dry cycle was for the intended garments. We observed the cleaning results on bespoke cycles and whether they were better than the “normal” or “regular” cycles.

We also tried out other features, like dry-sensor technology, bulk detergent dispensers, and extra rinse cycles. We ran the self-clean mode (where applicable) and noted its efficiency.

Other Washing Machines We Tested

When we tested the Samsung WF53BB8900AD Bespoke 5.3 cu. ft. Ultra-Capacity Smart Front Load Washer, we found that it holds a large load of items and it was easy to load and unload our laundry. However, it took longer than we would have liked for it to finish a wash cycle and we found that alerts quite loud and annoying. It also didn’t wash our laundry as well as we would have hoped, and we had difficulty connecting the unit to Wi-Fi too.

What to Know About Washing Machines Before Shopping

Capacity

When shopping for a washing machine, don’t confuse capacity with the machine’s dimensions; there are some machines that are compact in size but still have plenty of room to take on larger loads of laundry. Sheinkopf says that while previous generations might have been just fine with a 2.3 cubic foot top-load machine, today’s top washers are now as big as seven cubic feet. “For the best value, you want to stay with 4.5 to 5 cubic foot max on a front-loading machine,” Sheinkopf says.

With top-loading machines, you might be tempted to choose one without an agitator to have even more room, but Sheinkopf says the larger washers without agitators simply don’t wash clothes as well. If you need a top-loading washer that can handle particularly soiled laundry, plan to shop for an appliance that has an agitator, not an impeller.

Drum Material

The drum is the rotating container inside the washer that holds the clothes. It’s perforated to release the water when the wash cycle finishes. Drums are made from heavy-duty plastic, porcelain-coated steel, or stainless steel. The latter is best, because it’s much more durable and it’s non-porous, which allows it to stand up to odors.

Wash Settings

There are washing machines that have upwards of a dozen wash and rinse settings and cycles. While having options is rarely a bad thing, you probably won’t use all of them on a regular basis. Instead, a top machine will have various water temperature settings and at least a few fabric settings to accommodate different laundry types, and an all-in-one washer-dryer will have multiple settings for washing and drying.

Your Questions, Answered

How do you clean a washing machine?

You should clean your washer every 30 loads or so to keep bacteria and mildew out of the drum, which is especially important in front-loading washers. Affresh tablets are one of the simplest ways to clean your machine; just drop one in and choose the clean setting on your machine.

If you’d prefer a natural method, sprinkle about half a cup of baking soda in the drum and pour one cup of distilled white vinegar into the detergent dispenser. Then, run it on a cycle with hot water. It should smell clean and fresh when it’s through.

How level does a washing machine need to be?

Your washing machine must be on all four feet at all times to keep it running efficiently. A professional installer will ensure this is the case, but if you have an unbalanced load that knocks the machine off kilter, you’ll need to get it leveled again. This is non-negotiable if you have a stacked washer/dryer or a laundry tower. It’s a huge safety risk if it’s uneven, as the entire set could tip over.

How much water does a washing machine use?

According to Energy Star, washing machines between four and five cubic feet use around 14 gallons of water per load.1 However, the best washing machines are Energy Star-certified, meaning they require up to 30 percent less energy and water than other competing models. This can save you a lot of money on your monthly energy bill.

Who We Are

Barbara Bellesi Zito writes about home and garden topics for Better Homes & Gardens. To compile this list, she researched a variety of the best washing machines from top brands based on their capacity, stain-fighting power, variety of wash cycles and settings, and smart technology features. She also consulted Steve Sheinkopf, CEO of Yale Appliance, for his expertise.

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