World of Washers

Continuing on the previous post, I want to look at the frontload washers that will give you the best bang for your buck. This is not a post about which washer is the best, or which washer is the coolest. This post is simply about which frontload washers give you the most for your money.

As you are looking through the following list, you will notice several commonalities among all machines.

Capacity: all are at least 3.5cf IEC, with the largest coming in at 4.1cf. I do not put a whole lot of stock in capacity measurements. Several years ago, when the Whirlpool Duet came out, they advertised their 3.7cf drum could hold sixteen pairs of jeans. The Whirlpool Duet on this list offers a 4.1cf drum (smaller baffles, I am guessing), and they still tout the ability to wash sixteen pairs of jeans. Uhm... okay.

Spin speed: all of the washers on the list below offer a max spin speed of at least 1,000 rpm. These higher spin speeds simply extract more water for faster drying times.

Efficiency: all of these washers are EnergyStar qualified.

Water heater: most of these washers, with the exception of the Amana, offer an internal water heater. An internal water is almost a must in a frontload washer, although for Amana's crazy-low price, I'd be willing to let that feature go.

Price: all retail for a grand or less.

When looking through this list, keep in mind that these washers are at the middle or lower end of each manufacturer's lineup. There are many other washers available; I just think these offer the best bang for the buck. Also, the prices below are accurate as of 6/28/09. No doubt they will change.

Although I did not put the top load washers in any particular order, I am putting this list in order of least to greatest value (IMHO, of course). Of course, I think all of these washers are tremendous values.

GE WCVH6800JWW

Lowes: $798
Home Depot: $719
Sears: $708
US Appliance: $689
Best Buy: $679.99

Capacity: 4.0cf
Internal Water Heater: yes
Max Spin Speed: 1100rpm

These washers came about four years ago to mixed reviews. GE had a problem with the rubber door boot tearing, and they have assured me that the problem has been fixed in the new models of washers. These washers are made in China by Little Swan, which I believe is a subsidiary of GE.

Maytag MHWZ600TW

Home Depot: $718
US Appliance: $799
hhgregg: $808
Sears: $723
Lowes: $798
Best Buy: $849

Capacity: 3.7cf
Internal Water Heater: yes
Max Spin Speed: 1200rpm

I believe the EpicZ is based off of the older KitchenAid Ensemble washer from a few years ago, which was a step-up from the Whirlpool Duet. I tried to confirm this, along with a few other questions, with Whirlpool PR, but they don't seem to like me too well and do not respond to my inquiries.

Whereas the Whirlpool Duet washers are (or were?) made in Germany, I believe the EpicZ is made in Mexico. I tried to find the answer to this question via Google, but all I could find out was that Jay-Z is close to a deal with Epic Records. Oh well.

Whirlpool WFW9400SW

Lowes: $998
AJ Madison: $909
Sears: $808 (sale price)
hhgregg: $898

Capacity: 4.1cf
Internal Water Heater: yes
Max Spin Speed: 1200rpm

One neat feature of the Whirlpool Duet is what they call Direct Inject Wash System. At the start of the wash cycle, the machine shoots a concentration of detergent and water into the machine to saturate the clothes. This is supposed to eliminate the need for pretreating.

Amana NFW7200TW

AJ Madison: $629
Sears: $586.49
Home Depot: $489.60 w/ free shipping thru 7/8 ($544 regular)

Capacity: 3.5cf
Internal Water Heater: no
Max Spin Speed: 1000rpm

Additional features of note: direct drive motor (no belts, pulleys, transmission), antimicrobial protection built into the rubber door seal.

The deal Home Depot has going on this machine makes it an absolute steal. This is a good, basic washer that offers a tremendous bang for the buck. The machine is built by Samsung for the Amana brand (owned by Whirlpool). I would not think twice about buying this machine.

LG WM0642HW

Sears: $808
Best Buy: $810
US Appliance: $810
hhgregg: $844
Home Depot: $899

Capacity: 4.0cf
Internal Water Heater: yes
Max Spin Speed: 1200rpm

Additional features of note: rear control, direct drive motor (no belts, pulleys, transmission), better warranty (one year parts/labor; additional 1 year parts on the control board; additional 6 years parts on the motor).

I've said for a while that this washer is the best value in frontload washers on the market. At every site that offers product reviews, you will find that the majority of owners rate this machine very well.

Samsung WF328AAW

Lowes: $898
Best Buy: $720
AJ Madison: $929
Sears: $893

Capacity: 4.0cf
Internal Water Heater: yes
Max Spin Speed: 1200rpm

Additional features of note: Vibration Reduction Technology (VRT) helps to reduce washer vibration when operating at high spin speeds; direct drive motor (no belts, pulleys, transmission); better warranty (one year parts/labor, additional 1 year parts on the control board, additional 5 years parts on the motor). This washer also offers a SilverCare feature. According to Samsung, silver ions are released into the wash water to help to sanitize, even on cold water washes. All indications are that this feature actually does work. The uncertainty, however, comes in the unknown environmental impacts of dumping silver ions into waste water.

I've selected this washer as my Best Value for the simple fact that it offers a couple additional features the LG does not in VRT and SilverCare.