The 6 Best Washing Machines of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Whirlpool Smart Top Load Washer

$1,299 $898 at Home Depot $1,299 $898 at Lowes $1,170 $930 at Best Buy

While front-load washers get a lot of hype for their gentle clothes care and easy-to-access drums, we fell in love with this top-load washing machine from Whirlpool after testing it at home. The capacity of the Whirlpool WTW8127LW cut the number of times we needed to do laundry in a week in half, freeing up a bunch of time for other tasks (like folding all that laundry).

Our favorite thing about this washer is that it features a removable central agitator; you don’t need to choose between a central agitator or an impeller plate, which can be a key consideration when shopping for a washing machine, too. We love popping out the agitator to fit more laundry inside (like big comforters and multiple pairs of sheets), and then putting it back when we need additional cleaning power.

With or without the agitator, this machine has the largest capacity of any model we recommend.

We also frequently used the built-in faucet for targeted rinsing. It’s perfect for rinsing heavily stained clothes before adding the rest of the load, especially if you don’t have a utility sink. This washer has a load-and-go internal storage and dispensing system for detergent and fabric softener, speeding up the process of starting a load.

We initially used this feature only occasionally since we had a lot of laundry pods to use up. After a few months with the washer, we transitioned to using the internal dispenser and came to love its convenience and precision. While pods are easy to use, the load-and-go system automatically dispenses the right amount of detergent for your load size, so you're never using too little or too much detergent.

The huge variety of settings also took a while for us to get used to, and that learning curve is one of the only negative things we have to say about this washer. We had trouble figuring out the pre-soak cycle (you have to close the lid to let the basin fill), and stuck to the normal wash settings at first, but started to regularly use the quick-wash, bulk, and pre-soak settings after we got more comfortable with the machine.

All this said, this washing machine is in high demand, so we see it backordered a lot. We think it’s worth the wait, though, and it warrants an immediate purchase if you find it in stock and ready to ship. It even has some useful smart features, including Wi-Fi connectivity and compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, if you want to manage your cycles and troubleshoot any issues from your smartphone.

_{Capacity: 5.3 cubic feet | Washing Mechanism: Agitator or impeller | Cycles: 36 | Smart Capabilities: Yes | Energy Star Certified: Yes}

Best Value

LG Electronics WM4000HWA Front Load Washer

$898 at Wayfair $1,149 $848 at Home Depot $1,149 $848 at Lowes

Front-load washing machines are popular for their cleaning ability and user-friendly design features. We were impressed with the LG WM4000HWA's cycle options (there are 12 total, including a 15-minute speed wash and allergen setting) and efficiency when testing it at home. Notably, the washer can accommodate laundry loads up to 20 pounds (which is about a dozen large bath towels) and has a stainless steel drum that's also gentler on your clothes and more durable over time.

Despite having a decent amount of space for your clothes, it maintains a trim profile though, that works well in smaller laundry areas. It is also stackable when paired with its matching dryer, so you can install it in a vertical configuration with the help of a separate stacking kit.

The center dial makes it easy to select a pre-configured cycle, plus the digital control panel allows you to edit aspects like water temperature, spin speed, and more before starting your load. The digital buttons aren’t lit, which made it challenging for us to use the buttons in low-light conditions, though.

With the LG ThinQ app, you can check cycle status, receive notifications, and even start the washer remotely. A big caveat to remotely starting a cycle is the fact that the washing machine must be turned on for this feature to work, so the app isn't always as convenient as it seems.

Regardless, it can be handy to monitor your machine via the app, especially if you have a laundry area in the basement or if you frequently forget to retrieve freshly washed clothes from the washer. Ultimately, this pick tops our list because it's feature-packed, intuitive, and reliable. LG is one of the best brands for washers, and this particular front-loading model offers efficiency and quality at a very reasonable price.

_{Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet | Washer Mechanism: Not applicable | Cycles: 12 | Smart Capabilities: Yes | Energy Star Certified: Yes}

Best Stackable

Equator Advanced Appliances Electric Stacked Laundry Center

$1,699 $1,499 at Amazon $1,399 at Wayfair $1,859 $1,499 at Lowes

When we installed this stackable washer-and-dryer set from Equator at home, we were immediately impressed with the user-friendly controls that let us select the precise cycle we needed without any confusion or time-consuming learning curve. This set is also incredibly compact. It's just 2 feet wide and less than 2 feet deep. However, the compact design limits its overall capacity, so we think this washer (and set) is best for smaller households that don’t go through a ton of laundry.

We love the controls of this washing machine (and its matching dryer), which are placed front-and-center like a laundry tower. The color-coded LED display is easy to read and understand, and Equator also provides a QR code to access a digital version of the manual if you ever have any questions.

We used this washer with laundry pods and found that it removed stains and odors from our laundry with a single cycle and pod. It also has a compartment for detergent and fabric softener, which we used specifically for delicate items like silk sheets, which came out great. (Just keep in mind: the limited capacity means that one king-sized sheet is about all it can handle at once.)

While we were initially concerned that this washing machine would be too small, our load sizes were ultimately manageable. We did complete more loads per week, but each load came out cleaner than it would with our old washer, and we preferred running and folding several small loads compared to one (very daunting) mountain of laundry.

The small size of this washing machine is also a big benefit if you have a limited amount of space, which is the main reason why you may opt for a stackable set in the first place. We think this is a great option for apartment dwellers and anyone who doesn’t have a huge laundry room. It’s perfect for a laundry closet, or you could even install it in your kitchen. It’s so compact and quiet that it doesn’t need a dedicated room.

_{Capacity: 1.6 cubic feet | Washing Mechanism: Not applicable | Cycles: 12 | Smart Capabilities: No | Energy Star Certified: No}

Best for Stain Removal

Electrolux High-Efficiency Front Load Washer

$948 at Wayfair $1,349 at Home Depot View on Lowes

While there are now several washing machines on the market with built-in faucets for pre-treating stains (including our overall best), or other features to wash even your most-stained items, we were blown away by the Electrolux ELFW7637AT in testing.

We put this machine through its paces for over a year in our home by washing soiled cloth diapers and spit-up-covered swaddles. It successfully removes stains and odors, and we haven't noticed any odor accumulating in the washing machine afterwards, which is often typical in front-load models. 

This washing machine offers great energy savings as well, and is efficient with its water usage, which was very helpful for our never-ending pile of newborn laundry. The 15-minute fast-wash and heavy-duty settings are some of the most effective cycles on this machine, but other cycles for white clothing and steam-compatible items make it a well-rounded option.

Plus, SmartBoost technology helps pre-mix your preferred detergent type (powder, pods, or liquid) with the water before rinsing your fabric for a powerful stain-removing process. We also loved that this whole machine was straightforward to operate. It also has memory settings; you don’t have to reset your wash temperatures and preferred cycle with each use. 

Despite this machine's well-rounded appeal, it has a few minor drawbacks. For starters, we tested the titanium finish, which easily scratches. If you typically like to store your laundry basket or drying rack on top of your machine, you may want to rethink your storage if you purchase one of the darker finishes of this washer.

Additionally, we had a hard time reversing the door. The screws seemed to be too short. We had to make a trip to a hardware store for longer screws. If you opt for professional installation, we recommend asking them to switch the door to save yourself the trouble and frustration.

_{Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet | Washing Mechanism: Not applicable | Cycles: 11 | Smart Capabilities: No | Energy Star Certified: Yes}

Best for Pet Owners

Maytag Pet Pro Top-Load Washer

$1,199 $798 at Home Depot $1,199 $748 at Lowes View on Pcrichard.com

We experienced an immediate upgrade by replacing an aging washing machine with this top-loading Maytag model. It has various useful features, including presets for jeans and towels. It also includes a powerful "pet pro" setting and a pet hair collector—exactly why we think it’s the best option for pet owners.

When you activate the "pet pro" button, it deploys extra water and a deep rinse to provide additional cleaning power to dog beds, sweaters covered in cat hair, and more. A filter lifts and captures pet hair, but it also captures lint as a bonus.

Even without this pet-centered option active, this washing machine handles stain removal well. We used a stain remover spray on stains paired with a liquid detergent, and our clothes came out perfectly clean and stain-free. The see-through lid lets you see the progress of a cycle. We were even able to pause and pop the lid open to add extra items mid-cycle, which comes in handy if you forget items or accidentally drop them on the way to the washing machine.

This washer has a large capacity (enough to fit about 19 towels at once), but you might want to check out the Whirlpool WTW8127LW (our overall best recommendation) if you need the extra space afforded by a removable agitator. The agitator isn’t removable in this washer, but it didn’t give us any problems either. We were used to our delicates getting twisted around the agitator in our older washer; the agitator in the Maytag pick is a lot gentler, since nothing ever got tangled, and we didn’t notice any fraying of our clothes.

Our only complaint with this washing machine is that there’s no audible alert when it’s done with a cycle. And it doesn’t provide a timer, so you must learn how long different cycles take. The basin also felt pretty deep, which we could see being an issue for shorter individuals.

If that’s a concern, our best stackable pick is a compact, front-loading stackable set that makes it easy to reach your clothes.

_{Capacity: 4.7 cubic feet | Washing Mechanism: Agitator | Cycles: 10 | Smart Capabilities: No | Energy Star Certified: No}

We Also Recommend

Speed Queen Heavy Duty Top Load Washer

$1,781 at Amazon $1,519 at Walmart $1,500 at Best Buy

We haven’t had a chance to test the Speed Queen TR7 yet, but its reliability, performance, and flexible "perfect wash" system have caught our eye. This machine is also built with the same commercial-grade and top-notch construction that all Speed Queen washers have, so you know it’s made to last. It has useful modern features that you may not expect to see from this brand, too, which is why we have our eye on it.

This top-load washer has a smaller capacity than most of the competition, which is one of our only concerns with this model. Part of that is due to the agitator, but it also features an advanced out-of-balance management system that we think makes up for the lower capacity.

Speed Queen’s "perfect wash" system lets you customize wash cycles for different fabrics. You can pick individual settings for specific fabrics, soil levels, and water temperatures. The result is effective cleaning and stain removal, with appropriate wash actions to avoid damaging more delicate items.

While this washer has several advanced options you may not expect to see from Speed Queen (which is known more for reliability over cutting-edge features), it doesn’t have any smart connectivity. Smart features aren't absolutely necessary in a washing machine, though; the option to check in on cycle progress from your phone is just nice. If you need a larger-capacity model that's smart home compatible, the Whirlpool WTW8127LW (our overall best recommendation) may be better for you.

_{Capacity: 3.2 cubic feet | Washing Mechanism: Agitator | Cycles: 16 | Smart Capabilities: No | Energy Star Certified: No}