Q&A: Are front-loading washers worth it?

We need a new washing machine and are considering a front-loader since this type of machine is more energy efficient. Any drawbacks to front-loaders?—Robbie W., via the Internet

Front-loaders are the most efficient washers, using the least water and energy. What’s more, their high spin speeds reduce drying time, further increasing energy efficiency. Learn more about the energy efficiency of washers in “Sticker shock: coming clean on energy use.”

Our tests point to other advantages: These machines do the best job washing and are gentler on clothes than many top-loaders.

Still, some drawbacks exist. You have to stoop to load and empty laundry, though you can add a pedestal to elevate the washer. You also need to use high-efficiency (labeled HE) detergent, and the machines tend to cost more than top-loaders.

Another issue to consider is noise, especially if your laundry room is on the first or second floor of your home. While front-loaders are quieter overall, during their fast spin cycle, they emit a high-pitched sound and can cause the floor to vibrate. Read our guide to setting up a laundry room near living space. Whether you’re buying a top-loader or a front-loader, use our Ratings (available to subscribers) to find a machine with a very good score for noise and an end-of-cycle signal you can turn down or silence altogether.

Essential information: Our buying advice for washers and dryers will help you find the right machine. If you’re installing a new dryer, read “Truths and myths of dryer fires” and “Dryer fire caution.” Finally, look for our latest report on washers and dryers in the June 2007 issue of Consumer Reports, on sale in May.

Comments

[Joan Carney]

You can greatly reduce noise and vibration of front-loaders during the spin cycle by placing full paint cans, full detergent bottles, or other heavy objects on top of the washer.

[Judy]

We bought a front loader machine and were not told it must be on a concrete floor. The vibration during the spin cycle makes the machine move across the floor, as we have it on our main floor which is hardwood. We tried plywood underneath, and it still did not work. However, we did not try paint cans - maybe we should try a cement block. HA HA! Needless to say, we are returning the machine.

[JoAnn Jordan]

Our front loading GE washer was just out of warrantee when we discovered toxic black mold growing inside the rubber gasket. It would cost $350 to replce the gasket, and then we would have to clean it with bleach after use and leave the washer door open to air out.
TERRIBLE design, a terrible ripoff for consumers.

[Ruth Jackson]

I bought a Whirlpool Duet Sport washer/dryer pair last year and am totally dissatisfied with it. There simply is not enough water to wash clothes effectively and I am continuously having to add 8-10 gallons of water to each cycle. It does not hold nearly as many clothes as my dependable Maytag super capacity top loader did and when I contacted the Whirlpool Corporation to complain their response was simply "sorry, no refunds". They were completely unconcerned about customer satisfaction and insisted I must be doing something wrong or had inadequate water supply. I really hate this machine and hope no one else listens to all the bogus selling points being used to promote these machines. In my own personal experience, this machine does not clean as well as a top loader and doesn't put in enough water to wash the clothes properly. I hate that I fell for this pricey trendy fad and would like to get my old machine back. Unfortunately, because of financial limitations, I am now stuck with this less than satisfactory product.

[Andrea Pierce]

I bought the Whirlpool Duet 3 years ago and it has already fallen apart! What ever happened to things that were made to last!!! I contacted Sears and I was told it was going to cost me 1000.00 to fix it. Guess what it cost me 1000.00 to buy it in the first place. Now I'm forsed to get something else. It won't be another front load machine at all. I will never recommend this product to anyone. The company does not stand behind their product.

[donna]

I bought the whirl pool duet! biggest peace of JUNK! save wear and tear on clothes? NOPE it eats clothes! When spinning it gets caught in the rubber seal and "Chews" the clothes to shreads ! Clothing monster has new meaning! They have very bad CS! Basicly they are telling me that I am the only one! Nope after reading many of us have had issues with them! Also while spinning it will twist clothes all up! Buyer Beware ! I have pictures!

[Anonymous]

Come on now. I have one of these and now I have to buy special HE detergent, bleach, and dryer sheets for odor control. With the old clothes washer I used cold water for everything, but now I have to use warm and hot cycles to keep clothes smelling good and to keep mold at bay. I have a well so I don't pay for water. I have virtually everything else in my house energy star. I don't water the lawn or have a pool. My showers and toilet are high efficiency, too. I am going back to a regular clothes washer when this dies and call myself green enough by washing in cold water again. No doubt this washer has cost me MORE over its lifetime than my old washer did. If water is very expensive where you live and electricity (or fuel for gas or oil boilers) relatively cheap, it might make sense to use an HE. Otherwise, buy an old fashioned top loader, wash full loads, and use cold water.

[RB]

I had a Frigidaire Gallery front loader (~$500) for 9 years before it developed a mold problem, and liked it enough that I've bought another Frigidaire Gallery (~$550) to replace it. The mold developed on the door gasket, but to be fair, I kept the door shut all the time (to keep the kids out when they were small).

I do about 6-8 loads per week, so we got a lot of use out of the machine.

What I like about the Frigidaire front loader are:
1) gentler on clothes. My old top loader tended to rip small holes in cotton clothes, and stretched out my knits. The front-loader never did, although I did destroy a sock that I partially closed in the door once.
2) blankets and comforters get cleaner. Since there's no central spindle, blankets move around in the water more and get cleaner. I used to have to take my comforters to the laundromat when I had a top loader.

[Steve]

Front Load Frigidaire 6 years old: After spending over $150.00 to replace 3 parts 2 months ago, I had the speed control board go tonight. Also a spring broke at the same time (probably related since the drum dropped down). Cost for these parts? Almost $200.00.
I am a do-it-yourself guy and subscribed to an appliance repair site when I first started repairing the machine. The horror stories I saw regarding front loaders were unreal. There are two more parts, on the model I have, that are prone to breaking and that will inevitably break. One of these parts is close to $300.00.
I am through spending money on this thing. For me to buy a new front loader, just one size up from my existing one, would cost close to $800.00. Add to that the cost of an extended service plan (after what I have been through I can't imagine taking the risk by not getting one) for about 200.00 and the machine is around $1000.00 plus tax.

Or, I could buy a top loader for $450.00 and forget the extended warranty. I have had a top loader before and they don't often break. They do use more water, but when you look at the big picture, is spending close to $600.00 more for the front loader and warranty equivalent to the money you would save over the life of the machine? I doubt it, considering you will barely get more than 5 or 6 years out of a front loader.