At a Glance
The Whirlpool WFW8620HW is one of the bestselling washers.
It has tons of cycles and a few problems you should consider before you buy it.
In this article, we will look at all the WFW8620’s features and compare it to other competitive brands like GE, LG, and Samsung, including their reliability based on real service calls.
In the end, you will know whether the Whirlpool WFW8620 is right for you.
Let's get started.
Whirlpool Front-Load Washer Review for 2020
Key Features of the Whirlpool WFW8620HW
Amazingly, our parents lived with three cycles. Back when I first started selling washers in 1986, the most popular Maytag only had one speed.
The WFW8620HW has 11 options and 12 cycles.
This unit has most of the base features for every fabric type and steam to loosen stains for better cleaning.
Capacity: 5.0 Cu. Ft
It’s on the larger side in terms of capacity at five cubic feet. Most front-loads average 4.5-5 cubic feet.
This is a good size for a front load washer. Any bigger, and you'll pay almost double for a larger front load washer. For instance, the LG Mega Capacity washer or the Samsung double washer are only 0.8-1.3 cubic feet larger for double the price.
Read More: Largest Front Load Washers
Controls
Whirlpool WFW8620HW Front Load Washer Controls at Yale Appliance in Hanover
The controls on the WFW8620HW are simple. You have push buttons of what to wash and how you want to wash it with 11 different options.
It’s a bit easier to understand than the standard knob controls of other brands.
Detergent Dispenser
Whirlpool WFW8620HW Front Load Washer Automatic Dispenser at Yale Appliance in Hanover
One of their best features is the dispenser. It has a 40-load dispenser located at the bottom. It is easy to clean and remove.
An auto dispenser releases the right amount of detergent at the right time in the wash.
You also can’t overload with detergent, which is a common problem in front loads. Those excess suds eventually will seize the motor for an expensive service call.
Read More: How To Buy A Front Load Washer
Reliability: 5.71%
Front-Load Washer Reliability for January 2020 to October 2020
| Service Qty | Shipped Qty | Service Ratio | |
| Whirlpool | 17 | 301 | 5.65 % |
| Samsung | 33 | 582 | 5.67 % |
| GE Appliances | 75 | 1178 | 6.37 % |
| LG | 121 | 1365 | 8.86 % |
| Maytag | 113 | 261 | 43.30 % |
| Grand Total | 359 | 3687 | 9.73 % |
Reliability has been one of Whirlpool's key features. it's again number one along with Samsung and GE not far behind with more units sold.
Which brings up the final point - price.
Price: $1,199
At $1,199, the Whirlpool WFW8620HW is a bit expensive for the feature set.
Let’s look at how Whirlpool compares to other competitive brands.
How Does Whirlpool Compare to Other Brands?
Whirlpool Vs. GE Front Load Washers
Whirlpool WFW8620HW - $1,199 | GE GFW850SSNWW - $989
Whirlpool's biggest competitor is GE.
For $100-200 less, GE adds Wi-Fi connectivity so you can see the time remaining using their app on your phone.
GE also has its anti-mold package with Microban surfaces on the gasket, hoses, and dispenser. They also have a fan in the front of the washer to dry residual water.
GE has the overnight cycle to leave a small load of clothes overnight and have it ready for the morning. The reversible door is convenient for stacking as well.
The GE dispenser is inside the machine rather than outside like Whirlpool. This makes it harder to clean, especially if you’re changing detergents.
Is the New GE Front Load Laundry Pair any Good?
Whirlpool Vs. LG Front Load Washers
Whirlpool WFW8620HW - $1,199 | LG WM4000HWA - $999
LG has their TurboWash 360 cycle for six pressurized spray heads to shorten any cycle to 30 minutes. LG has its Wi-Fi package as well.
Their dispenser is only 18 loads, so Whirlpool is better there.
Should You Buy the LG WM4000 Laundry Pair? [Video]
Whirlpool Vs. Maytag Front Load Washers
Whirlpool WFW8620HW - $1,199 | Maytag MHW8630HC - $1,349
Maytag is a sister brand and essentially the same product as Whirlpool, with a few better features and Wi-Fi. They offer an Extra Power cycle so you can mix the load with whites and colors.
The wash starts with cold water and warms the load gradually.
Maytag is also built a bit better.
Whirlpool is the only brand offering a plastic hinge on the washer. All the other brands are steel.
I am sure it's fine, but it feels cheaper than the others when you open it.
Maytag MHW8630 Front-Load Washer with Power Boost [Video]
Should You Buy the Whirlpool WFW8620HW Front Load Washer?
Yes, the Whirlpool WFW8620HW is a good front load washer to consider. It has great features, 5.0 Cu. Ft capacity, and the best detergent dispenser. It’s reliable with decent service support as well.
However, you do have other options available from other brands.
Both GE and LG should also be considered depending on what features are important for you and your family.
Additional Resources
Download our Yale Washer Buying Guide with all the features, terms, and brands of laundry. Over 820,000 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:
