The 6 Best High-Efficiency Washing Machines of 2023

What to Consider When Buying a Washing Machine

Size

First, think about the size of the machine you need: If you have plenty of space for a washing machine, you will have the most options since washers can be bulky. However, there are also plenty of solid options for those who live in apartments, tiny homes, or cabins, called compact washers. These are about a third of the size of a traditional machine and usually offer similar cycle variety and rinse options. There are even portable washer options—they roll on wheels, so they can be put away in a closet or under a counter when not in use and hook up to a sink faucet and drain that way, too.

Laundry Volume

What size you need or want also depends on the volume of laundry you’ll be doing. If you are a single or couple and don’t need to do large amounts of laundry, a smaller washer may be ideal. If you have multiple people in your household and/or change your sheets, blankets, and towels very frequently, you’ll likely be frustrated by a smaller drum (which is the inside of a washing machine’s cleaning area). The drum can vary a lot, from less than 1 cubic meter on a portable machine to 4.5 cubic meters on the larger capacity ones. The latter can wash 17 towels at once or a large comforter plus a set of king-size sheets, to get an idea of how much they can hold.  

Features

If you have any special laundry needs in mind (if you have a lot of delicate or wool clothing you don’t want to wash in your sink, or need heavy-duty cleaning options), keep an eye out for that feature—some of the units on this list have 15 cycle options with very specific wash lengths and spins for various fabrics, some have fewer options.

Some also have more options for water temperatures, which is useful if you have clothing or linens with specific temperature needs, like “tap cold” versus “cold” for woolens. Whether you need this level of detail for your washing needs depends on your clothing, but if you spend more on your clothes and like to keep them around, a washer with the exact cycles you need can save you time and money (so your clothes don’t get destroyed by using the wrong wash cycle). 

Front v. Top Loading

Top-loading vs. front-loading really comes down to preference—would you rather reach down and across (or squat and reach forward) to pull wet laundry from the wash, or would you prefer to reach down and into the machine? Depending on your mobility, one set of motions might be easier than the other, or you might just prefer one or the other. That’s the bulk of the calculus here. 

Generally, front-loaders clean a bit more efficiently, using less power and somewhat less water, so most of the models on this list reflect that advantage. Top-loaders tend to be a bit less expensive. Top-loading washing machines often have an agitating arm that can be hard on clothes, however, reducing the number of wears they will provide, since they physically agitate the clothing against hard plastic or metal. However, not all top-loaders have this system so clothes and sheets aren't destroyed because there's no agitating arm.

Price

As with anything, cost plays a huge role in the ultimate purchasing decision. Though budget picks on other lists may be tempting, we skipped the category for a reason: Price differences between the least-expensive models of various similar brands are small enough to be inconsequential. If you are on a budget or just like to save money, it pays to surf the sites and plan for sales. You’ll find year-old or previous models of machines discounted by half as stores look to move inventory, meaning you could find a higher-end machine than you think you can afford.

Also, look for “open box” discounts—these are machines whose boxes have been opened but were never used. Calling your local store and asking about these machines might be worth the 15 minutes it takes to pick up the phone and try a few, as sometimes they are not advertised online. 

FAQs

Are all new washing machines considered high efficiency?

There are still a few models of non-HE machines available, but they aren’t easy to find. So almost every new washing machine you are likely to find will be a high-efficiency model.

Can washers that don’t have an Energy Star rating still be considered high efficiency?

For traditional washers, no. But foot-powered or alternative washers might use minimal water and power (or no power at all) and not be included in Energy Star ratings since the system is designed for the compact or regular-sized washers that plug into the wall.

What are the advantages of high efficiency washing machines?

HE washing machines not only use less water and electricity, they use less detergent, too. Although that detergent used to be more expensive, it’s now often the same price-per-load. HE washers, since they generally don’t have a central agitating arm, are able to fit larger loads in the same amount of space, and aren’t as hard on clothing (that central arm puts a lot more stress on fabrics than a rotating exterior drum and water do).

Why Trust Treehugger?

To create this list, we researched the market and looked for those that are Energy Star rated, in addition to considering manual and compact/portable options. We also took third-party reviews and user ratings into account, and referred to the Energy Star site for specifications about water and energy use.

Starre Vartan has been researching and reviewing environmentally sustainable products for 15 years and wrote a book on eco-friendly, healthy living. She lives in a rental home so has no choice about her washing machine, but bought an LG front-loader when she had the opportunity in a former home. She exclusively dries clothes outside as long as it’s not actively raining.