Has marketing convinced me that I need front end loading washer/dryer?

Back in the day $1000 was enought to get a good top loading washer/dryer combination, and I never gave it another thought. Now I'm need of replacing the two and my head is telling me not to pay for what you don't need (a decent top loading duo should be enough)....but everywhere I go, they're pushing the sexy front load washer/dryers, the only thing is, they cost a whole lot more....they definitly appeal to the techie/gadget guru side of me...but not the practical/frugal one....I guess the appliance manufacturers have done a good marketing job convincing people you need to spend roughly $2k for the two.

Sorry I"m just rambling....

Front load washers ARE easier on clothes, and they use less water. If either are important to you, then go for the front loader. At home on the farm, with our 60 foot shallow well supplying both the house and the 30 cattle we have, using less water is important, so the front loader got the nod. I think it was worth it.

We just upgraded.

Even though the washer can take up to 80mins for a large cycle, it spins so fast in the spoin cycle that clothes come out practically dry. Now the dryer, which consumes the most power, doesn't have to work as hard to dry the clothes.
Even better, if you do like we did, and get a gas dryer.

We use half the water and 1/3 the electricity and our gas bill is still pretty low.

We bought the Kenmore Elite H3T stackable.

We stayed away from the h4T which has a sanitize cycle. Now THATS marketting hype.

Talk to a repair guy. They will tell you the front loading machines get more repairs since people load them heavily causing strain leading to reparis. If you do have/get one, don't load it heavily.

Think of the full costs, not just the upfront cost. If you have a family and do lots of laundry, the front loaders WILL pay for themselves after a few years of energy/water savings. If you're single or just a couple, probably not worth it.

Also factor in the increased life of your clothing with the front loaders!

I got the LG pair for 2499 with a gas dryer. Its is well worth it. The washer does a great job of getting as much water out as possible. It almost is dry out of the washer.

Will a $2K washer/dryer get your clothes twice as clean as a low tech $1K washer/dryer combo? How much less electricity & water will it use? Do the math and determine how long the payback time is.

I bought a Kenmore from Home Depot for just under $900 3 years ago. I am extremely happy as water usage is a lot less and the clothes are spun almost dry compared with my older washer. During the clothesline season the clothes dry very fast and during dryer season, the time and energy is minimal compared with the old washer. The machine decides how much water is needed and as we have a dug well this has proved to be an advantage. You use less detergent or an energy efficient detergent (they are marked) and the machine is much more gentle on clothes. I don't see any difference in cleaning ability between either washer but I pretreat certain things always like grease or food etc. I don't know what features would be considered just bells and whistles as I used the machine only in one mode, standard wash cycle. From what my friend from Holland says, these machines have been the standard in Europe for many years, just like tankless water heaters, less packaging, more recycling, etc. She says we are spoiled in NA in so many ways. I have never been to Europe firsthand so do not know that part. I would say ignore the part of advertising that is just designed to catch your eyes but look at the meat of the product! Kasie1

Home Depot sells Kenmore?

I thought that was just a Sears brand.

Sorry it was Sears! Kasie1

The only one thing that I would change on the front loaders that we have (which was a mid range model from Sears / Kenmore from about 8 years ago) would be to get one with bigger doors.

Worked a lot in europe until 5 years ago and front load is all they have over there. Thus the european and asian makers have a long history building the front loads.

Tests have shown the front loads are cheaper on power and water plus gentler on clothes. Our first 800 dollar pair went through 4 kids with cloth diapers and worked for us but yeah, there is a huge premium on the front loads like the stainless steel front premium.