World of Washers

So today I decided to plunk down five bucks for a month's subscription to the Consumer Reports website. The way I look at it, between my coffee and cigarette habit, I spend that much a day killing myself, so what the hell.

I made a beeline for the laundry section to see what they had to say about washers and dryers. The data (I use that term loosely) they have published is from February of '08, so I would surmise the ratings will be updated sometime within the next couple months.

I took a look at both washer and dryer ratings, although I will save dryers for another post.


The top five frontload washers are as follows:

1) LG Tromm SteamWasher WM2688H $1500
2) LG WM0642H $900
3) Whirlpool Duet Steam WFW9600T $1600
4) Miele Touchtronic W4840 $1900
5) Kenmore (Sears) Elite HE5t Steam 4778 $1600

So there are the top five frontload washers as rated by Consumer Reports. The questions regarding CR's methodology arise when you look at the total scores and individual ratings across their graded categories.

The top four models all scored 81 points (the fifth 80 points), despite the fact that they all scored quite differently in the six individual categories. So how do they weight each different category? And how much does price weigh into the ratings?

CR is also weighing five other categories to help arrive at their scores: cycle time, whether or not the machine has a stainless steel tub, procelain top, automatic temperature control, and auto bleach dispenser. It is my contention that using these additional five categories to help determine their scores is where they are going wrong. Allow me to explain.

* cycle time - Generally speaking, the washers that have the highest rating for washing performance also have the longest cycle times. I suspect they are deducting points for longer cycle times, since a shorter time is seen as a benefit. But longer cycle times lead to cleaner clothes. Generally speaking, of course.

* stainless steel tub - Virtually all frontload washing machines have a stainless steel tub. Since that is the case, this category should be eliminated since it skews the final score.

* porcelain tops - Yes, porcelain tops do provide a small benefit. This benefit is not so great that it needs to be accounted for in the scoring.

* automatic temperature control - This is another area which should be eliminated in the frontload category. Virtually all frontload washers which are evaluated have some sort of temperature management. The exception would be Speed Queen, since those machines do not utilize the electronic control boards which allow for temperature control. All other machines utilize either auto temp control or an internal water heater to manage the water temperatures. And they even note that the Samsung WF203AN (rated #9 at 78 points) does not have auto temp control. This is incorrect as this machine utilizes an internal water heater.

* auto bleach dispenser - All of the rated machines have this feature.

I have always said that Consumer Reports should be utilized as just one factor when deciding on a purchase. But really, when their methodology and ratings are so obscure, what value does Consumer Reports offer at all?