Laundry Buying Guide
Mon Mar 23 2026
- Laundry
Buying new laundry appliances can significantly improve how efficiently your household handles laundry. Today’s laundry appliances are designed with advanced cleaning technology, larger capacities, and convenient features that help simplify everyday routines.
If you're upgrading or replacing an older set, understanding the differences between washer types, dryer options, and key laundry features will help you make a confident purchase.
Key Takeaways (Summary):
Choosing the right washer and dryer comes down to understanding your household needs, space constraints, and the features that will make laundry easier and more efficient. Here are the key points to remember:
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Front-Load vs Top-Load: Front-load washers are energy-efficient and stackable, while top-load washers are convenient with faster cycles and easier loading.
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Washing Mechanisms: Agitator washers provide strong stain removal, while impeller washers are gentler and allow larger loads.
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Washer Capacity: Larger capacities save time and energy for big families or bulky items, while smaller capacities work for compact households.
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Washer Features: Steam cycles, sanitization, quick wash, and stackability add convenience and fabric care.
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Dryer Options: Gas dryers dry quickly and efficiently; electric dryers are widely available and easy to install. Look for wrinkle care, steam cycles, and sanitize features.
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Space-Saving Solutions: Laundry towers and all-in-one washer/dryer units are ideal for small spaces, apartments, or laundry closets.
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Efficiency Matters: Matching washer and dryer types, using smart cycles, and choosing the right capacity improves energy efficiency and convenience.
By understanding these considerations, you can select a laundry setup that fits your space, lifestyle, and cleaning needs while making laundry day faster and easier.
This laundry buying guide will walk you through the key decisions to make when choosing a washer and dryer.
Front-Load Washers vs Top-Load Washers
One of the first decisions when shopping for a new washer is whether you prefer a front-load or top-load design. Both options offer excellent cleaning performance but differ in how they operate and how laundry is loaded.
Front-Load Washers
Watch Our Front Load Washers Video »
Front-load washers are known for their efficient cleaning performance and modern design. These washers tumble clothing through a small amount of water, helping detergent penetrate fabrics more effectively.
Front-load washers are popular for several reasons:
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Excellent cleaning performance
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High energy efficiency
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Lower water consumption
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Stackable installation options
Because they can stack with a dryer, they are also ideal for smaller laundry spaces or closets.
Top-Load Washers
Watch Our Top Load Washers Video »
Top-load washers remain a popular choice thanks to their convenience and familiarity. These machines allow you to load laundry from the top without bending down, making them comfortable for many households.
Top-load washers often feature:
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Faster wash cycles
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Simple controls
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Larger drum openings
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The ability to add laundry mid-cycle
They are also available in both agitator and impeller styles.
Washing Mechanisms: Agitator vs Impeller
Watch Our Washing Mechanisms Video »
Inside many top-load washers, the washing mechanism plays a major role in how clothes are cleaned.
Agitator Washers
Agitator washers feature a central post that twists back and forth during the wash cycle. This movement creates friction that helps remove dirt and stains from fabrics.
Benefits of agitator washers include:
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Strong stain-removal performance
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Shorter wash cycles
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Familiar operation
However, the aggressive motion can sometimes be harder on delicate fabrics.
Impeller Washers
Impeller washers use a low-profile rotating disc at the bottom of the washer instead of a central post. This design allows clothing to move freely throughout the drum.
Advantages of impeller washers include:
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More space inside the washer drum
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Gentler fabric care
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Improved efficiency
This design is often preferred by households that wash large loads or bulky items.
Washer Capacity
Watch Our Washer Capacity Video »
Washer capacity determines how much laundry you can clean in a single cycle. Choosing the right capacity depends largely on household size and laundry habits.
General capacity guidelines include:
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Small households: 3.5-4.0 cubic feet
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Medium households: 4.5-5.0 cubic feet
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Large families: 5.0+ cubic feet
Larger capacities are especially useful for washing bulky items such as comforters, blankets, and large towel loads.
Selecting the right washer size helps reduce the number of cycles needed each week and improves overall laundry efficiency.
Washer Features to Consider
Modern washers offer a wide variety of features designed to improve cleaning results and simplify laundry routines.
Sanitization and Steam Wash
Sanitize and steam cycles use high heat or steam to help eliminate bacteria and allergens from fabrics. These cycles are ideal for items like bedding, towels, and baby clothing.
Steam technology can also help loosen tough stains before the main wash cycle begins.
Stackability
Watch Our Stackable Laundry Video »
Many front-load washers are designed to stack with compatible dryers, saving valuable floor space. Stackable laundry units are especially useful in smaller homes, apartments, or laundry closets.
Quick Wash Cycles
Quick wash settings allow you to clean lightly soiled clothing in a much shorter time than standard cycles.
These cycles are ideal when you need a few essential items cleaned quickly.
Load Type Settings
Different fabric types require different wash conditions. Many washers include specialized settings for:
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Delicates
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Activewear
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Heavy-duty fabrics
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Bedding
These settings adjust water levels, spin speeds, and temperatures for optimal cleaning.
Washer Fuel Source
Watch Our gas vs. electric washers Video »
While washers themselves typically run on electricity, dryers paired with them may use either gas or electric power. Understanding dryer fuel types helps when selecting a matching laundry set.
Versatile Drying Options
Watch Our Drying Options Video »
Dryers are designed to remove moisture efficiently while protecting clothing from excessive heat or wear. When shopping for a dryer, consider factors such as capacity, cycle options, and drying technology.
Dryers are available in a wide variety of configurations that complement different washer styles.
Dryer Features to Consider
Dryers now include a range of features that help improve clothing care and reduce ironing.
Wrinkle Care
Watch Our Wrinkle Care Video »
Wrinkle care cycles periodically tumble clothing after the drying cycle ends. This helps prevent wrinkles if you can't unload the dryer right away.
Steam Care
Steam drying cycles release steam into the drum to help relax wrinkles and refresh clothing. This feature is particularly useful for dress shirts and lightly worn garments.
Sanitize Cycles
Sanitize drying cycles use high heat to help remove bacteria and allergens from fabrics. These settings are often used for bedding, towels, and children’s clothing.
Dryer Fuel Source: Gas vs Electric
Dryers are typically powered by either gas or electricity.
Gas Dryers
Gas dryers heat the drum using natural gas or propane. They typically heat up quickly and can dry clothes faster than electric models.
Electric Dryers
Electric dryers use heating elements powered by electricity. These models are common in many homes and typically have simpler installation requirements.
Laundry Towers
Laundry towers combine a front-load washer and dryer into a single vertical unit. This design saves floor space while still providing full washer and dryer functionality.
Laundry towers are especially useful for:
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Small laundry rooms
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Apartments
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Closets
They provide a streamlined design while maintaining powerful cleaning and drying performance.
All-in-One Washer/Dryer Units
Watch Our All-In-One Washers/Dryers Video »
All-in-one laundry appliances combine washing and drying into a single machine. Instead of transferring clothes between appliances, laundry completes both cycles in the same drum.
Benefits include:
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Space-saving design
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Simplified laundry process
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Ideal for compact living spaces
Shop Laundry Appliances at Kelly’s Appliances
Choosing the right washer and dryer depends on your household size, available space, and preferred features. Whether you want a high-capacity washer, stackable laundry system, or space-saving combination unit, modern appliances offer options designed to simplify everyday laundry.
Visit us in Salem, Corvallis, Eugene, or Central Point to view the latest laundry appliances in person and see which unit fits your home and budget.
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FAQs: Laundry Buying Guide
What type of washer is best for large families?
High-capacity washers, especially front-load models or large top-load impeller washers, are ideal for large families because they can handle bigger loads and bulky items more efficiently.
Are front-load washers better than top-load washers?
Both washer types perform well. Front-load washers are typically more energy-efficient and stackable, while top-load washers offer quicker cycles and easier loading.
What dryer features are most useful?
Popular dryer features include steam cycles, wrinkle prevention settings, sanitize cycles, and moisture sensors that automatically stop the cycle when clothes are dry.
Are all-in-one washer dryers effective?
All-in-one washer dryers can be a convenient option for smaller spaces because they combine washing and drying in one machine, eliminating the need to transfer laundry between appliances.
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