So while a high-efficiency washer may cost more upfront, its smart features will help save water, energy, and money in the long run. We researched the best high-efficiency washers and rated them on cleaning power, ease of use, and potential energy savings. Our favorite high-efficiency washers are the LG Electronics 5.0 cu. ft. Ultra Large Capacity Front Load Washer and the Maytag 4.2 cu. ft. Top Load Washing Machine because they both have specialized wash cycles to adapt to your laundry needs, are self-cleaning, and have large, stainless steel drums that won’t snag your clothing. Here, the best high-efficiency washers for your laundry needs. The LG 27-inch Ultra Large Capacity Front Load Washing Machine has a stainless steel drum that’s incredibly durable, and this material will reduce the risk of snagging your clothes, as well. This washer offers 14 different wash cycles, including options for activewear, allergens, bedding, and more. There’s even a SpeedWashCycle that washes lightly-soiled loads in just 15 minutes. Plus, if you often forget to move your laundry over for a few hours, the machine has a FreshCare option, which periodically tumbles the laundry to keep it fresh. Since front-load washers are prone to mildew and odors, the appliance features a TubClean system that cleans its own door and gaskets, and its anti-vibration system helps to keep it quiet during operation. The LG Front Load Washing Machine is Energy Star certified, and it’s also certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America since it’s able to reduce common household allergens in fabrics by more than 95 percent. LG offers matching electric or gas dryer models, and the washer is compatible with the brand’s pedestals, as well. The downsides to this washing machine are minimal: The door is not reversible, and sometimes the screen can be hard to read in certain lighting. But if you’re looking for a high-efficiency front load washer, this is the one. Price at time of publish: $1,349 Capacity: 5.0 cubic feet | Washing Mechanism: Not applicable | Cycles: 14 | Drum Material: Stainless steel | Smart Capabilities: Yes | Energy Star Certified: Yes This top-loading washer is a no-frills, basic option that’s ideal for anyone who likes simple appliances. Dials on the back control panel allow you to select the wash cycle, soil level, temperature, and spin speed, and you pour detergent right into the drum itself—there are dispensers for bleach and fabric softener, though. Automatic sensing selects the ideal water level for each load, and the washer has a self-clean setting in case you don’t feel like manually cleaning your washing machine. This top load washer has a 4.2-cubic-foot stainless steel drum, and a central agitator that delivers heavy-duty cleaning power, no matter how big the load. This appliance offers 11 wash cycles, including a PowerWash cycle that helps remove stains with heated water and an extended wash time, as well as a deep water option that fills the drum to its highest possible level. It’s not Energy Star certified, but it’s an affordable, basic high-efficiency top load washer that packs a lot of power. Price at time of publish: $849 Capacity: 4.2 cubic feet | Washing Mechanism: Agitator | Cycles: 11 | Drum Material: Stainless steel | Smart Capabilities: No | Energy Star Certified: No This affordable washing machine is fairly basic, but it still has 12 cleaning cycles, including options for bulky items, delicates, and more. There’s even a 30-minute Quick Wash option for lightly soiled loads. The drum is made from smooth porcelain as opposed to stainless steel, and some people find this material is less durable, so keep that in mind. Perhaps the best feature of this washer is that the lid doesn’t lock right away, so you can add in forgotten laundry items after the machine has started. Price at time of publish: $699 Capacity: 3.5 cubic feet | Washing Mechanism: Agitator | Cycles: 12 | Drum Material: Porcelain | Smart Capabilities: No | Energy Star Certified: No This front-loading washer has a spacious 5-cubic-foot interior, and its door is reversible to swing open in either direction. Its Dynamic Balancing Technology helps to even out loads during the spin cycle to prevent banging, and the unit has a variety of useful wash settings, including sanitizing and PowerSteam for better stain removal. No need to measure out detergent for each load, either—the GE washer has a smart dispenser that automatically adds detergent to each load. You can just pour the whole bottle into the machine, and it will take care of the rest. Plus, the front load washer comes in several attractive finishes and can be paired with the brand’s pedestals for added storage. Price at time of publish: $1,349 Capacity: 5.0 cubic feet | Washing Mechanism: Not applicable | Cycles: 12 | Drum Material: Stainless steel | Smart Capabilities: Yes | Energy Star Certified: Yes This washing machine is reasonably priced, yet it still boasts a number of features often reserved for higher-end models. For instance, it has a built-in water faucet that you can use to pretreat stains, as well as a soft-close lid that prevents it from slamming shut. It can be synced to your home’s WiFi if you want to monitor its progress from your smartphone, and its high-touch areas are even treated with an antimicrobial finish to prevent bacteria growth. Price at time of publish: $949 Capacity: 5.2 cubic feet | Washing Mechanism: Impeller or agitator | Cycles: 12 | Drum Material: Stainless steel | Smart Capabilities: Yes | Energy Star Certified: Yes This front-loading washer has a moderate 4.5-cubic-foot capacity, and there are 10 wash cycles to choose from, including settings for active wear, bedding, delicates, and more. The stainless steel drum has a unique pattern on the sides that extracts more water, and the machine even features a self-cleaning cycle that the brand claims will kill 99 percent of bacteria. While the appliance does technically have Wi-Fi connectivity, the app doesn’t offer as much functionality as other brands—you’re only able to troubleshoot your machine, not control it remotely. Price at time of publish: $949 Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet | Washing Mechanism: Not applicable | Cycles: 10 | Drum Material: Stainless steel | Smart Capabilities: Yes | Energy Star Certified: Yes No matter what clothes or linens you’re washing, this machine will get the job done. It has cycles for heavy-duty loads, active wear, delicates, and whites, as well as a steam option that penetrates deep into fibers to remove stains. The machine has an internal water heater that boosts the cycle temperature when needed, and it can be plugged into a matching dryer for quick and easy installation. Price at time of publish: $1,099 Capacity: 2.4 cubic feet | Washing Mechanism: Not applicable | Cycles: 14 | Drum Material: Stainless steel | Smart Capabilities: No | Energy Star Certified: Yes This front-loading washer and dryer has a 4.5-cubic-foot capacity, and it offers 14 different wash cycles with six washing motions to maximize its cleaning performance. The washer has high-pressure nozzles that can cut up to 30 minutes off its washing time, and it even has a steam clean option to help remove stains and odors. The appliance is certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, and it can be synced up to your smartphone or a smart assistant like Alexa or Siri, so you can control its progress from virtually anywhere. Price at time of publish: $1,798 Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet | Washing Mechanism: Not applicable | Cycles: 14 | Drum Material: Stainless steel | Smart Capabilities: Yes | Energy Star Certified: No In addition to its stain-removal abilities, the Electrolux washing machine offers a number of other advanced features. Its fast wash cycle cleans clothing in just 15 minutes, and the Pure Rinse cycle removes more detergent residue without using more water. The sanitize setting is certified to kill 99% of bacteria, and the machine is also certified by the National Science Foundation to remove 95% of allergens from your laundry. The only downside to this machine is that, despite its high price, it doesn’t feature any smart functionality. Price at time of publish: $1,149 Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet | Washing Mechanism: Not applicable | Cycles: 10 | Drum Material: Stainless steel | Smart Capabilities: No | Energy Star Certified: Yes

Deep Fill Setting

High-efficiency washers not only use less energy during each cycle but also less water. Most models have automatic load-sensing technology, which recognizes the amount of clothes in a single load and then adds just enough water to soak them. A deep fill setting allows you to bypass this technology and soak your clothes more thoroughly. It’s a practical option if you frequently wash comforters or other bulky items, but it isn’t a guaranteed feature.

Spin Speed

The spin speed of a washer is measured in revolutions per minute, or RPM. The higher the RPM, the more likely your clothes will come out of the washer feeling wrung out and relatively dry. Your fabric type and selection choices can alter your washer’s spin speed, so it’s essential to consider the maximum RPM of the machine. Many high-efficiency washers cap at a lower RPM than standard models. For comparison, an average high-efficiency unit spins at about 750 RPM, while standard models spin at about 1,200 RPM. If you plan on washing various fabrics and bulky items, you’ll want to find a high-efficiency washer with a spin speed closer to 1,000 RPM, as opposed to 600 RPM.

Standout Features

Impeller Plate

An impeller plate is a new substitute for a central agitator column in top-loading washers. It’s built into the bottom of the drum and works to spin, soak, and mix soap into your clothes in a gentle manner. It doesn’t include attached fins, so it’s a great feature for households that often run delicate cycles or want to avoid adding wear and tear to their clothes over time.

Built-in Faucet

A built-in faucet can be found in the drum of some top-loading models. It eliminates the process of pretreating stains in a bathroom or dedicated laundry sink (and then carrying wet items to your washer). It’s useful for small households, where a washer may be installed in a closet or tiny mudroom, as well as larger ones that may deal with food, grass, and dirt stains, due to children and athletes.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Having tested and researched dozens of laundry machines, we looked at functionality, strength, and value when recommending the best high-efficiency washers on the market. We considered capacity, cycle options, and spin speed, in addition to the type of agitator, and the advanced features you can actually work into your regular routine. For additional insight, we spoke with: Marilee Nelson, certified building biologist and environmental consultant, and co-founder of Branch Basics; Felicia Gopaul, certified financial planner, founder of Financial Control Mastery, and creator of the Financial Freedom Fundamentals™ course; and Marguerita Cheng, certified financial planner. We also consulted a review from product tester Shannon Wells. Marisa Casciano is the large appliance expert for The Spruce and has researched the ins and outs of air purifiers, dishwashers, and more in the home space. She adores her Whirlpool high-efficiency, top-loading washer that’s thorough and conserves water. For this piece, she read through dozens of user manuals, verified customer reviews, and articles on third-party websites. She tested the features on her own high-efficiency machine to get familiar with them and decide what’s useful. Lastly, she went and checked out the recommended washers in person. This article was updated by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce. She spent several hours researching the most popular and top-rated high-efficiency washing machines available today, and she’s personally used the GE 5.0 cu. ft. Capacity Smart Front Load Steam Washer, which is our pick for Best Splurge.