Which Brands Make the Most Reliable Washing Machines?

Among CR members surveyed, the most commonly reported washer problems were tangled or balled-up clothes (9 percent), excessive vibration over time (5 percent), odor (5 percent), nonspinning drums (5 percent), water drain failure (5 percent), and becoming noisier over time (4 percent).

Mold, mildew, and odor complaints were much more common among owners of many brands of front-loaders and compact washers. Thirteen percent of front-loader owners cited mold/mildew buildup and 14 percent cited odor as a concern. Ten percent of compact washer owners cited mold/mildew buildup as a problem and 8 percent cited odor. HE top-load washers were singled out for not cleaning clothes thoroughly, with members specifically dinging HE washers from Kenmore, Maytag, Samsung, and Whirlpool in this regard.

Below, CR members can view highlights from our reliability survey and find washer brands that score high in both the survey and our lab performance 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 complete washing machine ratings to see how well over 180 models performed in our tests and for details on their features.