The best smart washing machine on the market today is going to make your life doing laundry a whole lot easier.
Filled top to bottom with all kinds of advanced technology, including Wi-Fi, dryer synchronization, custom wash cycle setups, programmable options, and so much more, these new washing machines have totally transformed the way we do laundry forever.
Settling on the right smart washing machine for your needs, especially with so many different options out there, can sometimes feel frustrating.
That’s why we’ve put together this detailed guide.
The Best Smart Washing Machine – Samsung WF50R8500AV Front Loading Washer
Almost universally praised as the very best smart washing machine money can buy right now, this Samsung washing machine is a frontloading unit that comes with all the bells and whistles you’d want from a smart appliance combined with unmatched cleaning potential.
Samsung is beloved for their appliances, appliances that perfectly blend the latest cutting-edge technology and modern aesthetics.
This washing machine operates and handles a lot like a high-end smartphone from the folks at Samsung, even!
Features
- 4.5 ft.³ drum has plenty of room for full laundry loads (including towels, blankets, comforters, etc.)
- Available in three gorgeous finishes – Crystal White, Black That, and Champagne
- Measures 27” x 38.75” x 31.38”
- Has 11 preprogrammed wash cycle options, with an almost infinite amount of custom wash cycle options (through the companion app)
- Works best with the Samsung DVE45R6300V smart dryer
- Can be stacked with a dryer
What We Like Most
There’s a lot to fall in love with when it comes to this Samsung frontloading smart washing machine, the best smart washing machine we think has ever been made (at least so far).
This machine does a fantastic job at removing stains, better than maybe any other smart washer out there. It isn’t rough or abusive with fabrics, though – but instead is one of the gentlest washing machines we’ve come across in quite some time.
Samsung has also found a way to make normal wash cycles a lot faster than the competition.
Typical 45-minute cycles on other machines will only take you about 30 minutes, but you won’t lose any cleaning performance along the way.
We also love the sanitizing features, the simplicity and ease of use of the smart features (especially when using a Samsung Android device), and the gentle scrubbing that happens from the drum texture itself.
There’s a lot to like about this washing machine!
What We Disliked
On the other hand, there are some drawbacks to utilizing this Samsung smart washer.
For one thing, this unit uses a considerable amount of water.
On a heavy-duty cycle (you’ll need that for washing blankets, comforters, full loads of laundry, and towels) you might go through 17 gallons of water.
The “onboard” control panel for this Samsung smart washer is a little crowded and somewhat confusing to use.
Believe it or not, it’s a lot easier to operate this washing machine through the companion app.
These issues are relatively minor issues in the grand scheme of things and certainly not deal breakers.
Pros and Cons
- Will not destroy your clothes but is instead very gentle on fabrics
- Delivers even better stain removal results than almost any other washer on the market today
- Works well with both Android and Apple mobile devices
- Control panel is a little cluttered
- Uses a lot of water
A Great Budget Friendly Alternative – LG WM3400CW Front Loading Washer
Folks that don’t necessarily want to spend a mountain of money on the best smart washing machine available can shift gears away from the Samsung reviewed above and laser in on this LG option, saving a decent chunk of change without sacrificing a lot of performance along the way.
This LG front loader may not have all the bells and whistles that the Samsung does, but it’s no slouch either.
You get a beautifully designed piece of hardware from a reputable appliance manufacturer, fantastic value for your money, and some pretty good energy and water efficiency ratings – all without having to break the bank.
Features
- 4.5 ft.³ drum is the same size as the Samsung mentioned earlier
- Comes with a 10 year LG limited warranty as well as LG Direct Drive Motor protection
- Measures 27” x 39” x 30.25”
- Has eight different preprogrammed wash cycles, with almost unlimited custom wash cycle options
- Fully LG 6Motion and LG Sidekick compatible
What We Like Most
The cleaning capabilities of this LG smart washer are close to what you’d get out of the more expensive Samsung, even if they are a little less impressive.
We do like, though, that the LG offers an “allergen cycle” to help cut down on dust mites, dander, and pollen. You’ll get some great antimicrobial protection from this cycle as well.
There is even a deep fill option on this washing machine to sort of override the automatic fill technology, making sure that the clothes you’re loading in a larger batch of laundry are going to be completely saturated before the wash cycle actually kicks off.
The mobile app that controls the smart features on this LG is simple, straightforward, and pretty elegant to use.
Combine all of that with high-efficiency ratings for both water and energy, a top-notch max spin speed of 1300 RPM to pull water and detergent from your laundry, and very reliable stain removal capabilities and it’s not hard to see why people love this budget option.
What We Disliked
As with any budget appliance, though, you are going to be sacrificing a couple of “creature comforts” to save a few dollars.
Compared to the Samsung, this LG smart washer has quite a bit fewer smart wash cycle options. On top of that, there’s really only a handful of manual control options on the LG that you’ll be able to input on your own.
LG’s build quality isn’t quite as polished or as durable as Samsung’s right now, either. You may find yourself taking advantage of the great warranty this company offers at some point.
Pros and Cons
- Incredibly water and energy efficient
- One of the fastest spin cycles to help take the load off of your dryer a bit
- You really can’t beat the price tag, especially not compared to other top-end smart washers
- Not as many smart features or wash cycle options
- Manual controls are somewhat limited
Closing Thoughts
At the end of the day, you really can’t go wrong with either of the Samsung or LG smart washer options we reviewed above.
The Samsung is a little more expensive to be fair, but it’s a very well-made piece of equipment, works well right out of the box (so to speak), and has seamless integrations between the washing machine, dryer, and mobile app environment Samsung has developed.
If, however, the Samsung is a little bit outside of your budget there’s a lot to like when it comes to the LG.
Well-made (and with a fantastic 10-year warranty), hyper-efficient, and with some of the best cleaning performance in the smart washer space today you won’t regret this purchase, either.