The 5 Best Washing Machines, Tested by BHG

Best Overall: Electrolux ELFW7537AW Front-Load Steam Washer

If you want one washer that feels like it can handle “normal life” (work clothes, towels, gym gear, that one mystery sock situation)
without fuss, the Electrolux ELFW7537AW is BHG’s best overall. In testing, it stood out for being quiet, effective, and surprisingly
easy to live with once you get familiar with the presets.

Why it wins

• Preset variety that actually makes sense: Options like towels, activewear, and fast wash aren’t just marketingthey’re genuinely handy.
• Flexible wash customization: Multiple temperature and soil-level choices let you tailor a cycle without “button-mashing” your way into chaos.
• Clean clothes, less drama: BHG reported loads coming out fresh and clean consistently, including after stain-focused cycles.

Standout features worth caring about

This washer is built for people who like having the option to nerd out on settings, but don’t want to do that every time.
Highlights include a short “fast wash” cycle for lightly soiled loads, specialty cycles for whites and allergen-focused washing,
and steam options that can help with odor and stubborn grime.

Another practical perk: an adaptive dispenser that works with both detergent pods and traditional detergent. If you’ve ever watched a pod
play hide-and-seek inside a blanket, you’ll appreciate a dispenser system designed to cooperate.

Keep in mind

• Stacking takes extra effort: If you plan to stack it with a dryer, you’ll likely need a separate stacking kit.
• There’s a learning curve: You may spend the first week thinking, “Why are there so many choices?” and the second week thinking, “Oh… I like this.”

Best for: Households that want a dependable front-load washer with helpful presets, quieter operation, and solid cleaning performance.

Best Top-Loading: Speed Queen Heavy Duty Top Load Washer (BHG’s Tested Model)

Top-load lovers, rejoice: BHG’s favorite top-loader was a Speed Queen heavy-duty model that impressed during testing for stain-busting,
user-friendly controls, and a no-nonsense approach. It’s the kind of washer that feels like it could survive a tornado and still ask,
“Cool, are we doing denim next?”

Why it shines

• Soak + pre-wash power: Those settings made stain removal simpler in testingespecially when paired with a stain pretreat product.
• Easy controls: Clear presets that don’t require a scavenger hunt through the manual.
• Quiet for a traditional top-load: BHG measured low noise during operation in their evaluation.

The big asterisk (and how to handle it)

The exact Speed Queen model BHG originally tested was later discontinued. BHG still expressed confidence in recommending other Speed Queen
options due to the brand’s reliability reputation. Translation: if you can’t find the tested model, you can look at current Speed Queen
top-load lines (like TR and TC series) and shop based on capacity, cycle needs, and warranty length.

Keep in mind

• No smart features: If you want app alerts and remote monitoring, this isn’t that vibe.
• Capacity can be smaller than mega-tub models: Great for everyday loads, not always ideal for oversized comforters in one go.

Best for: People who want a classic agitator-style top-load washer with strong cleaning and simple operation.

Best Tower: LG WKEX200HBA WashTower

If your laundry space is more “narrow hallway closet” than “dreamy mudroom,” a tower system can be the difference between
having laundry at home and having laundry… as a lifestyle problem. The LG WKEX200HBA WashTower bundles a front-load washer
and dryer into one vertical unit with center controlsso you’re not climbing like a mountain goat to reach settings.

Why BHG liked it

• Fast everyday washing: BHG found typical loads washing in roughly the “quick and reasonable” range for regular laundry life.
• Useful presets: TurboWash, extra rinse, prewash, sanitary, and steam options were easy to understand and handy in testing.
• Helpful end-of-cycle alerts: The unit plays an audible tune when finishedloud enough to notice without sounding like a fire drill.

Keep in mind

• Lint trap reminders aren’t automatic: You still need to remember to check the dryer lint filter (your future self will thank you).
• Spin can be louder: Like many machines, the highest-spin moments are the noisiest.

Best for: Apartments, laundry closets, and anyone who wants a space-saving washer/dryer setup that’s easy to operate.

Best Smart: LG WM4000HBA Stackable Smart Front-Load Washer

The LG WM4000HBA is BHG’s pick for smart features done in a practical way. The big selling point isn’t “look, my washer has Wi-Fi!”
It’s “my washer tells me when something is wrong, helps choose settings, and pairs with the dryer so I don’t have to.”

Why it’s a smart buy (not a gimmick buy)

• App alerts that matter: Notifications for things like water connection issues or when it’s time to run a cleaning cycle.
• AI-assisted cycle selection: Sensors and built-in intelligence help match settings to fabric type and load size.
• Speed-friendly options: A short “speed wash” cycle is clutch for lightly worn clothes you need again tomorrow.

Features you’ll actually use

LG highlights TurboWash 360 for faster cleaning on certain loads, plus steam-based cycles designed to help with allergens and deep cleaning.
And if you own the matching dryer, smart pairing can recommend compatible drying settings based on the wash cycle you just ranreducing
the “guess-the-dryer-knob” routine.

Keep in mind

• Some manual tweaks can feel clunky: BHG noted that changing certain settings mid-flow could take a little fiddling.
• More options = more decision-making: Great if you like control; slightly overwhelming if you want one button that says “clean everything.”

Best for: Busy households who want a reliable front-load washer with genuinely useful smart features (and not just “smart” as a sticker).

Best Quiet: Equator 824N + 852 Electric Stacked Laundry Center

Noise mattersespecially if your “laundry room” shares a wall with your couch, your desk, or your sanity. BHG’s quiet pick is a compact,
stacked laundry center from Equator that kept the volume low while still delivering effective cleaning in their experience.

Why it’s a standout

• Low-noise operation: BHG described it as quiet enough to fade into the backgroundeven in smaller living spaces.
• Convenient alerts: A chime at the end of the cycle helps you avoid the “forgot laundry overnight” mistake.
• Small-space friendly: Stacked design and compact washer capacity work well where standard machines won’t fit.

Keep in mind

• Capacity is limited: This is built for smaller loads and smaller spaces, not for washing every blanket you own in one go.
• Door configuration may be fixed: In tight installations, details like door swing direction can matter a lot.

Best for: Apartments, condos, and laundry closets where quiet operation and compact size beat mega-capacity.

1) Front-load vs. top-load: choose your laundry personality

In plain terms: top-load washers are often easier on your back and tend to finish cycles faster, while front-load machines are popular
for strong cleaning, gentler fabric action, and higher efficiency. Front-loaders can also be stacked with a dryer (or purchased as a tower),
which is huge for small laundry rooms.

A simple rule: if you want classic, straightforward, and “open the lid, toss it in,” a top-loader can feel effortless. If you want
efficiency, stackability, and a lot of cycle options, a front-loader usually fits better.

2) Capacity: match the tub to your household, not your optimism

Capacity isn’t just about how much you can cram in; it’s about how well the washer can move water and detergent through the load.
Overstuffing is the fastest way to turn “wash day” into “why does this still smell weird?”

• Small households: A mid-range capacity is usually plenty for week-to-week loads.
• Families (or people with towel habits): A larger capacity helps reduce the number of loads.
• Bulky comforters and big bedding: Look for higher capacity and bedding-friendly cycles.

3) Efficiency: ENERGY STAR isn’t just a badgeit’s a budget helper

ENERGY STAR-certified washers are designed to use less water and energy than standard models, which can add up over years of weekly loads.
If you’re replacing an older washer, the efficiency jump can feel surprisingly noticeable on utility costsespecially if you wash often.

Pair an efficient washer with efficient habits: wash full loads when you can, and use cold water when appropriate (especially with modern
cold-water detergents). Your clothes often last longer, tooheat is tough on fabrics.

4) Cycles that matter (and the ones you can ignore)

More cycles look impressive, but the best washers make the right cycles easy to access. For most households, these are the settings
that tend to pull their weight:

• Quick/Speed Wash: For lightly worn clothes, gym gear, and “I need this shirt tonight.”
• Bedding/Towels: Adjusted agitation and rinse behavior for bulky or absorbent items.
• Sanitize/Allergen/Steam options: Useful for certain householdsespecially when odors, allergens, or heavier soils are a concern.
• Extra rinse: Helpful for sensitive skin or detergent residue issues.

5) Noise control: the most underrated feature

A washer can be “quiet” until it hits a high-spin moment on an uneven floor. If quiet matters, prioritize machines known for low vibration,
and plan to do the unglamorous but important step: level the washer properly. A great machine installed badly can still sound like a drum solo.

Is a front-load washer always better than a top-load washer?

Not always. Front-load washers are popular for efficiency, strong cleaning, and stackability, while top-load washers can be faster,
easier to load, and feel simpler day-to-day. The “better” choice is the one that fits your space, laundry volume, and preferences.

Do I really need a smart washer?

You don’t need one, but you might enjoy one. Smart features are most helpful when they provide practical valuemaintenance reminders,
useful alerts, and cycle pairing with a matching dryer. If you’d never download an appliance app on purpose, you can safely ignore smart features.

How can I save money while doing laundry?

Choose an efficient washer, wash full loads when possible, and use cold water for many everyday loads. Avoid over-drying in the dryer,
and keep filters and vents clean. Small habit changes add up across hundreds of loads a year.