10 Washers & Dryers To Avoid Based On Customer Reviews

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When looking for a new washer or dryer for your home, simply considering your needs and avoiding unreliable appliance brands is a good place to start. But to ensure you get the highest return on investment, you should pay also attention to the washing machine brands experts say to skip. And if you go through the customer reviews of the models that tickle your fancy, they can help discern whether the advertised features will make laundry enjoyable or make you despise it even more. Plus, you can gauge how sympathetic and prompt the customer service is and the kind of support you'd receive if something goes wrong.

However, shortlisting a few models from all those available both online and offline can be time-consuming. And wading through customer reviews for each can take even longer. To help you out, we went through the websites of major washer and dryer brands and identified their worst performing models, as reported by homeowners. Based on our research, we've put together a list of 10 washers and dryers you should avoid if you're in the market. We have arranged the units in a descending order, taking their percentage of 1-star reviews into account. To better understand how we chose each model, you can read more at the end of the article.

Although the Whirlpool Smart Front Load Washer with Load & Go Dispenser looks fancy, customers don't think it's worth buying. For starters, the brand claims after you fill the XL slots with detergent and fabric softener, the appliance will automatically dispense them as needed for up to 40 loads. However, several customers complain that the load and go function either doesn't dispense enough detergent into the drum from the get-go, or it starts acting up after a few months of use.

Moreover, the touchscreen control board seems to complicate things further. Customers report that it loses Wi-Fi constantly and isn't intuitive to use. Consequently, it's time-consuming to pick a wash cycle. And if people needed to get the washer's control panel repaired within the one-year warranty, they had to wait a long time for replacement parts to arrive (one buyer reports waiting over eight weeks). Worse, a few users were quoted over $500 for similar repairs and replacements after the warranty period ended.

With over 100 reviews, this 5.0-cubic feet washer has an average star rating of 3.1 since close to 38% of consumers have given it 1 star. Listing the issues they faced with the unit, one reviewer wrote, "Control board went out after just over a year of use and basically costs as much as replacing the washing machine. Whirlpool is no help. Also the 'load and go' was a leaky mess from the beginning. If you are considering buying a washing machine think to yourself: "Do I really need an LCD screen on my washing machine?""

If you've been eyeing the 7.4-cubic feet Front Load Head Pump Dryer, there are some things to know before investing in this Whirlpool dryer. First off, the unit comes with two lint filters, so you'll have to spend double the time cleaning them. And even if you manage to stay on top of clearing them out, customers report that lint and hair still accumulate on the machine's inside, building up on the condenser coils over time. This can reduce the efficiency of the dryer and presents a fire hazard if the condenser gets too heated. The brand is aware of this issue and the user manual recommends you have the insides serviced every two years. Since the warranty is for a year only, you'll have to pay between $200 and $350 for each session. 

After garnering close to 350 reviews, this dryer has an average star rating of 3.0, with 36% of them being 1-star reviews. Sharing why they don't like this unit, a reviewer mentioned, "It ran okay for a little but eventually started making this loud screeching noise ... The dryer can also take a very long time to dry a relatively small batch of laundry." Several users also mention that the unit either takes too long to dry a load of laundry or fails to dry them in a single cycle, forcing them to run multiple cycles or air dry their clothes.

LG claims that its Smart Compact Front Load Dryer can automatically adjust the drying time for your clothes, so the machine doesn't consume more energy than needed. Yet several customers complain that the model takes too long to dry a load of laundry. Now, you can chalk it up to its ventless design, but a user mentions that towels take more than two hours to dry, and another shared that they had to run the device non-stop for eight hours. Even after the long run times, the interior remains damp.

On the other end of the spectrum, a few individuals write that the sensor calculates more time than needed and oftentimes over-dries their garments. Some also say that the dryer stops drying garments and eventually requires extensive repairs. You won't have to pay out of pocket if this happens within the one-year warranty period, but be prepared to shell out a minimum of $349 afterward. That said, the unit might break down again within a few months.

Around 230 people have reviewed this dryer and close to 30% of them have given it 1 star, bringing its average star rating to 3.4. Highlighting their problems they had with this smart appliance, a user wrote, "Only have had it for 2 years and it's not drying.. It always seemed to dry super slow..now it won't dry at all...so we called for repairs, they came 2 weeks later, now we are being told it's a difficult job, so they will come back..."

When you load dirty clothes into a washing machine, the expectation is that they will come out clean. But some consumers note that this is not the case with LG's Top Load Washer with 4-Way Agitator and TurboDrum Technology. They venture it's because the appliance's sensor isn't working and can't judge how full the drum is. Some also mention that it doesn't let in enough water during the normal cycle to fully submerge your garments, so clothes at the top remain dry. More often than not, you'll have to select the deep-fill option. This cycle takes hours to complete and even then the agitator doesn't create enough friction to rid your clothes of stains and dirt. Sometimes, they come out coated in detergent and fabric softener, requiring a re-wash. Drainage is an issue that buyers report, too. While the brand offers a warranty of one year on parts and labor, you could have issues well beyond that period. 

With close to 500 reviews, this LG top-loader has an average star rating of 3.7 and over 23% have 1-star ratings. Explaining why they wouldn't recommend the appliance to other people, one user stated, "Disappointed. Always have to deep fill to have water cover clothing (poor sensors evidently). Clothes [are] not always clean, leaving lint or residue. Tub dirty on bottom after washing clothes which makes me wonder how clean clothes really are. I suggest: Don't buy this."

Even though Samsung's Bespoke AI Laundry combo will help you save space in the laundry room, some reviewers say you'll have to wait hours for a wash and dry cycle to complete. In fact, someone said their unit took about five hours and thirty minutes on "Super Speed" mode. Moreover, the garments come out damp and require an additional cycle to dry. Additional issues include a difficult-to-clean lint trap and the hard-to-reach space behind the filter. A few individuals also pointed out that even if you maintain the device as directed, you'll still have to deal with error codes due to faulty sensors. As a result, they had to contact the brand for repairs and replacement parts within a year of installation. 

But getting the brand to honor the one-year limited warranty and send a technician to your home for repairs is another chore. A customer explained, "[The machine] only worked about three days ... Since then we have been going back and forth with repairs and Samsung customer service trying to get help. We have been without a washer or dryer for coming up on 3 months, and all Samsung offered was a one time use coupon which would result in about $1000 loss." Having close to 500 reviews, this washer and dryer combo has an average star rating of 3.9. With close to 22% of reviewers giving it 1 star, we can see why they'd avoid the washing machine from this popular brand in the future.

After a washing machine runs a cycle, you'd expect the dirty water to drain out promptly. But that's not necessarily the case with the LG Signature 5.8 cubic feet Large Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Front Load Washer, as reviewers point out. Users report the drain pump malfunctioning within a short span, generally within a year of installation. As such, several have had to deal with a flooded laundry room, garage, or basement, shelling out money to then properly dry these spaces. A few people also had to deal with mold because the pump leaked water constantly. On top of issues with the washer itself, customer service seems lacking, with some users noting that the brand refused to honor the one-year warranty. And if it agrees to send technicians, the lead times are too long. Consequently, few individuals paid out of pocket to have the drain pump repaired or replaced.

More than 250 customers have reviewed the LG signature washer and over 19% have left it 1 star, bringing the appliance's average star rating to 3.9. Relaying their experience with the unit, a reviewer noted, "This machine has had more repairs than a 1970s washer. I've had this washer for five years and it's been repaired 12 times. The service repair man even tried to get it replaced and LG refused after the fourth repair... There's something defective with the drain pump." Other reviews echo the same concerns with the drain pump and LG's lackluster customer support in fixing the issue.

While there are some benefits of buying American-made appliances, you might want to steer clear of Maytag's 5.3 cubic feet Smart Top Load Washer with Extra Power. This is because a majority of people who have given it a 1 star rating mention that the appliance goes out of balance regularly. One customer complained that theirs went off-balance every alternate wash. Other reviews mention that the machine makes a high-pitched banging or grinding sound, shakes excessively, and doesn't spin a load properly, leaving detergent residue on the garments inside the drum. Having it repaired within the one-year warranty period doesn't help, either, since the washer seems to go off-balance again. Then, the wait to get a brand-approved technician for repairs is too long. Some individuals also stated that their device didn't clean clothes well and quit running in the middle of a cycle.

This Maytag model has been reviewed close to 800 times and has an average star rating of 3.9 due to about 18% of consumers giving it 1 star. An unhappy user shared, "One of the most disappointing washers that we have purchased. Beware that your warranty is one year. After that, Maytag will farm out the service to platinum factory service or another company that will charge $150 to simply diagnose an issue. Frequent fault codes such as out of balance loads. Makes obnoxious noises even with small loads of laundry. We have tried leveling it multiple times. Wouldn't recommend."

Although a small cog in a large machine, the soap dispenser is vital for clean clothes. Sadly, a few people who bought Maytag's Smart Front Load Washer with Extra Power relayed that the dispensing tray doesn't work well. Specifically, they noted that the dispenser doesn't add detergent to the drum at the right time, or sometimes, at all. Customers also remarked that it constantly fills up with water, encouraging mold and mildew growth. One anecdote mentions the tray overflowing, leaking soapy water all over a user's floor. People also complain that their clothes come out soaking wet and smell musty. While you won't have to pay during the one-year warranty, getting the manufacturer to send a technician for repairs might be tricky, based on customer accounts. 

With near 1,000 reviews, the washer has an average star rating of 3.9, with over 15% of users giving it 1 star. Justifying a 1-star rating, a buyer explained, "The machine rattles when it drains. I have a warranty but the repair people cannot fix it and say it is normal. Also the detergent dispenser drawer does not close flush to the washer and again, the repair person says he cannot fix it. I am very disappointed with a brand name that should be top-of-the line."

The Whirlpool 4.7 cubic feet Top Load Washer with Pretreat Station lands in this roundup because several customers have had repeatedly bad experiences while using it. One of the most common complaints is the unit's loud operation. Buyers said that this is the loudest washing machine they have ever owned — one even compared it to a freight train. Additionally, many reviewers had to get their washer repaired within two to three years due to issues like a failing drain pump, a broken agitator, a non-functional control panel, and even leaking from the bottom of the unit. Some received replacements from the brand during the one-year warranty, but others had to wait long periods for technicians or new parts.

Over 15% of 608 reviewers have given this washer a 1-star rating. As such, its average star rating is 3.8. An unimpressed user said, "We bought this model a year ago, within a week it stopped working. With warranty we got a replacement. However, four months later the washer would not drain. We called and they had someone come fix the wiring. Fast forward to today, almost a year ago to date, the wash machine pauses mid cycle and will not drain the water."

When hunting for the best washing machine for small spaces, you might come across Amana's 3.8 cubic feet Large Capacity Top Load Washer. However, you might want to avoid this washer based on its customer reviews. Several users mention that the washer lasts a maximum of a year or two before running into issues, with some having to get it repaired after a few months of usage. The problems include the drum not filling up enough to submerge a load of laundry and wash it, poor drainage, and a malfunctioning auto-sensor. And most people facing these difficulties had a hard time reaching a human customer agent at Amana. When they did, they weren't happy with the service they received.

This Amana washer has over 1,800 reviews on its site and an average star rating of 3.9, with over 13% of reviewers awarding it 1 star. Sharing their frustrations, a customer wrote, "I bought this washer in June 2024, and now 18 months later it's not working properly. Not spinning enough to remove water leaving my laundry soaking/dripping wet. And of course the one year warranty expired a few months ago. I've never had an appliance break down so quickly. I guess I should have known this would happen given the numerous efforts to get me to buy an extended warranty."

To identify the most poorly reviewed washers and dryers from the hundreds being retailed in the U.S., we first made a list of all brands users complained about in forums, like Reddit. Then, we checked the website of each company and picked the ones with less than 4-star ratings and a minimum of 100 reviews. To separate the ones with minor issues from the units hiding bigger problems, we further filtered our list and only kept ones that had 1-star ratings for at least 13% of their reviews. Finally, we looked at customer reviews of the remaining to determine ones you'd be better off leaving out of your laundry room.