The Top 3 Best Washing Machines Under $500, According To Reviews

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Considering the skyrocketing prices of appliances in today's market, it seems impossible to find a washing machine that doesn't break the bank. Many models now run well above $700, with high-end options easily climbing past $1,000. That said, finding a full-sized washer priced at $500 or below feels like a rare victory for homeowners dealing with a tight budget. For this price range, many assume that their only option is a compact, portable unit, which is not capable of handling the laundry needs of an entire household. Fortunately, there are still manufacturers churning out models — be it front-load or top-load — that can do the job despite costing way less than their premium counterparts. And there are budget-friendly, high-efficiency washing machines by Amana, Whirlpool, and Insignia that meet those measures. 

While it's a given that budget washers sacrifice some of the flashy features, sleek designs, or ultra-modern tech of high-end models, some of these machines with basic features aren't just good for the price. They perform impressively well and even beat expectations compared to washing machine brands to steer clear of, based on customer feedback, proving that even though they are affordable, they can hold a candle to more pricey models. This makes them a dependable choice for budget-conscious shoppers. Without further ado, here are three of the best washing machines under $500 according to reviews that you can find on the market right now. 

Amana's NTW4519JW high-efficiency agitator small top-load washer retails for only $498 on Lowe's online store. Although it is a basic machine with a 3.8 cubic foot capacity, it features auto-sensing technology for the water level inside its stainless steel tub, as well as an automatic fabric softener dispenser. Its Quick Wash Cycle is perfect for washing light loads quickly, while its Deep Water Wash Option is ideal for heavily soiled clothes or larger loads. In case users missed an item or two, they can easily toss those items into the laundry tub thanks to the washer's Late Lid Lock feature. 

Amana's compact washer has garnered 1,521 reviews thus far, and of that figure, 64% gave it five stars (average four stars) and a 63% recommendation rating, with satisfied customers praising its ease of use and efficiency in cleaning clothes. "The agitator design really scrubs clothes clean. Even heavy-duty loads like towels and jeans come out fresh and spotless," one customer review read, adding that the machine is easy to navigate even for non-tech-savvy people thanks to its simple dials and controls. (via Lowe's)

The NTW4519JW is not free from issues, however, as some users have complained about their units "shaking vigorously" and malfunctioning within a few years. Another user also criticized this washer for not filling its tub with enough water to cover the clothes during the wash cycle, even on Deep Water Wash mode.

Whirlpool's WTW4816FW deep water wash high-efficiency agitator small top-load washer, which we also featured as one of the best washers under $800 a few years back, is now available on Lowe's online store for just $498. Despite having only a 3.5 cubic-foot capacity, this washer can handle bulky items thanks to its dual-action spiral agitator. Its porcelain tub material also enables it to handle delicate fabrics just as well. The unit also has a Deep Water Wash Option that fully soaks to break down the toughest dirt on clothes. For small loads, users can opt for the Quick Wash Cycle mode to do the job. 

Among the three, this one has the most customer ratings on its product page, accumulating a total of 26,655 reviews. From that figure, at least 62% gave it five stars (average 4.1 stars), while 79% recommended the product to other shoppers. According to reviews, many enjoy using Whirlpool's WTW4816FW because, aside from its compact design and ease of use, its washing operation is quieter than other machines. "It is so quiet in all cycles, as compared with my old machine, that I often have to check to make sure it is working," read one satisfied owner's review. (via Lowe's)

Meanwhile, for those who gave this washer low ratings, they pointed out issues with its control board, drain system, and other plastic components. One user complaint described, "Something is always going wrong. We've have to replace several parts. The cheap plastic pieces don't hold up well."

Finally, Insignia's NS-TWM41WH8A is also one of the best washers under $500 you can buy right now. This high-efficiency top-load washer with a 4.1 cubic foot capacity, currently retails for just $449.99 at Best Buy. Its large-capacity tub cuts the time owners spend doing laundry, since they can fit more clothing items per load. The machine has 11 automatic washing modes for every type of clothing fabric, including delicate, bulky, color, active wear, and more. There are also soil level options, so each fabric gets the kind of cleaning action it needs, from extra heavy to heavy, medium, light, and extra light.

Thus far, NS-TWM41WH8A's online product page has garnered 5,520 reviews with an average of 4.3 stars and an 85% recommendation rating. Many users appreciate its large capacity despite its price, as well as its tolerable noise level. One owner wrote, "I've been pleasantly surprised by how well it performs. It's whisper-quiet, which is a game-changer for late-night laundry sessions, and the wash cycle leaves clothes noticeably clean and fresh. The controls are straightforward, nothing fancy, but it gets the job done without any fuss." (via Best Buy)

On the other hand, a few found fault in the washer's reliability after noticing issues with its spin cycle and balance over time. A disappointed customer who left the washer a one-star rating stated, "The problem is, the spin cycle is so weak that towels and clothes often come out still completely soaked and/or covered in detergent residue."

To come up with our recommendations for the best washing machines under $500, we looked into the washer options sold at different online retailers, including Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy, and Amazon. We narrowed down the list to full-sized washers within the $400 to $499 price range, and then we took into consideration the number of user reviews each received on its product page. Only those with more than 1,500 reviews and a recommendation rating of no less than 60% were shortlisted. In the end, the top three washers were selected out of the remaining entries based on the highest recommendation ratings for this article.