Best Front Load HE Washer for the money?

[MinnieVanMom]

I am also waiting for the ads for black friday. I hope to find a HE washer

 

[Livin'4Disney]

Well, we bit the bullet and bought the Samsung 4.5 Steam front loader from Sears. It gets delivered on Tuesday!
Thanks for all the tips

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

YEA ... That is the one we have and you will love doing laundry

 

[Anne34]

I didn't realize about the longer wash cycle times per load?
Also, what is the "water" and "wiping out" of the barrel about? I have never heard of this.
I do think the "vibration" would be a major con for us.
Thank you all for your opinions.
Definitely not going with GE...

We have a LG that we bought about 3 years ago. We had a major vibration problem when we first got it. It is in our basement and would move 4-6 or more inches in the spin cycle. It was really loud too -- we finally found a spot that it is balanced well on (we have the bases and had to adjust those) -- it does still make noise on a really full load.

Also this past year we have had problems with the mold smell in the washer and towels. I always keep the door open and have wiped out the inside rubber lip, but still have this problem. I tried smelly washer (didn't work real well) and the TIDE washer cleaner. I have done it weekly for the last month and it seems to work OK - smell gone, but we still have to wipe out the gunk weekly. I probably would not recommend the LG Tromm that we bought.

 

[DisneyBrat]

I'm also looking for a front-load washer, I'm leaning towards a Samsung but can someone tell me if a 4.0 is large enough to wash a full/queen size down comforter?? I know a 4.5 will be more expensive but I don't want the added expense if it's really not necessary...I'm only washing for DD16 and I so it wouldn't typically get used heavily but I do have my comforters to wash on occasion along with DD's twin size comforter.

I just bought a 4.0 Samsung and it can hold upto a kingsize comforter

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We have the Whirlpool Duet Sport. We got them at Lowes and could not be happier. We asked the sales associate which machines they got the fewest calls on, with complaints and these are the ones she recommended. So far, so good.

 

[Jeanne B]

I just bought a 4.0 Samsung and it can hold upto a kingsize comforter

Thanks!!

 

[TnTWalter]

I bought a Frigidaire Gallery. HORRIBLE. Thankfully I purchased the 3 year protection on a whim for <$100 because I have used it!! Service has been out 3x to fix it and twice it took them more than a week to get here!! THREE kids. Not happy girl.

Now my 15+ year old dryer doesn't have heat anymore....I literally dry one load for 5+ hours! Not a happy laundry girl here!

So I've been researching and researching....

I've been leaning towards the LG because their own warranty is so good but I've heard that if you need parts replaced that can be an issue.

I like that Samsung is US. I'm concerned that there's no soak. I do like to soak items on occasion as we don't have a laundry tub ... white soccer uniforms when playing in mud, etc. Is there a workaround? I've read buttons stick?

I also don't want to have to wipe it down or baby it... the current washer I have I just have to check the rubber rim for items that have found their way out of pockets, etc. that I've missed [chapstick, change, buttons, etc.]. I leave the door open when not in use most of the time and have no mold issue. It sounds like a JET ENGINE during spin but sadly I think it's normal of front-loads.

I would love to wait unitl BF but really I might just I've had to deal with lice TWICE in a month. Resorted to a laundromat last week just to get unburied!

UGH.

Looking forward to responses.

Trish

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Look on LG web site there is a warning that you have to install their machines on a reinforced floor because they vibrate terribly. Most of the review boards I read stated that they machine move 4-6 inches!

Last night I washed my DH jeans that were caked with mud and grass stains in my Samsung and they came out fine. I did not even pretreat them.

My Samsung on the very high spin cycle is very very quiet!

I am not faithful about wiping the rubber rim but rather I leave the door open and I have not had an issue with mold or smells.

I bought a Frigidaire Gallery. HORRIBLE. Thankfully I purchased the 3 year protection on a whim for <$100 because I have used it!! Service has been out 3x to fix it and twice it took them more than a week to get here!! THREE kids. Not happy girl.

Now my 15+ year old dryer doesn't have heat anymore....I literally dry one load for 5+ hours! Not a happy laundry girl here!

So I've been researching and researching....

I've been leaning towards the LG because their own warranty is so good but I've heard that if you need parts replaced that can be an issue.

I like that Samsung is US. I'm concerned that there's no soak. I do like to soak items on occasion as we don't have a laundry tub ... white soccer uniforms when playing in mud, etc. Is there a workaround? I've read buttons stick?

I also don't want to have to wipe it down or baby it... the current washer I have I just have to check the rubber rim for items that have found their way out of pockets, etc. that I've missed [chapstick, change, buttons, etc.]. I leave the door open when not in use most of the time and have no mold issue. It sounds like a JET ENGINE during spin but sadly I think it's normal of front-loads.

I would love to wait unitl BF but really I might just I've had to deal with lice TWICE in a month. Resorted to a laundromat last week just to get unburied!

UGH.

Looking forward to responses.

Trish

 

[battricia]

we have the samsung 219 w/d models, we got them in august and I LOVE THEM. They were on sale at sears with a shipping rebate and they are the biggest drum we could find for the price (i think they were about 700$ each). They are also rated high for use on non concrete floors, our laundry room is above the basement. They don't have many fancy features but they do a great job and I tend to wash some very delicate things, the delicate cycle is great. At first I was worried about not getting the pedestals but I'm happy now because I fold my clothes on the top of the w/d which makes it so much easier and I can lay out sweaters to dry as well. I'm short so I wouldn't be able to do that w/ the pedestals.

ETA: my model is 4cu ft and it easily fits a king sized comforter.

 

[battricia]

I like that Samsung is US. I'm concerned that there's no soak. I do like to soak items on occasion as we don't have a laundry tub ... white soccer uniforms when playing in mud, etc. Is there a workaround?

the 219 unit doesn't have soak but it does have an extra wash and extra rinse cycle if you think it is necessary. it also has a sanitize cycle which might help if you get lice again.

the 3 reasons I chose this unit were VRT (which works great, our unit comes within 1/4 inch of our laundry room door and it has stayed in place perfectly), the largest drum for the money (at least for what we found), and the best reviews.

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Well, we bit the bullet and bought the Samsung 4.5 Steam front loader from Sears. It gets delivered on Tuesday!
Thanks for all the tips

What can of deal did you get? We are looking for a new set for the new house we are buying.

If you don't want to post, can you PM me? Thanks.

 

[sallysue66]

I have GE front loader and hate it! Its 3 1/2 yrs old and breaks ALL the time! It has a broken belt right now, in Aug we replaced a motor... I hate hate hate it! We had the service guy here at least 3x while it was under warranty the first year...

I hate my GE too. It gets out of balance almost everytime I wash towels. It actually doesn't do that as bad if I wash a huge load of towels, but then I'm afraid they don't get as clean. The serviceman said there was nothing wrong with it and to just cram it full of towels to avoid the balance/walking issue. What kind of advise is that??? I emailed GE and they didn't even respond.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Sleepy try looking at sears.com at the outlet store section. I looked online and saw that our outlet store had the model we wanted at $500 less. Went to look at it at it and had a new washer in less than a week.

What can of deal did you get? We are looking for a new set for the new house we are buying.

If you don't want to post, can you PM me? Thanks.

 

[Cadiewampus]

We have the Whirlpool Duet and love it. Not sure of the size but you can wash 16 pairs of jeans in it at the same time. We have never washed that many before but we did wash a King size comforter in with no problem. We got ours at Lowes a couple of years ago so don't remember how much. The guy at Lowes did suggest when choosing a washer to go with Whirlpool, LG or Samsung. He did say to stay away from GE and Frigidare and some of the lower end brands. You get what you pay for. Oh also another added bonus my soon to be 17 year old son likes to do his own laundry since we got this machine.

 

[ceecee]

We were told they were all basically the same inside. GE wants out of the appliance business supposedly so their things have been slipping. Two salesman told us Fridg. Maytag and Wpool were basically the same. My Frigidaire washer and dryer are now 27 years old, so I know one could go at any time! Both salesman said you don't get nearly as long out of the new appliances. I've smelled the musty odor in my friends washer and really didn't want a front loader for that reason, but we want a high RPM on the spin cycle and he said a top loader without an agitator will really twist things up. I was set to buy the Kenmore Elite set and he basically advised against it because it did have a high RPM and no agitator.

 

[Philharmagiclover]

I've been searching on Consumer Reports for months. I thought there was supposed to be a rebate in the fall for Energy Star but haven't heard anything yet. It said to look for high RPM on the spinning, but most don't tell you what it is in the store. I don't want a front loader due to the water/mold issue a lot of my friends have had. I know I wouldn't remember to wipe it out after a use. 1 1/2 hour is a long time for a wash to complete isn't it???

My hubby is one of the "Washer/Dryer" Engineers at Whirlpool. So, the rebate release date is up in the air but expect late this year or first part of next year. #2 The mold smell issue....the have had closed systems in Europe for eons and there they leave the washer door open when not in use, this seems to take care of it. Perhaps soon some great manufacturer will come out with an open system to prevent this hint hint
#3 High RPM is great except to advertise a specific RPM the unit only has to attain it, not maintain it and most cycles NEVER use the higher RPMs anyways. #4 My Front Load HE takes 50 minutes for a standard load (huge) and there is a setting for 26 minutes that I use for lightly worn clothing (ie not my kids clothes)

Hope this helps

 

[Philharmagiclover]

We were told they were all basically the same inside. GE wants out of the appliance business supposedly so their things have been slipping. Two salesman told us Fridg. Maytag and Wpool were basically the same. My Frigidaire washer and dryer are now 27 years old, so I know one could go at any time! Both salesman said you don't get nearly as long out of the new appliances. I've smelled the musty odor in my friends washer and really didn't want a front loader for that reason, but we want a high RPM on the spin cycle and he said a top loader without an agitator will really twist things up. I was set to buy the Kenmore Elite set and he basically advised against it because it did have a high RPM and no agitator.

Whirlpool owns Frigidaire and Maytag. The difference will be in the knob style and front displays. See my other post for the RPM and smell issue

 

[mom2mikel]

Another questions about front loading machines...

Our "laundry room" is very small -- I want to get a set that can handle a king size comforter - would a 3.4 cu ft washer do that or do I need to go bigger?

Also, can you explain the benefit of the steam figure on the higher end models? I'm trying to figure out if it's worth the added cost to get that feature -- I do pretty basic laundering.

Thanks!

 

[tedhowe]

I'm going to put another vote in for the Samsung 219 model washer/dryer.

We just bought them about 3 weeks ago. We had a 10 year old Frigidaire F/L pair that was wearing out (main bearing on the washer was worn out - it was going to be $500+ to repair - not great durability compared to old top loaders, but not bad considering the amount of laundry our little family of 4 seems to create).

I kept an eye out for a few weeks and found the Samsung 219 washer and matching gas dryer on sale for a total of just about $1100.00

So far we LOVE the samsungs - great capacity, the VRT is outstanding and the dryer is SO much faster than our old one - I think its a combination of the faster spin on the samsung washer and a more efficient dryer.

If your needs for a washer/dryer pair are not immediate, I'd say you should keep an eye out for this Samsung pair - they'll probably be available for the same or less for black friday.