Conventional or HE? Front or top load?

If you want a conventional top loader, go with a Kenmore. They're all made by Whirlpool, but the thing about Kenmore is because it's a "private label" brand (Sears) and is only available there, the machines have some extra features that the equivalently-priced Whirlpool-branded machines don't have. Such as additional water levels or cycle combinations, better tub materials, etc. They do this to get more business. Something like 60% of all laundry appliances in all U.S. households are Kenmore branded.

I'd stay away from a High Efficiency Top Load washer. They have a lot of problems. Although they are the biggest (4.6 cf capacity, vs. 3.2 cv capacity on a Conventional.

If you're looking at an HE Frontloader, I'd strongly recommend the newest GE frontloaders. They'll set you back a bit of cash, but have a ton of interesting sensors and communication settings and so forth, where the machine has a specific custom cycle timing for removing something like 40 different types of stains from clothing, as well as the "general" cycles as well that are less specific. Or, the Kenmore HE3T with Steam -- great bang for your buck there.

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