Buying First Washer and Dryer Combo

dont buy lg or samsung

just back from europe front loaders are 250 dollars

I haven't had an issue with my front load washer in the past 4 years, whirlpool

no mold or anything

I can't claim it is better or worse, but it seems that some really have a strong opinion. There are going to be lemons whether you get a top or side loader. Only thing to remember is anything "luxury" will have a "luxury" price for repairs.

Quote from xczz : dont buy lg or samsung just back from europe front loaders are 250 dollars

How does Europe front loaders washer relates to the op's? Shipping would be expensive if he buy the FL from europe and ship it back to the states. And beside the voltage in Europe is 220 V vs 120 V in the states.

Quote from Jabbit : I have to disagree. I have had a front-loader for about 18 months now and I love it. Bought a Consumer Reports "Best Buy" model from Sears for under $1k ($7xx if I recall) and it has been great. Cleans really well, uses HE detergent (but very little of it) and barely uses any water. One of the perks is that clothes spend only about ~20 mins in the dryer afterwards because the front-loader takes so much water out of the clothes.

Agreed but what the hell are you guys buying for $700+ for each? You can get $800-900 for both. After $600 the features just got pointless and more things to break.

• HE front-load washer - less noise, less water, less energy, and ability to steam/sanitize clothes. ++++
  
  Molding? You must be an idiot. You have to leave the door open and the tray out or it will mold.
  
  Not clean enough? If you have to soak huge amounts (rugs/bedding) in bleach to get things clean, front loaders aren't for you. The longest cycle works great for most things and then you can just put less in to get them clean.
  
  
• Regular front-load dryer
  
  WTF is an HE dryer? The dryers have a yellow label explaining energy costs. Do the math. Put up a clothes line outside or in your garage.

IMO, a traditional top loader washer and dryer is fine. The cost is far less than those front loaders will all the bells and whistles that YOU DO NOT NEED. Like anything else a little common sense needs to prevail and buy one with the cycles, settings you will actually need.

As to saving water...please. Water is an insignificant utility cost (at least where I am and relative to gas and electric)...< $80 for 3 months except in the summer when I water the lawn. Saving a few gallons of water with the washer is going to save me what?...30 dollars a year at a cost of 2x the price for the unit? It simply does not make sense for me.

I got a top loading GE profile washer and standard dryer combo with stainless steel drums\tubs 5 years ago and have had no problems.

There is nothing wrong with buying used to save some money, but I prefer not to have to deal with other people's dirty appliances, esp laudry, but that is just me.

Another vote for Speed Queen. Have a Speed Queen washer (regular, top load, nothing fancy) since 2006 without a single issue, even the 'timer' is still good, which always tends to go in mechanically-controlled washers. This was coming from a Kenmore set before that, which always needed something replaced every few years.

I also got a matching Speed Queen dryer, but I would recommend getting the cheapest dryer you can find instead. They are pretty much all the same. And when a couple parts went on the Speed Queen dryer, I'm almost certain based on the part #'s I needed that it's simply a Whirlpool-clone anyway.

You can usually only find Speed Queen at independent appliance shops (so no Lowe's coupons), but you may be able to negotiate slightly. Stay away from anything with digital controls (this goes for all appliances). A replacement of a digital component will likely be 1/2 the cost, if not more, of a new unit.

Quote from Jabbit : I have to disagree. I have had a front-loader for about 18 months now and I love it. Bought a Consumer Reports "Best Buy" model from Sears for under $1k ($7xx if I recall) and it has been great. Cleans really well, uses HE detergent (but very little of it) and barely uses any water. One of the perks is that clothes spend only about ~20 mins in the dryer afterwards because the front-loader takes so much water out of the clothes.

Ditto

We researched and ended up purchasing ours from Costco w/rebate.

We've had ours almost 5 years now and I've been very happy. No problems (including no mold/odors).