Without question, LG and GE are the best front-load washer brands in terms of features and reliability.
Both companies offer innovative laundry solutions. LG has the impressive WashTower, equipped with heat pump drying technology, while GE Profile has recently unveiled their highly anticipated washer-dryer combination, also featuring a heat pump.
In this article, we will first compare the more traditional front load washers and then shift our focus to the new and innovative laundry options available.
I think you will enjoy reading this article. I have included many videos to make your reading experience enjoyable and concise, avoiding an unnecessarily long read.
So, let's get started.
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Haier now owns GE after operating under the GE Appliances banner for several years. Haier, a Chinese company solely dedicated to appliances, has made considerable investments in GE over the past four years.
While GE manufactures their washers in China, they produce dryers and combination washer dryers specifically for the US market.
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One of the most notable improvements under Haier's ownership has been GE's laundry appliances. In fact, their combination washer-dryer stands out as the most innovative appliance I have encountered during my 37-years at Yale.
Among GE's offerings, the GFW650SSNWW and GFW850SSNWW models shine as their best machines, even though they share similarities.
GE's best features tackle common issues with front-load washers: mold, mildew, odors, and stagnant water in the gasket.
The 650 and 850 models differ in the presence of the overnight cycle and a slightly larger capacity (5 cu. ft. vs. 4.8 cu. ft.). The 850 washer also optimizes the drying cycle.
GE front-load washers have a slightly larger width of 28" compared to the industry standard of 27".
Furthermore, GE's control panel has a steeper upward angle than LG's, which may pose accessibility challenges when stacked.
In terms of depth, GE washers are deeper than LG's, which might be an issue when stacking them in a closet.
Lastly, it's worth noting that unlike LG's popular front-load washer, GE lacks a short cycle option.
Read More: Should You Buy GE Smart Front Load Laundry?
LG is credited as the creator of the front-load washer design. Before LG, the Maytag Neptune held prominence. LG has always been an appliance-centric company, with washers and dryers as their original focus.
LG has been at the forefront of manufacturing innovative washers. One significant example is the WashTower, introduced last year.
The WashTower revolutionized stackable laundry machines by placing the controls in the middle, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing design.
While LG washers are manufactured in Tennessee, their dryers are produced in Korea.
The WM3400, WM4000, and WM6700 are among their most popular washer models.
LG's front-load washers excel in size, cycles, reliability, and smart connectivity.
The WM3400 serves as their basic model, encompassing all the essential cycles you require. Stepping up to the WM4000 grants you additional cycles, including TurboWash360 and Wi-Fi connectivity.
For those seeking a larger capacity, the WM4500 offers five cubic feet and features an automatic dispenser.
Both the WM4000 and WM4500 include LG's AI (Artificial Intelligence) DD (Direct Drive) technology, which determines the weight and softness of the clothes to set the appropriate cycle.
While LG doesn't offer specific mold control features, I personally haven't encountered any mold issues with my machine. Effective prevention involves drying the gasket and leaving the door open. Additionally, LG does provide a high-temperature tub clean cycle for added cleanliness.
However, LG washers lack a reversible door option. Depending on the setup, this can result in misalignment when stacked or placed side-by-side.
On the other hand, GE offers an overnight cycle, allowing you to wash and dry small loads during the night conveniently.
Read More: Best LG Front-Load Washers
| GE GFW650SSNWW | GE GFW850SSNWW | LG WM3400CW | LG WM4000HWA | LG WM6700HBA | |
| Dimensions (Width x Height x Depth) | 28" W, 39.75" H, 32" D | 28" W, 39 3/4" H, 34" D | 27" W, 39" H, 30.25" D | 27 W, 39 H, 30.25 D | 27 W, 39 H, 33.25 D |
| Capacity | 4.8 Cu. Ft. | 5.0 Cu. Ft. | 4.5 Cu. Ft. | 4.5 Cu. Ft. | 5.0 Cu. Ft. |
| Reversible Door | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| ADA Compliant | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Spin Speed | 1300 RPM | 1300 RPM | 1300 RPM | 1300 RPM | 1300 RPM |
| Smart Connectivity | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic Detergent Dispenser | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Number of Cycles | 12 Cycles, 9 Options | 12 Cycles, 10 Options | 8 Cycles, 6 Options | 12 Cycles, 13 Options | 25 Cycles, 19 Options |
| Steam Cycle | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Sanitize Cycle | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Allergy Cycle | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
As I said, both are great machines with good feature sets. Let's look at what they have in common.
Unlike the average speed of 1000-1200 RPM, both GE and LG extract more water due to their faster spin, resulting in improved drying efficiency.
Both brands incorporate steam functionality, effectively tackling stubborn stains like grass or wine, ensuring your clothes come out spotless in a single wash.
Gone are the days of limited options. Both GE and LG offer a wide range of cycles, speeds, and temperatures, far surpassing the simplicity of our parents' laundry routines.
Embracing the power of connectivity, both brands offer Wi-Fi and smart functionality, except for the LG WM3400 model. With Smart HQ and LG's ThinQ app, GE and LG are at the forefront of smart laundry appliances.
To delve deeper, let's explore their differences:
GE boasts a 5.0 cubic feet capacity, while LG offers 4.5 cubic feet. Additionally, GE tends to have a larger depth, measuring around 32-34 inches, compared to LG's 30.25 inches. Consider your laundry room or closet dimensions when making a choice.
It's puzzling why more companies haven't adopted this design. The high-pressure feature in TurboWash360 allows for shorter wash times, even with full loads.
GE takes the guesswork out of mold prevention with their antimicrobial Microban surfaces and the OdorBlock fan. With LG, you'll need to ensure proper drying of surfaces, leave the door open, and utilize the TubClean cycle.
Consider the placement of your machines. A reversible door offers the advantage of easily transferring clothes from the washer to the dryer, enhancing convenience.
The service rates provided below are derived from a comprehensive analysis of over 3,000 front-load washers sold, with a minimum of 100 units considered, spanning a 12-month period.
| Service Rates | |
| LG Electronics | 2.1% |
| GE Appliances | 3.7% |
| Grand Total | 3.7% |
LG has made remarkable strides in improving their products since their inception. They now handle their own service operations. However, GE offers stronger support when addressing issues.
As a note, people tend to invest in higher-priced machines from GE, while opting for less-featured models from LG. This distinction in consumer choices contributes to the reliability numbers. Additionally, machines with more features often require more service and may require additional customer education.
Read More: Most Reliable Front-Load Washers
Between 2020 and 2022, due to supply chain challenges, I recommended purchasing whichever model was available, as both GE and LG offer reliable options from excellent brands.
However, in 2023, the power is in your hands.
To secure the best deals, consider waiting for holidays such as Black Friday, Tax Weekend, Memorial Day, July 4th, or Presidents' Day. During these occasions, you can potentially save anywhere from 10% to 35% on your purchase.
Read More: When Is the Best Time to Buy Appliances?
During the 2020 lockdown, I used to work out outside with friends when the subject changed from sports to the LG WashTower.
I was shocked, but the design was so shockingly cool (for an appliance) even my friends asked my opinion.
In light of this, we have recently published an article focusing on the WashTower, including its latest model with a heat pump dryer.
These three WashTower models offer similar features. The base model, WKE100HWA, starts at $1,799 and includes six cycles and nine options.
The WKE100HWA features smart functionality, five wash temperatures, and steam functionality in the washer.
LG's middle model, WKEX2000HWA, adds steam functionality in the dryer for clothes refreshing and dewrinkling. Additionally, their TurboWash360360 cycle utilizes five high-pressure jets to complete any wash cycle in just 30 minutes.
The top-tier model, LG Studio WSEX200HNA, boasts a larger washer capacity of five cubic feet and includes additional wash cycles. However, it has a depth of 33 inches, so make sure to measure your space accordingly.
The latest addition to LG's laundry appliance lineup is the WKHC202HBA, priced at $3,099 (or cheaper during holiday sales). It stands out with its innovative ventless heat pump dryer technology, eliminating the need for an external vent.
This allows you to conveniently place the LG WashTower anywhere with access to power and water, without the hassle of complex installations.
Watch the accompanying video to learn more about why you should consider purchasing the WashTower with Heat Pump:
The LG WashTower combines the latest LG technology, including Turbo360, Wi-Fi, and other features from their other machines.
The AI DD (Artificial Intelligence Direct Drive) determines the weight and softness of your clothes to deliver optimized washing cycles. With 11,000 data points, it calculates the ideal cycle, time, and motion for the washer.
The dryer senses moisture and softness, reducing drying time by up to 22%.
The best part is that you can simply press a button without having to choose specific cycles and options. The newer AI DD front load washers introduced in late 2022 also come with an automatic detergent dispenser.
The "Smart Learner" feature remembers your frequently used cycles. For example, if you often wash brightly colored clothes in hot water with a cold rinse, the machine will remember that cycle—although it's not recommended to rely solely on the machine learning that cycle.
Smart Pairing intuitively sets the dryer settings based on the washer selection. This feature is now available on many LG, GE, and Samsung front-load laundry units.
Read More: The LG WashTower WKHC202HBA with a Ventless Heat Pump Dryer
The new GE Profile UltraFast Combo Washer & Dryer is perhaps the most innovative appliance since I started at Yale in 1986, 37 years ago.
Although I no longer exercise with those same guys, the interest in the GE Profile UltraFast surpasses that of the WashTower three years ago, and it's for a good reason.
The GE Profile UltraFast is a washer-dryer combination with an integrated heat pump, eliminating the need to transfer clothes from the washer to the dryer.
Similar to the WashTower, the GE Profile shares similarities with the 650 series. It offers a capacity of 4.8 cubic feet, along with the convenience of an auto dispenser and the antimicrobial properties of Microban.
Read More: GE Profile UltraFast Combo Washer & Dryer: Test and Performance Review
Heat pumps have been widely used in HVAC systems since the 1990s and are popular in compact dryers across Europe and Asia.
However, both the Profile and LG models are larger than the standard heat pump dryers, making their reliability in the market uncertain.
The AI DD technology featured in both models is known for its precision and intuitive operation. It can even remember your favorite cycle selections.
While the Profile includes an auto dispenser, the WashTower does not. Auto dispensers can help prevent future service calls, provided the right amount of detergent is used.
Preventing mold in the LG model involves drying the gasket, leaving the door open, and running the Tub Clean cycle.
On the other hand, the GE Profile incorporates a Microban coating and its drying cycle effectively dries the interior, making it less prone to mold. However, the GE Profile can become hot during the drying cycle.
Although 220-volt drying may seem faster, our tests have shown that the Profile models with 110 volts perform well. As a sidebar, it's worth mentioning that the Miele 110-volt heat pump drying time is comparable to that of similarly sized compact Bosch models.
The convenience of never having to transfer clothes between the washer and dryer is a significant advantage offered by the Profile model.
Now the bad stuff: Combo washers and dryers often face challenges in effectively removing lint. While the Profile performed well in our tests, we cannot provide information on its long-term reliability.
Considering this aspect, the LG model emerges as a safer choice, even though larger heat pump models are relatively untested in the market.
Read More: Are Combo Washers & Dryers Worth It?
GE and LG front-load washers offer excellent cycles and features that make them worthy options for your home.
When it comes to features like an automatic dispenser and anti-mold capabilities, GE outshines LG with superior performance.
In terms of repair services and support, GE stands out as the industry leader. This becomes particularly crucial when purchasing from a dealer without dedicated service.
For reliability, LG takes the lead as the most dependable front-load washer brand of 2022.
LG's TurboWash360 feature enables quick washing, and their machines are known for their compact size, making them the shallowest options in the market.
Both the WashTower and Profile UltraFast represent the pinnacle of innovation in the appliance industry.
While some questions remain unanswered, there is a possibility that these models represent the future of laundry appliances and how you approach their purchase in the long run.
Additional Resources
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