Not LG, Not GE: Consumer Reports Says This Laundry Appliance Brand Is More Reliable

Doing laundry may be one of the most universally disliked household chores, but things become even more frustrating and annoying when the washing machine or dryer stops working in the middle of a load. Unfortunately, washing machines are near the top of the list for household appliances that are most likely to break down, potentially forcing you to visit a laundromat while you wait for the repair team.

To avoid this issue, you might focus on durability when buying a new laundry pair. Both GE and LG are well-known and popular brands of washing machines and dryers, but are they reliable? A recent Consumer Reports survey showed that the Miele brand has the highest score for predicted reliability for both washers and dryers. LG ranks second on the Consumer Reports list, just behind Miele, while the GE and GE Profile brands are near the middle of the pack of the 17 brands listed. Miele was one of only three brands that had top-end category ratings for both washers and dryers.

In its recent survey, members of the independent, non-profit organization returned data on almost 205,000 individual washers and dryers that were purchased new between 2015 and 2025. Consumer Reports used the survey data regarding breakdowns to determine how reliable each model would be through five years of performance. The survey organizers combine all the results for different models under a particular brand to determine brand reliability. Consumer Reports' brand reliability scores are calculated separately from its own hands-on laboratory testing rankings, which measure appliance performance instead of reliability.

Miele manufactures a variety of appliances, including dishwashers, freezers, and ovens. Miele is also one of the most reliable vacuum brands. In terms of laundry appliances, Miele focuses on washers and dryers made for compact spaces. The durability offered in Miele's laundry appliances is especially impressive, as its brand reliability score was nearly perfect and ranked 6.5% higher than second-place LG in the Consumer Reports survey.

Miele consistently markets its washers and dryers as being designed and tested to provide at least a 20-year lifespan. Average washing machines last 10 to 14 years, while average dryers last 10 to 13 years. Miele is known for using high-quality parts and designs that are made to avoid breakdowns, and some reviewers refer to the brand as creating commercial-quality appliances. Washing machines from this manufacturer use inner drums that feature rust-proof materials, enhancing longevity. In its dryers, Miele engineers developed a drum that uses pendulum motions to reduce mechanical strain on the machine and the clothing inside.

Miele backs up its reputation for making reliable laundry machines with a standard two-year warranty. It also offers a complimentary five-year extended warranty on some of its products. A one-year warranty period is common on many washing machines and dryers. Miele's long warranty period is a sign that the manufacturer is confident in the quality and reliability of its appliances.

Although Miele is a highly reliable brand for laundry appliances, there are some drawbacks. Most Miele washers and dryers have a higher-than-average upfront cost compared to appliances made for residential use. However, because of the potential to receive several additional years of usage out of the Miele appliance before needing to replace it, the greater upfront investment may pay off in value over the lifespan of the washer or dryer. You may also receive a lower cost of operation with this brand because of its high-level energy-efficient performance, saving money over the long run.

Although Miele washers and dryers tend to need fewer repairs than their peers, finding qualified and authorized service centers can sometimes be a hassle. You may also end up paying more for replacement parts with the Miele brand compared to competing brands.

Finally, because Miele focuses on building compact washing machines and dryers, they tend to have noticeably less laundry capacity than full-size models. This means you may need to run more loads over the long run than you would with a larger appliance. The purchase price of the Miele laundry appliances is especially high compared to the rest of the market when you focus on the capacity of the machines.