2025 Laundry Buying Guide – Best Washers and Dryers for Your Money

If you're intent on making this the year you buy a new washer or dryer, our 2025 laundry buying guide will simplify your buying process by helping you focus on what really matters:

• How reliable is each brand, and what is the quality of their customer service when the product breaks?
• How can you determine which washers, dryers or combos are better at the task of cleaning and drying clothes?

With this info, we hope to help you find the best washer and dryer for your home. And if you don't, book an appointment to have your current washer or dryer serviced.

Reliability and Manufacturer Support

What service is available in my area?

The first bit of research you should do with any brand of laundry appliance is to see what service is available in your area (at the end of the guide, we provide a table with links to each brand’s service locator). Nothing is more frustrating than having an appliance break and discovering there are no options for getting it fixed where you live.

• Some areas in the US have no servicer for the brand.
  That’s not to say that no one in the area will be able to service your washer and dryer, but it usually means those technicians aren’t very familiar with the product and parts may be difficult to come by. Don’t risk it.
• Some areas have only one authorized servicer.
  Do your research before you commit to a brand. If it sounds like they are a nightmare to work with—poor communication, low success rate, lack of care for their customers—don’t sign yourself up for the nightmare in case your product breaks under warranty.

How much is the lifetime cost of ownership?

Digging deeper into the true cost to own for washers and dryers, next look into:

The generosity of the manufacturer warranty

Our guide ends with a table that includes grades for each brand’s laundry appliance warranty, so be sure to check out those grades. Additional warranty related items to consider include:

• Full v. limited warranties.
  Most appliance warranties work the same way: one or two years’ coverage for the whole appliance (including labor); more years to cover the cost of electronic components, washer motors (no labor); and longer coverage for tubs. No-brainer here: more years are better than fewer.
• Brands that play fast and loose with the warranty.
  On the flip side of that, it’s worth noting that warranty details don’t always tell the full story. Some brands go the extra mile regardless of whether the product is under warranty—“Oh you’re a few months out of warranty, don’t worry, we’ll take care of it”—or whether the issue is with the appliance. We have known manufacturers to pay for a warranty visit when it was just an issue with the home or a product education issue (e.g. Samsung and Bosch).

Yes, longer, more comprehensive warranties are better because they save you money by covering the cost of more repairs. More than that, a better warranty also indicates that a brand is more willing to stand behind its customers as well as its product.

BUYER BEWARE, do not be suckered into paying for coverage from an extended warranty company. Read why it's almost never a good idea to buy an extended warranty here.

How often it will require service

We have data going back years and years and know a thing or two about the reliability of these brands. You can check out the table at the end of the guide for our reliability grades, but here are a couple quick ways to spot reliability:

• Beware the wave of "disposable" brands arriving from overseas
  A host of overseas brands with low-quality products and terrible customer support have expanded their presence in the US over the past few years, companies like Midea, Criterion, Galanz, etc. You should not buy from these companies, as their products are not built to last or be repaired. You will soon find yourself needing to buy another appliance, erasing any savings from buying these cheap products.
• Take care of your appliances!
  The most important thing you can do to prevent your laundry appliances from requiring service is to take better care of them. Don’t overload your washer and dryer, cut back on detergent use to 1 tbsp per load, clean washer door boot seals and drain traps every few months, run a cycle of Washer Magic every few months, clean out the lint filter after every use (and NEVER use dryer sheets), and if your dryer is vented schedule a dryer vent cleaning annually.
• Front-load washers are more reliable and often easier to maintain.
  Front-load washers have fewer moving parts that can break and typically use higher-quality materials. Top-load washers, on the other hand, tend to use more plastic gears and parts, which are cheaper to produce and lower the price of the appliance. Most front-load washers also offer front-accessible drain pumps and drain traps, which makes them easier to clean and easier for technicians to service (and they do need to be cleaned to prevent mildew build-up).
• Gas dryers have a higher risk factor.
  While electric dryers have their own drawbacks, gas dryers have an open flame inside the machine which, when mixed with lint buildup, can pose a serious risk to your household.
• Maintenance is higher on combo units
  While combo units handle the washing side of the equation well enough, they are finicky with their drying. They're very sensitive to lint buildup, and if you neglect the filter long enough, a tech will need to come tear down the unit to clean the condenser. Some combo units, like those from LG, continue to get software updates to improve the drying performance. And nearly all depend on newer heat-pump technology (instead of traditional dryer heating elements), which while revolutionary, is not as proven from a reliability perspective (see our write-up on newer tech below).
• Multi-tub options increase the failure rate.
  Multi-tub options, like Samsung’s FlexWash and LG’s TWINWash, are still very touchy and unreliable. As a self-contained unit with its own set of parts, it nearly doubles the chances of something breaking down and requiring repair, which can hurt when you're out of warranty. The systems are cool, but if reliability is a concern, buy a washer with a larger capacity and run small loads on the lowest settings available.
• Newer tech is cool but less proven.
  Heat pumps are an exciting new technology in dryer technology. Heat pump dryers uses a more complicated condenser system to generate heat at lower levels than older dryer models. Because they produce less heat, they are far gentler on clothes and offer nearly double the energy efficiency. They haven't quite caught on yet among consumers, and the technology still has to prove it's as reliable as tried-and-tested condensation and vented dryers, but heat pumps could be a game-changer for your laundry needs.
• The higher the cost, usually the more reliable the washer and dryer.
  These are complex machines with moving parts and electronic components expected to quietly produce spotless, unwrinkled clothes without breaking down, catching fire or leaking. For that reason, you should be wary of any laundry appliance that comes cheap. Good design, production and quality assurance cost money. So the more a product costs to build and quality test, the more it will cost consumers to buy.
• The length of the warranty (and additional warranties) demonstrates a brand’s trust in their product.
  This is a good indicator for how much trust the manufacturer has in the quality of their engineering, the error-free nature of their production lines, and the reliability of their products. They wouldn’t offer so many years of coverage if they thought the appliance would be breaking down all the time.

Be sure to check out our washer / dryer grades at the end of the guide.

The cost and availability of parts

Don’t worry, we don’t expect you to base your decision on washer drain pump prices, because you honestly shouldn’t be thinking about that when buying a washer. Yes, higher-end models tend to have more expensive parts, but that’s because those parts are higher quality and rigorously tested, meaning they are less likely to break again. Replacing a $50 part twice is more expensive than replacing an $80 part once.

What you should be concerned with is the availability of parts. Low-end brands have a habit of discontinuing parts for older models. So if something important breaks on your laundry appliances, you are out of luck, no matter how few years it’s been since you purchased your washer or dryer. Which means it’s time to buy a new appliance.

The average life span before it needs to be replaced

According to available data, washers last 10-14 years on average, while gas and electric dryers last 13, but that is based on the assumption that you run seven loads per week. More specifically, the average washer/dryer is rated to run 5,100 cycles in its lifetime, though in our experience dryers tend to outlast washers.

Of course, cheaper models are going to survive for only two-thirds to three quarters as long as middle-of-the-road models, while top-end models may last nearly twice as long.

But those lifespans only hold if you are diligent about maintaining your appliance. A poorly maintained Bosch washer may not last as long as a well-maintained Roper washer, which is why maintenance is so important to get your money’s worth and save money in the long run.

How easy does the brand make owning the appliance?

As servicers, we know a product's reliability isn’t just about expenses. Sometimes, just avoiding the headache and time suck that is broken laundry appliances has value beyond dollars saved. Here are a few ways brands can make a product easier or harder to own:

• How easy do they make installation?
  After you buy your laundry appliances, installation is the next step. Many dealers offer installation, but not all. Or you may be the sort of customer who wants to shop around for that service. Contact the manufacturer to learn what they can do to support your installation experience. And when installing your dryer, make sure the installer adds a ground connection or strain relief, as improperly installed power cords on dryers is the biggest safety issue in most laundry rooms.
• How easy do they make warranty calls?
  If your product breaks while under warranty, some manufacturers like Bosch and ASKO are flexible, allowing you to call an authorized servicer directly and avoid the rigmarole of the call center experience. Other manufacturers, such as Samsung and LG, insist that customers go through an extended phone support experience before they determine service is needed. Sometimes poor communication between the manufacturer and authorized service companies means customers have to repeat information to the servicer.
• How many resources do they provide owners with?
  Check out the owner portal of their website. Is there a lot of information readily at hand, including warranty information and manuals? Are there use and care guides covering how to clean the washer tub or troubleshoot a dryer that doesn't heat? Easily accessible resources like these will make your life a lot easier.

QUICK RECAP

• Check for service in your area before you buy
• Take a close look at the warranty info
• Review our reliability and service support grades
• Look around on the website for resources for owners

Laundry Excellence

How well does it do the job I’m buying it for?

We believe reliability is one of the most important considerations when buying an appliance, and we hope you agree. But we also understand that, at the end of the day, laundry appliances are there to clean and dry clothes.

Unlike refrigerators, dishwashers and cooking appliances though, washers and dryers have the added complicating factor of contributing to the breakdown of the very clothes they are caring for, including shrinking, fading, pilling, stretching, loose threads and holes. A poor washer and dryer combination could wear out your clothes faster, requiring you to buy more replacement clothes, adding to the cost of the washer and dryer.

So how do you know which washer, dryer or combo machine will be best for you? What machines excel at cleaning and drying without damaging your clothes too much? Here are the key features to look for to find the right laundry system.

Washers

• Front-load washers are really, truly so much better.
  Why are front-load washers more expensive? For starters, they clean better, which is why they’re the standard in all commercial laundromats. By moving clothes through the water — instead of the water through the clothes — and doing so at a faster spin speed, they are better at removing soil from clothes. They also require much less water, and with less water to heat, significantly less energy, making for more efficient appliances with significant energy savings. They often have a larger capacity to handle bigger loads. With fewer moving parts, they do less wear and tear to your clothes AND break down less often. Plus, they’re easier to maintain. All you need to be wary of us mildew build-up in the door, which is easy enough to clean (GE even introduced its UltraFresh Vent System to improve air circulation in their front-load washers to reduce mildew and odors). Buy a front-load washer and promise us not to overload it.
• Steam washers fight grime, germs, allergens and wrinkles.
  Steam washers use a mixture of steam and water cycles to supercharge your cleaning, starting with steam, adding water, then ending with steam. Because steam is water at a far higher temperature, it relaxes the fibers of clothing even more and is thus better at loosening dirt and stains deep in the fibers of clothes (basically, it’s a hot cycle on steroids). Steam washers are also better at killing germs, if sanitization is a concern for you. Steam washers effectively remove the need for prewash soaking or stain treatment. And ending with a steam cycle refreshes clothing and removes wrinkles. There are tradeoffs: the hotter your washer, the more energy used and the more wear and tear on your clothes. So we wouldn’t recommend using the steam washer every cycle, or even most cycles, but it's a great “in-case-of-emergency” cycle to have at your disposal.
• Faster spin speeds make for cleaner, drier clothing.
  Faster spin speeds (up to 1800 rpm) get more water out of fabrics, and since detergents work by binding to and loosening soil buildup on clothes while binding to the water passing by, spinning that water out also spins out the soil buildup. By getting more water out of clothes, laundry also emerges drier, thus requiring less time in the dryer. Obviously, use care with higher spin speeds. Some items, like wool and delicates, should not be spun at high speeds. High speeds can also contribute to more wrinkles in, say, cotton business shirts, but in the hands of a steam washer this is less of an issue.
• Ask how it handles vibration and balancing.
  Faster spin speeds aren’t everything, though. The faster washers spin, the more vibration they create, which can cause the machine to go off-balance. Not only is this noisy, it’s dangerous, which is why many machines reduce speeds in off-balance states, sacrificing cleanliness for safety. Some machines, though, have features that counteract this common problem. Samsung’s Vibration Reduction Technology (VRT) keeps vibration to a minimum and counterbalances the machine when off-balance to allow it to continue operating at high speeds.
• Think about how you do laundry.
  Do you save up your laundry then run one large load? Look for a high-capacity front-load washer. Do you always find you’ve forgotten a shirt you intended to wash, or dropped a sock on the way to the laundry room? Consider washers with a feature like Samsung’s AddWash. Need really fast, efficient cycles to handle small loads quickly? Look for a washer with speed wash cycles. You get the picture.
• How many preset modes does it come with?
  No load of laundry is alike. Some loads have deep stains, some have delicates, some are smaller, and some need to be finished right now before we’re late for work. Engineers spend a lot of time and effort designing these various modes to meet the many needs of homeowners, and when used correctly and in conjunction with the use and care instructions for your clothes (check your tags, people), they will result in better-cared-for clothes ready to wear. So when doing your research, know that more preset modes mean the engineers spent more time giving you options and getting them right. Of course, if you do buy appliances with many options, you will have to promise to read the use and care manual after you buy your machine.
• Are smart washers worth it?
  Ask yourself, is adding 1 tbsp of detergent to a load that much effort that you require auto-dosing (because it should only ever be 1 tbsp or less)? Are you so annoyed with the sound of your washer running that you have to be outside of the home while it happens? Then yes, maybe a smart washer would be your thing. But by and large, smart laundry appliances will not radically change your use of the appliance, and informed human choice of detergent levels and laundry modes will be better than what the machine can offer.

Dryers

• Moisture sensors work great when used and maintained properly.
  We definitely encourage you to find a dryer with a moisture sensor, which automatically shuts off the dryer when clothes are no longer giving off moisture (that is, are dry). This results in faster cycles, less wear on your clothes, and lower energy use. The sensors work as long as you don’t overload the dryer, because overloading may accidentally trip the sensor while other clothes still need to dry. Also, once a year, the sensor needs to be wiped down with acetone to remove buildup.
• Steam dryers help refresh wrinkled clothing, but offer little else.
  We wrote in previous years that steam cycles are great for refreshing wrinkled clothes, but offer little else. It seems that customers agree, because the idea of steam dryers is dying out.
• More heat = more damage.
  The hotter the dryer gets, the more damage it does to your clothes. Sure, you get shorter cycle times, but you also get shorter lifespans for your clothes and have to worry about clothes shrinking. You don’t need a dryer that gets hotter than 135º, which is the standard high among modern dryers.
• How many preset modes does it come with?
  No load of laundry is alike. Some loads have deep stains, some have delicates, some are smaller,