Best and Worst Front

Front-loaders save water and energy, but some work better than others at getting clothes clean

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Unless you have a bad back and find it uncomfortable to bend down, it's easy to be seduced by front-load washers. They’re spacious and easy to load, and their sleek appearance can spruce up even the dullest laundry room.

The best front-loaders clean better and gentler than high-efficiency top-loaders and top-load agitators while using less water (averaging 10 gallons compared with 13 gallons for top-load HEs and 20 gallons for agitators). And they adjust the water to the size of the load you’re washing, so they’re efficient even for small loads.

Their larger capacity gives detergent and water room to work their magic through clothes that swirl freely around the drum with less friction. Front-loaders effectively clean by lifting clothes up as the drum turns, then dropping the clothes into the water. This differs from top-load HEs and agitator models, which clean clothes by rubbing them together. Front-loaders can range from 3.5 to 6.2 cubic feet, but most fall in the large-capacity range of 4.5 to 5.2 cubic feet.

Front-load wash cycles can last from 65 to 120 minutes on the normal/heavy soil setting, considerably longer than top-loaders. But they also spin faster, extracting more water from clothes and reducing dryer time. That saves money in the long term because dryers consume the most energy during laundry.

Front-loaders represent about 29 percent of the washing machine market, according to Mark Allwood, a CR senior market analyst. They also make up the majority of Green Choice washers in our ratings, the most eco-friendly machines designated by a green leaf icon.

One of the major reasons front-loaders aren't more popular is that some consumers are turned off by their tendency to develop mold, mildew, and odors. In our most recent member survey, 15 percent of all front-load washer owners experienced the problem with their machines.

Cleaning and airing out your front-loader regularly can help. To clean the drum and gaskets, CR's laundry experts recommend running the tub-clean feature or a hot water cycle with bleach but no laundry. It's also a good idea to leave the door open after each wash. But if you have adventurous toddlers who could possibly climb inside, keep it closed.

Front-load washing machines also require bending down to load and unload clothes, so they may not be the best option for someone with physical restrictions unless the washer is placed on a pedestal.

Most front-loaders can be stacked with a matching dryer. But check the features and specifications listed in our ratings to make sure that the pair you’re considering can be stacked. Some washer-dryer pairs can't be stacked for a variety of reasons, perhaps because of a washer-top detergent dispenser or a washer and dryer of different sizes.

Our ratings include more than 50 front-loaders from brands such as Electrolux, GE, LG, Maytag, Samsung, Speed Queen, Whirlpool, and others. LG is the only front-load brand we’ve tested that receives top marks for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction in our latest member survey.

As you’re shopping, double-check the dimensions in our ratings to make sure you can fit the new machine into your space (and through doorways). For more on what to look for in a washer, see our washing machine buying guide. Below, CR members can read our reviews of five impressive front-loaders as well as two we don't recommend.

Keith Flamer

Keith Flamer has been a multimedia content creator at Consumer Reports since 2021, covering laundry, cleaning, small appliances, and home trends. Fascinated by interior design, architecture, technology, and all things mechanical, he translates CR's testing engineers’ work into content that helps readers live better, smarter lives. Prior to CR, Keith covered luxury accessories and real estate, most recently at Forbes, with a focus on residential homes, interior design, home security, and pop culture trends.