Budget? 1st floor or 2nd floor or basement? How many loads per week? is the dryer exhaust above or below? What brand did you have before?

A pedestal is not necessary unless you really want one. And if your DH is handy, he can build one much cheaper that it will cost to buy one.

Take a ruler with you whereever you go. You'll normally need perhaps an inch behind the unit, though with some forethought they can go almost up against the back wall. The dryer is the issue here.

Many of the company web sites have installation guides which will give you the required depths.You can check these out if you have time.

The big box guys (HD, Lowes, BB, etc) are probably not going to be any help when it comes to advice. I had BB install mine, but it was simple and no big deal. So when it comes to installation, I can't give advice (other than get it level the first time).

Also, if this is a closet, measure the size of the door, especially the door swing (of the w/d). Something like the Bosch has a larger door and it needs room to swing open.

There is also information about extended warrantees around here. It's kinda like insurance in that you may never need it. The thing to remember is that these new electronicly controlled machines are pricey to repair, so you would need to balance the costs of the repairs covered versus the price of the service plan. I got one from BB ($99 at the time) and haven't had to use it. Others have been grateful to have it. YMMV.

Thanks for the advice. In answer to your questions - we have a 40+ year old Maytag set that was in our house when we bought it. We have no brand loyalty and as I have never bought an appliance (other than my induction cooktop) - I don't have alot of opinions on the subject.

Me and DH are the least handy people on the planet. We have a ranch house on a slab foundation so I gather that we should be okay with the vibration issue. That said, has we have a totally open floor plan and laundry nook is in the hallway - a quiet units for w & d would be a big plus. I know the total cost will be expensive with both units, installation, pedestals (for our backs), electric work????, shelf and door creation (have to pay someone??? if we can't do it ourselves) so I am not looking for the top of the line unit (Miele price is just over the top and I don't think I am enough of a laundry fanantic to justify it). On the other hand we have size constraints and quiet is important - and that is more important than getting an inexpensive model.....

I just went through this decision constrained by depth. However I also didn't want the W/D too narrow for my space - it's out in the open so I wanted the new W/D to fill up the space like the old toploaders did. The only option I found that would work was Frigidaire Affinity. I've been reading up on them for awhile and not entirely confident in longer term reliability but I think otherwise they will be nice. This is at my weekend lake place and DH took delivery last weekend - I haven't seen them in place. He said they did fit though - didn't protrude - he did a couple loads and thought they worked well. We have a few years old Sears version of Duet at home that we've been very pleased with - wanted the same thing at the lake but they were too deep. DH thought the Affinity seemed pretty comparable - slightly smaller capacity but not a big issue for us since we rarely "fill up" the bigger ones.

As a side note, I have a Miele dishwasher which I've found to be underwhelming (won't go off on that tangent here). I was a big fan of Miele until I bought my first Miele product - based on that experience I wouldn't buy another. In my experience there isn't enough added value to warrant the higher pricetag.

One more comment on the pedestals - I do not have them for either set of frontloaders. I prefer to have the tops at the lower height to use for folding, etc. Neither of my laundry rooms have any counter space - just the top of the W/D.

I discovered these forums when I was researching the first new W/d I bought for home. I'd had a Maytag for 21 years and wanted to find out what the best modern day W/D was. I've been reading here since - for several years. I've found there seem to be complaints about every appliance brand. I finally just gave up and picked one. So far I've been satisfied (except for the dishwasher - in which case I thought I was buying the best brand money could buy).

Too much reading can cause confusion. I did the same thing when I was searching. I think I was hoping to find the perfect washer and dryer without much thought. I had just made so many choices for my house being built I was hoping this one would be easier. No such luck. All I can say is take all the info you read and go with what you think is best for you. I am not a person that needs all the bells and whistles just something that washes and dries my clothes. Now if they came out folded I might opt for that.
I ended up purchasing an LG Tromm washer and dryer set. Others have complained about this brand. I have owned the set for 1 year and no issues. I will say that I love front loaders! I keep my washer door open after washing to let the air dry the inside. I read too many issues about mold. By doing this I have not had a problem. That is my 2 cents whatever it is worth.
My washer and dryer are 27 inches wide and the depth is the same.
Unfortunately, the days are gone of the long lived Maytag. Washers and dryers these days seldom live have the life the Maytag did.
Wishing you the best which ever set you decide to purchase.

You really need to look at the cost spread over the life of the machine, not just the initial outlay.

Miele & Asko in my own opinion are brands worth forking out money for.

eg. Machine designed to last 20years. Cost $2000. Roughly $200 per year.

The cheaper brands, $800 machine, replaced every 4 years.... too expensive.

Of course,,,, this all depends on HOW the machine is used - we can't guarantee everyone uses the machines appropriately.

My own personal opinion is that if you don't have ventilation to the room - Miele will be your only bet. The condenser dryer works better than any other I've had a look at (yet).

If you have ventilation( can exhaust the dryer) , try to find a vented dryer... I much prefer not using a condenser system to dry.

Another point to make - Always check with the manufacturer if their warranty will apply when you install their machine on top of a plinth/stand.

Miele Australia does not cover any damage to a machine that falls off of a plinth/stand.

LukeN

Thanks for the feedback everyone!
Re Dragonfly's comment about mold: Now I am concerned about this mold issue. You say that you keep the door to the washer open after doing a wash. We will not be able to do this without potentially tripping the next person walking down the hallway - unless the door opens all the way flat against the opposite side. Will I be able to find a washer whose door opens all the way back? If not, will I have a moldy washer???? How long do you keep the door open for?

Re Luke comments: Thank you for bringing up the dryer venting issue. I think our dryer vents to the roof - but I'm not sure. I will have to check....

In response to gibby3000 - You and I share a number of the same concerns. While I am constrained in the depth of the w/d - my preference would be to take up as much of the horizontal space as possible- so I will definitely check out Frigidaire Affinity. And on your comment on the pedestals - I also have no where to fold laundry but I have seen people put a shelf across the top of the top loaders or else set them in like undercabinet built-ins. I think I am unclear about how high a pedestal will make the w/d - I assume that it only raises the machines so that the top of the machine is waist high?? Is that not true...? I agree with your comment about this site having complaints about every single brand - if you read all the complaints - you are driven into a complete indecision loop where you can't do anything! That happened to me back when I was first looking to replace the old beasts - and I ended up doing nothing until now!! But now I don't have a working washer so I need to get going....:)

wmwb - my Sears version of Duet is waist high without pedestals. The Affinity may be a little lower but not much. To me they seem about the same height as toploaders - if not a little higher.

Any front loader interior will need to be dry when the door is closed. The air tight door when closed creates this problem when then interior remains moist. I do not think it would take more than an hour to dry the interior with the door open. My washer door appears to have the ability to swing so it is in line with the width of the washer. I can not tell you exactly how far as I have a wall blocking the swing. You could hand dry the interior after use if leaving the door open is an issue. Remember to pay special attention to the rubber door gaskets that trap the water. My washer and dryer are in a separate room. I leave the door open after washing until I remember to close it. My washer manual recommends an unloaded wash with just bleach to clean the washer once a month. I am not as faithful as to once a month, but feel this will help control any mildew/mold issues as well.
Everyone's needs are not the same. I am sure you will find a washer suitable for your needs too.

What is the Sears version of the Duet?

washerweary - when I got mine I think it was called HE2 or HE3 - I think that's something different now though. I'm not sure what Sears model of a Duet is called now - maybe HE4 or HE5? I'm assuming they still have one.

Went to appliance store today for prelimary trip (without DH) - only was there for 20 minutes before closing time. Salesman said that the only front loader combination available which would meet my need for less than 28" installed - but big enough to wash a queen size quilted comforter (not a hard requirement but certainly a preference) is the Affinity model (that gibby has recommended. ) Sales brochure says the Affinity's capacity is 3.5 CU and that the depths of both w/d are 27".
Is that cutting it too close with installation?????
He said that the other models which are less deep have capacities less than 3.0 CU's which would preclude washing such a big item.
Do you guys agree with this statement????

Dragonfly says that he/she purchasesd an LG Tromm washer and dryer set and the w/d are 27 inches wide and deep. If this is true then it should also fit same as the Affinity.
However, when I go on the LG there is no mention of anything called the "Tromm". All the machines have numbers on that website. What is the "Tromm" and does it translate to a number????

If I actually have TWO options (rather than just the Affinity) I wonder if you have any thoughts between them, i.e. quieter or more reliable???

I would love to buy something in the next few days but I think I might wait for your answers so as not to make a decision I will regret!!! Thank you Thank you for your help!!

My LG model is WM2077CW. My king size comforter fit in this machine.
Specs below.

5 Temperature Levels Extra Hot, Hot/Cold, Warm/Warm. Warm/Cold, Cold/Cold
6 Wash Options Pre-wash, Stain Cycle, Quick Cycle, Extra Rinse, Rinse + Spin, Delay Wash (12 hours)
7 Washing Programs Cotton/Towels, Normal, Permanent Press, Delicates, Wool/Silk, Hand Wash, Speed Wash
SenseClean System
Spin Speeds 1000 RPM, 900 RPM, 800 RPM, 600 RPM, 400 RPM, No Spin
Safety Child Lock and safety latch
Capacity 3.72 cu.ft. (IEC)
Depth with Door Open 50 13/16"
Dimension WxHxD 27" x 39" x 29 3/4
Warranty 1 Year Parts & Labor / 2 Years on Control Board, 7 Years on Motor and Lifetime on the Drum

Dragonfly, thank you for your reply but now I am confused. Your recent post states the dimensions of the machine is
"WxHxD 27" x 39" x 29 3/4 " but your original post said that the washer and dryer are 27 inches wide and the depth is the same. I have a "hard" requirement of less than 28" so this distinction is important. Actually part of the problem I am having is the the dimensions provided by the manufacter doesn't seem to always match the actual dimensions you take with a tape measure. This is driving me a bit crazy because this is my biggest concern. Can you clarify?

One other new thought I had going through this blog is that maybe I could/should look at the Fisher Paykel Top Loader - I understood from this blog that it gives a lot of size for the space - but I don't know about the depth at this point. I do know that the retailer does carry it.... Any thoughts on this item?

I have an appt with the appliance salesman in a few hours - I may try to refrain from purchasing today but I may get weak in the knees (not from high pressure salesman but from desire for w/d or more to the point - hatred of Laundermats and piling up of dirty items :)))

The actual washer dimensions are as stated 27 x 27. I have my washer/dryer against a back wall in my laundry room. There is approx. a 5+ inch space between the wall and washer. They sit 33 inches from that wall. I can not physically push the washer back as far as it can go because it is way too heavy for me. That is the best I can tell you. You might want to take your tape measure with you to the store to measure the model you want if space is limited. I would be more concerned with the dryer as the vent might take additional space unless you choose a ventless model.
Possibly the Fisher Paykel Top Loader dimensions will fit better in your space.

You can't use only the dimensions of the dryer to decide if it fits a space. The Affinity was my first choice from reading online but after in store measuring I found it has the exhaust flush with the back of the machine while the LG has the exhauset recessed so the LG may be able to fit in the same space as the Affinity. I've been going through the same thing trying to see what might fit a laundry closet.

This is such a supportive community - I can't thank everyone enough.

I will look at the LG and the F&P and bring my tape measure. Frankly, my negotiating position with the Appliance store is that whatever they sell me, they need to guarantee me an installation under 28 inches or I get MY CHOICE of a full refund or exchange. Don't know if this will work - but that will be my negotiation position. I am using a quite large but local store - not a chain store.....

I now do understand that it is the dryer that is the issue. I recall the salesman said there was a different way to install the Affinity that takes up less room than the standard installation kit (standard one looks like a "Slinky"). The problem is he says they don't have the other kit on hand and they have to order it from the supplier (rather than go to a local hardware store to get it) and that could take a few weeks. Does this sound real to you??? Do you understand this other installation which takes up less room?

BTW, just measured the height of my existing washer/dryer and lo and behold gibby was totally right - the height of the affinity withOUT the pedestal is approx. the same height as the top loader - so I don't want a pedestal (yea - I will save some money).

some dryers can be vented out the sides

We got front loaders and we felt they were too low for our backs and raised them a bit. You and a carpenter can always raise them later.

fitting the dryer and vent - bring a crude sketch with measurements and ask the salesman to compare them with the installation manual.

power - check your breaker panel and write the size of the breaker serving the dryer and the one serving the washer. Write it on your crude sketch. The power supply is probably enough, but now you can be certain and don't have to worry.

No worries. Whatever you get will be better than the well-used machines you have now!

wmwb - I did find some nice detailed installation diagrams for the Affinity online. It did show dryer venting on sides and back. The clincher for me is it showed a diagram for installation in an enclosed closet - with a door. It showed the required dimensions of the closet and it was within the limits of my open space without a door so I felt pretty confident about the fit. I found the people at the appliance dealers to be extremely ignorant. I felt like I couldn't trust them to know what they were talking about. The guaranteed to fit is a great idea - if you can get that.

I still haven't seen mine or used them - will get to do that this weekend. DH has used them the last two weekends - he's happy. Says they're very much like the Sear/Duet models we have at home - which is what I was shooting for.

We bought the Frigidaire. Size constrictions here too. It has only been a couple of months but so far I am very pleased. We have them stacked in Master Bath and they are not noisy. Clothes are clean and dry without lots of vibration so I am happy.

Get an EQUATOR EZ3720CEE, they come in white or platinum. It is an all in one machine and come either ventless or with a vent. It is the best machine for the money! Go to www.equatorappliances.com and take a look, can't hurt - right? You just might find you like it. It really is nice, just put laundry in one machine and it does it all - washes & dries. Check it out!

Well, the saga continues. To make a very long story short the Affinity washer and dryer was too deep for my space. I did get a guarantee that I could return it without penalty if it did not fit. The "expert installation service" we were told about really was an in-house delivery service - nothing more. The guys put the washer in the spot and said "look see - it just fits - isn't that great". We were focused on the dryer which looked pretty hopeless so we didn't even take delivery on it. After the guys left DH took a yardstick and put it from the "pony wall" across the front of the washer where the bubble door was and only then could you tell that the bubble door actually stuck out beyond the wall. It was an optical illusion that it fit because the part of the washer adjacent to the wall fit but the middle part of the washer stuck out beyond that.

Anyway, they came and picked it up on Saturday and promised us a full refund. Not sure that the paperwork has been processed - yet but I am hopeful.

As you know we are looking for the largest capacity we can get with the smallest depth. Now we have been recommended the following:- and I would love feedback:
Washer: Bosch Axxis WAS24460UC 3.4 CU capacity only .1 smaller than the Affinity.
Dryer: Axxis WTV76100US - 3.9 CU - This dryer is quite a bit smaller than the Affinity - I am concerned that this dryer can work as well on drying the same capacity coming out of a 3.4 CU washer??

I wash alot of blankets and quilts (queen size) and it is important to me to be able to wash and dry these.

I am going to see these models in the store and will bring my puffiest queen size quilt to see how it fits. Would love any feedback....

Back to square one - but I'm hoping this one will do the trick....

wmwb - I'm sorry to hear the Affinity didn't work for you. I finally got to see mine this past weekend - and try it out - and it is a nice deal. Mine worked for me in terms of the fit but I know what you mean about the doors being kind of convex compared to the rest of it.