A good washing machine should match your laundry routine before it impresses you with its feature list. Think about how often you wash, whether you need a top-loader, and whether your home has room for a separate dryer.
We selected five machines from CNET’s October 2026 washing-machine guide and checked model information against manufacturer or ENERGY STAR sources. CNET performed the reported testing; Appliancia has not independently tested these washers. Published tests are useful evidence, but they do not guarantee the lifespan of an individual appliance. Prices and availability change, so this guide focuses on the reasons to consider each model rather than temporary sale prices.
1. Electrolux ELFW7738AW: Best starting point for efficiency-minded households
The Electrolux 700 Series is CNET’s overall choice, with particular praise for cleaning and efficiency. The ENERGY STAR listing identifies the ELFW7738 family as a 4.5-cubic-foot front-loader and gives standardized annual figures of 74 kWh and 3,452 gallons of water. Those are comparison figures from a certification listing, not a forecast of your household’s bills.
Why choose it: You want a full-size front-loader and place efficiency high on your checklist. Its drum size is substantial without requiring you to buy the largest available machine.
Before buying: Check loading height and door clearance. A front-loader may be uncomfortable if bending is difficult; compare an approved pedestal with the total installed height and cost. Ask about local parts and service support as well as the purchase price.
2. Maytag MHW5630HW: Best for a conventional front-load routine
Maytag lists a 4.5-cubic-foot capacity, Extra Power, and a 12-hour Fresh Spin option for this model. CNET highlighted its cleaning performance. The appeal is a familiar front-loading format with options aimed at everyday laundry rather than making an app central to every load.
Why choose it: You want a full-size machine from a well-established laundry range and appreciate an option that periodically moves clothes after washing when you cannot unload immediately.
Before buying: Confirm the exact features on the model number you are ordering. Closely named Maytag washers do not all have the same detergent-dispensing system. Check the door-opening direction, stacking-kit compatibility, and written warranty terms; coverage for a motor or drum is not the same as comprehensive coverage for every part and labor charge.
3. Whirlpool WFW4720RW: Best value-focused front-loader
The Whirlpool is CNET’s budget selection. Whirlpool specifies 4.5 cubic feet, ENERGY STAR certification, and the Tumble Fresh option, which can periodically tumble finished laundry for up to 12 hours. Its advertised 25-minute Quick Wash is based on a 10-pound load, so it should not be read as the cycle time for every basket of laundry.
Why choose it: You want the main benefits of a full-size front-loader while concentrating spending on useful wash functions rather than premium displays.
Before buying: Compare the delivered and installed price, including hoses, haul-away, and any stacking accessories. Decide whether your usual loads suit its cycle options. A lower purchase price is only part of value: check maintenance access, warranty terms, and the availability of service in your area.
4. LG WT8200CW: Best top-loader on this shortlist
LG’s WT8200CW is a 5.0-cubic-foot top-loader with an impeller, EasyUnload design, and electronic controls. LG also lists a glass lid, AI Sensing, and optional ThinQ smart functions. CNET chose the WT8200C family as its top-load pick, while noting that the top-loading design needs space above the machine.
Why choose it: You prefer loading from above and want a large drum without a front door swinging into the room. It offers a useful alternative to the three conventional front-loaders in this guide.
Before buying: Reach into the empty tub in a showroom if possible. Check whether shelves or cabinets will interfere with the open lid. Compare standardized water-use figures as well as the capacity; a bigger drum does not mean that overpacking a load will produce better results.
5. LG WM6998HBA: Best when one machine must wash and dry
The WashCombo is a different purchase from a standalone washer. LG lists a 5.0-cubic-foot, ventless all-in-one machine using heat-pump drying. It removes the need to move a load between two appliances, and it can be useful where a second machine would take too much floor space.
Why choose it: Your priority is a single-appliance footprint and you can plan laundry around one drum handling both washing and drying.
Before buying: CNET reported long drying cycles and trouble getting overloaded loads fully dry. A combo also cannot wash the next load while the same drum is drying the previous one. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for load size, lint and condenser-filter care, hookups, and installation clearances before deciding that one machine will suit your weekly volume.
Buy for the room and the routine
Measure the delivery path and installation space, including room for hoses, doors, lids, and service access. Confirm the electrical supply, water connections, drain, and any dryer requirements using the exact model’s installation instructions. Only use stacking hardware approved for the washer and dryer combination.
Our five picks serve different priorities: Electrolux for efficiency-minded shoppers, Maytag for a conventional front-load routine, Whirlpool for value, LG WT8200CW for top loading, and LG WM6998HBA for washing and drying in one unit. Match the choice to your habits instead of buying features you will rarely use.
Model information checked October 28, 2026. Images are editorial visuals; the manufacturer’s product page and installation documents are the references for exact appearance and specifications.