Our Expert Names The Laundry Appliance Brands That Are Worth The Hype

The average washing machine has a lifespan of 10 to 13 years. You'll get a few more if you're mindful and don't engage in washer-destroying habits. Yet, these machines help keep households running smoothly without smelling ripe, so it's important to know which brands are worth the investment. In speaking exclusively to House Digest, appliance expert Ben Schlichter let us in on the companies to watch for. 

As owner and appliance technician of Ben's Appliances & Junk, Schlichter knows a thing or two about how machines hold up over time. When it comes to laundry appliances, he has a few he recommends. "For laundry, my top [two] brands currently are: Speed Queen, and LG for overall brand choices," he said. "However, as a note, brand quality can vary heavily on style as well."

Schlichter explained that Electrolux front-loading units are a good option, though he wouldn't recommend the company's top-loading machines with the Frigidaire sub-brand. Whereas, for top-loading machines from Whirlpool/Amana, the basics like the WTW4618FW model are better options than the more expensive ones. All that said, Schlichter recommends the LG Electronics and Speed Queen models in either top-loading or front-loading style. They're the best in either category, he added.

When asked why Speed Queen and LG Electronics laundry units are trustworthy brands in his mind, Ben Schlichter told House Digest exclusively, "Speed Queen builds their units to a commercial standard, and make the only unit that I'm aware of that has both a 5/5 from Consumer Reports for both reliability and user satisfaction." He said that Speed Queen machines are built to last for 20 years, which makes them durable. However, they are also the most expensive units available on the market. 

As for LG, Schlichter cited the company's quality consistency as the reason he recommends them. He said that this quality carries over to both the front-loading and top-loading units "Many models are priced similarly to competitors, but offer superior performance and reliability," Schlichter said. "Generally, every other brand has mixed quality that it is hard to recommend across the board." Given how expensive appliances are, it's even more reason to ensure you're cleaning these key parts of your washer to keep it working at its best!

Whether you're waiting for the best time of year to buy a new appliance or your old laundry unit has gone to the great soap bucket in the sky, choosing one machine can be tough. In an exclusive interview with House Digest, Ben Schlichter said there are two models he highly recommends between Speed Queen and LG Electronics. "The Speed Queen TC5 is arguably the most reliable, best cleaning washer on the residential market currently," he advised. "It's not cheap, but there are solid reasons why it's about the only choice among all [laundromats] in the U.S. for top load washing machines." 

With LG, Schlichter suggested their front-loading base model WM3400 for its quality and price. He said it is often found under $700. He also said that dryers aren't as varied because the majority of companies sell dryers of similar quality. He explained that's because they have a simpler job than a washer. "It's the washing machine that tends to take the most abuse and have problems earlier, so buying a reliable washing machine is critical," Schlichter said.