Whether you’re looking for a washer that can accommodate laundry for five, one that can deal with tough grease, or an eco-friendly machine, we’ve got options in this guide to cover every need and budget. The main advantage of front load washers is unlike the best top load washers (opens in new tab), they can be stacked on top of another machine like a dryer, saving you some precious home real estate. They can also fit inside a cupboard if you’d rather not have it on display - although nowadays, you can find some seriously stylish models in a range of colorways. Aside from ease of use and design, the latest washing machines now come with an even greater variety of cycles, from quick washes to save you time, the option for smaller loads to save you the running costs, and even powerful steam and drying options if you don’t have the space or budget to invest in a dryer. Capacity is also an important factor to consider, as some models’ drum are considerably smaller than others. Last but not least, you can now find “smart” front load washers which can connect to your home assistant, enabling you to start a wash remotely and check on its status even when you’re not in the house. All of the front load washers in this guide have been carefully assessed in terms of specs, features, price, running costs, warranty and user reviews to help you make a confident purchasing decision. You can also check out our guide to the best dryers (opens in new tab) to complete your laundry room. Washing machines are a serious investment - luckily, there are often great deals to be found on them. We’ve rounded up the best washer and dryer deals (opens in new tab) available out there to help you make sure you’ve got the cheapest price on your home appliance.
Best front load washers 2022
The Samsung WF42H5000AW is the least expensive washer we evaluated, and has a lot of features. The child lock and large capacity of this washer makes it a great option for a family. At 4.2 cubic feet, this washing machine will fit a king size comforter. Maintenance of this machine is made easy by the self-cleaning cycle and the phone app diagnostics. The Samsung WF42H5000AW has only eight cycles which is less than most of the washing machines that we compared in this review. It still includes common cycles like normal, heavy duty, bedding, rinse, quick wash, and perm press. There is even a cycle specifically for active wear. There’s no steam option, which is reasonable given the affordability of this option. The Samsung WF42H5000AW is also Energy Star certified and has an impressive estimated annual running cost of $10. While it doesn’t come with one, there is the option to purchase a matching pedestal with this washer, and it can also be stacked with a matching dryer. Standing out for its innovative detergent drawer design, the Electrolux EFLS627UIW has a specifically designed area where you can place detergent pods or use alternative washing detergents. What’s more, this washer pre-mixes detergent and water to tackle stains and dirt with more powerful cleaning. Ideal for allergy sufferers, the Electrolux EFLS627UIW has a sanitizing mode that kills up to 99% of bacteria and 95% of allergens. There’s also a steam function that causes steam to saturate through your laundry and give it a deeper clean. There’s also an internal light inside the washer drum on the Electrolux EFLS627UIW - a handy feature we love. Plus, this washing machine is incredibly efficient and is really affordable to run each year. Whilst it has a variety of spin settings, this machine doesn’t have the fastest spin speed around. LG consistently turns out the newest developments in kitchen appliances, which explains why you can usually expect to pay a bit more for these models. The LG WM9000HVA comes with 14 wash cycles including sanitary and allergen settings, and has steam wash capabilities. There’s app compatibility which lets you download new cycles and monitor your machine, even when you’re out of the house. You can also pair the LG WM9000HVA with the LG SideKick, which is a smaller 1cu. ft. washer that takes the place of a pedestal letting you run two washes at once or wash a few essentials without turning on the entire 5.2 cu. ft. machine. It’s smart innovation like this that won the LG WM9000HVA Energy Star awards in 2018 and 2019 for efficiency and innovation. The spacious capacity on the LG WM9000HVA is what sets it apart from other models, and it makes the steep price more understandable. The GE GFW450SSMWW offers a bunch of great functions including a tumble care function to keep washing wrinkle-free, and a sanitize setting that claims to remove 99.9% of bacteria. The inbuilt water heater enables high-power steam cleaning and the stain removal guide panel offers a no-nonsense approach to deep-cleaning your clothes. The hangup is that the GE GFW450SSMWW has the worst warranty of the bunch with only a year’s coverage. There’s also been reports of the buttons wearing off, which can be a bit frustrating. This top-of-the-range, high-spec washer is the appliance you need to simplify your life. Samsung’s AI Smart Wash features mean you can run more efficient cycles while saving money and energy - the washer calculates the amount of detergent you need, and even assesses the dirt levels on your laundry to tailor the wash to your needs. With a decent 5.3 cu. ft. capacity, this front load washer will suit families, and the superfast 28 minute-cycle means you can get urgent washing done, even before work or the school run. Samsung’s washers are recognized by the EPA as the most energy efficient possible, so the eco-conscious can purchase this appliance with complete peace of mind. The 20-year warranty on the Digital Inverter Motor is also a great bonus. The Electrolux EFLW317TIW is a straightforward washing machine that gets the job done quietly and reliably. And while it’s not the cheapest entry-level machine out there, with big-brand technology at the helm, you’re guaranteed an excellent performance, plus the roomy 4.3 cubic ft drum means it can cope with the loads too. Operation is simple and the settings include hot, warm, and cold for heavy-duty, normal, delicates, and rinse & spin. But the real winning feature here is how energy efficient this machine is to run. Energy Star certified, you can expect much lower running costs than other models that do not have this certification. Even though the Electrolux EFLW317TIW is decidedly no-frills for the price, with a ten-year warranty and guaranteed energy efficiency, it might just well pay for itself in the long run. The LG WM9500HKA is one huge front load washer! This machine has a massive 5.8 cubic feet capacity, which makes it a great washer for family homes or busy households. Complete with smart features, which mean you can control this washing machine from your phone, the LG WM9500HKA adapts its washing mode depending on what’s inside the drum. Differing from the other models we’ve included, this machine’s controls are fitted on the door. Because of the door design, the detergent drawer is actually accessed via the top of the LG WM9500HKA. This might sound good initially, but it does mean you won’t be able to stack this washing machine with a dryer, which is one of the advantages of other front load washers. If you want to get your washing done and you want to get it done fast, the GE GFW550SSNWW is a great option for you. This machine can thoroughly clean a load of washing in just 35 minutes. There’s also a range of useful settings including a Sanitize mode. The standout feature with the GE GFW550SSNWW, though, is its UltraFresh Vent system - this clever feature gets rid of the excess moisture inside your washing machine so that odors don’t build up. It also means you won’t have to worry about leaving your washer door open to dry after using it. It’s disappointing to see the GE GFW550SSNWW doesn’t have a separate spin cycle, especially for those that don’t have a dryer and need to get as much water out of their laundry as possible. However, the GE GFW550SSNWW does offer up some other fantastic features such as the add-a-garment after the cycle has started function, and the Oxi cycle which is capable of removing up to 99.9% of bacteria.
How we evaluated front loaded washing machines
We purposely selected a variety of front-load washers from major retailers to compare, taking into account popularity with customers. We made detailed charts comparing features that matter for front-load washing machines, including annual operating costs, total capacity, water used per wash, dimensions, warranty and more. We gave better rankings to the units that have useful features like a wide variety of cycles, soil levels and water temperatures and presets.
What to look for when buying a front-load washer
Here are the key features to look for when you’re buying a front loading washing machine…
- Energy Efficiency All the washing machines we reviewed are Energy Star certified by the U.S. Department of Energy. That means they are at least 20 percent more energy efficient than the minimum required federal standard. Many of these machines go far beyond the Energy Star level. If you want a machine with a low running cost , you should pay attention to other energy stats as well, including the estimated annual operating cost, power cost, water costs and water usage. The DOE also provides information about average water used per wash and the water factor (WF), which is the number of gallons per cycle, per cubic foot. The lower the WF, the better. A fair amount of energy efficiency is determined by the size of the machine – if the washer has a smaller wash drum, it will use less water and power. As such, it is definitely worth buying the smallest machine that accommodates your needs. However, the correlation is not always exact. We saw many machines of roughly the same capacity that have quite different energy efficiency numbers. See our energy scores for more information, and check out the DOE’s site (opens in new tab) for specifics about energy efficient machines.
- Wash Cycles & Options Washing machines with a great amount of cycles are generally better, but look at the types of wash options, too. If you plan to use cloth diapers for your baby, for instance, you will want a sanitize cycle. If you have athletes in your household, you may want a heavy-duty cycle that can power through stains. We gave higher scores to machines that have NSF (opens in new tab)-certified cycles. This means they can reduce 99.9 percent of microorganisms without carryover to future loads. Some machines also have allergen cycles for anyone who has more sensitive needs and must have their washing machine reflect this. For anyone in a rush, Quick cycles which can be completed in just 30 minutes will be a godsend, as they allow you to get through your mountain of clothes a lot quicker, and don’t compromise on washing power. Another new and popular feature is machines that can automatically dispense detergent for you. All you need to do in order to get up to 40 excellent washes is inset your detergent once, and your machine will use the weight of your load to determine exactly how much detergent it needs. Many users have said this feature saves them time and also a lot of money, as they aren’t overusing laundry products anymore, and repurchase them less frequently.
- Design & Dimensions Before shopping, measure the space you have available for your washer. Even if you have a tiny laundry room, you can find innovative features on a compact unit. The best compact washers offer design features so you won’t feel like you have to sacrifice functionality for size. You may also want to consider a front-load washer with a reversible door so that you can cater your machine to your laundry room, or for anyone with disabilities who needs improved access.
- Warranty A washing machine represents a significant investment, so look for one with strong coverage from the manufacturer, especially on the motor. You should be able to count on the most expensive part of the washing machine for years to come.
Proper maintenance for front-load washers
Front-load washers are notorious for smelling like mold and mildew. It may even deter you from buying a front load style of washer. But there are ways to keep the smells in check. It really is as simple as airing things out, maybe more than you are used to with a top-loading machine. Some washers offer self-cleaning functions but you’ll still need to manually clean from time to time. There are three things that really need attention between uses.
The Gasket: The seal around the machine’s door has folds in it that need to be cleaned out on a regular basis or gross things will start to grow. Wipe it down with a paper towel or a rag often.The Door: Keep it open when you are not using the machine. This allows the tub to air out and helps keep it dry. Less moisture in general is a good thing for these machines.The Detergent Tray: Keep the air circulating around the detergent tray, too. Pull it out so air circulates through it, and remove it for a thorough cleaning regularly.
