Need consumer reports on front load washer. Dryer

[Gayler]

I think I have decided to buy new. Looking at Maytag. Whirpool. Lenore. Lg or what anyone else suggests. Thanks.

[kstrib]

Consumer reports ranked the machines as follows:
1. Whirlpool Duet WFW94HEX ($1000)
2. Whirlpool Duet WFW95HEX ($1200)
3. Whirlpool Duet WFW97HEX ($1500)
4. Maytag Maxima MHW6000X ($1000)
5. Maytag maxima MHW7000) ($1200)
6. Kenmore 4027 ($800)
7. Kenmore Elite 4051 ($1020)
8. Kenmore Elite Steam 4102 ($1130)
And then following:
Samsung
LG
Whirlpool Duet Steam
Miele
LG
GE

The Kenmore is marked a Best Buy but I read one of the reviews that it only lasts about 5 years. Keep that in mind.
Kat

P.S. I have a GE Duet that I've had for several years - at least 5. It's O.K. I've had to replace the shocks on it, replace something so that it would drain completely, and I'm convinced that it is putting holes in some of my clothes (although I can't prove it.)

[Laura H1]

Whew, so glad Kat posted as it was a LONG review! If I had to buy today, I'd be hard pressed to pick something other than the Kenmore... (could be plural as they all rated high up there!)...

I still LOVE my LG... and although LG is listed as a Best Buy also on CR, it's cleaning was only rated "Very Good" (in CR's latest tests), instead of "Excellent" (like the Kenmore and the ones listed above it); However, like the Kenmore, the LG ranked excellent in "Gentleness". Whereas the ones listed higher where only listed as "Very Good" (except for the Maytag Maxima, which also ranked, "Excellent" in "Gentleness", but only "Very Good" in "cleaning")...

Hope our heads (mine and K's) put together help you a bit!

Let us know if you have other "picky" things you want to know about for what you are considering.

There were miniscule differences in the top rated models that Kat listed. So price, cycle functions, runtimes, and "looks" may be what help you choose.

Laura

[danellsar]

Gayler- Don't know what part of CA you are in, but I just today purchased a Maytag Maxima frontloader with 4.5 cu ft and tons of features. I got it at RC Willey, which is in Rocklin, CA (near Sacramento) and also has stores in Nevada and other states. It was cheaper than the same machine at either Home Depot or Lowes, cheaper (and nicer) than Fry's. On sale it was $650 and has a $50 rebate, usually priced at $950-1000.

Their prices overall were great. Top loaders from $300-$900, front loaders from $400 up. Best of all, it'll be delivered and installed tomorrow (and the old broken one hauled away).

Shop around. Most stores will price match if you find the same thing somewhere else for cheaper. Some stores will look for you (like this one) and will lower their prices right there if they find it online cheaper.
Ellen

[kstrib]

Oops - those are the rankings for the washers!!! I'll post dryers shortly
Kat

[ahava]

What kind of holes ... it is sounding familiar!!

[cathyd]

I HATE my Kenmore front-loading machine.

I hate the way the seal is designed on my Kenmore front-loading machine. Lots of gunk gets caught in the seal of the washing machine and then it leave streaks on my clothes.

My MIL has a Bosch front-loading machine and she loves it. I've looked at it and the seal is designed much differently than on my Kenmore.

If you decide to look at front-loading machines, make sure you check out the design of the seal first.

Cathy

[kstrib]

They look like cigarette burns - but I don't smoke! I would think that I was the only one getting them because my son/husband don't have many but... I'm the only one using the machine for my everyday wear so my clothes get more washing. My son wears uniforms and my dh wears suits. And, here's the kicker, my dh's shirt got some on his shoulder! It's a new shirt and nothing else would have made it look like it had been in a fight.

Sometimes, in addition to just the holes, the fabric looks stressed. And that's what it looked like on his shirt. I can post a pick if anyone is really curious.

Kat

[kstrib]

Here's the dryer recommendations from Consumer Reports
1. LG DLE2701 ($1100)
2. GE Profile Harmony DPGt750 ($900)
3. LG DLEX3885 ($1400)
4. LG DLEX3875 ($1300)
5. LG DLEX5101 ($1000)
6. LG DLE5001 ($900)
7. LG DLEX2501 ($900)
8. Samsung DV520 ($1400)
9. Samsung DV419A ($1000)
10. Kenmore 6800 ($700)
Following are:
Whirlpool WED9450
Whirlpool Duet Steam
Kenmore 6927
LG
more Kenmore's
Maytag
Samsung
Bosch
Amana
Miele
Electrolux
Frigidaire
Asko
Fisher & Paykel
Staber
Hotpoint
Roper

Note: On the "ones that follow," I've listed them basically in order but I've skipped repeat brands. I really just wanted to show all the brands they tested so that you wouldn't think they skipped one. haha

Hope it helps!
Kat

P.S. I have a subscription for the online ratings - that's how I'm getting these from www.consumerreports.org. They do have some free content, though.

[kstrib]

Isn't it interesting that the Whirlpool washer is high ranking but the dryer isn't. Too bad, because I'm really likely to buy a matching set!