Best Washing Machines in 2023

What are the different types of washing machines?

If this is your first time purchasing a washing machine, you may be realizing just how many new models are available on the market. It’s helpful to take a look at some of the different types in order to gain a better understanding of the best type of washer for your home. 

Top-load washing machines

Top-load washers are one of the oldest types, as well as the most popular because of how easy they are to use. These washers have an agitator that sits inside and spins to force your laundry around the tub. They also have a lid that opens from the top, so you can avoid bending over to fill and empty during use. Some of the benefits of a top-load washer include its low price and how quickly it runs; a complete cycle finishes in just 30-60 minutes. These washers are also easier to repair and cheaper to fix than other types of washing machines. The biggest downside of buying a top-load washer is that it can break down more frequently and faster than other washers do. Although it isn’t large enough to wash bulky or heavy items, top-load washers also use up to three times more water than energy-efficient washers, which can sometimes damage clothing.

Front-load washers

The design of front-load washers allows all the items placed inside to rub against each other to remove dirt and stains rather than relying on an agitator. Front-load washers are more energy-efficient and use less water than top-load machines do. Other benefits of buying a front-load washing machine include their large tubs or drums that are more gentle as they wash clothes to prevent damage. They also have more settings and cycles and run more quietly than other types of washing machines. The biggest disadvantage of a front-load washer, however, is the price. Some of the models on the market cost $1,000 or more. Another drawback is their longer cycles, some lasting up to two hours, and, even after long cycles, some clothes still smell dirty after you wash them.

Top-load impeller washing machine

One of the newest types of washing machines is the top-load impeller. These machines replace the old agitators with gentler impellers. The impeller is a device placed at the bottom of the tub. When you run the machine, the impeller moves the clothing around and forces the tub to move in the same direction. You can use as much soap and detergent as you want and choose the best cycle for your load. Impeller washers are usually affordable and have cycles that finish in 60 minutes or less. You can choose one with a bigger capacity for bulky loads without worrying about the washer damaging your laundry. These machines are so loud that you can often hear them from nearby rooms, though. Some shoppers don’t like that top-load impeller washers limit how much water they can use.

Portable washers

Portable washers are much smaller than the other types and designed for temporary use. You may even see some brands that call them apartment washers because you can use them in spaces where you cannot use a traditional washer. Portable washing machines are great to use in an RV or camper when you travel or in an apartment if you know that you’ll move later. The benefits of buying a portable washing machine include their low prices and how easily you can install them. Some models even connect directly to the nearest sink. On the other hand, they are so small that they cannot accommodate full loads and you may find that they lack the power you need and that you need to rewash your clothes.

Do all washers have the same settings?

Washing machine settings allow you to customize your cycles for different types of clothing at different soil levels. While there are standard cycles that you’ll find on most washers, there are others that are only available on more modern and expensive machines.

Standard settings

Some of the standard settings you’ll find include normal and permanent press. As the name implies, a normal cycle is suitable for most loads. It usually runs longer than you would expect and use a lot of agitation. You can choose this setting for T-shirts and other everyday clothing. The permanent press setting first appeared in the 1940s and was designed for synthetic clothing and synthetic blends. It is a good option for clothing that wrinkles easily. Other settings you’ll find on most washers include:

• Delicate: This setting works on delicate fabrics and materials that you normally wash by hand.
• Rinse & spin: Most modern washers have a rinse & spin cycle or a similar setting that rinses clothing and spins the load to dry it without using any soap.
• Speed wash: When you’re pressed for time, a speed wash setting comes in handy because it lets you wash a full load in 30 minutes or less.
• Heavy-Duty: If you have big comforters and bulky clothing you need to wash, the heavy-duty setting lets you use soap and water to clean everything in your load.

Specialty settings

As you look at the top washers we found, pay attention to some of the specialty settings, like a bulky cycle, that are only available on select models. A bulky cycle can handle the largest of loads without leaving behind detergent or soaking wet items. You don’t need to worry about spreading germs and bacteria around when you choose a washer with a sanitize setting. It eliminates the harmful germs in your laundry. Some brands call this an allergen setting because it also removes pet dander and common allergens. Other specialty settings that might be right for you include deep fill options, which use more water, and stain or soak cycles. This type of cycle lets you soak your laundry for 30 minutes or longer to pretreat stains before picking a wash cycle.

What should you look for in a new washing machine?

Before purchasing a new washing machine, it’s helpful to have a budget in mind and look for washers that you can afford, as well as a choice of what type of machine is right for your home. Make sure you look at some of the other top factors that can determine the best washing machine for you.

Size

The standard size for a washing machine is 27 inches, referring to its width. Most homes with laundry rooms have dedicated spots reserved for washers of this size. If you buy a washer that has a bigger capacity, it might be 2 or even 3 inches wider, which will require that you change the layout of the room. When buying a washer for a home where you never had one before, keep in mind that you need a minimum of 6 inches of clearance between the wall and the back of the machine.

Capacity

Give some thought to the capacity of the washer in addition to its size. The capacity lets you know how many cubic feet of space you’ll have inside. Some of the smaller portable washing machines have a capacity of 2 cubic feet or less, which is enough for a few shirts or pants, but not enough to do a full load. You can also compare the capacity of each washer in terms of how many towels they can wash per cycle. A washer with a capacity of 3 cubic feet can usually hold around eight towels. The larger machines with a capacity of 5 to 6 cubic feet can wash 15 or more towels in a single load. If your home goes through a lot of laundry every week, you’ll want a washing machine with a bigger capacity.

High efficiency

Another thing to consider is whether you would benefit from a high-efficiency washer. These washers are unique because they use less water and detergent. When you pick a cycle, the washer causes the items to rub against both the sides of the tub and each other. This allows them to remove stains and quickly get rid of dirt. You cannot use standard laundry detergent in these washers, though, because they only work with soap that has a high-efficiency label. While some shoppers love how convenient they are and that they can save them money, others do not like the high upfront cost and knowing that some clothes can come out smelly or dirty.

Auto dispensers

Have you ever turned on your washer and realized a few minutes later that you forgot to add detergent or fabric softener? You might look for a washing machine with an auto dispenser. An auto dispenser is a dispenser built into the machine that holds your detergent. Though some only store laundry soap, others have compartments for your fabric softener and soap pods. You’ll even find washers that can hold enough soap to clean more than 40 loads of laundry. The machine will automatically add detergent when it runs and dispense fabric softener at the right time during the cycle.

Control placement

When choosing a washing machine, always consider the placement of the controls and knobs. Top-loading washers usually have rear controls located on the back of the machines. You can toss in your laundry and simply reach over to turn the knobs. Depending on the size of the washer though, you may find that you need to stretch more than you would like to reach the controls. Front-loading washers often place their controls on the front. You don’t need to stretch to reach them and can easily select the settings you want.

Digital vs. manual

Older washing machines had manual knobs and controls and, while some still use the same type today, others use digital controls. Manual controls are a good choice if you want to save money because these machines often cost less. You can also save money on repairs, but you may find it hard to locate someone in your area who covers manual machines, as most washers have gone digital. Washing machines with digital controls are more modern; you can use a touch screen to select both the temperature and the wash or rinse cycles that you want. Most machines with digital controls have a matching digital screen that lets you view your selections and see how much time is left in the cycle as well as where the machine is in the cycle.

Smart functions

While smart functions aren’t as important to some shoppers as they are to others, you may want to focus on washers that have smart features, like WiFi or app connectivity. You might prefer a washer that works with Google Assistant because you can choose your cycle and water temperature when you tell the device what you want the washer to do. Many newer washing machines work with an app from the maker that you can conveniently download to manage your laundry loads. The app allows you to delay a cycle until later in the day and schedule cycles for different days. You can also use the app to see how much time is left and get alerts when there is a problem.

Optional features

We recommend that you take a look at some of the optional features you might love, like a pedestal that lifts the washer to a comfortable height and a control panel with bright lights that work well in dark rooms. If your laundry room is close to your bedroom or home office, keep in mind how much noise it makes. Some models have built-in technology that reduces the noise they make to keep it from interfering with your life. You may prefer a washing machine with a steam cycle, too. This uses steam rather than water to kill germs and remove more stains.