David, the August issue of Consumer Reports has their latest washer and dryer tests. As Joe mentioned, the LG4801 washer was top rated. The LG dryers were also well-rated, although the DLE4801 was not mentioned in the latest report and may have been from an earlier test.

We have a Maytag HE front loader. Amazingly huge capacity and quiet, but it does tend to vibrate the second floor a bit when spinning at high speed with a heavy load, but that squeezes out practically every last drop of water, making it easy work for the dryer.

It was here when we bought the place, but we were glad to see it as we left a similar Maytag at our old place for the buyers.

No problems whatsoever. Runs practically daily.

You'll find that many of the washer/dryers are actually made by the same manufacturers with certain brand names being the entry level machines for the others.

I have LG/Tromm washer and driver from ~7 years ago, still happy with them. If you go with a front loader you're going to want them on a pedestal of some sort, and my two bits of advice are (a) the pedestal needs to be *really* solid (whatever you had in mind x 2) and the pedestal always needs to be taller than you thought (whatever you had in mind x 1.5).

Oh, and don't spin the drum on older LG front load washers.. the voltage generated by the motor locks up something on the controller board and you get "$500 repair" error codes until you yank the power and let everything drain down.

I agree with your statement here. Also when you're ready to purchase check on line it will be a little less and you will save the tax as well. Most places will ship for free if you're spending that amount of money.

We bought a Kenmore front load set just a little over a year ago. If I'm not mistaken, they are made by Samsung. Very happy with them - much larger, and higher quality than the 7 year old Frigidaire set they replaced.

We ended up moving about a month ago, and they went with the house. Fortunately, the new house came with an LG steam set that is only a year old. The LG's are definitely quieter. My wife and I are split. She liked the Kenmore set better, and I like the LG.

John is absolutely right about the pedestals. They are a must, even for a short guy like me.

Joyce and I have wondered how long our current setup will last, so I've been keeping an eye on Samsung, LG and Kenmore as well.

I figured I'd build my own pedestals so I can save a few hundred bucks and so I could add more stuff to my list of things to do....like it's not long enough already!

These would go in the basement, so the pedestals would have to be more functional than pretty.

>>We bought a Kenmore front load set just a little over a year ago. If I'm not mistaken, they are made by Samsung.

Whoa, that's scary. When Kenmore products are made in South Korea (by no means a low wage country) and shipped to NA you *know* container shipping is getting too cheap.

Given all the restrictions on tariffs and trade regulations maybe it's time for the US Navy to reconsider piracy on the high seas.

Think about either 2 layers of 3/4" ply on top or about twice as much bracing as anyone in their right mind would consider.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. And putting two drawers side-by-side in each platform allows for a center "divider" to strengthen the center and hold drawer slides.