When shopping for a new washer and dryer the first questions that come to a customers mind are: What is the best brand? How much does and new washer and dryer cost? Should I get a top load washer or front load washer? Should I get the steam feature for the washer or dryer? When customers ask me what Brands and style of washer and dryer I recommend you would think that there would be a simple answer. As a technician I have worked on thousands of washers and dryers. All brands and designs have failures and need repair. Unfortunately There is no specific washer or dryer that never breaks down. But there are a few pointers I can give that may help you decide to repair or replace and what model is the best fit for your needs.
First consider what your budget is and the condition of your washer and dryer that you already own. Buying a new machine is not always the best option. If there is no significant rust or corrosion on the washer and dryer that you own It may be the best option to have them repaired. New residential washers and dryers range from $450-$1600 not including tax and installation charges. A higher price tag does not always mean better quality. In fact, I recommend getting the most basic washer and dryer that you can that has the capacity that you need. Repairs will be less costly and less frequent.
The capacity and style of the washer and dryer is very important. Washer capacity ranges from 3 to 5 cubic feet and dryer capacity ranges from 5.5 to 7 cubic feet. If you frequently wash large bedding or have a big family a front load washer with a capacity of 4.5-5 cubic feet may be the best option. Beware of purchasing a front load washer if your laundry room is in the second story of your home. Many customers complain of having excessive vibration in the floor and walls of the house when the front load washer is in spin cycle.
Large Top load washers are less prone to cause vibration throughout the home but do not have the ability to effectively wash bulky bedding. If you wash bulky bedding in any top load washer it may break the washer and damage the bedding. Make sure you look for a design that allows you bypass the auto sensing feature and to select the water level to fill all the way up if you need to. Almost all new washers have an auto load sensing feature and do not have the water level selection feature that the older models have. A common complaint of customers is that their new washer doesn’t wash as well as their old one due it not filling up all the way. High efficiency top load washers are designed to conserve water and fill up 1/3 to half of the tub. Many new washers will have a recirculation pump that cascades water on the top of the load as it agitates to fully saturate the clothes instead of filling the wash tub all the way with water.
For dryers I recommend getting as large of capacity as possible with a mechanical timer. Control boards tend to break more often and are typically more expensive to replace. There has not been much design change in recent years other than a steam feature that is designed to freshen up clothes and help remove wrinkles. Some dryers have a higher air flow rating to maximize the efficiency of the dryer. Consider how the dryer door opens. Some customers prefer having a fold down door instead of a door that swings from side to side. Does the dryer have a stainless steel or painted drum? Painted dryer drums tend to discolor and the paint may start to peel over time.