In this guide, I reveal the most reliable washer and dryer brands. I also share the least reliable brands so you know what to avoid.
I picked the brands by interviewing 16 washer and dryer repair professionals, analyzing service rate data, and reading thousands of customer testimonials.
Keep reading to learn which washer and dryer brands are the most reliable and what makes them better than the rest.
Use the links below to navigate the guide:
- What Washer and Dryer Repair Professionals Say
- Results From Yale Appliance’s Annual Washer and Dryer Reliability Report
- Most Reliable Washer and Dryer Brands
- Least Reliable Washer and Dryer Brands
- Common Washer and Dryer Issues
- Bottom Line: Which Washer and Dryer Brand Is the Best?
What Washer and Dryer Repair Professionals Say
The best way to learn which washer and dryer brands are the most and least reliable is to ask the professionals servicing these appliances every day. So that’s what I did.
I connected with 16 appliance repair professionals and asked them all two simple questions:
- Which washer and dryer brands are the most reliable?
- Which washer and dryer brands are the least reliable?
As you’ll see by their responses below, Speed Queen is recognized as one of the most reliable brands by service professionals. Although there isn’t a consensus on the least reliable brands, LG and Samsung were frequently mentioned as brands to avoid.
The service team at TNT Appliances in Nashville, Tennessee, told me, “We highly recommend Whirlpool washer and dryers. They’re reliable, cheap to maintain, and easy to service.”
Complete Appliance Service, based in Cleveland, Ohio, said, “We recommend Speed Queen. They are commercially built and carry a 3-5 year warranty.”
The expert at Appliance Professional in Lexington, South Carolina, said, “We do a lot more work on Samsung and LG laundry models than other brands. I can also tell you that Asko and Speed Queen brands are built to last (but priced accordingly). In general, the more bells and whistles you choose, the more parts and sensors there are to potentially fail. That said, most manufacturers offer a 1-yr warranty, and you can purchase an extended warranty to protect yourself financially if you get one that breaks.”
The service team at Columbia All Appliance Repair, a company based in Columbia, South Carolina, provided this advice, “Speed Queen is the most reliable washer and dryer brand. They bring the toughness and reliability that can stand up to the strenuous demands of commercial laundromat use, to the home, as residential machines. Their residential units are known to last 20 plus years, as our grandparents did.”
When I asked which brands are the least reliable, their expert said, “I can best answer that by saying which brands I work on the most, and that would be Samsung and LG. These brands utilize the ultimate technological advances in the industry, offering features and efficiency that others are not. Unfortunately, this comes at the cost of having to periodically go back to the drawing board. Still, I have to say that, considering the circumstances, they are still impressive and, for the most part, correct flaws relatively quickly.”
Miller’s Appliance Service in Grand Rapids, Michigan, said, “For top load washers, we recommend Speed Queen. For front load, go with Bosch, Maytag, or Whirlpool. LG and Samsung are two brands to stay away from.
AM Appliance Repair, a service company in Fitchburg, WI, told me, “I am most called out for repairs on Samsung, LG, GE, Frigidaire, Kenmore, and KitchenAid appliances. I am less likely to be called out for repairs on Whirlpool appliances.”
The service team at Synergy Appliances in Wyoming, Michigan, said, “As far as reliability goes, LG has been ranked very highly when it comes to either front load or top load units. They’ve actually overtaken Speed Queen, which has been known to make very reliable and trustworthy units, in a couple of different categories. GE and anything made by Whirlpool (i.e., Maytag) will also be reliable. People are a bit hesitant to buy Samsung. Some of the laundry units have been known to have some issues, but they are working on coming out with better options.”
They continued by giving this helpful advice, “Generally, top load units are a bit more reliable than the front load options. When going for a top load unit, choose one with an agitator because it’ll do a much better job cleaning the clothes. With a front load, you don’t have to worry about an agitator, but you will miss out on some features like being able to pause/start the washer and add in more clothes.”
The expert at Gerrit’s Appliance in Wyoming, Michigan, said, “If reliability is your primary concern, I would highly recommend the Speed Queen brand. They build a higher quality product designed for 25 years of use. Avoid Samsung as they are very difficult to get any service/repair/parts on; we do not sell Samsung for this reason.
Appliance Service Unlimited in Middleton, Wisconsin, simply said, “I recommend Speed Queen laundry. They are reliable and assembled in Wisconsin.”
Apex Appliance in Grand Rapids, Michigan, told me, “We usually don’t recommend any brands, but we have noticed Speed Queen has more old-school functional parts. They’re a little more expensive, and depending on which model you purchase, they come with a 3, 5, or 7-year warranty.”
The service expert at Nawara Brothers Home Store, a home appliance sales and service company in Grand Rapids, Michigan, said, “For any modern washer and dryer I would recommend LG or GE products. They seem to have the least amount of service issues. I would not recommend Samsung or Whirlpool. They seem to have a lot more issues, and it is extremely hard to get parts for Samsung.”
Atlanta City Appliance Repair, based in Alpharetta, Georgia, said, “Honestly, there are no reliable washers or dryers nowadays; maybe some brands are more reliable than others. For high-end washers and dryers, I recommend Miele. And on the low end, I would go with Whirlpool.”
My Appliance Doctor, an appliance repair company servicing the Atlanta, Georgia, area for over 40 years, said, “We recommend Speed Queen because they are the best quality and are built for longevity. We stay away from Samsung and LG products as they are difficult to repair and get parts for.”
Dey Distributing, an appliance parts distributor based in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, said, “From talking to many customers over the years, the one thing I have heard the most is that Speed Queen is the best brand for both washer and dryers.”
The service expert at Appliance Dean, an Atlanta, Georgia company, said, “We recommend the following front load washers (in order): Asko, Bosch, LG, and Samsung. Front-load washers require more maintenance but are more energy-efficient, water-efficient, and tend to be gentler on clothes.”
They continued by saying, “We recommend the following top load washers: Fisher and Paykel and Speed Queen. While top loaders are less energy- and water-efficient, they require less maintenance. Speed Queen has a great 5-year warranty, and they are an American brand.”
Appliance Cowboys in Houston, Texas, said, “All our technicians prefer Whirlpool or Speed Queen washers and dryers.”
Results From Yale Appliance’s Annual Washer and Dryer Reliability Reports
Yale Appliance is a family-owned and operated appliance retailer serving the Greater Boston and Metrowest area since 1923. Every year, they publish detailed reviews of various appliances, identifying the most reliable brands.
With a long history of selling and repairing appliances, including washers, dryers, refrigerators, and dishwashers, Yale has a thorough knowledge of these products and brands. The data from the reports comes from actual service calls, not anecdotal or predictive data.
Yale publishes annual reviews of the most reliable washer and dryer brands, including:
- Most reliable front-load washers
- Most reliable top-load washers
- Most reliable full-size clothes dryers
- Most reliable compact dryers
The key metric in the reports is Service Rate, which is calculated by dividing the number of service calls by the number of units sold. For example, if Yale sold 10,000 LG washers in a given year and received 1,000 service calls for those LG washers sold that year, the service rate would be 10%.
Before I share the data, there are a few important details to understand:
- Low sales: When fewer units are sold, the service rate is more volatile (a handful of service calls can pike the rate). Yale doesn’t reveal the number of units sold and serviced by brand, so we don’t know if we’re comparing a brand that sold 10,000 units to another that sold 500.
- Yale’s inventory: Yale does not sell or service every appliance brand. They even admit that they’ve “changed laundry brands more than any other category to limit your potential service issues.” In other words, washer reliability fluctuates yearly, and Yale’s report only shows the most recent year (in some cases, two years).
- Service Rate Varies by Model: Yale’s data looks at each brand in total. However, specific models within each brand are more reliable than others.
The point is — Yale’s reports are undoubtedly helpful, but you shouldn’t use them as the definitive source to make a decision. Consider what other repair professionals say (see the previous section) and read customer testimonials from people experiencing the issues firsthand.
Without further ado, here’s the data, broken out by brand and machine type.
| LG | 3.3% |
| Samsung | 4.9% |
| GE Appliances | 8.0% |
| Whirlpool | 9.5% |
| Maytag | 15.0% |
| LG | 1.7% |
| Maytag | 6.4% |
| Speed Queen | 7.5% |
| Whirlpool | 0.4% |
| LG Electronics | 2.0% |
| GE Appliances | 5.2% |
| Maytag | 6.0% |
| Bosch | 3.4% |
| Beko | 4.6% |
| Miele | 4.9% |
As you can see in the charts, LG is the most reliable washer brand, while Whirlpool and Bosch are the most reliable dryer brands.
That said, the repair professionals I interviewed reported LG and Samsung as the brands needing the most repairs.
Most Reliable Washer and Dryer Brands: Speed Queen, Whirlpool, and GE
Based on all the research, which includes interviewing 16 appliance repair pros and analyzing service rates and customer testimonials, the most reliable washer and dryer brands are Speed Queen, Whirlpool, and GE.
In this section, you’ll learn more about these brands and find out what makes them so reliable.
Speed Queen
Speed Queen has been manufacturing appliances since 1908. Headquartered in Ripon, Wisconsin, this American-made brand is known for making washers and dryers that last. It’s a subsidiary of Alliance Laundry Systems, a commercial washer and dryer company.
Speed Queen primarily supplies laundromats, and their machines are built to withstand continuous cycles, day after day.
Although they remove the coinbox and card reader and modify the control panel, the residential appliances are built with the same sturdy construction and technology as the commercial units. So it’s no surprise they can last up to 25 years or over 10,000 wash cycles.
The appliance professionals I interviewed had only good things to say about Speed Queen washers and dryers. Of the 16 pros I spoke to, 12 highly recommended Speed Queen, saying it’s the most reliable washer and dryer brand.
While you won’t see ads for Speed Queen, the brand wins recognition and awards. It has won the Women’s Choice Award eight years in a row.
Various publications and consumer review sites also give high praise to Speed Queen.
Consumer Reports included the Speed Queen FF7005WN Washer and DF7000WE Dryer in its list of best overall front loader washer and dryer sets.
Good Housekeeping tested the Speed Queen Top Load TR7 Washing Machine and rated it 5th on their list of the 9 best washing machines. The reviewer calls out its slim profile, solid warranty, and ease of use.
On the other hand, The New York Times Wirecutter warns that Speed Queen washers and dryers are not for everyone. While Speed Queen does build highly durable products, they also come with hefty price tags and aren’t the best performing.
Speed Queen Quick Facts
| Founded | 1908 |
| Where It’s Made | Ripon, Wisconsin |
| Number of Washer and Dryer Models | 7 Washers, 12 Dryers, 2 Stacked Washer Dryers |
| Yale Service Rate (2022 Report) | 7.5% top load washers |
| Warranty Information | 7-year warranty including all parts and in-home labor. View Warranty. |
| Common Issues | Clothes aren’t well cleaned, poor customer service when repairs are needed, warranty often doesn’t cover necessary repairs. |
| Price | $$$$$ (view on SpeedQueen.com) |
Whirlpool
Whirlpool has been manufacturing home appliances, including washing machines, dryers, refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, and more, since 1911. Founded in Benton Harbor, Michigan, Whirlpool produces most of its products in the USA and is a well-respected brand.
Whirlpool offers more than 30 washer models and more than 35 types of dryers at various price points.
According to Yale’s most recent reliability reports, 9.5% of Whirlpool washers need servicing in the first year, and only .04% of Whirlpool dryers need servicing.
Six of the 16 service professionals I interviewed called Whirlpool one of the most reliable washer and dryer brands. Only one had negative things to say.
Customer testimonials are overwhelmingly positive. Overall, the washers clean well, have large capacity, and are energy efficient. The most common complaints are that it’s noisy and shakes, and the spin cycle doesn’t get clothes dry enough.
Many consumer review publications rate Whirlpool highly as well. For example:
- The Spruce included Whirlpool models WTW7120HW and WED7120HW as the Best Overall, Top Loading in its list of the 9 Best Washer and Dryer sets.
- Forbes also recognized Whirlpool’s High Efficiency Stackable Front Load Washer and Dryer as the Best Front Loading Washer and Dryer Set.
- Good Housekeeping also included Whirlpool’s Top Load Washer with 2-in-1 Removable Agitator as the Best Innovative Washing Machine in its list of the 9 Best Washing Machines in 2022.
Whirlpool Quick Facts
| Founded | 1911 |
| Where It’s Made | Oklahoma, Tennessee, Ohio, and Massachusetts |
| Number of Washer and Dryer Models | 30+ Washer Models, 35+ Dryer Models |
| Yale Service Rate (2022 Report) | 9.5% Front load washer, 0.4% Dryer |
| Warranty Information | 1-year limited warranty |
| Common Issues | Clothes come out of washer too wet, draining problems, noisy |
| Price | $$-$$$$ (view on HomeDepot.com) |
GE
Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, GE is another well-known American brand that’s been manufacturing household appliances for over 100 years.
When the company opened in 1907, it offered heating and cooking appliances. Over the years, the product line expanded to washers, dryers, refrigerators, ranges, microwaves, and more. Today, GE is one of the largest home appliance businesses in the United States. In fact, I recently named GE one of the most reliable gas range brands.
Only two of the 16 professionals I spoke to mentioned GE as a reliable washer and dryer brand, but, according to Yale reports, it’s one the best brands. The service rate for GE washers was 8% and, for dryers, only 5.2%.
Many positive reviews about GE washers and dryers on retailers’ websites like HomeDepot.com mention the machines’ longevity, large drums, and low noise levels. Reviewers also note the standard warranty and the additional limited lifetime warranties available for some products.
I also looked at several reviews of GE washers and dryers. Here is a summary of what I learned:
The Spruce included the stackable GE GFW850SPNDG and GFD85ESPNDG as the best smart option in its list of best washer and dryer sets. They praised its quiet operation and built-in air vents that prevent moisture buildup.
After testing all the top brands, The New York Times Wirecutter named the GE GFW650 washer and GE GFD65 the second-best washer and dryer combo. They highlighted its features designed to reduce mold and mildew buildup, including the gasket, detergent tray, and drain hose made with antimicrobial Microban. They also like the option to vent the washer with the door closed after each cycle to ensure the drum is completely dry.
Good Housekeeping named the GE UltraFresh Front Load Washer the Best Overall Washing Machine and the GE Top Load Washing Machine the Best Value Washing Machine. Like The New York Times, Good Housekeeping called out the venting mechanism as an excellent feature to keep the drum dry and clean.
GE Quick Facts
| Founded | 1907 |
| Where It’s Made | Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina |
| Number of Washer and Dryer Models | 50+ Washer Models 80+ Dryer Models |
| Yale Service Rate (2022 Report) | 8.0% Front load washers 5.2% Full size dryers |
| Warranty Information | 1-year full warranty Additional limited warranties available for the life of the product |
| Common Issues | Spin cycle not working, complicated controls, some models are noisy |
| Price | $$$$ (view on HomeDepot.com) |
Least Reliable Washer and Dryer Brands: Samsung and LG
According to the appliance service professionals I interviewed and thousands of consumer reviews, Samsung and LG are the least reliable washers and dryers brands.
Samsung
Samsung is a South Korean company that has been in operation since 1938. The brand’s 30 washer and 50+ dryer models are just part of their wide range of appliances and electronics.
Despite the low service rate of 4.9% (washers) reported by Yale, eight of the 16 appliance repair companies said to stay away from Samsung (only one recommended it). The common theme is that it’s hard to get parts for Samsung appliances when they break down.
Additionally, Samsung washers and dryers don’t get good ratings on consumer review websites. The brand has a 1.2 out of 5 star rating on Consumer Affairs.
If you take a quick look at reviews on HomeDepot.com, you’ll find comments like “worst product on the market,” “junk,” and “disappointing,” among other negative sentiments. The most common complaints are about poor cleaning, wet clothes, and issues with the sensors.
The New York Times tested Samsung washers and dryers and said the washer is “ harder on fabric than any of the other models we tested.”
They also noted that Samsung had quality and safety issues recently, including a 2016 recall of nearly 3 million washers due to the top detaching from the washing machine chassis.
Samsung Quick Facts
| Founded | 1938 |
| Where It’s Made | South Korea |
| Number of Washer and Dryer Models | 30+ Washer models 50+ Dryer models |
| Yale Service Rate (2022 Report) | 4.9% – Front load washers |
| Warranty Information | 1-year limited warranty |
| Common Issues | Difficult to get replacement parts, noisy, leaks, poor customer service, sensors malfunctioning |
| Price | $$-$$$ (view on HomeDepot.com) |
LG
LG is another South Korean brand that offers a wide range of electronics and appliances as well as 25+ washer models and 55+ dryer models.
Three of the sixteen I interviewed said to avoid LG washers and dryers. They claim LG is difficult to service, and parts are hard to come by.
Additionally, the brand has a poor rating on Consumer Affairs, and reviews on HomeDepot.com are mixed. Some customers say it’s quiet, efficient, and works perfectly, while others complain about the complex features, excessive vibration, and poor drainage.
Common issues with LG washers and dryers include poor customer service when repairs are needed, early component failure (agitator, heating element, etc.), and out-of-control spin cycles that violently shake the machine.
There is evidence that LG is improving the reliability of its washers and dryers. Yale’s most recent reports show that LG washers are the most reliable, with service rates of 3.3% for front-loaders (1st place), 1.7% for top-loaders (1st place), and 2% for dryers (2nd place).
The New York Times picked LG as the best washer and dryer thanks to its large capacity, quiet operation, and efficiency. However, they admit, “LG’s customer service stinks, so in the unlikely event that you need a repair under warranty, it might be a hassle.”
Subsection: LG Quick Facts
| Founded | 1958 |
| Where It’s Made | South Korea, China, USA, Mexico, Europe |
| Number of Washer and Dryer Models | 25+ Washer models, 55+ Dryer models |
| Yale Service Rate (2022 Report) | 1.7% Top load washers, 3.3% Front load washers, 2.0% Full size dryers |
| Warranty Information | 1-year |
| Common Issues | Washer doesn’t fill to capacity, noisy, poor response to repair requests |
| Price | $$$ (view on HomeDepot.com) |
Common Washer and Dryer Issues
This section highlights the most common issues within washers and dryers that require service.
Although these problems are less likely to occur with reliable brands like SpeedQueen, Whirlpool, and GE, they can happen to any washer and dryer.
Clothes in the washer are soaking wet at the end of the cycle
Your laundry should be damp when you take it out of the washing machine, not soaking wet. Dripping wet laundry could be caused by a drainage problem or an issue with the spin cycle.
You can troubleshoot at home by checking the drainage hose for a blockage, damage, or connection problem.
A spin cycle issue could be caused by user error such as overloading the drum or poorly positioning heavy items like towels or bed linens. Spin cycle issues may also be caused by mechanical issues, such as problems with the drive belt, lid switch, or door lock.
If repositioning the laundry in the machine or lightening the load doesn’t fix the issue, you might need a service professional.
Clothes smell when you remove them from the washer
Washing machines can develop mildew or a buildup of soap residue, which can impact the effectiveness of your wash cycle.
If your clothing smells when it comes out of the wash, you can clean your machine by running a cup of white vinegar through the detergent dispenser on a hot wash cycle or use a washing machine cleaner like Affresh or OxiClean.
Some washers also have a cleaning or sanitizing setting (ensure the machine is empty before running it).
Washer is excessively shaking
Violent shaking is a common complaint among the least reliable washer brands. This issue could be due to an imbalance in the drum, or the feet of the machine could be uneven. You can check the feet of the machine by gently pushing the appliance.
If you can make it wobble with little pressure, adjusting the feet could solve your problem. Shaking could also be caused by user errors such as overloading a front load machine or placing too much weight on one side of a top load washer.
Dryer isn’t drying clothes
Expecting to pull warm fluffy clothes out of your dryer but instead finding a damp wad of fabric is frustrating. Drying problems could be due to a clogged exhaust.
You can clean your vent area with a special brush or vacuum attachment. Also, check the external drying vents for any buildup.
If your internal and external vents are clean, the drying issue could be due to a problem with the heating element and require professional services. Learn more about why your dryer isn’t drying clothes.
Dryer makes odd sounds
There are many reasons your dryer might make odd sounds. For example, hard objects might have slipped into your wash if you didn’t check and empty all pockets before starting the laundry.
If you don’t find anything abnormal when you empty the dryer, the sounds might also be caused by issues such as a broken drive belt or motor issue, which typically need professional repairs.
Bottom Line: Which Washer and Dryer Brand Is the Best?
Based on my research and interviews with appliance sales and service professionals, Speed Queen, Whirlpool, and GE are the most reliable washer and dryer brands. Although LG and Samsung washers and dryers are popular, they require more frequent service and are less reliable overall.
Speed Queen has a long history of manufacturing high-quality washers and dryers in the USA. This brand is more expensive than the others, and most models don’t have all the fancy whistles and bells you might find on other brands. However, according to the pros, a simpler machine has fewer parts to break.
Whirlpool also has a good reputation and a long history of reliable American-made products. It has several models at a range of price points.
GE is another American brand with a 100+ year history of manufacturing reliable, high-quality appliances. The brand has excellent consumer reviews, a wide range of models to consider, and only 5.2% of GE dryers need servicing in the first year (according to Yale).
Bottom line —all washers and dryers are susceptible to breaking down and needing repairs. But Speed Queen, Whirlpool, and GE are the most reliable brands with the best reputation.
LG and Samsung appliances have unique features and technology, but they’re not known for reliability or customer service, and it’s difficult to find parts and repair them when issues arise.
Learn more about each brand at HomeDepot.com:
- Most reliable: SpeedQueen (SpeedQueen.com), Whirlpool, GE
- Least reliable: Samsung, LG
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