5 Best Cheap Washing Machines That Won't Break the Bank

You shouldn't have to pay a lot to get clean laundry.

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Major appliances can be pricey investments but it's not always necessary to go straight to a top-of-the-line model to get great performance. Mid- and even some low-end models often employ the same wash systems as their more expensive counterparts without all the bells and whistles.

Washing machines can cost anywhere from about $500 to $1,400 or more. And while "cheap" or "affordable" are subjective terms, for this guide, I capped our recommendations at about $750. These are sale, not list, prices because I was looking for models from reputable brands that have tested well in our Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab and that offer good to very good capacity and an assortment of useful features for the price. In other words, washers that are a great value. Major appliances are frequently, if not always, on sale so I'd always recommend choosing a model with a sale price that fits your budget instead of one with a low list price that compromises usefulness down the road.

When we test cheap or any washing machine in the our GH Cleaning Lab, we evaluate cleaning performance on multiple cycles, gentleness, energy efficiency, how easy they are to use and load and more. Then we keep them installed in our Lab to wash aprons, dish towels and the other routine laundry loads our Institute generates. If you are in the market for a great washer at a great price, here's what I recommend.

One of the things about budget washing machines is that they usually only come in white. Not this top-loading GE Profile pick. GE washers are solid performers in Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab tests and this machine offers luxury features and two color options at a great price.

We like the sanitizing cycle that works with an Oxi additive to kill bacteria. And along with all the usual cycles — normal, heavy duty and colors — you'll find specialty ones for workout wear and bulky items like comforters and down coats. There's no steam cycle, but it is Wi-Fi-enabled, which is a nice perk at this price point.

Other plusses include a dispenser section for detergent packs to help them dissolve better, Microban protection to help keep the lid, dispenser and other areas bacteria-free, a stain option that adjusts the time and water temperature to tackle tough stains and deep fill and rinse settings to add more water when needed.

We're fans of LG washers in the GH Cleaning Lab. They clean well, are gentle on fabrics and are well built and easy to use. In fact, I've been using an LG WashTower at home for over three years now and love it. With that kind of performance history and at an unbeatable price, we had to name this LG as our best value pick.

This model cleans with an impeller, a bottom plate that bounces and moves the clothing through the water for a roomy 4.3 cubic feet of tub space. It features eight wash cycles, including ones for bedding and waterproof items and a speed wash with four options, like the ability to add more water to loads that need it.

While you won't find steam or sanitizing cycles and it's not Energy Star certified or Wi-Fi enabled, the yearly operating cost for this washer is reasonable and its warranty is comprehensive.

Front load washers tend to be more expensive than top loaders, so finding one on a budget can be a challenge. That's why we're happy to recommend this GE UltraFresh front-load model that sports many of the same features we loved on the higher-end models we tested in our GH Cleaning Lab.

Musty odors are history with the overnight UltraFresh venting cycle and the Microban-treated door gasket, hose, dispenser to control bacteria growth. The machine is easy use, handles big loads, cleans well and can be stacked with a matching clothes dryer if space is tight. Wi-Fi connectivity and a 20-minute cycle for lightly soiled loads are luxury extras.

If you prefer Diamond Gray to white, however, you'll have to pay a bit more and the step-up models also have slightly larger tubs.

If you didn't know the price, you'd think this Samsung washer was top-of-the-line with all the bells and whistles it sports. Starting with its 5.2 cubic foot tub capacity which rivals pricier models. And, being on the petite side, I like that this agitator-free tub is raised up a bit to more easily retrieve small items from the bottom. It is available with an agitator too.

We've tested and recommended many Samsung washers over the years in the GH Cleaning Lab and we're testing its newest combo unit now. And like top-end models, this one offers a very wide assortment of cycles and features (though no steam), including a 24-hour delay option, a water jet for pre-treating stains, multiple temperature, spin and soil levels to choose from and full Wi-Fi connectivity for a truly custom laundry experience.

Though Maytag's Pet Pro washer comes in a bit above our $750 price cut-off for this cheap washer story, we think that its ability to remove pesky pet hair is worth the few extra dollars.

We don't recommend laundering items covered in pet hair but Maytag’s washer eliminates this concern. Its special Pet Pro cycle, — though a bit long — uses a combination of water and agitation to loosen hair and capture it in a filter located inside the center agitator. Simply remove and clean the filter once the load is complete.

In our tests, this washer removed all remnants of hair we spread onto test sweaters. It was also gentle on fabrics and its internal water stream is handy for pre-treating stains. We found its 4.7-cubic-foot tub large and easy to load for a machine with an agitator, though we missed a time display on the control panel to more easily monitor the progress of the cycles.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test affordable washing machines the same way we test expensive ones. We base our tests on the industry standards developed by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM).

To evaluate the cleaning performance of each washer we carefully place in pre-stained strips of fabric with five stains and a control on each. At the end of the cycle, once the strips have air dried, we take reflectance measurements on each stain using a Digi-Eye spectrophotometer to calculate a total stain removal index for the cycle.

We also test any specialty cycles, such as delicates or speed wash, to see if they perform up to our expectations, and we confirm any sanitizing cycle can reach a high enough temperature for the required amount of time to adequately kill germs on fabrics. We also confirm that the options offered are useful and whether preset selections are restrictive or can be overridden.

Next, we test gentleness by washing cotton swatches with five pre-cut holes. When they come out of the machine, the holes are frayed: The more fraying, the more damaging the cycle. For a test of 12 washers, we counted over 1,000 frayed threads.

We also check the water and energy usage of each machine and score how easy the washing machine is to use, including if the control panel is responsive and intuitive, the clarity and thoroughness of the owner's manual and more.

✔️ Price: When you are on a budget, price is a key consideration. Fortunately, you don't have to buy top-of-the-line to get good cleaning from a washing machine. Many mid- and opening- price point models have the same or very similar wash programs to their more expensive siblings, just maybe not as many. Many very good performing washing machines can be found for between $600-$800, especially if you shop the sales.

✔️ Design: Top-loading is the configuration you're most likely to find when shopping for a budget washing machine as they are less costly to produce than front-loaders. And there are many models that can be ordered either with or without the center agitator. Having an agitator does cut down a bit on capacity, but doesn't always guarantee better cleaning. When it comes to color, you'll pretty much have to settle for white. If they offer it, some brands may add on a slight up charge for a designer color. If your machines are in a visible part of your home, it may be worth the extra cost to go for a color.

✔️ Capacity: Low-priced washers may have smaller tubs. Some come in at only around 3.5 cubic feet, but many can be found at around 4.7 to 4.8 cubic feet. Tubs over 5.0 cubic feet are usually reserved for more expensive models. If you opt for a cheap machine with an agitator, the capacity can be as low 4.0 cubit feet or even lower. We suggest looking for a machine in your price range that offers the largest tub capacity possible so you can wash bedding, puffy coats and other bulky items without worry.

✔️ Cycles: This is where appliance manufacturer's may cut corners. While all machines usually have the basic cycles like normal, heavy duty, colors and delicates, you may not find specialty cycles, like steam, sanitizing, stain treating or activewear. If those options aren't important to you, it's fine to skip them.

✔️ Energy efficiency: New, cheap washing machines will still save water and energy over models of years past, but not all may be the most efficient and display the Energy Star certification. To get a better idea of how much any washer you're considering will cost you to run, compare the cost indicated on the yellow Energy Guid label. All washers, by law, are required to display them.

✔️ Smart features: It's possible — like with our GE and Samsung picks above — but you likely won't find Wi-Fi connectivity or smart features on low priced washers. Our best value LG troubleshoots problems through its app, but that's it. If you want to be able to monitor your machine from an app, have it work through a voice-enabled assistant and more, expect to pay closer to $1,000 or higher.

Carolyn Forté has been testing washers, dryers and other laundry room essentials, like laundry detergents and stain removers, for more than 40 years in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Products Lab. She often consults with the appliance industry, especially washing machine manufacturers, about appliance testing protocols and consumer laundry habits, researches and writes our laundry how-tos. She personally oversees all of GH's washing machine testing.

Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.

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