Electrolux and LG are two worthwhile front-load washers to consider, but which is better?
Well, it depends on what features are important to you. In this article, you will read the pros and cons to decide for yourself.
I have chosen the two newest models from each manufacturer, the LG WM6700HBA and the Electrolux ELFW7637AT for the Electrolux, but I will also be referencing other models.
Let’s get started.
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We don't sell Electrolux and haven't in five years, but I like their washers. I had their first set years ago.
Not offering Electrolux appliances for sale does not imply that they are a bad brand. Our primary focus is on providing excellent service, and as a result, we have chosen to carry only a select number of brands. It is simply not feasible to sell and repair every brand available in the market.
Let's look at their best front-load washer.
The Electrolux ELFW7637AT front-load washer has a 4.5 cubic foot capacity and a 1300 RPM spin speed, ensuring faster and more efficient cleaning.
This washer has a 15-minute fast wash cycle, perfect for quick laundry cycles, and a range of specifically designed cycles for various fabrics and stains.
With their SmartBoost feature, water and detergent are mixed before the cycle starts, guaranteeing complete stain removal and leaving your clothes fresh and spotless.
In the 1990s, Maytag introduced the ill-fated Neptune, the first front-load washing machine. However, it was LG that pioneered the current design that has now become the industry standard.
Today, LG, a Korean manufacturer, produces a significant 60% of washers in the US market.
As a laundry-focused company, LG has been at the forefront of innovation, bringing us cutting-edge products like the ventless LG WashTower and other advanced technologies designed to simplify and enhance our laundry experience.
Let's look at their best front-load washer.
The LG WM6700HBA front-load washer has a 5 cubic foot capacity and a 1300 RPM spin speed. This washer delivers exceptional cleaning power and quick drying results.
Additionally, it features five powerful jets that spray clothes from multiple angles to clean your clothes in under 30 minutes.
Equipped with LG's AI DD technology, it intelligently detects fabric texture and selects the perfect motions and temperatures for each wash, ensuring gentle yet effective cleaning for all your garments.
Cycles
Both have more than enough cycles. LG has 25 and 15 options, and Electrolux has 11 and 9 options.
1300 RPM Spin
A 1300 RPM spin speed is fast by industry standards, so clothes are almost dry out of the washer for less time in the dryer.
For comparison, Whirlpool has a 1000 RPM spin speed in their front-load washers. Top-load washers spin much slower than that at 750 RPM. Miele is the fastest at 1600 RPM for a compact washer.
Water Temperatures
Our parents’ washers had three water temperatures to choose from. Now, washers have five water temperatures.
Steam
Both have steam for tougher stains like grass, blood, and wine.
Allergen Cycle
Both have cycles to remove allergens from your clothes.
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Size
LG is larger at five cubic feet vs. 4.5 cubic feet for Electrolux. (Our parents were using about 2.3-2.5 cubic feet of capacity).
However, it is deeper, so that may or may not be an issue depending on the installation. Let's look at the outside dimensions:
LG and Electrolux are two of the best if you are looking for a washer that has a shallow depth for stacking. The 4.5 cubic LG is the shallowest machine on the market at 30.25".
Speed Washing
Electrolux has a 15-minute wash and dry cycle for lightly soiled fabrics versus 30 minutes for LG.
Most short washes involve less time, so you wash fewer clothes. A 15-minute wash cycle can only wash a few items well.
LG has the TurboWash360 with five high-pressure sprays in the front of the washer, turning any cycle into 30 minutes.
Reversible Door
Hard to believe, Electrolux and GE are the only washers and dryers with reversible doors, so the doors line up in every installation. LG's washer door does not reverse.
Mold Control
Both have tub cleaning cycles to wash in high heat to eliminate mold and mildew. The door on the Electrolux can be placed slightly open automatically rather than you remembering to do it.
You should leave the door open on a front-load washer after a cycle.
Mold is a by-product of moisture. Allowing air into the washer will help mitigate the problem. You should also run a hot water cycle with Affresh to remove residual odors.
GE addresses the mold problem directly with anti-bacterial surfaces and a fan to dry residual moisture in their front-load washers.
Pod Dispenser
Instead of just tossing them in with your fabrics, Electrolux dispenses theirs at the top.
Smart Functionality
I was always ambivalent about the early smart appliances. However, you are starting to see an evolution in smart technology where it is worthwhile, especially in the laundry.
LG is one of the leaders with their ThinQ App. You can turn the washer on/off automatically from the app on your phone.
You can see how much time remains, so you don't have to trudge to your basement to watch the last 2 minutes 42 seconds of a cycle and wait. The washer will even text you when the cycle is done.
This LG washer will even set the drying cycle. You can also monitor the amount of soap left in the dispenser.
The next evolution for LG will be smart monitoring to sense any problems and automatically send the parts and technician to fix the problem before it happens.
Learn More: Smart Appliance Buying Guide
When we sold Electrolux, their SmartBoost technology was their best feature. LG has an automatic dispenser. Let's compare.
Electrolux SmartBoost Technology
With SmartBoost, the unit holds the detergent at the bottom and mixes it with water to achieve optimum results. You have a watery soapy mix instead of soap on your clothes, and then water mixes it later in the wash.
LG ezDispense Automatic Dispenser
Automatic dispensers do the same by releasing the correct amount of detergent at the appropriate time during the washing process. You can also load up to 18 loads of detergent instead of reloading every time.
Most importantly, you cannot overfill with an automatic dispenser. Overfilling is a big problem because that soap stays in the machine and will cause a service problem later.
You only need a capful of detergent for a front-load washer. You don't need to load the whole dispenser like you would need to with a top-load washer. Then again, you never have to figure it out with an automatic dispenser.
LG AI DD
AI (Artificial Intelligence) is the big buzzword these days. LG uses sensors to detect fabric texture and select the right motions and temperatures for the wash.
Electrolux LuxCare Plus & StainSoak Wash System
The LuxCare Plus Wash System offers even distribution of detergent and additives, improved wash actions, temperature control, and smart load sensing.
Unlike other washers, StainSoak starts by premixing water, detergent, and stain remover before the cycle begins to create a powerful yet gentle cleaning solution.
So, Electrolux is still driven by the SmartBoost technology versus the newer AI DD of LG.
LG is the most reliable washer you can buy at an astounding 2.1% vs. 3.7% for washers as a category and 9.7% for appliances in general.
They manufacture more of the washer's major components, like motors, than any other brand.
Electrolux was pretty good on the washer side. They had a chronic dryer problem with their lint screens years ago.
Maybe one of the Electrolux representatives or dealers reading this can detail the improvements in the comments below.
Either way, you want to understand who will be servicing either company before you buy.
The instances of service on washers are low without question. However, front-load washers have direct drive motors, so the severity and expense of repair are high. Finding the right service team is critical.
Both are good machines. Electrolux has good speed cycles, a reversible door, and SmartBoost. They still have the only pod dispenser in a front-load washer (Miele has it in their compact washers).
However, LG has the TurboWash360, an automatic dispenser, a convenient Wi-Fi experience, and the most reliable front-load washer you can buy.
Their new AI system has been the standard available for the last three years in their famed WashTower.
As I’ve said, both are good options for your home. Look at service in your area as a deciding factor.
Additional Resources
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