frontloadfan
New member
I was on another web site (gardenweb, laundry board) and someone made a post that Consumer Reports just came out with new ratings. Here are the top 10 for Front Loaders:
Top ten in order:
1 HE4t
2 Duet HT GHW9400P
3 Bosch Nexxt Premium WFMC6400UC
4 LG WM2432H
5 Siemens ultraSense WFXD5200UC
6 Frigidaire LTF2940E
7 KitchenAid Superba KHWS01PMT
8 Maytag Neptune MAH8700A
9 Elite HE3
10 LG WM1814C
I am glad to see they updated their ratings. It is really frustrating to go to stores and find that so many of the washers aren't reflected in Consumer Reports. Having used the Neptune 8700 the last month, I was amazed to see that Consumer Reports noted it as one of the most quiet machines they tested! I think it performs very well, but quiet is not one of its positive attributes as far as I could tell.
When I went to Consumer Reports (on line) I noticed that they have added a feature where you can click on a button to "shop on line" for a given machine. Didn't try out that feature, but it is worth noting.
In addition to be more "updated", I wish Consumer Reports would include additional information on washers as noted below:
Size, CR ranks machines based on the circles (excellent, etc.) for size. To me it would be more useful if they would just provide the cubic feet (3.8, 3.5, or whatever)
Internal Water Heater - CR does indicate if a machine has ATC (automatic temperature control). As this is defined by CR, this indicates that the machine will mix hot and cold to a targeted temperature. As I understand it, ATC and having a internal water heater are two separate things. I wish CR would indicate about machines having water heater (maybe indicating to what temp machines will heat water).
Santize Cycle - In order to have a santize function, machines would need to have the internal heater. But not all machines with internal heaters have santize cycle.
List all cycles - Wouldn't it be great it CR would list the actual cycle each machines has? Even better if they could list them and define the attributes to each cycle rather than the limited information you get with white whitest, bulky items, etc.
Looking at the Consumer Reports, it is worth noting that the days when the top front loaders were expensive (over $1,000) whereas the top top loaders were relatively inexpensive ($600) appear to be gone. The new top load list is "topped" by several machines costing well over $1,000. It appears to me that the highest ranking top loaders are HE machines. It will be interesting to see with the new water standards to take effect if the days of cheap (under $300) top loaders will be gone.
When I get a chance, I will post the top 10 for top loaders.
Top ten in order:
1 HE4t
2 Duet HT GHW9400P
3 Bosch Nexxt Premium WFMC6400UC
4 LG WM2432H
5 Siemens ultraSense WFXD5200UC
6 Frigidaire LTF2940E
7 KitchenAid Superba KHWS01PMT
8 Maytag Neptune MAH8700A
9 Elite HE3
10 LG WM1814C
I am glad to see they updated their ratings. It is really frustrating to go to stores and find that so many of the washers aren't reflected in Consumer Reports. Having used the Neptune 8700 the last month, I was amazed to see that Consumer Reports noted it as one of the most quiet machines they tested! I think it performs very well, but quiet is not one of its positive attributes as far as I could tell.
When I went to Consumer Reports (on line) I noticed that they have added a feature where you can click on a button to "shop on line" for a given machine. Didn't try out that feature, but it is worth noting.
In addition to be more "updated", I wish Consumer Reports would include additional information on washers as noted below:
Size, CR ranks machines based on the circles (excellent, etc.) for size. To me it would be more useful if they would just provide the cubic feet (3.8, 3.5, or whatever)
Internal Water Heater - CR does indicate if a machine has ATC (automatic temperature control). As this is defined by CR, this indicates that the machine will mix hot and cold to a targeted temperature. As I understand it, ATC and having a internal water heater are two separate things. I wish CR would indicate about machines having water heater (maybe indicating to what temp machines will heat water).
Santize Cycle - In order to have a santize function, machines would need to have the internal heater. But not all machines with internal heaters have santize cycle.
List all cycles - Wouldn't it be great it CR would list the actual cycle each machines has? Even better if they could list them and define the attributes to each cycle rather than the limited information you get with white whitest, bulky items, etc.
Looking at the Consumer Reports, it is worth noting that the days when the top front loaders were expensive (over $1,000) whereas the top top loaders were relatively inexpensive ($600) appear to be gone. The new top load list is "topped" by several machines costing well over $1,000. It appears to me that the highest ranking top loaders are HE machines. It will be interesting to see with the new water standards to take effect if the days of cheap (under $300) top loaders will be gone.
When I get a chance, I will post the top 10 for top loaders.
