here's some selections

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.ajmadison.com/Laundry/

It does not matter where you buy the units. If you want the best price, check with www.pricegrabber.com then compare warranty that will benefit you in the long run.

There is not a firm check list for all you needs because everyone do laundry differently from house to house.

1. How big is all your comforters.
If it's King Size, all front loader will have a problem getting this size wet if it has a tilted drum.

2. Steam Feature.
Not worth the price in a washer but I would do it for a dryer.

3. Not pushing Electrolux, but the door can be open through out the complete cycle.

4. All machine wash time can be modified to your liking.

Re comforters, the folded bulk depends not only on length and width, but also on thickness. Names like "king size" designate only the length and width.

My Miele W4840 has a tilted drum, and it completely soaks any comforter I'm able to fit in. We use thick comforters, not thinner "quilts", and the maximum I can fit (not force) in corresponds to the "full size, 84x88 inch" specified in the manual. Clearly the Electrolux's drum volume is bigger, and can accommodate a larger comforter. But if it fails to soak a comforter that you can fit into it, I don't think the tilted drum is to blame, rather the lack of a special comforter cycle.

IMO, routinely adding items halfway through a cycle isn't the right way to use a front-loader. Start the cycle with the entire load, and let the machine do what it's programmed to do: sense the size and perhaps type of load, fill with the right amount of water, and perhaps adjust the cycle length.

With the Electrolux, wash time can be modified to your liking, if you like short or shorter. The Miele is the opposite, its cycles are long or longer. It does have a 30-minute express wash, though.

Our LG 4.00 -tilted drum,direct drive, takes thick king comforter,even down one. That was my main reason to get bigger washer.
It can be open anytime,exept when in sanitary cycle-water too hot. I can lengten or shorten the washing time by few minutes depending on how dirty the laundry is.
Water plus and extra rinse available-that I use one very load .
It has the speedy wash too.

I have a 2 year old Ge Harmony. It is a top loader without the agitator. While I would not get this particular model again because of the water temperature issue which is discussed in more detail at the end of the referenced thread in the link, I do like the style. Also it can do all of the things that you asked. You can add items, you can change the cycle midway, you can easily wash bulky comforters, I do at least one a week (lots of kids). I also do not think it is any worse or better as far as gentleness as any other front loader. I recently used a small Bosch pair and larger Whirlpool Deut pair on vacation (did about 10 loads of laundry in each). HATED the small Bosch because it did not get things wet enough to clean them or get the smell out. The Deuts were fine, I did not notice a real difference from my laundry at home. Maybe a little worse but that may be from my not having expereince with them

Again,while I do not recommend the Harmony with the onboard heater, GE makes another TL without an agitator. As does Maytag and Whirlpool and possibly LG does too

Here is a link that might be useful: Harmony Post

Will I ever be able to make a decision!!!!? I really appreciate all your suggestions. I'm going to get a chart started so I can compare.

Then my bigger problem may be deciding on the color. I thought I wanted the red but now I'm thinking grey/silver. My husband wonders if red may go out of style soon. Like the harvest gold and green from the 70's. I'm not planning to replace these for at least 15 years.

I'd go with Miele. I have the 4840(washer) and 9800(dryer). I was looking at Bosch and LG before. I went back to Lowes for something else recently and just took a look at their top of the line units and was shocked at how cheap they are(construction/materials) compared to the Miele.
Are the Miele units perfect? No...they are not as flexible as their 220V versions but they are a damn site better than what I saw at Lowes.
However, if your biggest concern is the colour...the Miele brand is not for you Miele is primarily concerned with quality and having their appliances actually work properly. They also only come in White although Canada was given a brown version for awhile.

Once upon a time I typed up a list of questions for helping select a machine....not all these pertain to you, but its worth clipping (anyone want to add anything?). I saved it in my clippings, public.

Do you want a front loader (FL) or top loader (TL)?

If you want a front loader, do you want an internal heater? If you donÂt know, please read the Laundry Room FAQ (insert link here).

Where in the house will the washer be set up  second floor, basement, closet? What is the floor made of?

What are your space configurations/confinements? Are you looking for undercounter units?

How big a machine do you want? How many loads a week do you do or want to do?

Do you have special laundry considerations like shedding pets, or young children in diapers? Do you have any problems now that you are hoping to solve with a new machine?

How important to you is the loudness of the machine?

Do you want controls on the top rear or front of the machine?

Where are your hook-ups  washer on left/right, stackable?

Are you looking for just a washer, and if not, do you need/want a matching dryer?

What factors are most important to you: cost, reliability, performance, speed, water/electricity savings, controls (specify things like: water temp, type and amount of cycles, cycle times, spin speed, ability to open the machine and add chemicals or clothes)?

How much do you want to spend?

Do you have a preferred vendor  Sears, Best Buy, Independent retailer, Lowes/Home Depot (some may have deals going)?

Have you called a few of the extended warranty companies to ensure they are within servicing distance?

Then my bigger problem may be deciding on the color. I thought I wanted the red but now I'm thinking grey/silver.

Me too! Started with LG Red (Fun!), then went to Samsung Steel Blue (low key elegance), then the Electrolux Turquoise  it looked so pretty in their online add with the Turquoise walls! However when I saw the red and turquoise in person, I didnÂt like them. I still havenÂt seen the Samsung Steel Blue in person, but it no longer matters. I decided I want the flexibility to change my wall colors to anything I want and I can only do that with white machines. Right now, IÂm leaning toward the Disney Sea Song (sort of an Aqua color) for the room. That would never go with Red! :-)

IÂm still leaning toward the Electrolux Wave Touch though. I like the large capacity, the fact that the dryer reverses the tumble, the higher water level in the washing machine, the fast wash, the fact that the door swing is reversible, and most reports show that folks are happy with the customer service.

Just in case some haven't seen it: cleanteamofny has a YouTube channel, on which he posted videos of the Electrolux washer. Take a look! And there's another boy who has this washer: gemini80204 - but the water level in his Electrolux seems a little high to be compliant with EnergyStar (unfortunately). I think he added some water...

HTH, Alex

Apparently budget is of no concern but to me, that would be the first criteria. Seems silly to look at a $4,000.00 (or more) set if you can't afford it.

I ended up getting a Samsung with steam. I wanted a crimson red but I took one of my cabnet doors along and it made it look purple - terrible so I decided a wanted a grey color. So, that limited my choices - I got it in stainless platinum. \

thanks again for all the suggestions - it helped me "think" about what I really wanted.