Samsung WF218 Front-Loader or Whirlpool Cabrio Top-Loader?

14 years ago

I'm trying to decide on which washer to purchase. I have reserved a $150 rebate from the federal government Cash for Appliances program and I have 3 days to purchase a washer before the rebate expires.

I've been looking at washers for a few years to eventually replace my 15 year old Maytag. It has been repaired a few times but the main problem now is the lid has rusted....even though we painted it with appliance paint, the paint has softened and is peeling. Sometimes rust chips go into the washer. I know that eventually I will need to replace it so it seems like a good idea to take advantage of the government rebate.

I've been hesitant to buy a front-loader because of all the problems I keep hearing about and also the fact that appliances aren't being made as well as they used to be. Will my next washer last 15 years?? I've also heard about problems with the Cabrio top-loader. Which washer seems to have the least problems? Which would you buy if you had 3 days to decide?

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Comments (8)

gates1
14 years ago
1. Miele
2. The New Kenmore 5 wash motion (made by LG)
3. Maytag Bravos (better ratings and reviews from Owners) than the cabrio/Oasis
baseballmom94
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks, Gates1. Why do you recommend those three washers? I've done several board searches on here and other sites but keep getting conflicting information on the different brands.
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Sharon, Just did the exact same thing myself! My new Maytag Bravos was just delivered today and the first load of wash is running now. Our Whirlpool Duet front loaders were 8 years old and we were looking at replacing the pump in the washer. They were actually on the pedestals as I had back surgery a few years ago and could not bend down that low to lift heavy wet clothes. The pedestals did help with that a lot. The problem is that when they are on the pedestals they shook the house. Our laundry room is on the second floor and I thought it was going to shake the floor boards loose. We adjusted it to a level position several times but couldn't control the shaking and moving inches across the floor. Anyway, I did a lot of research, read all the great advice on this forum and decided to go with the Bravos, after looking at the Cabrio, Oasis, GE Harmony, now known as the Profile and Fisher Paykel. I went He instead of a traditional top loader for several reasons. 1) the water and energy savings and 2)not having the agitator, which I had liked with the front loader. It was a tough decision. I went with the Bravos as Consumer Reports rated it #1 and I learned that Maytag, who was just bought by Whirlpool, still uses more stainless steel and less plastic in their machine for now. I do know the Oasis has a brand new model out that is supposed to try and correct all the trouble they were having, but I was afraid to try it. I preferred the control panel of the Bravos over the new control panel on the GE Profile/Harmony that just came out. And the FP did not have the same large capacity. Anyway, we'll see how it goes and I'll post later on and let you know how the laundry came out!
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There is another little trick on these "half HE" (I like that term) TL agitator models with the automatic water levels. When you turn the "Fabric Softener" switch to "Yes" regardless of whether or not you are actually using fabric softener, it will fill the tub all the way, bypassing the load sensing function. To the OP, I respect your desire to get an old-fashioned TLer with a water level switch, but keep in mind that even with those machines, they have energy-saving features that make them different than they were in good ol' days. Specifically, water temperatures. Due to minimum efficiency requirements, manual water level machines can no longer wash in "true" hot water, i.e., straight from the hot water tap. It mixes about 1/3rd cold water into the hot when set to "hot", "dumbing down" the water to about 100F. Same thing with "warm". Warm used to be half hot and half cold, resulting in water of about 85-90F. Now, they use about 2/3rd cold and 1/3rd hot, resulting in "warm" water of about 78F. Do these lower temperatures still get clothes clean? Sure. Do they get them "clean enough"? That's hard to say, but thermal energy is part of the laundry equation, and when you take it out... "True" HE machines, because they use less water to start with, do not have these dumbed-down temps. They still use true hot and warm that is really warm. Millions of people have bought the Cabrios and Bravos, and have been perfectly satisfied, despite what some reviews say.
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I have had the Samsungs with the VRT now for 2 1/2 months and love them. Mine are on the first floor, but the only time I hear it is when if fills with cold water (for some reason I don't hear the hot water going in). Even on the highest spin speed I NEVER hear it spinning. I think these were designed specifically for 2nd floor laundry rooms. I had Maytag Neptunes before these and it thumped loudly when it was trying to balance itself. Oh, and my Samsungs are on pedestals which usually makes the vibration worse, but as I said these are way quieter than my Maytags which were not on pedestals. If I was concerned about the vibration I would have ceramic tile put in the laundry room which would limit the vibration. My sister has her laundry on the 2nd floor with ceramic tile which slopes toward a drain in case her machine would flood. Very smart idea by whoever built that house. PS - mine are the 328 Samsung models. Do a search on the laundry forum and you will get lots of responses!
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mara_2008
14 years ago
Whatever washer you buy, if you want true hot water (140 degrees Fahrenheit minimum), you'll want to be sure it has an internal water heater.

I own a Maytag Bravos and love it. My DIL owns a Cabrio. She has had problems with her Cabrio that I haven't had with my Bravos.

I believe the Bravos model which comes with an internal water heater has the numbers 850 in the model number. IIRC, HHGregg has it on sale now. The sale may expire today.
housefairy
14 years ago
A lot of people on this forum seem to have problems when they go from a top loader to a front. I assume it's because of the perceived lack of water and the longer wash times. Some people want to tinker with the level of water in the machine, instead of letting the machine do what it's suppose to do.

I have the 218 set which I've had for over a year. It replaced a Neptune front loader. I've never had a mold issue with either front loader and I don't do tub cleaning cycles. But I do use the sanitize cycle on the Samsung. On my old FL I used bleach, since it didn't have a heater. Mold issues may be more prevalent to the area you live. I was originally going to get the 3 series but this was such a good deal I couldn't pass it up. If you get the 219 you will get the diamond tub. I've had no regrets with how the Samsungs work.
gates1
14 years ago
Baseballmom, these washers are my personal preference to but, for their known quality, and performace. If you want a HE top loader, the Maytage is the best in my opinion. Its a super large capasity, not plastic lids, huge opening and yes the ones with internal heater are the 850 series for sure...maybe the 700 series, but not sure. LG is a grat brand too, none of my friends who have them, have any issues with them and they have had them for over 4 yrs. One thing to remember when you read wash performance on any of these HE machines is that many owners do not read the owners manual. They just use it and then complain of poor results. One "poster" on here admitted. "One day I will sit down and read the manual" Its not rocket science trust me. When people talk about mechanical failures brioon machines, it would help if they include a model number. The older bravos, cabrios, oasis has some issues, since then I beleive they have been worked out. Internal heaters are a big plus in a HE machine, of course some people will tell you it makes no differnce. Most Fl issues are operators induced problems, not the machines design.
angiedfw
14 years ago
I have the Samsung WF448 and have had zero problems with it. LOVE it.
baseballmom94
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks to everyone for the good advice. I narrowed my choices down to the Samsung 219 front loader and the Maytag Bravos. I shopped prices at Lowes, Best Buy and Sears. I purchased my Samsung washer and dryer at Sears. They were the only store in my area that had the newer 219 model. Best Buy has the 218 for $60 less but I thought it would be better to get the newer model. Any thoughts on that? The only difference that I was aware of was that the 219 has a diamond tub and the 218 does not.
Rault85
14 years ago
I had the 219 and I looooved it! I never had any problems with it in the 2-3 months that I had it, but we had to upgrade to the 419 with the "ActivFresh" option for my husbands PT's and ACU's ( they get stinky! ) Good luck on your purchase!

Samsung WF218 Front-Loader or Whirlpool Cabrio Top-Loader?

Comments (8)

gates1

baseballmom94
Original Author

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mara_2008

housefairy

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Samsung WF218 Front-Loader or Whirlpool Cabrio Top-Loader?

Comments (8)

gates1

baseballmom94Original Author

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mara_2008

housefairy

gates1

angiedfw

baseballmom94Original Author

Rault85

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baseballmom94
Original Author

baseballmom94
Original Author