Best large-capacity Front Loading Washer and Dryer?

[johnd]

Hi All,

I'm in the market for a new front loading washer and dryer and would like them to have a large capacity (around 4 cu.ft. drum for the washer). Who is/are the best manufacturer/s out there today?
I really like Miele, but the size of the washer drum is too often not adequate for my needs.

The ability of the washer to heat the wash water and reverse tumbling direction to untangle loads before spinning is something I would like to have.

Thanks much for your recommendations!
John.

 

[henene4]

Well, what do you have to wash if you need 4ft³? Keep in mind you should not load to much or to less in a FL. Sometimes, it is better to buy a smaller washer but that for visiting a laundromat more often.
Anyway, every FL made today tumbles in both directions. Any...
Then,there is mostly no matter which washer you buy as long as it is domestic. Personally, if money does play a role,get the cheapest LG with Turbowash. The recirculation should help to geht good rinsing and washing results.
If you want to invest the last time in your life, get a commercial set. Either Miele (which I would prefer because of the more houshold convenient user interface) or Speed Queen.
If there could be any way to live without heater and 3.3ft³, go Speed Queen non commercial FL...

 

[whirlykenmore78]

One thing to remember about SQ

They are ALL commercial washers.  Some models are dressed up for the domestic market. 

If you do not like the lack of a heater then look for their smaller On-premise laundry soft mount washer/extractors.  These are true laundry shop workhorses.  While quite expensive it would be your last laundry machine purchase and they can be speced with heaters.

 

Just remember:  These machines are 208-240/60/1 or 3 power rather than household 120/60/1 current.  They are much heavier to move and in many applications need to be secured to the floor and use a gravity drain.

WK78

 

[henene4]

Thats the point Miele Professional could win! No gravity darin needed! They are avaible with drainpump up to a load size of 10kg! And have more programms and maybe a nicer appearence! And, last but not least, the dryers reverse either and have 2 motors: one for the venting, one for the drum!

 

[rinso]

Going on 7 years with our Electrolux IQ washer and dryer. No repairs yet, no real deficiencies worth mentioning. Knocking on wood.

 

[frigilux]

This information is from Consumer Reports' latest tests. You can additional models of any brand you'd like to explore further by going to the manufacturer's website.

Reliability (front-loaders): LG is listed as the most reliable brand (and has been for quite some time) with only 6% requiring repairs. Samsung is 7%; Whirlpool and Maytag are 12%; GE is 15%.

Vibration: CR advises to choose a model with Very Good or Excellent vibration scores if installing on 1st or 2nd floor (wood subfloor). Please be aware that not all models within a brand score well for vibration. For instance, some Samsung models rate an Excellent, others only Good. All Maytag models in the list were rated Very Good or Excellent. All Whirlpool models except for WFW9550W were rated Very Good.

For what it's worth, I've suggested LG front-loaders to several friends, and all are very happy with them. Two of those are installed on wooden sub-flooring with no vibration problems.

If you'd like me to check with Consumer Reports on any particular brand/model not listed below, I'll gladly do that. Just request it in this thread or send me a message.

1) Samsung WF455ARGSWR. Price is $1400.00 Overall score of 85. Excellent cleaning. Excellent for vibration. Internal water heater.

2) Maytag Maxima XL MHW6000. Price is $1100.00. Overall score of 84. Excellent in both cleaning and vibration. Internal water heater. (Maxima XL MHW7000 scores identically, with price of $1150.00; the top-scoring (86) Maxima XL MHW8000 lists at $1450.)

3) LG WM3070H. Price is $900.00. Overall score of 82. Excellent in cleaning; Very Good for vibration. Internal water heater.

4) GE GFWR4805FMC. Price is $1400. Overall score of 79. Very Good score for cleaning; Excellent for vibration. Internal water heater. This model is one of the new "Right Height" machines with a built-in riser to make loading/unloading easier.

 

[laundromat]

LG . I have the mega capacity set. They are,by far,the best new set I ever bought. They are wider then any others (30") but WOW! It's like having your own "BIG BOY" but no quarters to feed or drop and a whopping 1400 RPM spin.Also, LG makes these giants for Sears. The Kenmores are on sale here till 1/14/14.for $1299 ea.

 

[whirlykenmore78]

@ henene4

Many SQ-Alliance washers that might be used domestically can be built with a drain pump!   Also the Life of any Alliance machine is tested to 25,000 CYCLES!  The vast majority of Alliance dryers(Huebesch design) are 2 motor and reverse capable. Also the OPL washer-extractors are user programmable as well as having a multitude of built in cycles.

 

[henene4]

Do you know the Miele Navitronic? The octo+ industrial range has pretty simmilar PCB'S with further more cycles and a way more flexible programming.
And believe me: Miele Professional machines are the most reliable ones. I know a laundromat-owner that switched to E-Lux 2 years ago and had half of its machines bearings replaced. Now, he thinks ab out switching to Miele.
But in the end,its like the FL VS. TL discussion: Everybody believes in what he believes...

 

[pierreandreply4]

henene4

henene4 have you ever considered that the original poster will buy a washer thats suits is needs and us and canadien fl washers are not like european washers they are hot and cold fill machine and not all stores hold the miele brand as some stores might have a demo but they have to special order the washer for the consumer and for the original poster even if i am one that do not like front load washers here is a link for models with water heater

http://www.homedepot.com/b/Applianc...rs/Built-in-Water-Heater/N-5yc1vZc3pjZ1z0v5jn

 

[henene4]

I certainly know. But as you can see above, I suggested multiple washers.
I suggested LG with TurboWash as they seem to be the best performing ones in the high-capacity domestic range.
Than I suggested to get a commercial washer. And certainly, you should now that commecial washers always need to be orderd, but if a store is willing to sell him a 12000$ pair, they will do anything to show him what this washer will give him.
And, last but not least, I suggested Speed Queen (Huebesch, I think, in CA) domestic washers as they might be a good way in between.
And I know that washers abroad are different, but Miele still offers the same quality and the same service and the same package over all in CA as well as in Germany!

 

[laundromat]

Sears has their 5.2 cu ft front loader ( #02641072) and the matching electric dryer ( #02681072) marked down from $1249.99 to only $1062.49 ea!!! Made by LG,these are great and CR liked them too.

 

[laundromat]

Ment to include original price which was $1719.99 ea. Saving you over $600 ea.!!!