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Wondering about the most reliable brands of washers and dryers? Check out the top 5 recommended by experts. Lab Food Autoclave Machine
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Whether you’re shopping for your first home or just in the market for a new laundry appliance, you’ve probably asked yourself, “What is the most reliable brand of washer and dryer?”
The short answer is there’s no single best washer or dryer brand, and the long answer is that some brands make washer-dryer sets that are better for some people than others. A large family requires a machine with good capacity that can handle frequent use, whereas a washing machine for apartment-dwellers needs to be more compact. Regardless of your needs, you also want to know the machine will work for a long time and won’t have any costly repairs.
Find out which one’s right for you with our guide to the best washer and dryer brands, and see what repairmen from across the country have to say about them.
LG was formed in the 1980s when plastics company Lucky and electronics manufacturer Goldstar merged to create the brand and name we know today. Goldstar was known as a pioneer in the electronics industry before the merger and has shown no signs of slowing down in recent years.
Washer and dryer sets like the LG WashTower—which features a center control panel to operate both machines, a rarity among stackable washers and dryers—connect to the LG ThinQ app. Among other things, the app can alert you to problems with your machines, find the best washing and drying cycles for special fabrics, and let you know when your laundry is done.
Repairmen say machines often have draining issues
Maytag has been in the washing machine business since the late 1890s, so it’s safe to say they know a thing or two about creating reliable and functional washers and dryers. The company primarily manufactures top-load washing machines that focus on functionality over tech, though there is a companion app.
Machines like the Maytag Pet Pro come with a highly efficient agitator to scrub stains and pet hair from clothes and a deep fill option to add more water if desired. The brand is also known for making large washer and dryer sets with enough room for families of all sizes to clean their clothes in as few loads as possible.
Whirlpool has come a long way in the washer and dryer space since 1911 when it produced its first wringer-washer. The company is known for offering more than 20 washers, dryers and washer-dryer sets for people with different budgets and lifestyles.
The Whirlpool Portable Impeller Top-Load Washer is great for people in tiny apartments or those who move frequently. This portable washing machine works with a traditional 120-volt outlet (unlike most washing machines that require a 240-volt outlet), can be wheeled anywhere and hooks up to your sink for easy washing. Pair the washing machine with the Whirlpool Portable Electric Dryer, which also works with a 120-volt outlet and has sensor-drying technology to prevent shrinkage.
Asko is a Swedish appliance company that has revolutionized the laundry industry since its founding in 1950. It was one of the first companies to use shock absorbers and stabilizers to reduce noise during washing and drying, and in recent years has replaced the rubber bellow found on most machines with a steel seal that reduces bacteria buildup.
The Asko Classic Series is a side-by-side washer and dryer set that features a washing machine with an anti-crease system and 15 wash cycles, and a Soft Drum dryer that increases airflow to use less electricity to dry your clothes. Every Asko machine is Energy Star-certified, which helps your electricity bill and the environment, and is rated to work for at least 20 years.
Miele has been one of the companies that other appliance manufacturers look to for inspiration since 1903. The company’s honeycomb drum helps reduce wear and tear on clothes by putting a thin film of water between the drum and your fabrics. Their machines have been tested to work for 20 years, so you can expect to pay top dollar for this brand—pro tip: look out for washer and dryer sales around holidays.
The Miele W1 washer and T1 dryer work as a side-by-side or stackable set. The smart washing machine features a TwinDos detergent system that eliminates the guesswork of how much detergent to use—simply load up the compartment and let the machine dispense the right amount. The ventless dryer uses 60% less energy to dry clothes, a win for your power bill and the environment.
When looking for a reliable washer and dryer, see if the company has tested their machines’ longevity. Reliable brands, such as Asko and Miele, will actually put their appliances through simulations to see how long they work.
Next, consider the warranty. Even the most reliable washing machines and dryers have issues from time to time, and repairs can be costly and time-consuming. The majority of brands only offer 12 months, but some, like Maytag, offer 10-year coverage on the most important parts—motors and drums.
Beyond that, look at details like size, price and special features that fit your needs and lifestyle. A companion app isn’t necessary, but it’s nice to monitor your laundry while you’re in a different room. Some apps may also alert you to issues with your machines before they’re apparent to the naked eye.
I’m a former New York City doorman who often did shopping research for high-profile tenants and I’ve written about similar large home appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers. To find the most reliable washer and dryer brands, I put hours of research into customer reviews, machine specs and common issues with certain machines. I combed through the brands offered at most major retailers and ensured they offered multiple washers and dryers to fit different budgets and lifestyles, eliminating any with more negative reviews than positive. And for the expert’s take, I turned to washer repair companies Shaper Service Solutions and Advanced Appliance Service Inc., as well as Puls technicians, a nationwide service of appliance technicians, to see what they had to say about certain brands.
As the old saying goes, there are different strokes for different folks, and the same goes for the best reliable washers and dryers. Maytag is a good fit for large families due to their larger load sizes, but it’s not a brand we’d recommend to a single person who might be better off with LG’s tech-inspired machines.
That said, these five brands have some of the best customer reviews and produce efficient machines that fit multiple lifestyles.
Whirlpool and LG were the two washing machine brands recommended by Puls who said they had the fewest problems and were the cheapest to repair, on average. Maytag came in at third.
Both brands make high-quality machines, but repairmen from Puls found that Whirlpool had fewer problems and was cheaper to repair than Maytag. Maytag, however, ranked third among most major appliance brands for reliable washer and dryers.
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