Stumped over models and options? Shopping by brand may help cut through the confusion.
CR tests hundreds of washing machines. These brands top the list.
By Keith Flamer
Shopping for a washing machine can be as time-consuming as laundry day itself. Wading through different washer types, models, and features can leave you feeling like a wayward sock—completely lost.
At Consumer Reports, we currently rate more than 120 washing machine models, including front-loaders, high-efficiency top-loaders, agitator top-loaders, and compact models. But there are still many more options in the market that don’t make it into our ratings.
That’s why CR has created brand scores for front-load, top-load agitator, and high-efficiency top-load washing machines. By identifying the brands that consistently offer high-performing, reliable washers with the features consumers want, we can help you choose wisely even if the specific model you’re considering isn’t one we’ve tested.
Our brand scores are based on a statistical model that incorporates CR’s proprietary lab and survey data for each brand’s washing machines in that category. We also look at features and at price. Brands get credit for delivering high performance and reliability at a more budget-friendly price than their competitors.
Below, CR members can view our brand rankings for front-loaders, high-efficiency top-loaders, and agitator top-loaders. For each of those categories, we only rank brands with at least three models in our current ratings. We don’t include compacts in our brand ratings because the sample size is too small.
A Best Brand receives the highest Overall Score in its product category based on the brand’s aggregate performance, reliability, and satisfaction data across the model lineup tested by CR. Look for the CR Best Brand mark in stores and online to help in your shopping journey.
Based on our data, one washing machine brand clearly stands out across the board: LG. Not only did LG receive the best brand score across the three main washer categories, but its models have consistently performed highly in our labs. Its washers claim the top four spots in our ratings for front-loaders and agitators, and the top six for HE top-loaders.
“LG leading is not surprising, given its well-rounded lineup of models across all types of washers,” says Allie Chilicki, CR’s market analyst for washers and dryers. “LG also tends to launch new models more regularly than its competitors, helping it stay ahead of the curve and cater to a variety of needs in a market where new model introductions are relatively infrequent.”
But she adds that LG isn’t the only brand doing great things. “Other brands are leaning into innovation in other areas like affordability, design, and practical, user-friendly features,” Chilicki says.
Best Front-Load Washer Brands
Front-loaders are the highest-performing and most expensive washers you can buy, ranging from about $725 to $2,200 in our ratings. Many have large capacities (4.5 to 5.8 cubic feet) and typically use the least amount of water and energy of any washing machine type. LG’s efficient front-loaders, along with a diverse product range, excellent predicted reliability scores, and very good owner satisfaction rating, help it edge out Maytag for best front-load washers in our brand survey.
Maytag’s well-established name is backed by several front-loaders that deliver excellent washing performance and water efficiency in our tests. Samsung, Electrolux, Whirlpool, and GE were also well-regarded in our best brand survey.
Below are three highly rated front-loaders with the highest brand scores. For more options and specific models, see our guide to the best front-load washers.
LG WM4000HWA
As a brand, LG occupies eight of the top 10 slots in our ratings, bolstered by its high performance, reliability, and owner satisfaction rankings. Priced under $900, the top-rated LG WM4000HWA leads the way, tied in Overall Score with two other LGs (the LG Signature WM9900HSA and LG WM3400CW). All three aced our lab tests with high marks for washing performance, water and energy efficiency, and quietness. They’re all stackable, with auto dispensers, stainless steel tubs, extra rinse cycles, and WiFi access. Where they differ is in design, price, capacity, cycle times, and custom cycles. The LG WM4000HWA offers a steam cycle, 4.5 cubic feet of capacity, and a relatively short 85-minute wash time. The premium LG Signature WM9900HSA hovers around $1,900 and features a sleek, minimalist design, LCD touchscreens, WiFi, a steam option, a pokey 120-minute wash cycle, and 5.8 cubic feet of capacity, the largest in our ratings. For a little more than $700, the basic budget-friendly LG WM3400CW is a great value with 4.5 cubic feet of capacity and a 105-minute wash cycle, but no steam cycle.
Maytag MHW6630HW
From the second-ranked front-loader brand, the Maytag MHW6630HW aced our cleaning tests, producing only a little noise and no vibration. Its water efficiency gets a top score, and its energy efficiency ranks nearly as high. It has a claimed capacity of 4.8 cubic feet and a cycle time of 95 minutes. This particular machine gets only a so-so score for gentleness, though. As a group, Maytag front-loaders earn midlevel ratings for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction.
Samsung Bespoke WF90F53ADS
This sleek Samsung Bespoke WF90F53ADS is a 5.3-cubic-foot front-load washing machine that can tackle jumbo loads, including king-sized comforters. This stackable model embellishes your laundry space with its stylish charcoal gray design and modern touchscreen. It features a stainless steel tub, steam setting, WiFi, and auto detergent and fabric softener dispensers. It’s also Energy Star certified. It boasts excellent washing performance and water efficiency, as well as very good energy efficiency.
Best Top-Load Agitator Washer Brands
Top-load agitators are the least expensive washer option, ranging from about $430 to $1,500 in our ratings. For this and other reasons (including faster wash cycles than front-loaders), they remain popular among consumers, despite using about 20 gallons of water per load. Most of these washers also offer less capacity due to the central washing spindle. They don’t clean quite as well as other washer types, and you can’t stack a dryer on top of them to save space. LG top-loaders topped our best brand survey, followed by Whirlpool and Speed Queen with tied scores.
Here are three highly rated agitator washers from our three top-rated brands. For more options and specific models, see our guide to the best top-load agitator washers.
LG WT8405CW
The LG WT8405CW is the top-rated top-load agitator washer in our ratings. Don’t be put off by its long 90-minute wash cycle. It offers excellent cleaning performance and water efficiency, and a very good energy-efficiency rating. But like many top-load agitators, this model is not the gentlest on clothes. It’s also a tad noisy, but thanks to its excellent vibration score, you won’t feel it rumble. It has a 5.3-cubic-foot capacity that easily handles large loads, including comforters. It features a stainless steel tub, auto detergent dispensers, an extra rinse cycle, and remote WiFi access, allowing you to track the timing of your loads from anywhere.
Speed Queen TC5003WN
The Speed Queen TC5003WN does a decent job of cleaning laundry, even if its 3.2-cubic-foot, stainless steel tub is on the smallish side. It earns an adequate score for gentleness in our tests and can be fairly noisy, but vibration during operation is minimal. Running the most aggressive normal cycle with a midsized load takes 55 minutes. This particular model uses a moderate amount of water and more electricity per load than many machines, but as a brand, Speed Queen’s top-load agitators get the highest score possible for reliability and rank nearly as high for owner satisfaction based on our member surveys. This washing machine comes with a five-year warranty.
Whirlpool WTW4105SW
The Whirlpool WTW4105SW is a 4-cubic-foot top-load agitator washing machine with a stainless steel tub. This model does a decent job of cleaning laundry, earning an adequate gentleness score. Vibration during operation is minimal, but it can be noisy. It uses less water and less electricity per load than many machines in our ratings, and comes with a one-year warranty. Running the most aggressive normal cycle with a midsized load takes 55 minutes.
Best Top-Load HE Washer Brands
HE top-load washers are a good compromise on capacity, price ($500 to $1,200 in our ratings), and water usage (only about 13 gallons per load). They lack the twisting agitator column, so there’s more room for big loads. They’re not as sleek as front-loaders, but quite a few get regular recommendations by Consumer Reports. You’ll find plenty of choices in a wide price range.
The only drawback: These washers tend to tangle clothes, sometimes leaving them less than thoroughly cleaned. As in other categories, LG ranked as the top brand among HE top-load makers. The rest of the best brand pack, in descending order, features Samsung, Whirlpool, GE Profile, and Maytag.
Below are three highly ranked to-load HE washer brands with high CR performance ratings. For more options and specific models, see our guide to the best top-load HE washers.
LG WT8600CB
The LG WT8600CB’s scores across washing performance, water efficiency, and vibration tests are all excellent. It’s pretty quiet, too, but it’s not as gentle on fabric as we’d like it to be. That might mean eventual wear and tear on your clothes, especially if you mix loads or use more aggressive wash cycles. The LG WT8600CB’s normal cycle is about 75 minutes, and its 5.5-cubic-foot capacity allows it to fit comforters and accommodate large family-sized loads.
Samsung WA52DG5500AV (Home Depot)
The Samsung WA52DG5500AV is a Home Depot exclusive washer that does a solid job of cleaning laundry using minimal energy and water per load (its annual usage cost is only $31). But its adequate gentleness score means it can cause some wear and tear to fabric while washing. It’s a quiet, 5.2-cubic-foot, large-capacity impeller washer with a stainless steel tub. It operates quietly, which most users will find acceptable for nearby living spaces. Running the most aggressive normal cycle with a midsized load takes 80 minutes. This washing machine comes with a one-year warranty.
Whirlpool WTW4100SW
The Whirlpool WTW4100SW has some drawbacks, but it’s excellent in its primary function—cleaning clothes. In our testing, this model earned stellar marks for washing performance and low vibration. It features a 4.1-cubic-foot stainless steel tub and uses a moderate amount of water and electricity per load during its 60-minute cycle. But it can be fairly noisy and cause wear and tear on clothes. Its reliability is decent, but its owner satisfaction rating is lackluster. This washing machine comes with a one-year warranty.
How to Use Consumer Reports to Find the Perfect Washing Machine
We provide three crucial pieces of information that can help you find the best washing machine for your needs.
Model performance: We capture highly detailed performance data on more than 120 individual washing machines, including front-loaders, top-load agitators, high-efficiency top-loaders, and compact models. CR members can find all that information in our washing machine ratings. If you have a specific model in mind, you can also search for detailed results on that model. These individual ratings are the best indicator of how a particular washing machine will perform.
Reliability and owner satisfaction: Each year, we survey hundreds of thousands of CR members about the products they buy and, in particular, how well those products hold up over time and prolonged usage. We use the information to generate a brand-level predicted reliability score for each major appliance type we test. We also ask people if they would recommend their appliance to a friend or relative, and use those responses to tabulate a brand-level owner satisfaction score. The results can be found in our ratings charts and in our rundown of the most reliable washing machines.
Brand-level performance: These scores, shown above, reflect how well washing machines from a particular brand perform in our testing and surveys, and whether they provide a good value. The scores aren’t model-specific, but they can serve as a good backup if you’re interested in a model we haven’t tested. Just remember that a high brand score isn’t a guarantee that every model in that manufacturer’s line is a winner. It’s possible for a company to earn an overall high score for its products even if it has a few duds in its lineup. And brands with lower Overall Scores might still offer some washing machines that provide great performance and value. Note, too, that brand performance can vary from one type of washer to another.
How CR Tests Washing Machines
We test top-loaders with agitators, high-efficiency (HE) top-loaders (the type without a vertical spindle), and front-loaders, including compacts for performance, energy efficiency, water efficiency, fabric gentleness, noise, and vibration. And we measure the energy a washer uses to assess its annual usage cost. We’ve also tested a select group of all-in-one washer-dryers, a relatively recent market option.
The washing machines we test are from familiar brands such as Amana, Electrolux, Frigidaire, GE, LG, Maytag, Samsung, and Whirlpool, as well as lesser-known brands like Asko, Blomberg, Midea, and Miele. For more details on how we test washing machines, check out the testing section in our washing machine buying guide.
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.