So I'm looking into washer and dryers for the new place. Free delivery will help since I'm going to be on the 3rd floor and I'd rather have someone else lug it all up for me.

Criteria:

Top loading Washer
Seperate front loading dryer
Both Electric
Seperate Side by sides (non-stacking)
Energy Efficient (not a requirement, but definately a plus...)

I was hoping to get a nice set for around $1,500. I found a Whirlpool Cabrio Washer and Dryer at Best buy for $1,600 together... I like the Kenmore Oasis set, however, is it really worth me sticking my neck out another $500 at Sears for it?

Also, what washer setup cleans more efficiently and is more reliable? Drum or agitator?
Discuss...

6/23/2008 10:41:44 AM

i heard apple is coming out with the new iWasher and iDryer set this fall

[Edited on June 23, 2008 at 10:45 AM. Reason : a little out of your budget though, they are gonna go for $999 each]

6/23/2008 10:44:08 AM

^^ if you're spending that much, why would you want a top loading washer?

6/23/2008 10:54:57 AM

while we're on the subject, why aren't washer/dryer combo units (one machine, performs both functions) more common in the US? i want one

6/23/2008 10:57:13 AM

To sum it all up:

Top loaders are easier (imo) to load and unload laundry.
Less gaskets and seals (less problems to go wrong)
Reliability
The "nice" frontloaders I've seen are much more expensive.
Capacity isn't an issue.
Some models use less water and require less energy than frontloaders
Some models can spin at higher RPMS so drying is much easier/cheaper

[Edited on June 23, 2008 at 11:01 AM. Reason : .]

6/23/2008 10:58:38 AM

i've always heard the opposite as far as ability to clean...

6/23/2008 10:59:59 AM

My uncle has a Bosch washer/dryer that was pricey, but he had problems with the washer building up mildew around the seal when the door was left closed. Same thing happened to my grandmother's nice Maytag set. I bought a GE washer for like $500 and got top loading so I could leave the lid up and avoid aforementioned problem (I don't have a full laundry room, just a closet in the hall).

The people I bought the house from left their dryer. It's an old, no bells and whistles, Hotpoint. I was going to buy the matching dryer for my washer but this thing actually works very well and has a huge capacity. I'll use it til' it breaks.

6/23/2008 11:04:51 AM

Quote :

"Top loaders are easier (imo) to load and unload laundry."

wut?

6/23/2008 11:06:01 AM

^I don't have to bend/kneel/sit down to reach in and grab the laundry. I can just stand there and pull the clothes out.



[Edited on June 23, 2008 at 11:14 AM. Reason : .]

6/23/2008 11:09:57 AM

they are easier if you're comparing them to front-loaders that are not on pedestals.

6/23/2008 11:11:05 AM

oh, that must be it.. the one at my place and my old one at my parents place were both on pedestals so it was easy to get out the front without bending down or anything

6/23/2008 11:12:51 AM

Gotcha, I've never seen them on pedestals before (minus the laundry mat I guess). I was like... do other people find it easier to sit on the floor and just take out their laundry?

6/23/2008 11:14:15 AM

My parents got high-end front loading washer and dryers (damn things are absolutely huge) and got the little pedestals with them. They work as drawers and provide a nifty way to hide stuff, plus they make it easier to load/unload stuff. I imagine there's some noise/vibration dampening component too.

6/23/2008 1:33:36 PM

So... If there aren't any other suggestions, I suppose I'll just be buying the Whirlpool Cabrios... Having given it some thought, I don't think I need something as "advanced" as an Oasis or iWasher

6/23/2008 1:59:31 PM

Quote :

"Some models use less water and require less energy than frontloaders"

Pardon my ignorance, but I thought that the opposite was usually true, especially the European-style ones.

6/23/2008 2:10:13 PM

^ yep, front loaders use WAY less water, and you need way less detergent.

the only possible negative is that cycles take a bit longer, but due to the higher spin speed, drying time is significantly reduced.

6/23/2008 2:25:36 PM

^ I'll retract that statement. I only do laundry 52 times a year and they are medium loads at most, so the ultra energy efficiency isn't THAT big of a deal. I suppose the super-duper most efficient top loader might be more efficient than the least efficient front loader, but that's no fair comparison.

6/23/2008 2:35:27 PM

if you dont care about huge capacity dont get a cabrio. why spend $1500 when you could spend $700 and your clothes would be just as clean. also the cabrio can get small stuff like baby socks and thongs in the water pump and then it wont drain.

6/23/2008 3:05:56 PM

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7838995&st=cabrio&lp=7&type=product&cp=1&id=1142297396649

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8747966&st=cabrio&lp=5&type=product&cp=1&id=1202649422917

Those were the washer/dyers I was looking at to be exact. I thought 4.6cu ft. was pretty "standard" in size now, especially since there are 6.1cu. ft and larger washers...

I won't have to worry about baby socks... My wife's thongs on the other hand... Maybe I'll just get her to wear more booty underwear...

[Edited on June 23, 2008 at 3:18 PM. Reason : .]

6/23/2008 3:14:05 PM

hand me downs...

$0 and mine work great

6/23/2008 8:50:27 PM

Quote :

"^^ if you're spending that much, why would you want a top loading washer?"

i'm a fan of clean clothes, if a top load does it best, then why not go with it?

Quote :

"while we're on the subject, why aren't washer/dryer combo units (one machine, performs both functions) more common in the US? i want one"

i'm assuming that you've used one. they blow ass, literally. i've used them in a few countries and they don't wash or dry well at all.

Quote :

"but he had problems with the washer building up mildew around the seal when the door was left closed."

yep, most if not all front loaders will develop mildew eventually if the door is not left ajar or it's not wiped down.

[Edited on June 24, 2008 at 1:39 AM. Reason : g]

6/24/2008 1:37:42 AM