Stack units or side by side? Was: I need a new washer and dryer, recommendations please!

[robinb]

My 30+ year old washer died again the day before we went on vacation *sigh*. My dryer is nearly as old. I know what the problem is and can call the repairman to fix it, but I'm ready for a change. There are both VERY basic models and I'm interested in a more energy/water efficient replacements. BUT ... there are a ton of options and I have no clue even where to start. Do you have a washer/dryer pair that you love and that is reliable?

 

[leahgoogle]

My 30+ year old washer died again the day before we went on vacation *sigh*. My dryer is nearly as old. I know what the problem is and can call the repairman to fix it, but I'm ready for a change. There are both VERY basic models and I'm interested in a more energy/water efficient replacements. BUT ... there are a ton of options and I have no clue even where to start. Do you have a washer/dryer pair that you love and that is reliable?

Unfortunately, they don't make them like they used to! My last washer only lasted 7 years. It was a front loader which I don't recommend. We have a Samsung pair. The washer has no agitator and I like that. The dryer is the highest non-commercial capacity made (we have a family of 5). Both have way too many settings though. A lot of people are getting back to the basics and there are even places refurbing old basic washers and dryers and selling them. My next washer and dryer will be as basic as they currently make. I do like the Samsung brand. Also, my mom loves her Maytag washer and dryer.

 

[Cadiewampus]

My 30+ year old washer died again the day before we went on vacation *sigh*. My dryer is nearly as old. I know what the problem is and can call the repairman to fix it, but I'm ready for a change. There are both VERY basic models and I'm interested in a more energy/water efficient replacements. BUT ... there are a ton of options and I have no clue even where to start. Do you have a washer/dryer pair that you love and that is reliable?

Ok I will say stay away from the Maytag top load or really any other top load machines that do not have the traditional tower type agitator. With all the new EPA water restrictions they just do not clean and that washer plate they usually have can actually tear up clothes. We had a Maytag Bravos top load and finally just got rid of it after 13 months of ownership. Awful machine. We now have a Samsung front load set and they do a good job.

 

[kanerf]

I like the front loaders best for washing, but get a bigger dryer. The matched front loader and dryer sets usually have a very small dryer. You can't get a big bed cover or blanket in there.

 

[sheilafri]

I have an LG front load washer that I like reasonably well. My Maytag front loaders were not good experiences, but the dryer has held up. I have a basic GE or Whirlpool top loader, that have a tower-type agitator, at my second home and frankly I don‘t like it. I’ve gotten lots of holes in my clothes and the dryer timer gave out after about 7 years. I was told it’s because machines are made to use much less water. I will be going with front load washers from now on.

 

[easyas123]

Speed Queen -

 

[ambula603]

Speed Queen. Has a great warranty and is a work horse. I love that it doesn't have a ton of bells and whistles to break. I can do laundry SO FAST now, I actually don't hate doing laundry!

 

[cvjw]

I have an LG set that is over 10 years old. I would love to get a new set, but this one just will not die. It honestly works as good today as it did when I bought it.

 

[Her Dotness]

Yes, do not even think of getting a Maytag set! They definitely do not last anymore. The commercials today would have "Ol' Lonely" the repair tech saying, "Hiya! So glad to see you again--so soon."

We've gone through 2 Maytag Bravos HE top loader washers in less than 10 years. The dryer has lasted about 10 but is showing signs of sensor failure. Both washers had 2 repairs each before dying. The last one gave out at 2-1/2 years. My previous Maytag agitator top loader held up for 20 years even with being moved twice.

The HE washers also make loud, weird noises with the most-used cycles lasting an hour or longer. They may save water and energy but will drive you nuts if your hookups aren't in a basement.

I suggest looking at the Speed Queen line of plain old agitator washer and dryer. That's what I'm considering as the Speed Queen washers in our complex's laundry room have gotten out dried-in stains the last HE couldn't when fresh.

 

[barkley]

I have an LG set that is over 10 years old. I would love to get a new set, but this one just will not die. It honestly works as good today as it did when I bought it.

we have 9 year old lg front loaders that we love. we went with the largest capacity b/c i like to be able to do our ugg and other king size bedding at home (they work great for it). i like that the washer weighs the load and determines how much water is needed. i did find our utility bill dropped when we replaced our older machines.

i will never regret getting the stands to put my front loaders on-great for storage in the drawers/phenomenal for the relief to my back.

 

[Turn the Page]

Speed Queen -

My SIL has a speed queen set in his house and she loves it. They aren't cheap but I hear they are the best.

Whatever you do, do not buy your appliances from a big box store like Home Depot or Lowes. Just because it says Samsung on it doesn't mean it's the same Samsung you get from the appliance store. The model from the local appliance store will cost more but it is a better quality and they will likely be able to service it if need be.

 

[RoseGold]

Costco with the Citi credit card. Four years of service. If you get a dud, they will handle it, Costco support is serious. I just got the simple ones. Costco often puts these on sales at the traditional holiday times.

 

[MillauFr]

Just get a front load. Much better than the top load models.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Uggh, this is such a sore point for me. I despise the new washing machines designs, they don't have enough water which is just flat out gross so I am always either washing out stains by hand in a tub of water, soaking in a tub of water or adding more water because the dumb thing doesn't know there are towels or jeans in there which act like sponges and I hate that they don't have an agitator so stains sometimes require a few washings, all of which is counter productive. If I had my old one would keep repairing until it until it literally fell apart because it had an agitator and a finger faucet button so I could add water... I miss that old hunk of junk so much.

 

[firefly_ris]

I don't know, but I'm still waiting on my 15 year old Frigidaire front-loader set to die because I dislike front loaders, but they're still going, so I have no reason to go spend money. I have heard good things about Speed Queen and looked into them a bit. I would also pay attention to the basin size in case washing larger items is important to you.

 

[Pooh2]

We bought a set of Speed Queen in 2019.
Happy with our purchase.
When we use laundry matt washers when traveling, the clothes barely get wet or clean.
Glad we did not go with a water-saving-at-the-expense-of- cleanliness machine.

 

[dez1978]

Just get a front load. Much better than the top load models.

I 100000% disagree with this. I hated my front load and it didn't get clothes nearly as clean as my top load with the agitator.

 

[leebee]

I live in fear of the day our 22 year old washer/dryer will dry. I think they are Whirlpools. DH has gotten very good at doing repairs, replacing belts, thermostats, feed dogs, etc. EVERYONE I know who's gotten one of the new, HE, low water washers has hated it (everything always smells musty) and they've died in 2-3 years.

By the way... Using local guys doesn't always mean good service and good appliances. We replaced our appliances (fridge, dishwasher, stove) in February. We wanted to use the local guys, not the Big Box store. Of course it meant ordering things sight-unseen, as their showroom isn't what it used to be, but hey, they have a great reputation, let's do this! BIGGEST MISTAKE OF THE CENTURY. Although the fridge is 18cuft, like the one in the dining room, it's weird and doesn't hold as much stuff as our old side-by-side held. The dishwasher? Doesn't dry at all. Also, when the guys installed it, they didn't screw it into the counter properly and the dishwasher rolled out of the hole it fits into on day 3- with dishes in it. That was a happy mess. Dh can see how it wasn't properly installed, but the LocalGuys don't care. But the stove... ordered the last week of Feb, came into the store in June. Of course it's fully paid for. We have been playing phone and email tag all freaking summer, trying to get it delivered. Twice they just never showed up. Today they showed up... and took out our fence pulling into the driveway. THEN they brought the stove in, plugged it in even though it was still wrapped. Well... funny smell and smoke. Turns out one of the burners was turned on somehow. LocalGuys never checked anything, just plugged in the stove. The house is full of a funny smell (at least the smoke is gone), the burner/stove top had plastic melted on it, and my fence is demolished. Ya know what? We sent it back. LocalGuys more than had a chance. We'll be getting the cost of the stove put back on our credit card and the fence people are coming to do an estimate. LocalGuys said if we have it fixed, they'll reimburse us. NOPE. Fence guys will deal with Local Guys directly to replace our fence. We've learned the hard way about doing business with them.

 

[LoveSpringsteen]

I have an LG Top Load with no agitator that I LOVE! The only thing is it does take so much longer to do a load of wash than my old agitator washer. It takes over an hour for a basic wash cycle with fabric softener. The clothes get very clean and they do not take as long to dry as the spin cycle is so efficient. We've had it for about 4 years now and (knocks on wood) no problems so far.

 

[Moliphino]

I bought a Maytag HE top load no agitator washer and dryer when we bought our house. They're not even three years old yet, but I've had no issues so far. We're two adult women who work in offices, so our clothes rarely get all that dirty anyway.