Best Washers And Dryers 2023

If it's been a minute since you last shopped for major appliances, you’ll be pleased to know that today's best washers and dryers are powerful and sleek with tons of additional capabilities. Many come with settings for steam-drying and extra rinse cycles that help get your clothes washed (and dried) with minimal effort on your part; some, like our top washer pick (the LG 12-Cycle Front-Loading Smart Washer), even have Wi-Fi so you can monitor everything from an app on your phone.

On the hunt for the best washer and dryer? These options make laundry day a lot more efficient and ... [+] little more enjoyable.

For instance, the LG's 12-Cycle Front-Loading Smart Wi-Fi Washer, our top pick overall, is a front-loading option that can be easily operated using an app. Or maybe you’re seeking a small-space solution like the LG WashTower, a stackable set, or a top loading option like the Maytag Smart Capable Washer. In any case, we’ve gathered the best washers and dryers to suit every household and laundering need, based on meticulous research and squeaky-clean customer reviews.

Wayfair

Size: 3.25 x 2.25 cubic feet | Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet | Special features: Picks up more than 95% of pet dander allergens | Energy Star certified: Yes

This washer is hands down the most impressive model out there. Not only does it have a large capacity, meaning you don't have to run tons of loads to get through laundry day, but it's also smart. Through ThinQ Care, an app that allows you to keep tabs on your machine, you can select a cycle, as well as start and stop your wash. You can also get notifications about when you laundry will be done. Enjoy six different wash motions to clean your clothes gently and efficiently. Steam cleaning also helps get deep into your fabric for max cleanliness.

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Samsung

Size: 3.6 x 2.25 cubic feet | Capacity: 7.4 cubic feet | Special features: Coordinating app lets you control from your phone | Energy Star certified: Not rated

If you frequently have to re-run your dryer because you shoved too much in during round one, resulting in still-damp clothes, this is the dryer for you. Boasting an impressive 7.4 cubic feet capacity, this model from Samsung can handle efficiently dry a lot at once. On top of 10 preset drying cycles, it also features sensor drying so you don't have to stress about it getting the job done. Lastly, this dryer has smart care so you can troubleshoot issues from your phone.

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Best Buy

Size: 6.2 x 2.25 cubic feet | Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet (washer), 7.4 cubic feet (dryer) | Special features: Center control panel with easy-to-reach buttons | Energy Star certified: Yes

If you’re short on space, consider a stackable washer and dryer combination like this one from LG. Whereas standard stacked washer and dryer system can be difficult for petite users to operate given how high those upper controls can be, this duo features a center control panel that's positioned in the middle. It also can handle a lot of laundry at once: The dryer has a generous 7.4 cubic feet capacity, whereas the washer measures in at 4.5 cubic feet size. A few other notable features of this combo: Allergenic detecting technology removes up to 95% of household allergens, while the ThinQ app lets you start laundry while you’re out living your life.

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AJ Madison

Size: 3.2 x 2.25 cubic feet (washer), 3.25 x 2.25 cubic feet (dryer) | Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet (washer), 7.4 cubic feet (dryer) | Special features: Load & Go dispenser holds enough detergent for up to 20 loads, designed to fit into closets | Energy Star certified: Yes

If you want to make doing laundry as easy as possible, this is the set for you. The washer features a Load & Go dispenser that lets you add a lot of detergent at once and not have to refill it for 20 loads. A sizable capacity means you can wash three laundry baskets’ worth of clothes at once, while special controls allow you to customize up to 35 cycle combinations to find the right level of care you need. And at 7.4 cubic feet, Whirlpool's dryer is ready to tackle all the wash you just did. A sanitizing cycle removes 99.9% of bacteria, while specialized sensors keep tabs on temperature and doneness. A continued tumbling setting also prevents wrinkles from taking hold. And the entire set is specially designed to fit into closets.

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Best Buy

Size: 3.5 x 2.3 cubic feet | Capacity: 4.7 cubic feet | Special features: Ability to tackle very large loads along with smaller ones | Energy Star certified: Not rated

This top loading washer has the power to tackle huge loads—up to 19 towels at once— so you don't have to sweat that laundry pile that's been building for days. Another nice perk of the deep fill option: You can choose deeper water levels when you need some serious washing oomph. The machine's power agitator keeps clothes saturated with water and concentrated detergent during the cleaning cycle to get your clothes really clean. There's also a quick wash option that tackles those I-have-to-wear-these-tonight jeans in only 30 minutes. You can manage all the action from an app on your phone or via your smart devices. We also like the complementing Maytag Smart Capable Electric Dryer with Advanced Moisture Sensing, which holds 7 cubic feet of laundry and has moisture-sensing technology.

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The Home Depot

Size: 3.2 x 2.25 cubic feet | Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet | Special features: Fast wash option cleans clothes in less than 20 minutes | Energy Star certified: Yes

This washing machine approaches cleaning a little differently than other models. It uses steam that rises from the bottom to gently lift dirt and stains from your clothes. It also has an adaptive dispenser that holds detergent packs or liquid detergent—and it mixes with water before the suds actually hit your clothes (meaning even tough stains are more likely to come out). A nice perk: A 15-minute fast wash helps you get clean laundry when you’re under a time crunch.

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Lowes

Size: 3.25 x 2.25 cubic feet | Capacity: 7.4 cubic feet | Special features: Sensor Dry detects moisture and automatically adjusts drying time | Energy Star certified: Yes

If you can't stand pulling out damp clothes after an allegedly complete cycle, this dryer is for you. It boasts a Sensor Dry feature that takes note when your clothes aren't quite ready and lengthens the drying time to get the job done. An ultra large capacity lets you really fill up this dryer without taking up a lot of extra space—its 30-inch depth easily fits into smaller spaces and closets. The dryer's ThinQ app lets you control it all from your phone, so no more running to stop a cycle so you can toss in a last-minute item. And since it's designed to be quiet, you can run it at night when the rest of the house is sleeping.

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LG

Size: 3.4 x 2.4 cubic feet | Capacity: 5.2 cubic feet | Special features: TurboWash technology saves you up to 30 minutes per load | Energy Star certified: Yes

A great choice for larger families or those who just want to minimize cycles, this LG washer has a huge capacity. It's not just about the size, though: Choose from 22 automatic cycles to find the wash that's right for that particular moment. There's a special TurboWash technology that can get your load done in a jiffy, and if you’re concerned about germs, you can flip on the steam setting for an extra deep clean. There's also special technology to help minimize noise and vibrations, so you don't have to feel like your washer is about to explode during tougher rinse cycles.

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Lowe's

Size: 3.8 x 2.3 cubic feet | Capacity: 7.8 cubic feet | Special features: Sanitize cycle eliminates common household germs | Energy Star certified: Yes

Bedding, a week's worth of clothes and other oversized loads are no problem with this sizable dryer from GE. But the machine offers more than impressive capacity: It has a feature to sense and adjust drying time as needed, so your massive load of laundry doesn't come out damp. Need ready-to-wear clothes in a jiffy? The quick-dry feature gets your stuff from wet to dry in minutes. There's also a sanitize cycle, so you can sterilize your gear—masks included—at elevated temperatures to kill off common household bacteria. It also has an app to help you monitor, start and stop your laundry from anywhere you have service. Best of all, it's Energy Star certified to help you save on utilities.

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Amazon

Size: 2.5 x 1.4 cubic feet | Capacity: 0.9 cubic feet | Special features: Auto safety shutoff | Energy Star certified: No

Named the top choice in our best portable washing machines list, this pick from Black + Decker is small but mighty, packed with features comparable to a standard washing machine. For cleaning, there are three water level choices to get the perfect amount for each load and you can pick from five different cycles, from a gentle wash to more intense washes for pieces that need heavier cleaning. The control panel is easy to read with its LED digital display, similar to stationary washing machines.

To get this unit up and running, connect the drain hose to your sink and adjust the leveling legs to keep it stable; the unbalanced detector and auto shutoff features will kick in when the washer is uneven or runs into an issue. Transporting this device is simple: It weighs just under 50 pounds and has two rollers and two side handles to make moving a breeze.

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The Home Depot

Size: 2.8 x 1.9 cubic feet | Capacity: 2.4 cubic feet | Special features: Steam wash helps loosen dirt and stains | Energy Star certified: Yes

This combination model from GE, which is also featured in our best washer-dryer combos story, is designed to make laundering your clothing easy. It has a small footprint at just 33 inches tall and 23 inches wide and it can easily fit under most countertops or in closets. The best part is that this machine doesn't require an outside vent, giving you more options for placement. There are five soil level selections to get the perfect wash for different garments and five spin speeds. If you’re looking for more advanced settings, the sanitizing cycle helps kill common household bacteria and the steam wash cycle works to loosen dirt and stains. Though the price isn't low, it eliminates buying two separate machines and saves space.

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The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen team consists of three experienced editors (Rebekah Lowin, Sholeen Damarwala and Amanda Arnold) with extensive backgrounds testing, researching and writing about all things home. This piece was written by Korin Miller, a trusted Forbes Vetted contributor who's lent her product knowledge and meticulous research to many of our home stories.

In particular, we’ve published dozens of cleaning and laundry best lists covering washer and dryer models across the board, as well as stories on other large appliances from the best dishwashers to the best refrigerators and beyond. We also regularly revisit this story to review product choices and update pricing and spec information; it was last updated in April 2023.

To bring you a comprehensive list of the very best washers and dryers, we’ve compared specs, pored over reviews and considered our own firsthand experiences with these brands to offer a selection of the best options on the marker. To make the cut, all the washers and dryers on this list had to be from reputable brands, have stellar customer reviews and offer generous warranties to ensure you’ve made the right investment. Above all, we focused on features like energy efficiency to help save on your energy bills, sanitization cycles to keep germs at bay and smart features like Wi-Fi connection to help you get your load done even when you’re not at home.

Washers and dryers are big purchases, so it's wise to do your research before purchasing the appliances. To ensure you make the right choice, keep these factors in mind when making your selection.

Investing in a washer and dryer set is definitely convenient. By the same token, this route can be more expensive than buying the appliances separately or as needed. To help decide what's right for you, figure out when you’ll likely need to replace one or both machines, and consider your budget.

The choice between front-loading and top-loading appliances often comes down to space and personal preference. If space is tight, for example, you might prefer a stackable set that opens in the front; if you’re dealing with a narrow space, a top-loading option is probably better.

Today's washers and dryers come with a slew of special features, including steam-drying options and WiFi connectivity. But remember, these bells and whistles cost more, so figure out beforehand if you’ll actually use the features.

Size matters when it comes to washers and dryers, both in terms of capacity and the amount of space you have to house your appliances. Before making a purchase, measure how much space you have for the machines, keeping in mind that cords, water connections and venting will take up additional room. When deciding on capacity, consider the size of your family and how much laundry you generate. Larger families, for example, will need washers and dryers with bigger capacity, unless that family doesn't mind doing laundry multiple times a week.

Despite what you may think, it's possible to get a quality appliance at a lower-than-standard price point. Just know that you probably won't a bunch of additional features, such as sensor-drying options, smart capabilities and automatic soap dispensing.

This is a tough one—after all, these days, there are plenty of reputable companies making quality washers and dryers. The most popular (and reliable) brands include Whirlpool, GE, LG, Samsung and Maytag, but there are plenty of others that are up to par. Basically, if you know the brand name, odds are they make a satisfactory product that will stand the test of time.

Sometimes you need a new washer or dryer ASAP. If you have some time to work with, though, consider buying one around a holiday or long weekend, when companies and retailers tend to slash prices. Is New Year's Day, Thanksgiving (i.e. Black Friday and Cyber Monday), Labor Day, Fourth of July, Memorial Day or President's Day approaching? Those are typically ideal times to buy. (Of course, big sales can crop up anytime of year.) If you need more help planning your purchase, we’ve also compiled a more detailed guide about the best time to buy a washer and dryer.

Holiday weekends are a great time to find deals on washers and dryers. President's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Black Friday are specifically great times to score up to 30% to 50% off the manufacturer's price (occasionally more). July 4th weekend and New Year's are also good times to check around for deals. In addition to price mark downs, retailers also offer extra incentives (like gift cards, generous financing options, point rewards or free delivery) for big ticket purchases. If you need more help planning your purchase, we’ve also compiled a more detailed guide about the best time to buy a washer and dryer.