Which Brands Make the Most Reliable Washing Machines?

Among CR members surveyed, the most commonly reported washer issues were tangled or balled-up clothes (9 percent), excessive vibration over time (6 percent), odor (5 percent), non-spinning drums (5 percent), water drain failure (5 percent), and noise (4 percent).

Mold, mildew, and odor complaints were much more common among owners of front-loaders and compact washers. Fifteen percent of front-loader owners cited mold/mildew buildup and 15 percent cited odor as concerns, while 11 percent of compact washer owners cited mold/mildew buildup as a problem and 9 percent cited odor. HE top-load washers as a group were singled out for not cleaning clothes thoroughly. Members specifically dinged HE washers from GE, Kenmore, Maytag, Samsung, and Whirlpool in this regard.

Below, we highlight details from our reliability survey, as well as washers from the brands that score high in both the survey and our lab tests. If you’re shopping for a new appliance, check out our washing machine buying guide to learn the pros and cons of different washer types. And review our washing machine ratings to see how well models performed in our tests, and for details on their features and benefits.