We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Shopping The 10 Best Washing Machines of 2024, Researched and Tested By Us Effective and easy-to-use washers you’ll be happy to have in your laundry room. By Barbara Bellesi Zito Barbara Bellesi Zito Barbara Bellesi Zito is a freelance writer with nearly two decades of experience covering various home and lifestyle topics, including real estate and home improvement trends, home and garden products, personal finance, and shopping trends. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on January 22, 2024 Fact checked by Jillian Dara Fact checked by Jillian Dara Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist, editor and fact checker with 10 years of editorial experience in the lifestyle genre. Learn about BHG's Fact Checking Process In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews The Bottom Line Our Testing Process Others We Tested What to Know Before Shopping Your Questions, Answered Who We Are Better Homes & Gardens / Kristin Kempa Laundry can seem like an endless chore when your hamper starts to fill up as soon as it's emptied. Whether you're doing laundry for one person or for the whole family, you'll need a washing machine that has the right load capacity, wash cycles, and features to meet your needs and keep your clothes clean. However, picking out a new washer means more than just choosing between a front-loading or a top-loading machine. The best washing machines on the market not only remove dirt, stains, and smells from your clothes, they also make the chore of washing even more intuitive and effortless. According to Steve Sheinkopf, CEO of Yale Appliance, smart washing machines offer many useful features that you may want to consider. One feature Sheinkopf says is a winner is an automatic detergent dispenser. Fill it up with detergent (some models hold up to 40 loads' worth), and it will be dispensed in the correct amount for each load. This feature is not only a timesaver, but it's also a washing machine saver, "Most people overfill the dispenser," Sheinkopf says. "The excess detergent remains in the washer and can become an expensive future service call." To find the best washing machines, we researched and tested the best picks, keeping in mind capacity, dimensions, the number of wash cycles, and whether or not there are any smart features. We also consulted Sheinkopf for additional insight. Our Top Picks Best Overall: LG Electronics WM4000HWA Front Load Washer at Wayfair ($1,100) Jump to Review Best Budget: Samsung Top Load Washer with Impeller at Wayfair ($726) Jump to Review Best Front-Loading: Electrolux High-Efficiency Front Load Washer at Wayfair ($949) Jump to Review Best Large Capacity: Samsung Smart High-Efficiency Front Load Washer at Samsung ($1,439) Jump to Review Best Features: Samsung Front Load Washer at Amazon ($775) Jump to Review Best All-in-One: GE Electric All-in-One Washer Dryer Combo at Wayfair ($1,399) Jump to Review Best Laundry Tower: LG Electronics WKEX200HB WashTower Laundry Center at Amazon ($1,899) Jump to Review Best Portable: Black+Decker Small Portable Washer at Amazon ($244) Jump to Review Best Top Loading: Speed Queen Heavy Duty Top Load Washer at Best Buy ($1,430) Jump to Review Best Tower: LG Front Load WashTower at Wayfair ($2,500) Jump to Review Best Overall LG Electronics WM4000HWA Front Load Washer Lowe's View On Wayfair $1,100 View On Lowe's $898 View On Home Depot $898 Our Ratings Cleaning 5/5 Drying 5/5 Design 5/5 Noise Level 5/5 Efficiency 5/5 Why You Should Get It It took less time to clean than other washers we’ve used, and the unit was fairly quiet in use. Keep in Mind We would have preferred it if it was a bit taller. Overall, the best washing machine is the LG Electronics WM4000HWA Front Load Washer. We liked the simple and effective unit, which was better than other washing machines we had used previously. The machine uses five jets to spray clothes from different angles to help wash large loads of laundry faster. With a variety of settings—including a steam function and specific cycles for bedding, towels, and more—this washer has plenty of capabilities to suit different laundry types. We used the normal cycle most often during testing and found that it got the job done. No need to sort your clothing before putting them in the machine, either; this smart washer uses AI technology and sensors to automatically determine fabrics and select the perfect wash setting. Its allergenic wash cycle uses steam to help remove up to 95 percent of dander and allergens from your clothing, and the machine is even certified by the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America. Unlike some other washers, we noted that this wasn’t too loud and you couldn’t hear it unless you were quite close to it. It also sings a song to alert you when the wash cycle has finished, which we thought was helpful and not disruptive. Though loading this washer was easy, we would have liked it if the unit was taller, causing less strain on our back. That being said, we did appreciate how much you could wash in one load. We typically washed five thick towels, two sets of queen sheets, and one or two blankets, depending on the size, and didn’t run into any issues. We also like that a wash cycle took 30–40 minutes, which we felt was shorter than other washing machines we’ve used. Product Details: Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet | Dimensions: 39 x 27 x 30.25 inches | Number of Wash Cycles: 12 | Smart Features: Yes Better Homes & Gardens / Ashley Craiger Better Homes & Gardens / Ashley Craiger Better Homes & Gardens / Ashley Craiger Better Homes & Gardens / Ashley Craiger Best Budget Samsung Top Load Washer with Impeller Lowe's View On Wayfair $726 View On Lowe's $648 View On Home Depot $648 Our Ratings Cleaning 4.8/5 Design 4.5/5 Noise Level 4/5 Efficiency 4/5 Value 4.5/5 Why You Should Get It It’s got a larger capacity than other washers we tested. Keep in Mind It doesn’t have as many advanced features as some other options. From the start, it was easy to operate the Samsung WA500R5200AW Top Load Washer thanks to clear, intuitive settings. The machine ran consistently well, and we won’t blame it for the occasional detergent pod that got stuck to a piece of clothing. After testing, we concluded that we’d gladly consider switching to liquid detergent or sheets because the machine works better than any other washing machine we’ve used in the past. This isn’t the fanciest machine in terms of looks or design on our list, but it’s an excellent top-loading machine that we found works effectively, load after load. There are no smart features, so you can’t hook this up to an app. But there are other convenient features, like delay start and a good range of wash settings—we even like the cute little song that plays when the wash cycle is complete. Since it’s a top-load machine, it’s got a larger drum capacity than the other front-loading units on our list. Plus, we like the soft-close glass lid that allows us to keep an eye on the wash as needed. We also appreciate that it has an EnergyStar certification—good for the environment and our energy bills—and that it comes with a one-year parts and labor warranty for peace of mind. Product Details: Capacity: 5 cubic feet | Dimensions: 27.5 x 44.6 x 29.4 inches | Number of Wash Cycles: 10 | Smart Features: No Best Front-Loading Electrolux High-Efficiency Front Load Washer The Home Depot View On Wayfair $949 View On Walmart $998 View On Lowe's $998 Our Ratings Cleaning 4.8/5 Drying 4.5/5 Design 4.2/5 Noise Level 3/5 Efficiency 5/5 Why You Should Get It The specialized cycles, like the heavy-duty or quick wash, were very effective. Keep in Mind The washer was a bit noisy and some thicker fabrics needed longer to dry. Since we had already been using an older model Electrolux model, we were excited to try out a new model. Immediately we found the dryer cycle on the Electrolux ELFW High-Efficiency Front Load Washer was much improved, thanks to its auto-sensing technology that knows how long clothing should dry. We found the front control panel to be quite easy to use—knobs for the main settings and buttons to adjust the temperature, level of drying, spin speeds, and others. Even in the digital age, it was nice to have these more manual controls. There are no smart functions, but if you’re used to working with older machines and want a newer model that’s simple to use, you might not feel the need to hook up to an app (we didn’t). We defaulted to the “normal” setting most often and found it to be effective. But we were blown away by the heavy-duty wash setting that took on about 30 cloth diapers. Except for two or three that came out slightly stained, the whole load came out smelling fresh and clean. The dryer works well, though thicker clothing (like cloth diapers) did struggle to get fully dry during a cycle. We liked the “instant refresh” cycle that steams clothes to release wrinkles—a great feature if you can’t get to empty the dryer right away. We also appreciated that there’s a little leaf symbol to show what settings are considered eco-friendly, and we found that we did choose those configurations most often. After three months of testing, we still loved this machine. We branched out into other settings, like the fast wash (15 minutes), which is a game changer if you’re the parent of a little one. The Optic Whites cycle has a Smart Boost function that truly delivers and is now our go-to setting for all white clothes. We did note that this machine is a bit noisy if you plan to stay near your laundry room during a wash cycle, but that’s about the only real complaint we have about this machine. Product Details: Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet | Dimensions: 38 x 27 x 32 inches | Number of Wash Cycles: 11 | Smart Features: No Better Homes & Gardens / Laura Miller Best Large Capacity Samsung Smart High-Efficiency Front Load Washer Lowe's View On Samsung $1,439 View On Sears.com Our Ratings Cleaning 4.5/5 Design 4.3/5 Noise Level 5/5 Efficiency 4.5/5 Value 4/5 Why You Should Get It The large washer drum handled large loads well and it was easy to remove clothing after a cycle. Keep in Mind The dryer tends to leave some items damp in large loads, especially bedding. During testing, we were impressed with this Samsung style’s large capacity. Both drums on the Smart High-Efficiency Front Load Washer were spacious enough for large loads of laundry, but they also made for easy loading and emptying, too. The machines are sleek and attractive but we were dismayed to see that the tops of the machines scratched quite easily over time. The touchscreen buttons made navigating through the various settings and cycles a breeze. The lint trap required both hands to empty, but we noticed that its multichambered design made it remove lint very well. These machines were rather quiet during operation. The only time they made a fuss was at the end of the cycle when the machine played a little song; we did find it a bit annoying, but it does serve a purpose. We also found it quite frustrating to install the app, particularly when more than one user in the household logs on to the account. But once we were up and running, we liked that you could create a “laundry recipe” that walks you through each laundry load to find the best combination of cycles to wash and dry it properly. During testing, we noticed that when drying larger loads, some items (usually towels) came out still damp. Washing towels on their own just takes a single cycle, but we found that even thinner blankets and bedding took multiple cycles to fully dry. The bespoke settings can be a bit overwhelming, but the ones we tried seemed to work well. We didn’t notice much of a difference between the “normal” wash cycle and the athletic gear for workout clothes, but perhaps that’s a testament to how effective this machine is in general. We found the “usual” settings to be quite effective and often defaulted to using these, but there are settings like steam sanitize that seem promising. We used the self-cleaning function and noticed that it eliminated the musty smell that had started brewing; it even made cleaning more effective, so it’s worth using this setting at regular intervals. Product Details: Capacity: 5 cubic feet | Dimensions: 38.75 x 27 x 33.5 inches | Number of Wash Cycles: 25 | Smart Features: Yes Best Features Samsung Front Load Washer Best Buy View On Amazon $775 View On Lowe's $648 View On Home Depot $648 Why You Should Get It This washing machine is one of Energy Star's Most Efficient appliances. Keep in Mind It doesn't offer an app connection. While app connection and smart features have their place, we also found during our search for the best washing machines that some of these added bells and whistles are more of a hassle than a convenience. However, the Samsung High-Efficiency Stackable Washer has a myriad of special settings that actually make laundry day easier. The machine has 10 wash settings to choose from, including one for activewear, which cleans sweaty clothes without making them dingy, and a bedding wash cycle for keeping sheets and comforters plush and soft. You won't have to worry about the cycle stopping midway due to unbalanced clothing, either, thanks to an automatic setting that will rebalance the load. Plus, the washer drum is designed to remove water more quickly during the final spin cycle, so your laundry will be done faster. It even has a self-cleaning function that helps to remove bacteria inside the machine. And while you can't control the machine through it, you'll be able to use the Smart Care app to diagnose any issues that may arise and get connected with a repair technician. The Samsung washer has a slimline design with closet-depth measurements, so it can fit easily into most spaces. This doesn't mean you'll sacrifice laundry space, though; the large, 4.5-cubic-foot drum allows you to wash large loads all at once. It also has vibration reduction technology, which will help reduce noise in your home when the washer is running. To top it all off, this high-efficiency washing machine was named one of Energy Star's Most Efficient, meaning it requires less electricity and water to run than other appliances on the market. Product Details: Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet | Dimensions: 27 x 31.3 x 38.7 inches | Number of Wash Cycles: 10 | Smart Features: No Best All-in-One GE Electric All-in-One Washer Dryer Combo Amazon View On Wayfair $1,399 View On Walmart $1,299 View On Lowe's $1,399 Why You Should Get It It's ventless, so you have more options for where to install it. Keep in Mind It has a smaller capacity than most regular washers and dryers. A great way to save space in your homes is to find an appliance that both washes and dries your clothes, and the GE Electric All-in-One Washer Dryer Combo is our top pick for the best all-in-one washer-dryer. No more pulling out a load of soggy clothes; just leave your laundry in this machine until it's all done. You might think it would take up a ton of space, but this machine is only 23 inches deep and 25 inches wide, making it easy to install just about anywhere in your home. There's no vent required to operate this all-in-one, so you can tuck it under a counter, in a closet, or in any other small space. You don't even have to worry about adding detergent or fabric softener to a load manually, thanks to an automatic dispenser that does it for you at just the right time in the cycle. This GE also senses the correct dry cycle based on the load you've just washed, so all you have to do is fold and put the clothes away once it's complete. The steam wash option digs deep into fabric to get rid of stains without damaging your clothes. There's also a sanitize cycle, which uses a hotter temperature to kill off bacteria and other household allergens. Forgot to add something to the wash? Press pause to unlock the door and you can toss it in. Product Details: Capacity: 2.4 cubic feet | Dimensions: 33.25 x 23.5 x 25.63 inches | Number of Wash Cycles: 14 | Smart Capable: No The 6 Best Window Air Conditioners of 2024 for Cooling Every Room in Your House Best Laundry Tower LG Electronics WKEX200HB WashTower Laundry Center Amazon View On Amazon $1,899 View On Wayfair $1,700 View On Lowe's $1,898 Why You Should Get It It's compact, but it has plenty of room for large laundry loads. Keep in Mind The gas-powered version is about $200 more expensive than the electric one. If you're looking to maximize space in your laundry room, the LG WashTower is a great appliance that offers app connectivity, an easy-to-use control panel, and plenty of features. While it saves space by stacking the dryer on top of the washer, the large drum capacities of both appliances allow you to do more laundry in one load. With five different temperature settings and six wash cycles with the washer and six drying cycles with the dryer, you'll have plenty of options to choose from when doing your laundry. The control panel for both appliances is at waist-height for easy use, and the connected app allows you to start a new wash or dry cycle from anywhere at the press of a button. If you need something clean in a hurry, the speed wash cycle can complete a small load of laundry in only 15 minutes. Or, if you've got an extra-large load, there's plenty of room in the 4.5 cubic foot washer and 7.4 cubic capacity dryer. The washer has a stainless steel drum, so it'll treat all of your fabrics gently. Best of all, it's Energy Star certified, so you'll save on water and energy, which means you'll also save money. Product Details: Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet for washer; 7.4 cubic feet for dryer | Dimensions: 74.38 x 30.38 x 27 inches | Number of Wash Cycles: Six | Smart Features: Yes Best Portable Black+Decker Small Portable Washer Amazon View On Amazon $244 View On Walmart $244 View On Home Depot $244 Why You Should Get It It doesn't require a traditional washer/dryer hookup; you can drain the water into a sink through the hose. Keep in Mind You can only wash medium-sized loads with cold water. You don't need a dedicated laundry room or even a washer hookup to get your clothes clean thanks to this Black + Decker Portable Washer. There are five wash cycles—heavy, gentle, rapid, normal, and soak—and an LED display to let you know how much time is left. Since it's approximately the same size as a clothes hamper, this washer is easy to store away without requiring tons of space. It's also more energy efficient than other portable washing machines because it runs on cold water, and you'll only need to clean out the built-in filter once a month. Just keep in mind that this washing machine requires high-efficiency detergent. It connects easily to a faucet with a drain hose, and the adapter is included so all the dirty water can easily drain out of the machine without creating a mess. The drum has a capacity of 0.9 cubic feet and holds a little more than six pounds of laundry, which is big enough to fit a normal load. Its cycles run between 19 and 52 minutes. Of course, you won't be able to get your comforter in this washer, but it's perfect for washing small- and medium-sized loads from the comfort of your apartment, dorm room, RV, or even a boat—basically any place with a sink. Product Details: Capacity: 0.9 cubic feet | Dimensions: 31.1 x 17.3 x 17.7 inches | Number of Wash Cycles: Five | Smart Features: No The 12 Best Humidifiers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Best Top Loading Speed Queen Heavy Duty Top Load Washer Best Buy View On Best Buy $1,430 View On Ajmadison.com View On Pcrichard.com Our Ratings Cleaning 5/5 Design 4.3/5 Noise Level 5/5 Efficiency 5/5 Value 4.5/5 Why You Should Get It It’s got a ton of wash settings and was very quiet. Keep in Mind It’s got a smaller capacity than others on our list. If you prefer a top-loading style, we highly recommend this model for your laundry room. During testing, we found the Speed Queen TR7003WN style fairly simple to operate from the start. Plus, we liked that there are a total of 16 wash cycles to choose from, so you can choose specific options depending on your laundry needs. The digital display was clear and easy to read, and the buttons made it easy to toggle between cycles and settings. However, we leaned into the preset settings during the testing period and found them to be quite effective. We especially liked the soak and prewash settings and found that with a bit of pretreatment added to soiled clothing, the stains could be removed easily without the need for multiple wash cycles. There were also special cycles for specific materials like denim and even athletic clothing, so you have the option to customize every load of wash. This machine was very quiet, and we noted that you can carry on a conversation, watch TV, or listen to music within earshot. Aside from having fresh, clean clothing, we were impressed by Speed Queen’s extensive seven-year parts and labor warranty as well. Product Details: Capacity: 3.2 cubic feet | Dimensions: 25.625 x 42.75 x 28 inches | Number of Wash Cycles: 16 | Smart Features: No Best Tower LG Front Load WashTower Wayfair View On Wayfair $2,500 View On Lowe's $1,898 View On Home Depot $1,898 Our Ratings Cleaning 5/5 Drying 5/5 Design 5/5 Noise Level 5/5 Efficiency 5/5 Why You Should Get It It’s a full-size washer and dryer that won’t take up all of your laundry space. Keep in Mind The doors swing left and they are not reversible. If you’re looking to save floor space, the LG WashTower is one of the best options to consider. The stacked style includes both a washer and dryer. Plus, this model has plenty of settings to choose from, including 10 wash cycles and five temperatures, as well as five rinse cycles. There’s even a steam function to blast away bacteria and allergens. When it’s time to dry, you can choose from nine drying cycles and five dry temperatures. But don’t let decision fatigue overwhelm you—it’s got built-in AI intelligence that senses your wash and automatically chooses compatible cycles. This LG smart wash tower scored the highest marks across the board for cleaning, drying, design, efficiency, and even noise level—a bonus if you’ve ever had to endure loud and disruptive machines. This sleek-looking machine is offered in black or white, both with tempered glass doors that stand up to scratches and other impacts. Need to freshen up your machine? Just touch a button and the TubClean system cleans the tub, door, and gaskets—it even dries it, too. We like that it pairs with Alexa and Google Assistant so laundry cycles can be controlled remotely through the ThinQ app. Product Details: Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet washer, 7.4 cubic feet dryer | Dimensions: 27 x 74.38 x 30.38 inches | Number of Wash/Dry Cycles: 10 wash, nine dry | Smart Features: Yes The Bottom Line Overall, the best washer is the LG WM4000HWA 4.5 cu. ft. Ultra Large Capacity Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Front Load Washer. It took less time to clean than other washers we’ve used, and the unit was fairly quiet in use. It also sings a song to alert you when the wash cycle has finished, which we thought was helpful and not disruptive. Our Testing Process To find the best washing machines, we tested several units at home, providing insights after one month, three months, six months, and finally a full year of use. We washed and dried at least two full loads of clothing per week—one being towels and/or bedding—making sure to pretreat any stains, if necessary. We noted any features, cycles, and settings that stood out compared to previously used machines. When loading and unloading the machines, we noticed the size of the washer drums, as well as how easy or hard it was to reach in. We also observed noise levels during wash cycles. When a cycle was finished, testers looked to see whether any stains or soap residue remained and whether the spin cycle was effective at draining out most of the water. For the washers with smart features, we connected the units to Wi-Fi, downloaded the app, and explored features. We also analyzed their energy and water bills during the months of testing, noting whether costs rose or fell with these newer, more efficient models. After getting used to how the machine worked in general, we then explored other laundry settings, noting how effective each preset wash and dry cycle was for the intended garments. We observed the cleaning results on bespoke cycles and whether they were better than the “normal” or “regular” cycles. We also tried out other features, like dry-sensor technology, bulk detergent dispensers, and extra rinse cycles. We ran the self-clean mode (where applicable) and noted its efficiency. Other Washing Machines We Tested Samsung WF53BB8900AD Bespoke 5.3 cu. ft. Ultra-Capacity Smart Front Load Washer When we tested the Samsung WF53BB8900AD Bespoke 5.3 cu. ft. Ultra-Capacity Smart Front Load Washer, we found that it holds a large load of items and it was easy to load and unload our laundry. However, it took longer than we would have liked for it to finish a wash cycle and we found that alerts quite loud and annoying. It also didn’t wash our laundry as well as we would have hoped, and we had difficulty connecting the unit to Wi-Fi too. What to Know About Washing Machines Before Shopping Capacity When shopping for the best washing machine, don't confuse capacity with the machine's dimensions; there are some machines that are compact in size but still have plenty of room to take on larger loads of laundry. Sheinkopf says that while previous generations might have been just fine with a 2.3 cubic foot top-load machine, today's best washing machines are now as big as seven cubic feet. "For the best value, you want to stay with 4.5 to 5 cubic foot max on a front-loading machine," Sheinkopf says. With top-loading machines, you might be tempted to choose one without an agitator to have even more room, but Sheinkopf says the larger washers without agitators simply don't wash clothes as well. If you need a top-loading washer that can handle particularly soiled laundry, plan to shop for an appliance that has an agitator, not an impeller. Drum Material The drum is the rotating container inside the washer that holds the clothes. It's perforated to release the water when the wash cycle finishes. Drums are made from heavy-duty plastic, porcelain-coated steel, or stainless steel. The latter is best, because it's much more durable and it's non-porous, which allows it to stand up to odors. Wash Settings There are washing machines that have upwards of a dozen wash and rinse settings and cycles. While having options is rarely a bad thing, you probably won't use all of them on a regular basis. Instead, the best washing machines will have various water temperature settings and at least a few fabric settings to accommodate different laundry types. Your Questions, Answered How do you clean a washing machine? You should clean your washer every 30 loads or so to keep bacteria and mildew out of the drum, which is especially important in front-loading washers. Affresh tablets are one of the simplest ways to clean your machine; just drop one in and choose the clean setting on your machine. If you'd prefer a natural method, sprinkle about half a cup of baking soda in the drum and pour one cup of distilled white vinegar into the detergent dispenser. Then, run it on a cycle with hot water. It should smell clean and fresh when it's through. How level does a washing machine need to be? Your washing machine must be on all four feet at all times to keep it running efficiently. A professional installer will ensure this is the case, but if you have an unbalanced load that knocks the machine off kilter, you'll need to get it leveled again. This is non-negotiable if you have a stacked washer/dryer or a laundry tower. It's a huge safety risk if it's uneven, as the entire set could tip over. How much water does a washing machine use? According to Energy Star, washing machines between four and five cubic feet use around 14 gallons of water per load. However, the best washing machines are Energy Star-certified, meaning they require up to 30 percent less energy and water than other competing models. This can save you a lot of money on your monthly energy bill. Who We Are Barbara Bellesi Zito writes about home and garden topics for Better Homes & Gardens. To compile this list, she researched a variety of the best washing machines from top brands based on their capacity, stain-fighting power, variety of wash cycles and settings, and smart technology features. She also consulted Steve Sheinkopf, CEO of Yale Appliance, for his expertise. The 9 Best Laundry Stain Removers, Tested and Reviewed Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Better Homes & Gardens is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. Clothes Washers. Energy Star.