For regular consumer-level top loads, LGs tend to be pretty good across the board. They have a direct drive system that simplifies a few components, and its a feature across-the-board. Consumer Reports has them always ranked #2nd behind Speed Queen for washer reliability, which sounds about right.
Like Combo said, I'd take a frontload over a topload. WM4000's are where its at. But if you absolutely must go topload, go with LG.
I'd avoid the entire Whirlpool ecosystem until they figure out the pressure sensor/transducer issues on the VMWs. The VMAX platform has upto this point, been a spectacular failure and I trust it the least of the direct drive stator systems on the market, and that includes Samsungs.
Honestly the VMAX machines aren’t much worse than the VMWs, although they do seem more prone to bearing issues, but they are less prone to suspension rod issues and control board issues (at least the older VMAX machines). Both VMWs and VMAXs have their issues.
Usually if the bearings are good on a VMAX unit it needs a part like a slider or something cheap. VMAXs leak oil when they go bad but so do VMWs.
I would not recommend any basic Whirlpool top loaders until they revise the models and fix the control board issues.
I would not recommend the new VMAX units, tho, as they have smaller balance rings and worse control boards, and worse diagnostics. They also have a worse user interface, and the sliders on those seem more prone to failure.
GE is improving their machines and I honestly now recommend them more than Whirlpool, I would not recommend buying a used GE of the HydroWave disaster or the Model-T.
The big VMW units, I would not recommend, even the older ones, so many tub problems with those and balance issues. As well as stripped basket hubs, the big VMWs have been a problem since they came out. The new big 4.5 to 4.8 cu ft VMWs have major issues with the pump wires. Ever since they made an “extra large VMW” it’s been a failure, Whirlpool should’ve used the VMAX platform on those. The modern big VMWs are like VMAX units on a VMW drivetrain. The Maytag MVW6230HW for example is a VMW, while the MVW7230HW is a VMAX, despite them both looking similar.
Whirlpool’s older agitator VMW models were so prone to balancing issues that in 2013 they made the balance ring larger but even those tend to be off balance due to suspension rod issues.
Not a fan of anything Samsung, their washers are terrible, their front loaders are even worse than their top loaders. Avoid any appliance Samsung.
The new GE’s are okay as long as you don’t overload it and you don’t buy the high end Profile model that doesn’t rinse your clothes.
The older VMWs seem more reliable, but the newer basic ones are prone to control board issues. I could recommend Whirlpool again but not until all affected models are revised and the issue is fixed.
