While dryers have changed relatively little in the past 10 years, washers have become more efficient.

But some new ones are having a tough time meeting new federal energy rules without sacrificing cleaning. Our latest tests found huge performance differences among machines.

The U.S. Department of Energy now requires washers to use 21 percent less energy, a goal we wholeheartedly support. But several major manufacturers are meeting the new standard in part by lowering wash-water temperatures, which often lowers performance. Traditional top-loaders with center-post agitators are having the hardest time, with some leaving our stain-soaked swatches nearly as dirty as they were before washing. Most top-loaders received only mediocre washing scores, and some had the lowest scores we've seen in years.

Fortunately, our tests also revealed models that are both capable and efficient.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

The top four brands—GE, Kenmore (Sears), Maytag, and Whirlpool—account for most washer and dryer sales. Other brands include Frigidaire (made by Electrolux), Hotpoint (made by GE), and Admiral, Amana, and Roper (made by Whirlpool). You might also run across such brands as Crosley, Estate, and White-Westinghouse, all of which are made by the larger brands. Asko and Miele are European brands. Fisher & Paykel is imported from New Zealand, LG and Samsung from Korea, and Haier from China.

Regular top-loading washers. These fill the tub with water and agitate clothing, using the most water. Because they need to move the laundry around to ensure thorough cleaning, these machines hold about 12 to 16 pounds, which is less than large front-loaders and top-loaders without agitators. On the plus side, they make it easier to load laundry and add items midcycle, and cost the least overall. But most are relatively noisy and can allow loads to become unbalanced. They also performed least-impressively as a group. Price: $300 to $650.

High-efficiency top-loading washers. These use discs—called wash plates—that lift and tumble laundry. Washing performance is typically better than with regular top-loaders, with added capacity. High-efficiency top-loaders fill partly with water and spin at very high speeds. But the high spin speeds that reduce drying time (and energy consumption) can make clothing more tangled and wrinkled. They also work best with low-foaming, high-efficiency detergent. Price: $800 to $1,200.

Front-loading washers. These clean clothes by lifting them to the top of the tub and then dropping them into the water below. They fill only partly with water, adding efficiency over regular top-loaders. Most handle between 12 and 20 pounds of laundry. Like high-efficiency top-loaders, front-loaders wash best with low-sudsing detergent. The best still outperform the best high-efficiency top-loaders overall without necessarily costing more. Many can be stacked with a dryer to save floor space. Price: $700 to $1,600.

Space-saving washers and dryers. Compact models are typically 24 inches wide or less vs. 27 inches for full-sized models. Compact washers can handle an 8-to-12-pound load; dryers have about half the drum capacity of full-sized models—about 31⁄2 cubic feet. Front-loading washers can be stacked with compact dryers. Some compact washers can be stored in a closet and rolled out to the kitchen sink for water.

Washer-dryer laundry centers combine the dryer and washer in one unit. They can be full-sized or compact, gas or electric. Full-sized washers hold about 12 to 14 pounds and compacts a bit less, though the dryer component typically holds less than a full-sized dryer. Performance is generally the same as that of a full-sized machine. Price: $450 to $1,700 for compact washers and $200 to $1,400 for compact dryers; $900 to $1,900 for laundry centers.

Full-sized dryers. Most are 27 to 29 inches wide. Front-mounted controls on some let you stack the dryer atop a front-loading washer, though shorter people may have to stretch to reach the dryer controls or inside the drum. Most have ample capacity for typical wash loads—about 5 to 71⁄2 cubic feet. A larger drum is better for large comforters and other bulky items. Price: about $300 to $1,000 for electric; $350 to $1,100 for gas.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

For washers

A stainless-steel or plastic tub won’t rust like a porcelain-coated steel tub if chipped. Stainless tubs can also withstand higher spin speeds, which extract more water and speed drying. A porcelain top/lid resists scratching better than a painted metal one. Controls should be legible, easy to operate, and logically arranged. High-end models often have touchpad controls; others have traditional dials. Touchpads tend to be more versatile, letting you save favorite settings, for instance. Some high-end models have a display with a progression of menus with customized programs, though they can be tough to learn and navigate. Pluses include lights or signals that indicate the cycle, along with an automatic lock that keeps children from opening a top-loader’s lid during the spin cycle. (Front-loaders lock at the beginning of a cycle but can usually be opened by interrupting it.)

Front-loaders and some top-loaders have automatic water-level settings, ensuring efficient use of water. Some top-loaders can be manually set for four or more levels, though three or four are probably all you’ll need. Most machines establish wash and rinse temperatures by mixing hot and cold water in preset proportions. For incoming cold water that’s especially cold, an automatic temperature control adjusts the flow for the correct wash temperature. Some models allow an extra rinse, which can help those sensitive to detergent residue, or an extended spin to remove more water from laundry. A time-delay feature lets you program the washer to start at a later time. Automatic dispensers for bleach, detergent, and fabric-softener release powder or liquid at the appropriate time in the cycle; bleach dispensers also prevent spattering.

For dryers

More lower-priced dryers now have a moisture sensor, letting them know when laundry is dry faster than machines with a traditional thermostat. Moisture-sensor dryers are also easier on fabrics because they don’t subject them to unnecessary heat, and they use less energy by shutting themselves off when laundry is dry.

Full-sized machines often have two or three auto-dry cycles, which shut off the unit when the clothes reach desired dryness. Each cycle might have a more-dry setting to dry clothes completely, a less-dry setting for damp ironing, and gradations between the two. Most have a separate temperature control that lets you choose a lower heat for delicate fabrics, for instance. An extended-tumble setting (aka Press Care or Finish Guard) helps prevent wrinkling when you don’t remove clothes immediately. Some models continue to tumble without heat; others cycle on and off. An express-dry cycle handles small loads at high heat in less than a half hour.

As with washers, touchpad controls and menus add versatility once you figure them out. A top-mounted lint filter may be somewhat easier to clean than one inside the drum; some models have a warning light that reminds you to clean it. Most full-sized models have a drum light, making it easy for you to spot stray items that may be hidden in the back. Some allow you to raise or lower the volume of an end-of-cycle signal or shut it off. A rack included with many dryers attaches inside the drum to hold sneakers or other items that you want to dry without tumbling. Models with drop-down doors in front may fit better against a wall, but side-opening doors may make it easier to reach items inside.

HOW TO CHOOSE

Consider replacing your washer or dryer when a repair will cost more than half the price of a comparably equipped new appliance. Our repair data also show that it often doesn’t pay to repair any dryer or top-loading washer that’s more than six years old or any front-loading washer that’s more than seven years old. Other shopping tips:

Weigh washer cost vs. cleaning. Most front-loaders offer superior performance and efficiency. Better moisture extraction in the spin cycle also means shorter drying times. While they aren’t cheap, front-loaders tend to be more efficient than high-efficiency top-loaders for about the same price. Conventional top-loaders are the least expensive and have shorter cycle times, but are mediocre at washing.

Skip the matching dryer. You’ll save hundreds while often improving performance by choosing the washer and dryer separately. And choose a dryer with a moisture sensor; they’re available on about half the dryers on the market, including most priced above $350. To be sure the one you’re considering has one, check the literature, visit the manufacturer’s Web site, or pick a highly rated dryer that we’ve tested.

Don’t get hung up on capacity. Manufacturers often describe it with superlatives like "extra large," "super," and “super-plus.” But most full-sized dryers can hold a typical wash load. If you want to dry big, bulky items, choose a model judged excellent for capacity in our Ratings.

Get a quiet machine for living areas. If your laundry area is near the kitchen or a bedroom, look for models judged very good or excellent for noise.

Copyright © 2003-2007 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

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