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Buying the largest washer, you can buy seems like a good idea. Most front load washer capacities are 4.5 -5.0 cubic feet.
Why wash two loads when you can wash one and a half? If you have a large family and are always washing clothes, buying a large washer is compelling in theory.
In this article, you will learn all about the largest front load washers. You will also learn the reasons NOT to buy an oversized washer.
So, you will read about the largest washer, their problems, and the best features to consider. This article covers only front loads, not the high efficiency (HE) top loads.
Let's get started.
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The Largest Front Load Washers for 2022
1. Largest Overall: Samsung Front Load Washer WV60M990AV - $1,799
Dimensions: 27 W X 34 D X 46 9/10 H| Capacity: 6 Cubic Feet | Number of Cycles: 17 Cycles, 18 Options | Spin Speed: 1300 RPM | Reversible Door: Yes | Automatic Dispenser: No | Reliability: 4.9%
The Samsung Flex is an interesting unit with two separate washers - one on the top and the other in the front.
It has the most usable capacity and allows you to wash two separate loads simultaneously.
You can wash a delicate load in the top and your regular fabrics in the front. The FlexWash series has two models, the WV60M990AV at 6 cubic feet and the smaller yet still large WV55M9600 at 5.5 cubic feet.
Pros: Samsung is promotionally oriented. You can buy this machine as low as $1,399. The top washer is convenient. The depth is not that bad either.
Cons: Who fixes this machine? Samsung is the most popular brand yet has little service available. It has no advanced features like an automatic dispenser or mold prevention.
Features:
- 6.0 cubic foot capacity
- Flex was: a smaller 2nd washer on top to allow two loads at once, or for smaller loads to save water
- 30-Minute express wash
- Steam
- Wi-Fi
- Power Foam: creates foam to penetrate to the heart of the fabric
2. Largest Front Load Washer in One Drum: LG Front Load Washer WM9500HKA - $1,999
Dimensions: 29 5/8 W, 41 3/16 H, 33 1/16 D | Capacity: 5.8 Cubic Feet | Number of Cycles: 14 Cycles, 12 Options | Spin Speed: 1300 RPM | Reversible Door: No| Automatic Dispenser: No | Reliability: 3.3%
LG's Signature washer has a 5.8 cubic foot capacity and unique features such as an automatic dispenser for 18 washes.
Their TurboWash turns any cycle into a 30-minute wash by employing five high-pressure water jets at the front of the machine.
The LG Front Load Washer WM9500HKA can be purchased as a 5.8 or 5.2 cubic foot capacity under the WM8100HVA.
Pros: LG has the industry's best reliability rate at under 4% within the first year. TurboWash is a great cycle, especially if you are in a hurry. It also has the largest overall capacity in one washer drum.
Cons: This washer does not feature an automatic dispenser, so you have to measure and pour your detergent. It also doesn't have mold protection other than a TubClean cycle. Lastly, finding service can be an issue.
Features:
- 5.8 cubic foot capacity
- TurboWash 360 gives you five separate jets to clean clothing more quickly
- Wi-Fi
- Steam
- Automatic dispenser for up to 18 washes
- Black stainless steel
3. Best Mold Protection: GE Front Load Washer GFW850SSNWW - $1,199
Dimensions: 28 W, 39.75 H, 34 D | Capacity: 5 Cubic Feet | Number of Cycles: 12 Cycles, 10 Options | Spin Speed: 1300 RPM | Reversible Door: Yes | Automatic Dispenser: Yes | Reliability: 8.0%
GE redesigned their front load with comprehensive mold protection. You have Microban antimicrobial surfaces and a fan in the front to dry the gasket.
This machine can wash and dry a small load overnight due to its high 1300 RPM spin speed.GE also has the second-largest automatic dispenser at 32 loads.
You will learn about the advantages of automatic dispensers in the features section, but it's the best new feature for laundry in the last ten years.
Pros: This washer features the best anti-mold package, has a good auto dispenser, and has plenty of options.
Cons: GE's service rate at 8.0% is decent but not as good as LG's service rate.
Features:
- 5.0 cubic foot capacity
- Automatic detergent dispenser up to 32 loads
- Microban Antimicrobial coating to prevent mold and mildew growth
- UltraFresh Vent with OdorBlock, an internal fan that will dry the machine
- Dynamic Balancing Technology to reduce vibrations
- Wi-Fi
- Steam
- One step wash & dry. For a very small load, wash and dryer in just the washer. No need to transfer to the dryer.
- Available in Royal Sapphire for a unique color option
4. Maytag Front Load Washer MHW8630HW - $1,299
Dimensions: 27 W, 32 15/16 D, 38 5/8 H| Capacity: 5 Cubic Feet | Number of Cycles: 4 Cycles, 14 Options | Spin Speed: 1160 RPM | Reversible Door: No | Automatic Dispenser: Yes | Reliability: 15.0%
Maytag's best feature is its Extra Power cycle.
The Extra Power cycle allows you to wash whites and colors in the same load by starting cold water and then slowly warming the temperature.
Pros: Maytag's Extra Power option is interesting because now you can mix loads.
Cons: Reliability is the worst at 15%, more than twice the average. Kind of expensive for the feature package.
Features:
- 5.0 cubic foot capacity
- Amazon Alexa & Nest compatible
- Wi-Fi for remote monitoring
- Steam
- Clean washer cycle to help prevent mold & mildew growth
5. Most Reliable: LG Front Load Washer WM4200HWA - $1,299
Dimensions: 27 W X 33 ¼ D X 39 H| Capacity: 5 Cubic Feet | Number of Cycles: 14 Cycles, 14 Options | Spin Speed: 1300 RPM | Reversible Door: No| Automatic Dispenser: Yes | Reliability: 3.3%
With similar features to LG's model above, LG has a good combination of features like the TurboWash cycle and excellent reliability. The WM4500HWA has their 15-load dispenser as well.
Pros: This washer has a great mix of features and excellent reliability.
Cons: This washer can range in price from $1,299 to $1,599 depending on qualifying promotions. It's a good machine, but $1,599 is a bit high.
Features:
- 5.0 cubic foot capacity
- TurboWash 360 gives you five separate jets to clean clothing more quickly
- Wi-Fi
- Steam
6. Whirlpool Front Load Washer WFW8620HW - $1,099
Dimensions: 27 W, 33 ¼ D, 38 5/8 H| Capacity: 5 Cubic Feet | Number of Cycles: 12 Cycles, 35 Options | Spin Speed: 1100 RPM | Reversible Door: No| Automatic Dispenser: Yes | Reliability: 9.5%
Whirlpool has the easiest controls with push buttons and the largest dispenser holding up to 40 loads of detergent.
Pros: Whirlpool's push buttons make it easy to operate. It also features the industry's largest detergent dispenser.
Cons: Whirlpool has a slow spin speed of 1100 RPM so clothes may come out of the wash wetter. This can lead to longer drying times.
Features:
- 5.0 cubic foot capacity
- Load & Go XL dispenser for up to 40 loads
- Steam
- Wash and dry feature for small loads. No need to transfer to the dryer
- 12hour FanFresh option. Tumbles close for up to 12 hours to minimize wrinkles
- Clean washer with Affresh cycle
Why You Should Not Buy the Largest Front Load Washer
Price
LG's Signature washer is 5.8 cubic feet at $1,999. Most of the smaller 5.0 capacities are $1,249.
So, you are paying $700 more for 0.8 of a cubic foot.
Samsung has a six cubic foot for $1799 - $1,999, so you are paying $500 - 700 more for one cubic foot difference.
Remember, the average cubic foot washer is about 4.5 cubic feet. You can buy a 4.5 cubic foot at $799 - $899 or $1,100 less for about 1.5 cubic feet.
You also lose some features with the larger machine. The auto dispenser is not included in the top two washers above. Nor do they have advanced cycles and mold protection.
Size and Depth
Stackable Front Load Laundry at Yale Appliance in Hanover
Attention Bostonians and other city dwellers: Pay very close attention to dimensions when purchasing any laundry set.
Front-load washers are wide and deep, almost like refrigerators. Except we can remove the doors of refrigerators while we can't remove doors on washers. so it is deeper than many staircases and hallways.
At 33 - 34 inches deep, it will not fit many existing laundry rooms. It won't fit due to the depth if you have a top load now.
Your closets would have to be extremely deep as well. The shallowest 4.5 cubic is 30.25 inches wide and does fit in many areas (although not all).
Laundry is the second most returned appliance, behind refrigerators.
Stacking
The two largest do not stack and need to be placed side-by-side
Perspective
My mom washed laundry with an old Maytag top load washer for a family of 5. The same design (without the quality) is still popular today. The volume of that machine without the agitator is about 2.3 - 2.5 cubic feet.
The 5 cubic foot machines are now double what your parents used 25 to 30 years ago. Five cubic feet should be enough at a certain level without spending another $700 for more.
Read More: Best Front Load Washer
What to Know When Buying a Front Load Washer
Reliability
Reliability is important because front-loads are tougher to fix with their direct drive motors. Plus, you probably don't have much service in your area.
LG has been the most reliable over the last five years since we started publishing reliability.
The following service rates are based on a minimum of 300 front load washers sold per brand and a total sample of over 3000 from December 2020 to October 2021.
Most Reliable Front Load Washers from December 2020 to October 2021
| Service Ratio | |
| LG | 3.3% |
| Samsung | 4.9% |
| GE Appliances | 8.0% |
| Whirlpool | 9.5% |
| Maytag | 15.0% |
| Grand Total | 6.3% |
Samsung was also sold less frequently. You also want to look at service when there is a problem. GE will be the best with its service department. Whirlpool will be second best.
Read More: Most Reliable Front Load Washers
Automatic Dispensers
GE Front Load Washer with Automatic Detergent Dispenser
I have mentioned automatic detergent dispensers throughout the article. It's an important feature and should be on your list of features to consider.
An automatic dispenser releases the right amount of detergent at the right time.
Most people will add too much detergent. You only need a capful. Automatic dispensers will prevent you from using too much detergent, and you won't have to add detergent every wash.
The largest automatic dispensers are GE's front load washer with a 32-load dispenser and Whirlpool at 40 loads.
Steam
Most of the better washers will offer steam. It loosens up tougher stains like wine or grass.
Spin Speed
Higher spins in the washers equate to less time in the dryer. GE, Samsung and LG have the highest spin speeds in a front load washer of 1300 RPM.
Wi-Fi
Samsung Smart Front Load Laundry
All of these models offer Wi-Fi. While Wi-Fi has been slow to adapt in appliances, you will like smart technology in your laundry for one reason.
You will see the remaining time and get a text when the cycle is done. How many times have you walked down to the basement with 5 minutes left in the cycle?
It will also allow you to turn the machine on and off or set a cycle remotely. So, your washer can be turned on from your office and be ready when you arrive home.
Mold and Mildew Prevention
GE Smart Front Load Laundry With Microban Technology
While some other brands offer a washer cleaning cycle, only GE models offer the Microban technology and an internal fan dubbed "OdorBlock" to dry residual moisture.
Pro Tip: Mold is a byproduct of standing water, so dry the gasket and leave the door open. Then run a clean tub cycle every month.
Reversible Door
GE and Electrolux are the only brands with reversible washer doors. It's a convenience when stacked, so the doors line up.
Read More: How to Buy a Front Load Washer
Key Takeaways
Don't feel pressured to buy a larger washing machine, especially the largest. You will pay far less for a 4.5 - 5.0 and only receive 1.0 - 1.5 cubic more at most.
Instead, invest in better features like an auto detergent dispenser, a higher RPM spin speed, and steam.
Features will make more of a difference than the extra cubic foot.
Additional Resources
Want some more info on washing machines? Get the Yale Washer Buying Guide with features, specs, and detailed profiles of all the brands. Well over 1 million people have read a Yale Guide.
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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.