I recommend the LG WM3570HVA front load washer with matching gas or electric dryer. On sale at Home Depot for under $900 for the washer. Gas dryer is under $1000 (Model # DLGX3571V), and electric dryer in under $900 (Model # DLEX3570V).

Personally I'm not a fan of top load HE washers, watch them on youtube and see how little the clothes move (turnover).

Now in a front loader there's tons of turn over. For an HE machine the best wash you can get (over top HE loaders).

I've just purchased an Electrolux 70 series set last month and really REALLY like them.

There are others here that have gotten an Electrolux and love theirs.

The cycle times on Electrolux are some of the shortest in the industry. You can also (with added options) make it run for like over 2 hours.

You can open an Electrolux at ANY time during the cycle only to be locked out when water temp. is too high but you can cancel the cycle at any time.

I find the Electrolux to be the most versatile washer/dryer at a reasonable price.

Ive been looking at the 60 series.... a couple of things make me hesitate as far as Electrolux is concerned.... the spring door and detergent dispenser, the built-in deodorizer, the fact that reviews state how loud the spin is and Larsi mentioning how little water is used for rinsing. I've had only one other Electrolux appliance, a stick vacuum, that I had to return because it was a very expensive piece of junk.

I've read many complaints about the door and detergent dispenser being "cheapy".....thoughts?

Also, does the smell of the gasket diminish? Is the smell strong enough that it makes the clothes smell as well?

If you want the sanitize cycle, you will need an on-board heater. That pretty much rules out anything but a front loader. You didn't mention size requirements. Can you consider one of the European models like Miele or asko? If those are not in your budget, how about the Electrolux 24 in compact? You have probably noticed that there are problems with all brands over something. None is immune. I have an LG I'm happy with but I returned a whirlpool, a ge, and a Kenmore before I found this one. I would decide what the must haves are and then give yourself some flexibility to exchange. It's not as if you can test out the machine on the showroom floor.

Good luck

Pinky, aren't you already the director of Mama's Detergent Testing Center and Washing Lab?

Lol, word sure does spread around here.

andi.....I have the 60 and had 70 Series Electrolux washers and NEVER one issue with doors or detergent trays!!! The scented rubber boot in the washer is anti-microbial, and the scent goes away with each use! It is only slightly strong for about a week. I, like Georgect, miss the scent. I love the way my somewhat small laundry room smelled. It is light and clean, to me!!

Loud spin speed? OMG....it is so balanced and quiet, considering it is going 1400rpm!! These units are even advertised great for 2nd floor laundry rooms!

Yes, the amount of water used for rinsing is very, very low...but my laundry does rinsed and everything does smell clean, fresh, and great. The 70 Series dryer is a must, as the 60 Series does not reverse tumble. You do need to activate Perfect Tumble on the 70 dryer, but then it will remember it. I also use shrink guard, which raises the temp. slowly and I use wrinkle prevent. Shrink guard on the washer adds 10 mins of reverse tumble after the final spin, to leave laundry fluffy and untangled (small items sometimes though, do stay plastered to the drum, but not very much!)

I've had a front loader for about 5 years now and I'm seriously thinking about going back to a top loader. That new Samsung with the built-in sink looks very interesting since I don't have the room for a separate laundry sink, but I think I'll wait until it's been on the market longer so there are more reviews. I've had a really tough time getting my laundry clean with my LG compared to my old Maytag top loader. The LG uses so little water it seems like my laundry doesn't have a chance to get clean, I even have a pair of golf shorts that now have permanent "cat whisker" wrinkles because they don't get wet enough for the wrinkles to come out. The wash cycles are super long too and it makes me so mad when the machine says 20 minutes left and I come back in 20 minutes and it still has another 14 minutes to run, which means maybe in another 20 the cycle will be done. So make sure to check cycle lengths in whatever machine you're considering, then I would look at reviews to confirm that the times are close to being correct. Someone mentioned they wished there were a testing center, what a great idea, Miele has a couple in different parts of the country (US), and I took a load of laundry in to test their machines out. I could have lived with their washer, but their dryer is a unvented condensation type, and I absolutely hated it! It took forever to get my clothes anywhere close to being dry and after 3 ½ hours I took my damp clothes home! I don't know about you, but I don't have 3+ hours to spend on every load of wash! There are golf courses out there calling my name!

Lc29 have you checked to see if your machine moved out of level recently? All that extra time is usually the machine trying to rebalance.

I watched sooooo many videos on youtube of HE top-loaders and yeah... I'm not going to be satisfied with one. I'll stick with a front loader. I absolutely adored my Kenmore Elite 41072 but that's a long story. Id get another one but it wouldn't fit in my current space.

Larsi, that is good to hear. I read on reviewed.com that the 60 sounded like a jet taking off when it started to spin.

lc29, I had looked at the activewash as well, it looks really interesting, but after my last samsung front-load washer/dryer set, I wont be spending money on that brand again.

About the Elux 60 series sounding like a jet taking off...it doesn't.

I have the 70 series (practically identical to the 60 except for UI) and it has no "jet engine" sound at all.

I notice no whine at all from the motor. Even when it's slowing down (breaking).

The most you'll hear is the water filling or when the pump is draining.

Mine is in the basement and you can't hear it running up one flight of stairs.

Front Load would be best BUT they do have top load HE machines with Sanitize cycles and Heaters--also have steam cycles on them too.

If you liked the Kenmore 41072 ( I do too) why not look at a smaller LG?

Check the sanitize cycle temperature if you're considering an HE TL with heater. I recall at least one has a "Sanitize with Oxi" cycle that doesn't get up to the usual 150F+ and needs Oxi for sanitizing. So it won't function as a "super hot" cycle if that's what you want.