At a Glance
LG is the most popular front load washer. It's not bad considering LG is known for laundry. LG styled the modern front load washer.
They also had the first two-piece stackable front load washer and dryer. LG was also at the forefront of technology with the early adoption of Wi-Fi.
In this article, you will learn its best features, cycles, and reliability based on real service data.
However, LG has been passed by some other manufacturers, so you will also see a comparison with GE, Whirlpool, and Samsung.
Front Load Washer Supply Issues
Best Front Load Washers & Dryers at Yale Appliance in Hanover
You will read about the WM3900HBA and all of its competitors. However, for the balance of the year, the appliance industry, in general, will have problems with supply.
You will see problems buying certain brands and models.
In this case, you have to be brand flexible to a certain degree.
The WM3900HBA is a very good machine, but so are equivalent GE, Whirlpool, Maytag, and Samsung. You will see the reliability charts of all the brands later in the article.
Pick the features, capacity, and consider multiple brands for choosing a front load washer during this time.
Is The LG Smart Front Load Washer WM3900HBA Any Good? [Video]
Let's get started on the review.
LG Smart, Wi-Fi Enabled Front Load Washer Review
LG WM3900HBA - $1,079
Cycles
First, you have 14 different cycles with washer, 12 options, five wash rinse combinations, and five spin speed combinations.
This unit has steam, and it has its 30-minute turbo wash and shortens any cycle by employing six more wash jets around the front (or 360) of the machine.
You can wash almost any fabric in any setting at any temperature and speed the time as well.
If that is not enough, you can program your combination.
Spin Speed
It has a 1300 RPM spin speed as well. Faster spins will dry your clothes for less time in your dryer. Most front load washers are between 100-1200 RPM, so LG is better.
But there are two real main reasons besides features to consider LG.
Capacity
The capacity is average for a front-load at 4.5 cubic feet. That's still huge compared to a top loader.
But the depth is only 30 inches shallower than any other brand. For stacking laundry or replacing a top load, LG is probably your best option.
Reliability
Front Load Washer Reliability July 2019 to June 2020
| Service Qty | Shipped Qty | Service Ratio | |
| Maytag | 177 | 558 | 31.72% |
| LG Electronics | 164 | 1909 | 8.59% |
| Miele | 28 | 428 | 6.54% |
| Samsung | 37 | 658 | 5.62% |
| Whirlpool | 14 | 300 | 4.67% |
| GE Appliances | 19 | 424 | 4.48% |
| Grand Total | 448 | 4285 | 10.45% |
Reliability is the other reason. LG's reliability is excellent according to our internal service figures at 7.09% or 161 service calls for 2270 units sold in the first year.
LG & Their Competitors
The WM3900 has great features and options, good size, better spin, and good reliability. However, there are some newer machines with other features not available in this machine.
Maytag Extra Power
Maytag Front Load Washer Cycles Featuring Extra Power
Maytag has a new cycle allowing you to mix whites and colors. I used to do this in college by washing in the cold only. I was more than willing to trade better cleaning for speed and convenience.
Extra Power starts cold and warms the load so you can clean whites and colors in the same load with two temperatures without shrinking or turning your underwear or socks pink.
Automatic Dispensing
Maytag Front Load Washer Automatic Dispenser
Automatic Dispensing has become a popular and necessary feature in front loads because most people will add too much.
Too much detergent causes oversudsing and can eat away at the machine's internals, causing complicated and expensive repair.
GE, Maytag, and Whirlpool offer automatic dispensing. You can add up to 40 loads worth in a Whirlpool and 50 ones in the GE and 14.3 in a Maytag.
It's more convenient for you not loading detergent every time, plus its better for the machine.
Mold Protection
GE Front Load Washer Featuring Micoban Technology
GE has its anti-mold features unlike LG. Front loads can develop mold if you do not dry them. They add Microban or antimicrobial technology coating on the gasket, the hoses, and the dispenser as well.
The Microban combined with OdorBlock, a fancy word for a fan activated to dry the machine, and GE greatly diminishes the possibility of mold.
No other company offers mold protection.
Here is a tip if you buy any machine other than a GE with Microban: Dry the gasket and the back. Use whatever clothes you just washed to dry and leave the door open.
For a full review of GE's smart front load laundry, click here.
Reversible Doors
The last feature LG doesn't have is a reversible door, so it's easier to load your clothes from washer to dryer. Incredibly, only GE and Electrolux offer a reversible door.
Should You Buy The LG Smart Front Load Washer WM3900HBA?
The LG WM3900HBA is still an excellent washer with an incredible array of features, cycles, and options. It's also reliable.
However, in terms of automatic dispensing, mold protection, and a more convenient door opening, you can look at other brands like GE, Maytag, and Whirlpool.
Additional Resources
Download our Yale Washer Buying Guide with all the features, terms, and brands of laundry. Over 800,000 people have already found answers in a Yale guide.
Related Articles:
Why Should You Trust Us?
It seems that every appliance review has nothing but glowing comments about almost every product, yet you read customer reviews and they are almost universally bad.
We are here to fill in the disconnect. We'll give you the best features, and the drawbacks as well, including reliability based on over 37,000 calls performed by our service team just last year. Our goal is to give you ALL the information so you know what's right for you.
Please consider subscribing or adding to the conversation in the comments below. We appreciate you stopping by.
A Note About Pricing
Pricing on this blog is for reference only and may include time sensitive rebates. We make every attempt to provide accurate pricing at time of publishing. Please call the stores for most accurate price.
Topics:
