The machines are mechanically identical. Difference is in the control panels and cycles/options they offer.

Intuitive Eco is much more versatile. The programmed Lifecycles allow temperature combinations that Eco Smart cannot do, as well as wash/rinse sequences. For example, the Sports/Muddy cycle does a prewash (semi-automatic, it stops and beeps after the prewash for the user to come add more detergent and press Start to continue), EcoActive wash, agitated wash, double-rinse with spin-sprays. No way mud could survive that! The "Traditional Wash" option makes it much easier to get a full-fill hot wash. The Handwash option is *very* gentle, moreso than Delicate on the EcoSmart, I think. Of course, if you don't need the extra features, EcoSmart is a perfectly fine choice.

Thank you, dadoes, My laundry habits are pretty simple, However I do appreciate the ability to do a hot wash once in a while as I garden and things get pretty grimey.

What about the dryers? I am limited to the same dimensions, I think there is a maytag that fits, and have been happy with my basic maytag until the one I have currently quit last week at 7 yrs. How does the F&P front loader dryer compare to a basic maytag?

The top loader dryer looks impressive, but I don't know if it really works much differently or if the cost would be justified. I want dry clothes without wrinkles.

I have both dryer models. A 9-year-old DE04 frontloader, and a 4-year-old DEGX1 toploader.

F&P's frontload dryer is a rebadged GE with styling to match the washer. It's a perfectly fine basic dryer with an electronic moisture sensor but a mechanical timer. Three temps plus air, auto-sensor and timed drying, wrinkle guard runs continuous air tumble for 20 to 30 mins.

The topload dryer is a completely different animal. It has fully electronic controls, three temps (multiple fabric cycles differing both in temperature and moisture sensor algorithms) plus air, auto sensor and timed drying. Tumble direction switches to reverse for 40 seconds every 4.5 mins which helps keep bulky items from balling-up. The lint filter scrapes itself clean continuously throughout the drying cycle, deposits the lint into a collection bucket inside the drum, which does have to be dumped manually but only when it's full, not after every load. The wrinkle guard feature runs a 30 second tumble every 5 mins (reversing each time) for up to 23 hours after the drying cycle ends.

No dryer is guaranteed to produce wrinkle-free clothes. Many factors come into play on that point, including washer spin speed, load size vs. dryer capacity, potential overdrying, use of fabric softener, and even characteristics of the fabric itself.

Note that EcoSmart can do a full-fill hot wash via a programming trick, it's just a little less convenient than the Intuitive Eco which has a specific option.

Thank you so much, Dadoes. You always have such helpful feedback; I do remember your post to Gardengirl about tricking the Eco Smart into a hot water wash. I have another quetion for you: I have seen posts that suggest that larger loads may be wash better than smaller ones. Would either of these machines be a better choice to do smaller loads? Sometimes, you can't wait for the larger load. We are going out to day to check them out, and I hope to make a decision by Monday sometime.

All F&P agitator washers do fine with small loads. They have five water levels. The lowest level is about 1/4 of the tub (almost to the top of the lower agitator fins) which is lower than most other agitator machines that fill about 1/2 the tub even on low.

Here's a short video clip (will be deleted in a few days) of my Intuitive IWL12 at Handwash agitation and lowest water level.

Thank you again, dadoes. I was impressed by the gentleness of the washer in the handwash cycle. We went out this am and looked at the intuitive dryer and washer. I think reading the instruction manual really sold me. I can't believe how user friendly it appears. If we return this evening, we can take advantage of a 10% sale. I do feel a little uncomfortable about splurging as the lower priced models would probably be fine. I did the bending involved for the front front loader dryer, and the top loading dryer, deintely easier on the top loader.

Would you know if Fisher and Paykel offer extended warranty agreements beyond the 2 years?

I don't think F&P offers extended warranties themselves, but you may be able to get one through the retailer.

That's what I thought; I couldn't find anything on the internet. The appliance person at the Sears outlet was also very helpful. He seemed to like the intuitive top loader. He also mentioned that he had just come back from a trainithatng session about F& P, and that one of the F& P reps literally walked across a row of washing machines and dryers to show how strong the plastic top is.