If you live alone, you probably do your laundry once a week at most. If you have a partner and kids, you’re likely running your washing machine every few days at least. Either way, having a reliable, effective, and efficient washing machine is a need, not a want. And if yours isn’t up to par, you’re probably suffering for it.
A washing machine takes all of the time and effort out of achieving clean clothes, and as technology has advanced over the years, so has the efficiency and versatility of the average washing machine. These days, they’re smart, they’re gentler on clothes than ever before, and they offer a ton of wash cycles and other settings to make sure your clothes get the treatment they deserve.
If your current washing machine is ready to retire and you need an upgrade, but you’re not sure exactly what you’re looking for, we’re here to help. Washing machines vary in features such as price, capacity, wash cycles, water settings, top-load vs. front-load, and more. To find the best fit, you’ll need to think about every one of those features.
This comprehensive guide will investigate the best washing machines in Canada right now and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products.
The Best Washing Machines Right Now
- Top Front-Load Pick: Maytag MHW6630HW 5.5 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Front-Load Steam Washer
- Budget Front-Load Pick: LG WM3400CW 5.2 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Front-Load Washer
- Top Top-Load Pick: Maytag MVW5430MW 5.5 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Top-Load Washer
- Budget Top-Load Pick: GE GTW334BMRWS 4.4 Cu. Ft. Top-Load Washer
- Washer/Dryer Combo Pick: GE PFQ97HSPVDS 5.5 Cu. Ft. Ultra-Fast Electric Washer & Dryer Combo
Our Top Front-Load Pick for The Best Washing Machine
Maytag MHW6630HW 5.5 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Front-Load Steam Washer Review
What We Think of the Maytag MHW6630HW 5.5 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Front-Load Steam Washer
We are big fans of the Maytag MHW6630HW 5.5 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Front-Load Steam Washer. It’s one of our favourite washing machines of all time. With 12 unique wash cycles, it has every setting you could need for every type of load. And since it offers a steam clean function and a dual-temperature wash setting, stains will stand no chance against this machine. Perfect if you have kids!
Since this is a front-load machine with no agitator, it’s also extra gentle on clothes. You won’t have to worry about your washing machine shortening the lifespan of your favourite items. Our favourite feature by far is the Fresh Hold setting. It uses an internal fan and intermittent tumbling to keep your clothes fresh after washing for up to 16 hours. This is a game-changer for busy people! You’ll never need to rewash if you forget to move it over to a dryer or line.
You’ll be very happy to hear that this washing machine is perfect in all ways — there are no issues with cleaning performance, versatility, usability, or longevity. The only thing you might not love is the price tag. This isn’t the most affordable washing machine out there, but if you’re looking for the best, you don’t need to look any further. This one is worth every cent.
All in all, the Maytag MHW6630HW 5.5 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Front-Load Steam Washer is the best front-load washer money can buy. With versatile settings, a great capacity, and a hold function to keep clothes fresh after washing, this machine has it all.
- Performance: 5/5
- Usability: 5/5
- Price: 4/5
- Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Maytag MHW6630HW 5.5 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Front-Load Steam Washer
Reviewers are incredibly happy with the Maytag MHW6630HW 5.5 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Front-Load Steam Washer. It does a great job at lifting stains and stubborn dirt, and the high capacity means they’re able to get their washing done in fewer loads. They’ve found many of the wash cycles to be useful, and the Fresh Hold setting is a real game changer for busy parents.
Maytag MHW6630HW 5.5 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Front-Load Steam Washer Pros and Cons
Buy If…
- You won’t always be able to move your clothes to a dryer right away
- You live with kids
- You’d appreciate a versatile machine
- You want a machine that’s extra gentle on clothes
Don’t Buy If…
- You’d like to spend as little as possible on a washing machine
Maytag MHW6630HW 5.5 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Front-Load Steam Washer Specifications
- Dimensions: 27” x 38.6” x 33”
- Weight: 220 lbs
- Colour: White or silver
- Capacity: 5.5 cu. ft
- Front or Top Load: Front
- Wash Cycles: 12
- Warranty: 1 year
Our Budget Front-Load Pick
LG WM3400CW 5.2 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Front-Load Washer Review
What We Think of the LG WM3400CW 5.2 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Front-Load Washer
The LG WM3400CW 5.2 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Front-Load Washer packs a ton of value into a budget-friendly price tag. Its unique ColdWash setting offers two benefits — it’s gentler on clothes than washing in hot water (but just as effective!) and it saves you money on utilities. Talk about a winning feature! The front-load style also means your clothes are subjected to less wear and tear while getting cleaned.
This washing machine also offers a Tub Clean option to make your life much easier while keeping your machine fresh — all you have to do is throw in a washing machine cleaning tablet and select the Tub Clean — it’ll use a unique cycle to clean efficiently and effectively. This washer can also self-diagnose any technical problems to make it even easier to get a quick repair. Brilliant!
The main concession you’ll have to make when you choose this option is versatility. While eight wash cycles provide a good amount of diversity, you’ll have to remember that one of those is a tub wash, and other machines offer as many as 12 options. If you like to be precise with your wash settings, this might not be the best option to choose.
Overall, the LG WM3400CW 5.2 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Front-Load Washer is the best budget-friendly front-load washer you’ll be able to find right now. It’s not as inexpensive as some other options on the market, but for the extra-gentle washing, it’s certainly worth a little extra.
- Performance: 5/5
- Usability: 4.5/5
- Price: 4.5/5
- Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the LG WM3400CW 5.2 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Front-Load Washer
Reviewers have a great opinion of the LG WM3400CW 5.2 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Front-Load Washer. It handles large loads really well, and they’ve had no problems with clothes coming out less than perfectly clean. The efficient ColdWash setting is the one they use the most, but they like the other options available as well. They’d all choose this machine again.
LG WM3400CW 5.2 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Front-Load Washer Pros and Cons
Buy If…
- You’d love a highly effective clean that’s still gentle on clothes
- You want to save money on a machine and utilities
- A self-diagnosing machine sounds nice
- You’d appreciate a machine with a self-clean setting
Don’t Buy If…
- You’re looking for a ton of versatility
LG WM3400CW 5.2 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Front-Load Washer Specifications
- Dimensions: 27” x 39” x 30.25”
- Weight: 187.4 lbs
- Colour: White
- Capacity: 5.2 cu. ft
- Front or Top Load: Front
- Wash Cycles: 8
- Warranty: 1 year
Our Top Top-Load Pick
Maytag MVW5430MW 5.5 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Top-Load Washer Review
What We Think of the Maytag MVW5430MW 5.5 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Top-Load Washer
We like a lot of things about the Maytag MVW5430MW 5.5 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Top-Load Washer. One of its best features is its cycle versatility. With 10 wash cycle options and five temperatures to choose from, you’ll always be able to find the ideal combo for your every load. There’s even an extra cycle for machine cleaning, so with the right cleaning tablets, your machine will always be performing at its best.
One of the more unique things about this washing machine is the built-in faucet. Spot treatments and pre-soaking have never been easier! This machine is also a great fit for households that end up with a lot of stained clothes. The power impeller has superb stain-fighting power thanks to its reverse wash motion and triple-action spray. No stain is too much for this machine!
The only thing missing from this washing machine is any type of smart feature. There’s no connectivity or a companion app, so everything will need to be done by hand. If you’d prefer hands-free voice-activated controls, smartphone connectivity, intelligent troubleshooting, or sensor-based detergent dispensing, you’ll have to look at other machines.
All in all, the Maytag MVW5430MW 5.5 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Top-Load Washer will be an amazing fit for any home. Whether you need to wash bulky items, stained items, or regular clothes, this washer has the settings you need to get them taken care of properly. It couldn’t be easier to use, either!
- Performance: 5/5
- Usability: 4.5/5
- Price: 5/5
- Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Maytag MVW5430MW 5.5 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Top-Load Washer
Reviewers have amazing feedback about the Maytag MVW5430MW 5.5 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Top-Load Washer. The dials are really easy to use, and they love how many options there are for temperature and wash cycle combos. The built-in faucet is really efficient for soaking, too. They highly recommend this washing machine to others.
Maytag MVW5430MW 5.5 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Top-Load Washer Pros and Cons
Buy If…
- Your clothes need pre-wash treatments fairly often
- You need tough stain-fighting power
- Easy drum cleaning would be a bonus
- You’d appreciate a variety of wash cycles and temperatures
Don’t Buy If…
- You’re interested in smart features
Maytag MVW5430MW 5.5 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Top-Load Washer Specifications
- Dimensions: 27.8” x 40.9” x 27”
- Weight: 140 lbs
- Colour: White
- Capacity: 5.5 cu. ft
- Front or Top Load: Top
- Wash Cycles: 10
- Warranty: 1 year
Our Budget Top-Load Pick
GE GTW334BMRWS 4.4 Cu. Ft. Top-Load Washer Review
What We Think of the GE GTW334BMRWS 4.4 Cu. Ft. Top-Load Washer
We’re excited to share the GE GTW334BMRWS 4.4 Cu. Ft. Top-Load Washer with you. One of the things you’ll notice first is, of course, its affordable price tag. If you’re shopping on a budget, you can’t do much better. Another thing we enjoy is the end-of-cycle signal. You won’t miss it, so you’ll always be able to flip the load right away when you’re in a hurry. Talk about convenient!
Another feature that holds a lot of value is the temperature variety. There are six water temperatures to choose from, so every load can be cared for in the best possible way. The dual action agitator is a great complement to that versatility — it boosts the circulation of clothes to make sure they all get adequately cleaned, but it’s still gentle. Your clothes will thank you for choosing this washing machine!
Before we wrap this up, we want to mention a couple of potential downsides that might sway you in a different direction. First, this washing machine doesn’t offer any smart features, so if you’re looking for connectivity or intelligent sensors, this isn’t the way to go. Second, the capacity is smaller than that of the average washer, so if you’re dealing with a high laundry volume every week, a larger machine might be a better fit.
All in all, the GE GTW334BMRWS 4.4 Cu. Ft. Top-Load Washer is an easy one to recommend to anyone who’s shopping on a budget. You won’t have to make many sacrifices, either, because it performs very well with all load types and is easy to use. Doesn’t it sound perfect for you?
- Performance: 5/5
- Usability: 4.5/5
- Price: 5/5
- Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the GE GTW334BMRWS 4.4 Cu. Ft. Top-Load Washer
Reviewers are quite happy with the GE GTW334BMRWS 4.4 Cu. Ft. Top-Load Washer. They’re happy with the wash cycle options and water temperatures, and their clothes always come out thoroughly cleaned. They don’t have any concerns about longevity, either. They’d all choose this one again and recommend it for other families.
GE GTW334BMRWS 4.4 Cu. Ft. Top-Load Washer Pros and Cons
Buy If…
- You don’t want to guess when each load is done
- An affordable price tag is your main priority
- You’re looking for deep but gentle cleaning
- You’d appreciate a wide variety of temperatures
Don’t Buy If…
- You need an extra-large capacity
- You’re looking for smart features
GE GTW334BMRWS 4.4 Cu. Ft. Top-Load Washer Specifications
- Dimensions: 26.7” x 44” x 26.8”
- Weight: 113.8 lbs
- Colour: White
- Capacity: 4.4 cu. ft
- Front or Top Load: Top
- Warranty: 1 year
Our Washer/Dryer Combo Pick
GE PFQ97HSPVDS 5.5 Cu. Ft. Ultra-Fast Electric Washer & Dryer Combo Review
What We Think of the GE PFQ97HSPVDS 5.5 Cu. Ft. Ultra-Fast Electric Washer & Dryer Combo
The GE PFQ97HSPVDS 5.5 Cu. Ft. Ultra-Fast Electric Washer & Dryer Combo is a pretty special machine, for obvious reasons. Since it functions as a washer and dryer in one, you’ll be able to save time and space — no second machine will be taking up square footage, and you won’t have to move your loads over! A 5.5 cu. ft. capacity makes sure you’ll be able to get your clothes cleaned in no time.
There are two very special features we’re excited to share with you. The first is remote cycle monitoring — Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to monitor the machine with a companion app! How convenient is that? The Adaptive SmartDispense feature is another favourite. It allows you to fill enough detergent and fabric softener for 32 loads, and the machine will dispense it appropriately for different load sizes. It doesn’t get better than that.
There are only two reasons why you might not choose to go with this washer/dryer combo machine. The most obvious reason is the price tag — this machine costs quite a bit more than the average washing machine, so if you’re shopping on any kind of budget, this likely won’t be a good option. It’s also a fairly complex machine with all of its cycle options and connectivity, so if simplicity is what you’re after, you’ll want to go with something a bit more standard.
All in all, the GE PFQ97HSPVDS 5.5 Cu. Ft. Ultra-Fast Electric Washer & Dryer Combo is one of the most unique and sophisticated laundry machines it’s possible to buy. If you’re looking to maximize convenience and efficiency, this machine is the way to achieve that goal.
- Performance: 5/5
- Usability: 5/5
- Price: 2/5
- Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the GE PFQ97HSPVDS 5.5 Cu. Ft. Ultra-Fast Electric Washer & Dryer Combo
Reviewers are blown away by the GE PFQ97HSPVDS 5.5 Cu. Ft. Ultra-Fast Electric Washer & Dryer Combo. The capacity is perfect, the dual functionality of a washer and dryer is incredibly convenient, and the Wi-Fi connectivity makes it easy to monitor the wash/dry progress remotely. The SmartDispense technology is a big hit, as well. They love everything about this machine.
GE PFQ97HSPVDS 5.5 Cu. Ft. Ultra-Fast Electric Washer & Dryer Combo Pros and Cons
Buy If…
- You’d love a single machine that can wash and dry clothes
- A high load capacity is important to you
- Remote monitoring of your load progress would be nice
- You don’t want to fill detergent/fabric softener with every load
Don’t Buy If…
- You’re shopping on a budget
- Simplicity is what you’re after
GE PFQ97HSPVDS 5.5 Cu. Ft. Ultra-Fast Electric Washer & Dryer Combo Specifications
- Dimensions: 28” x 46.7” x 32”
- Weight: 302 lbs
- Colour: Carbon graphite
- Capacity: 5.5 cu. ft
- Front or Top Load: Front
- Wash Cycles: 12 (+12 dry cycles)
- Warranty: 1 year
How to Properly Choose Your Washing Machine
Price
Some washing machines will cost less than $700; others will cost almost five times that amount. Most people won’t need to spend more than $2,000 for their ideal machine, though. In general, more expensive washing machines will have a bigger capacity, more wash cycles, and will be front-load machines instead of top-load.
Capacity
The capacity of a washing machine will typically fall somewhere between 4.4 and 5.5 cu. ft. Larger machines will offer better load efficiency since they can clean more clothes at once, but they’ll also be more expensive. It’s up to you to find the right balance for your budget and washing needs.
Front Vs. Top Load
Washing machines come in two styles, front-load and top-load. Front-load machines will be more expensive, but they’re also more energy-efficient and gentler on clothes since they don’t need an agitator to achieve a thorough wash.
Wash Cycles
Every washing machine will offer a selection of wash cycles for you to choose from, but the exact number will vary. Generally, it will fall between 6 and 12 options. The more wash cycles you have, the more precise you can be with different load types. You’ll pay more for the versatility, though.
Precision Sensing
Most washing machines will offer precision sensing technology to match the water level to the exact load size you’ve put in. Some machines will offer water level settings in addition to precision sensing, but some machines won’t offer precision sensing at all. If resource efficiency is a priority for you, you’ll want to make sure your final pick offers this feature.
Functionality
Of course, most washing machines offer a single function — washing clothes. But there are rare washing machines that also double as dryers, so if you don’t mind spending a lot more to improve the efficiency and convenience of laundry days, you might want to go with a dual-function machine.
