The 5 best washing machines that help simplify your laundry day

If your old washing machine has finally given out and is beyond repair, you can consider that a blessing in disguise! Older washers are often not energy efficient, lack advanced cleaning features, and use a lot more water for each load of laundry while cleaning your clothes.

Today’s best washing machines are easy to use, offer generous drum capacities — and are more friendly to your clothes and the environment, too. Whether you’re looking for a classic top-loading washing machine, a front-loading model, or a stackable machine for your laundry room, you’ve got plenty of options.

But with so many models and features to choose from, your head may be spinning faster than your clothes on wash day. Where to start? Check out this list and browse our recommendations for the top five best washing machines from top brands, including LG, Maytag, Samsung and more.

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Check out the best washing machines 

Best front-load washer

LG 4.5-cu ft High-Efficiency Stackable Front-Load Washer

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$698 at Lowe's

A top choice for quiet operation

Maytag Smart Capable White Top Load Washing Machine

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$698 at Home Depot

Best budget washing machine

Insignia 3.7 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency 12-Cycle Top-Loading Washer

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$399.99 at Best Buy

Best washing machine for large families

Samsung Smart High-Efficiency Front Load Washer

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$1,298 at Home Depot

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Best front-load washer

FEATURED

LG 4.5-cu ft High-Efficiency Stackable Front-Load Washer

You save $201 (22.36%)

$698$899

$698 at Lowe's

Specifications

• Spin speed: 1,300 rpm

• Dimensions: 39 x 27 x 30.75 in (H x W x D)

• Drum capacity: 4.5 cu. Ft.

• Smart enabled? No

Pros & Cons

• Small overall footprint takes up less space

• Includes a 10-year warranty

• Difficult to clean the tub and washer

Front-load washers are often a better choice for smaller spaces because the drum lid swings out horizontally and you can typically stack a dryer on top of your washing machine. This stackable front-load washer from LG is a fantastic choice for tight spaces — or simply prefer this style of machine. 

LG is known for making some of the best-quality washing machines, and this one is no exception. It’s got a capacity of 4.5 cubic feet, and a spin cycle speed of 1,300 rpm, which is the highest on this list. It uses LG’s 6Motion Technology to ensure a thorough clean, and it’s ENERGY STAR-certified, which means it’s very energy efficient. The 30-inch depth also means it can fit into almost any space, and a stainless steel tub provides maximum durability for heavy use.

From now through Oct. 18, when you spend $2,500 at Lowe's on laundry and kitchen appliances, you save $250. Spend $3,500 and save $500. Spend $5,000 and save $800.

A top choice for quiet operation

Maytag Smart Capable White Top Load Washing Machine

You save $351 (33.46%)

$698$1,049

$698 at Home Depot

Specifications

• Spin speed: 750 rpm

• Dimensions: 41.6 x 27.3 x 27.9 in (H x W x D)

• Drum capacity: 4.7 cu. ft.

• Smart enabled? Yes

Pros & Cons

• Commercial-grade construction

• Extremely customizable and powerful wash cycles

• Reduced vibration for quiet operation

• Lacks a soak setting

• Smart features require a subscription

Now owned by Whirlpool, Maytag is well known as one of the most reliable washing machine brands in the U.S., and this washing machine is our top overall pick for most

people. This washer has an agitator to ensure a deep clean, and features a generous capacity of 4.7 cubic feet, which is plenty for most families. It has a heavy-duty motor and robust design that will keep it running reliably for years to come.

There are plenty of advanced features, too. It has 10+ different cleaning cycles, as well as an “Extra Power” button for extra cleaning capacity for large loads. Another optional Deep Fill setting lets you add extra water for those heavily soiled or stained loads.

Its smart features also let you manage your laundry from anywhere, and Cycle Memory makes it easy to customize each load of laundry and save your settings for the future. With a 10-year limited warranty, you can trust this top-load washing machine to go the distance.

Best budget washing machine

Insignia 3.7 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency 12-Cycle Top-Loading Washer

You save $50 (11.11%)

$399.99$449.99

$399.99 at Best Buy

Specifications

• Spin speed: 700 rpm

• Dimensions: 42.3 x 25.3 x 27 in (H x W x D)

• Drum capacity: 3.7 cu. ft.

• Smart enabled? No

Pros & Cons

• Simple and space-efficient design

• Sensor mode automatically chooses the right water level

• Quiet operation

• No door window

• Only warrantied for one year

If you just want a washer that cleans your clothes, works every time, and doesn’t have all the fancy bells and whistles, this model from Insignia is the best washing machine for you. It’s simple, reliable and budget-friendly. The capacity of 3.7 cubic feet is plenty for most small families, or people who tend to do smaller loads of laundry more regularly.

This top-loading washer also uses less water than some comparable models, and an agitator ensures thorough cleaning of each load. And despite its budget-focused design, it still includes quite a few different cleaning cycles, as well as a dedicated “tub clean” function that allows you to clean out the inside of your washer and prevent debris and mold buildup.

Best washing machine for large families

Samsung Smart High-Efficiency Front Load Washer

You save $701 (35.07%)

$1,298$1,999

$1,298 at Home Depot

Specifications 

• Spin speed: 1,200 rpm

• Dimensions: 46.9 x 27 x 34 in (H x W x D)

• Drum capacity: 6 cu. ft.

• Smart enabled? Yes

Pros & Cons

• Huge drum capacity for the largest loads

• Wash two loads at once with separate settings

• Higher price point

• Requires more space than other front-loading washers

Whether you’ve got a big family or you just procrastinate and end up with huge loads of laundry, this capacious front-loading washer from Samsung is up to the task. It’s got the biggest drum capacity of any washing machine on this list. It has a lower washer that measures 5 cubic feet, and an upper washer that clocks in at 1 cubic foot, for a total capacity of 6 cubic feet. It’s also the best-rated washing machine out of our recommended models, with 4.4 stars across more than 170 reviews.

It costs a pretty penny, but you get a lot for your money. This includes 28-minute Super Speed Wash Technology, ENERGY STAR certification, CleanGuard anti-microbial technology, and an AI-powered Smart Dial, which learns from your past settings and automatically recommends the right wash cycle. Its smart technology is also part of the extensive Samsung SmartThings smart home ecosystem, so it’s easy to connect to your other Samsung products.

Best eco-friendly washing machine

GE Profile High-Efficiency Smart White Top Load Washer

You save $201 (22.36%)

$698$899

$698 at Home Depot

Specifications

• Spin speed: 800 rpm

• Dimensions: 46 x 27.9 x 46 in (H x W x D)

• Drum capacity: 4.9 cu. ft.

• Smart enabled? Yes

Pros & Cons

• Very water-efficient and energy-efficient

• Powerful smart features

• Sleek yet robust design

• Pretty loud compared to other models

• Controls are complex and take some getting used to

Whether you’re concerned about the environment or about your wallet, an energy-efficient and water-efficient washer like this model from GE is the best washing machine for you. This top-loading unit has a capacity of 4.9 cubic feet, meets ENERGY STAR guidelines, and has a special agitator design that helps clean clothes while using less water.

It also features Microban technology, which helps inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold. This washer also has a huge variety of rinse, wash, spin, and temperature settings to help you get the very best clean every time laundry day rolls around. Built-in WiFi and smart technology with GE’s SmartHQ suite lets you start, monitor, and stop your laundry loads from anywhere for enhanced flexibility.

What to look for in a washing machine

Washing machines last a long time with proper care, so it may have been a while since you’ve shopped for a new machine for your home. Wondering what you should be considering while you browse today’s top washing machine models? Here are a few things you should keep in mind while browsing our recommendations and other washing machines.

• Drum speed: While it’s not an exact correlation, higher drum speed (measured in rpm) usually means that your washer will be better at wringing out more moisture from your clothes after the wash cycle is over. This makes it easier to both line dry and tumble dry your clothes, so a higher rpm is usually better.

• Washer capacity: The bigger your washing machine is, the more clothing it can handle! You’re really not supposed to fill washing machines all the way up, when possible, so choosing a larger capacity is usually a good thing. You’ll probably want a bigger washer capacity if you do laundry infrequently or have a large family. On the other hand, if you do laundry every few days or are flying solo, a smaller model may do just fine.

• Machine size: If you’re working with limited space in your laundry room, you’ll need to make sure that you get a washer that fits properly. You may also want to consider a stackable model, which lets you stack your washer and dryer on each other, reducing their footprint in your home. Front-loading washers are usually easier to fit into small areas, especially if you’re limited on vertical space. This is because top-loading washers require additional space above the washer for the lid to flip up.

• Energy/water efficiency: It’s good to care about your environmental impact, and energy and water efficiency also affect operating costs for your washing machine. If you want to lower your environmental footprint and save a few bucks, look for an energy-efficient washer that’s ENERGY STAR certified. Also, some washers are labeled as “HE” (High Efficiency) and are designed to wash your clothes with less water. They sometimes require special detergent that produces less suds, though, so keep this in mind.

• Smart features: Smart technology lets you connect your washer to your phone or tablet, as well as other smart devices in your home. Smart washers can connect to WiFi, usually allowing you to view information about your washer, start automatic start times for laundry loads, and perform other tasks right from your mobile device, even when you’re not at home. They can have a bit of a learning curve, but smart washers add a lot of flexibility to your laundry day.

Our verdict: Which washing machines standout?

So, what’s the best washing machine for home use? Out of our list of featured washer recommendations, our top overall pick for most families is the Maytag Smart Capable White Top Load Washing Machine. It’s a great value and packs lots of features that help simplify laundry day, as well as smart home compatibility. 

If you’ve got a big family or don’t mind spending a bit more, the Samsung Smart High-Efficiency Front Load Washer is your best choice. It’s got the biggest capacity, and it’s a truly top-of-the-line model that will provide great performance for a long time.

Alternatively, if you want a budget-friendly, no-frills washing machine that gets the job done without bells and whistles, the affordable Insignia - 3.7 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency 12-Cycle Top-Loading Washer is our top recommendation.

The information presented above is accurate as of 10/04/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices. The Smart Shopper "featured" badge indicates sponsored content, and we may earn a commission when you make a purchase.