If it’s been awhile since you last shopped for a washer and dryer you may find yourself scratching your head in confusion as you try to find the best washer and dryer for your family.  Sure the wide selection of brands, styles and options faced by today’s consumer is a good thing, but how do you know which options really matter TO YOU?  Our hope is that after you’ve read our buying guide you’ll be able to separate the necessary from the needless and be able to confidently select the perfect washer and dryer for your family.

Measure

Always measure the available height, width, and depth prior to purchasing any major appliance. You should always use the cubic feet to compare washer and dryer sizes as terms like “Super Capacity” or “Extra Large” are subjective and have no relation between manufacturers.

Budget

Today’s washers and dryers start around $250 and $200 respectively and can easily eclipse the $1000 barrier.  With that in mind it’s important to know how much you can afford to spend before you set foot in the store.  Remember, you are the one who has to live with these appliances for the next 10 – 20 years so it’s important that you purchase what’s right for you and not something the sales person talked you into.

Washer

Now that you have a budget in mind you need to decide what type of washing machine you’re after.  The top-load washers we all grew up with are still available and generally have a lower initial cost than their front-load counterparts.  Top-load washers use an agitator to move your clothes and may be easier for some people to load and unload but are very energy inefficient when compared to front-load washers.  Front-load washers use less water and energy and are gentler on your clothes because they have no agitator.  The lack of an agitator also allows for a larger capacity that can mean fewer trips to the laundry room and the Laundromat (to wash comforters and other large items).  They also have a faster spin cycle which, when coupled with reduced water usage allows for a dry time that generally equals wash time.  Front load washers are often stackable when purchased with a matching dryer, taking up less floor space.

• Internal Water Heater – Sanitizes and kills germs without the use of bleach.
• Additional Rinse Cycles – Senses detergent on your clothes to ensure they are free of soap residue which results in less irritation to your skin.
• Stainless Steel Drum – Helps to avoid pilling and to maintain clothing integrity.
• Automatic Water Level Sensor – Eliminates the need to guess how much water to use, potentially saving you money.
• Automatic Washing Cycles – Automatic settings that allow you to wash a variety of fabrics.
• Spin Cycle RPM – A faster spin cycle extracts more water from your clothes, reducing the amount of time spent in your dryer.
• ENERGY STAR – Save both water and energy.
• Installation Options – Can they be stacked, installed in a closet, raised on pedestals, etc?
• Chemical Dispersal – Many washers allow you to load your detergent, bleach, and softener before you start your wash cycle and will automatically dispense the precise amount of each chemical at the right time.

Dryers

Your first decision when selecting your dryer is whether you need a gas or electric unit.  The electric units typically have a lower initial cost while the gas units are generally less expensive to operate. 

• Dryer Moisture Sensor – Senses when clothes are dry which can reduce dry time and operating costs.
• Front Controls vs. Rear Controls – Front controls can be more accessible and often mean the unit can be stacked on top of the matching washing machine.
• Tub Material – Stainless steel tubs provide a more efficient heat transfer so your clothes dry quicker.
• Extended Tumbling Feature – Tumbles the clothes without heat once they are dry to prevent wrinkles.
• Time Remaining Indicator – Some dryers feature a LCD display that will inform you when your clothes will be done.
• Drying Rack – Allows you to place items on