Washing Machines

Which Brands Make the Most Reliable Washing Machines?

Based on CR’s surveys from more than 68,000 consumers, these popular brands come out on top in terms of reliability

By Keith Flamer
Multimedia Content Creator, Home

Updated by Kala Herh

Updated January 27, 2025

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green arrow pointing up with a Front-Load LG-WM3400CW Washer — Laundry day isn’t so fun when your washing machine breaks. Get the inside scoop on the most reliable washer brands, courtesy of CR’s member surveys.

An unreliable washing machine can throw a big wrinkle into your everyday life. In fact, reliability is the factor that CR members are most likely to deem very important when weighing their next washing machine purchase. That’s why it pays to invest in a quality washer that’s built to last so that you can avoid repair costs. Our latest member surveys that rate over 68,000 washing machines can help you find just that.

In this article

Most Common Problems With Washing Machines
Most Reliable Washers: Agitator Top-Loaders High-Efficiency Top-Loaders Front-Loaders Compact Front-Loaders

Make a greener choice for your laundry room by choosing one of the best eco-friendly washing machines from CR’s tests.

Most Common Problems With 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), and water drain failure (5 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 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 110 models performed in our tests and for details on their features.

Become a member to read the full article and get access to digital ratings.

We investigate, research, and test so you can choose with confidence.

Keith Flamer

Keith Flamer has been a multimedia content creator at Consumer Reports since 2021, covering laundry, cleaning, small appliances, and home trends. Fascinated by interior design, architecture, technology, and all things mechanical, he translates CR’s testing engineers’ work into content that helps readers live better, smarter lives. Prior to CR, Keith covered luxury accessories and real estate, most recently at Forbes, with a focus on residential homes, interior design, home security, and pop culture trends.