The vast majority of people don't need pedestals. Think about it, most dryers have been front load since forever, nobody seemed to complain about bending then. You can't use pedestals on a stacked pair, and there are plenty of those out there.

I would guess the ridiculously overpriced pedestals and matching dryers are where the manufacturers make the most money off these sets, not as much the washers themselves. Provided stacking is not necessary, my standard "bang for the buck" laundry recommendation is a heater equipped front loader of your choice, matched with a 29" Whirlpool dryer with top lint filter and no pedestals. Or I might DIY a pedestal out of wood.

I have Samsung front loaders with no pedestals at all. I didn't want them. I never have had any problems. There's nothing that says you have to have them.

Thank you!
@hvtech42: is there a particular 29" dryer you like?
We are getting rid of a crappy Cabrio washer. So bad! It has a matching "steam" dryer that seems ok...but was just going to do the pair thing. But don't have to.
KD

Unless you have issues with low back, neck, knees, hip, etc. that would be affected by bending over to pull heavy wet laundry out of the washer, you don't need the pede$tal$. No pedestals gives you a perfect height surface for folding laundry, too.

@cavimum: haha who doesn't have those problems!! ;-)

I have knee problems, but I've never had a problem with getting the laundry out of the washer with no pedestal. I find getting items from the bottom of kitchen cabinets to be more annoying. In any event, I personal prefer to choose in favor of exercise and stretching rather than coddling my joints and muscles.

Oh, if you already have a dryer, I would hold onto that. I think the Cabrio dryer is the 27" design... those are OK too. I wouldn't bother with the pair thing unless you absolutely HAVE to have the matching look... these ridiculous fancy dryers are a complete ripoff. They charge up to $1500 for these things that just have more bells and whistles to fail and don't really improve functionality over a 40+ year old dryer. Until heat pump dryers become popular here, dryers will be an almost completely unchanged technology.

Whirlpool's 29" dryers are mechanically identical and equally good, they differ in features only. You can identify them by the lint filter at the top rear of the machine.

We just purchased Maytag W/D and I opted to not purchase the pedestals. I am having custom shelving units built above them instead, as I really do need the extra storage. I have had absolutely no problem with using them without the pedestals.

You can always buy the pedestals later if you decide you want them.

I know I'm late to the party, but maybe this will help someone else. I just purchased pedestals for my 4-year-old front load Samsung washer & dryer. The renewed desire for them started after recently using my son & family's W & D on pedestals and realizing what a pleasure it was to do laundry that way.

- It might be worth noting:

• I'm 4'10" "tall." Why, I thought 4 years ago, would I ever need to use pedestals at my height? However, I have had 4 years of dropping to my knees on our tile floor every time I have to take clothes out of the washer and put them in the dryer...and of course there's constant bending to put clothes in the washer and take them out of the dryer- even at this size. This is becoming increasingly more difficult as I get closer to age 60, with iffy knees and a bad lower back.

• ALAS! I found a matching set of Samsung pedestals at my local PC *ichard clearance center (first time looking for them) for TWENTY DOLLARS each- and they're beautiful! How could anyone pass that up??! Even if the W & D were only to last another 3 years, it would still be worth what I paid for the pedestals. The sides have some denting & scratching of course, but the fronts are perfect. The damage won't be visible.

I think pedestals (homemade, store bought, whatever) are almost a must for the sake of comfort when doing laundry.

Late for the OP's question but on this topic...my SIL got pedestals and recently added a counter top to her relatively small LR. When I saw it I thought that it was a complete waste for her as they are so high that the counter top is useless as a folding table, family get together staging area, groceries from the car...you get it. I would never tell her but it sure bugs.

I agree the pedestals are nice but you don't need them! Back when I got my Duet washer in 2005, I got the pedestals, and get this, whenever my Duet dies and I get another one, the current pedestals I have WON'T work! Am I surprised? NO! But it's so stupid! I will NOT be getting pedestals the next fl washer I get. I totally agree about people complaining about bending over to load/unload washers, when they have always done this with the dryer! And unless you MUST have a matching set, I agree with the person that said get a FL washer with a heater and a 29" WP regular dryer

Pedestals are wasted space, in my opinion. Not deep enough to store detergent bottles and they alter the center of gravity in the machine which can exaggerate vibration issues during spinning. Never again for me either.

MRB

I think a front loader will give out long before my back does. I am 84 and still able to load/unload my front loader, thank God. When it does give out, we are switching to a Speed Queen top loader.

Nerdy, you are an inspiration! Keep it up.

I have FLs with pedestals. I am tall and have neck problems so it seemed the better way to go. I would like having the top for folding and such -- or to stack them and have more space beside them but never having had a FL before, I figured the pedestals were better for us. I like them and the machines (LG) are very quiet and run very smoothly (I do wonder if after a number of years we should check the levels on them again). No issues with that or the pedestals making things worse.

Putting detergent and such underneath would negate the benefit of the pedestals for me. We vacuum cleaner bags, rags and such under them. I've heard of people putting light bulbs and other things in them too.

I'd never go back to a top loader -- they are even harder on the bending and lifting. And the FL cleans better and is more efficient.