If you’re looking for the best buy which one is it?
How do you know what goes into a good washer? Do you do research? Do you ask friends? Do you ask Facebook (haha). For us, we compare and contrast to see how models stack up against one another. This week we are taking a look at three different models under $1,000. We're going to walk you through what's the same and what's different between all three of them before we tell you which we think is the best bang for your buck. The contenders for this week are all front load washing machines. Our contenders are made by Electrolux, LG, and Samsung. The specific models are as follows: the Electrolux EFLW317TIW, the LG WM3400CW, and the Samsung WF45M5500AW.
It’s Like Looking In a Mirror!
(Ok, maybe not)
Let's start off with what is the same - before we go seeing what makes these three washers so different.
All three of them are energy star rated.
All three of them are stackable.
All three of them come with a one-year warranty.
Their dimensions are almost the same at 39 inches high, 27 inches wide, and 31 inches deep, with Samsung being the only outlier at 35 inches deep instead.
Not one of the three of them connects to Wi-Fi. (Which, if you've read our posts regarding the Internet of Things or how your Samsung fridge can be dangerous, this might be a good thing.)
Where Are The Washers Different?
Energy Efficiency -
How much energy does it take for these to do the ‘standard’ wash, consisting of a warm wash and a cold rinse? In energy efficiency, both the Samsung and the LG are highly rated, with the Electrolux lagging slightly behind. Given the current prices for electricity in Texas, this matters greatly to us in suggesting the best option for you. The LG’s rating is affected by their focus on Cold Wash technology, ensuring that cold water washes as well as warm does.
Water Efficiency -
Their water efficiency is a mix of how much water they take to wash a standard load and how much water it wrings out afterwards. Both the Samsung and LG are given five stars; again the Electrolux lags behind a step at four.
Noise Rating -
This one is important for those of us who live in duplexes or split homes, or if you live in an apartment and have to supply your own washer. (Or if you’re just like our blogger and sensitive to loud sounds.) Ratings are based on how loud the washers are during all three stages of a wash: fill, wash and spin. We do also recognize that the amount that a washer vibrates is going to affect how much noise it makes. Once again the Samsung and LG are tied at 4 stars out of a possible 5. Samsung has taken time to include ‘VRT Technology’ to reduce the amount their washer vibrates. LG, on the other hand, has engineered theirs for both vibration and noise with proprietary terms like “LoDecibel™ Quiet Operation” and “ TrueBalance™ Anti-Vibration System.” The Electrolux, though, only has two stars. Listening to this is not quite as bad as having nails on a chalkboard - but very surprising in terms of just how loud it can be. And that was without having a dryer stacked either above or below it.
Vibration -
This ranking was based on how much the machines vibrated without having any support underneath them or anything to muffle them. Once again, we see that the LG washer and the Samsung contender are tied at four stars. The Samsung boasts “an innovative tub design and special sensors [to] keep heavy loads balanced even at high spin speeds.” The Electrolux is rated at a respectable three stars, but combined with the noise score, you would be forgiven for thinking it's a much lower rating.
Bonus Features -
Those of us who have to deal with very professional workplaces know that dry cleaning bills can be a hassle, and they stack up quickly. Many different companies (not just the three reviewed here) are now offering steam options on their washers. However, out of the three washers reviewed in this post, the only one that does offer a steam option is the Samsung.
Gentleness -
For us, this was a very important factor: how well do the washers treat your clothing? The Electrolux was only given one star. This is a machine that is going to rip your cottons apart - perhaps not feed it anything more delicate. The LG model was only given three stars, which is actually it's lowest score out of every facet we’ve looked at. The Samsung washer rated the highest (AT ZYX STARS?) - which we found surprising, given some of the earlier stats. Perhaps their vaunted ‘diamond drum design’ has done them some favors.
Our second to last, but certainly most important to us, is customer satisfaction. We rated this based on how often you're going to have to repair the washer within the first five years, barring an extended warranty or service plan. LG has five stars. Given the amount of work that they put into their products, we aren't terribly surprised by this one. What did surprise us was that the Samsung and Electrolux both ranked at three stars.
Last of all, let's take a look at price. The Electrolux is going for $765. The LG is going for $720. The Samsung is going for $910 at a sale price as of this writing..
Comparing all of these things, we feel that the LG is your best bet for a front loading washer. Based on all of the different numbers we’ve crunched here, we feel that it's a solid buy if you're looking to spend under $1,000 on your washer. Whether you're looking for a temporary model until you can afford the washer of your dreams or whether you're looking to furnish a rental property, the LG is a solid model. Its energy efficiency, water efficiency, noise level, vibration, and how it treats your clothing while still cleaning properly all make it a good bet. Most important of all is the high customer satisfaction rating. Although it sounds counterintuitive, we here at Appliance Rescue Service want our readers and our patrons to have their homes running in tip-top shape. And if that means you don't have to call us because you've purchased a fantastic washer, then that's okay.
We feel that the Samsung is an acceptable secondary option - although given its current ratings, we don't feel that it's worth its price tag. If that comes down in the future, or if you might snap it up at a clearance event, then we might reconsider.
Do you have any experience with these models? Do you disagree with our opinion? Would you like us to assess another characteristic next time? Let us know over on our Facebook or in the comments below because we'd love to hear from you. Don't forget: if your current washer is giving you trouble and you don't want to replace it, you can always give us a call. We'll help you get it back up and running. You can make an appointment on our web page or give us a call at (214) 599-0055.