Consumer Reports Names The Best Laundry Appliance In 2026 (And It's Under $800)
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Most shoppers want a washing machine that balances useful features, price, and performance. Popular priorities include large capacity, energy efficiency, and a stainless steel wash basket. But for households with pets, kids, or active families, a strong cleaning performance is often the deciding factor. If you're comparing models and trying to stay within budget, Consumer Reports can be a helpful place to start.
In its latest roundup of the best washing machines of 2026, a few different models tied for the best score after testing from experts, but only the LG WM3400CW combines strong test scores with a relatively affordable price — just less than $800. As of this writing, the machine sells for $729 at major retailers, including Home Depot. Consumer Reports ran tests on 118 stand-alone washing machines, including front-load, top-load agitator, top-load HE (high-efficiency), and compact designs. The front-load LG WM3400CW ended up earning a "CR Smart Buy" designation, which Consumer Reports gives to products that meet its standards for performance, reliability, and safety. Only 9 of the 118 machines on the list received the designation.
The organization buys appliances at retail and runs hands-on laundry tests using stained fabric swatches and mixed loads. It scores machines on factors including cleaning results, noise generation, vibration, water use, energy use, and gentleness on fabrics.
Why CR testers gave the low-priced LG WM3400CW high scores
During its testing, the Consumer Reports team gave the LG WM3400CW washing machine the highest possible scores in multiple categories, including washing performance, energy efficiency, and water-usage efficiency. The washer also received above-average scores for noise and vibration generation.
The experts described the LG WM3400CW's energy efficiency "first rate" and its water efficiency "top notch." Among the other 32 front-load washers tested, 14 other machines received perfect scores in the categories of energy efficiency and water usage, but only one of them (the GE GFW350SSYWW washer) had a price as low as the LG model. When comparing front-load and top-load washing machines' energy efficiency, none of the 39 top-load agitator washers and only 3 of the 26 top-load HE washers received perfect scores in both categories of energy efficiency and water-usage efficiency like the LG WM3400CW washer did.
The LG WM3400CW has a 4.5-cubic-foot capacity, making it suitable for medium-to-large loads. It also features LG's Smart Diagnosis feature, which monitors the unit's performance during operation and catches problems as they appear. The washer is compatible with the optional LG SideKick pedestal washer, allowing you to attach a mini-washer in the pedestal position and run two loads of laundry simultaneously.
Reasons some shoppers may want to look elsewhere
Even though the LG WM3400CW washer has a lower price than nearly every other front-load machine on the Consumer Reports list and received a high score from the CR experts, it isn't a perfect machine. For example, it only received an average score in the category of gentleness on fabrics.
Meanwhile, among Home Depot website customer reviewers, only 80% would recommend purchasing the washer. Several reviewers reported that the unit leaks and needs repairs more frequently than expected. Others expressed concerns over long cycle times. It "takes too long to do even a small load; over an hour," one reviewer said. "[It's] even longer with a normal load." For what it's worth, Consumer Reports listed the typical cycle time for the LG WM3400CW at 105 minutes, which is longer than most of the front-load washing machines on the list.