Definitely give Electrolux a look.

Either the IQ-Touch or WaveTouch (the one I have).

You can unlock the door at any point during the cycle (unless temp. is too hot).

Cycles are not ridiculously long but with options you can make them long.

I HIGHLY recommend Electrolux Wave Touch (70) or iQ Touch (60) washers. They are phenomenal machines, with tons of versatility, good build quality and very dependable results.

If you need a dryer, I cannot say enough good things about the 70 Series Elux dryer!!!

georgect and larsi_gw, thank you very much for recommending Electrolux Wave Touch 70 or IQ Touch. They are indeed very good washers. But I have some concerns. The consumer report only rated the wave touch model 70 (number 1 was rated 85), with its gentleness and vibration rated good instead of excellent or very good. The repair rate was rated 20, higher than LG of 12. Some people complained about its poor reliability (leaking, dispenser, mold).

poppy214, thank you very much for your detailed information. The only local service center for Electrolux is 50 miles away. I saw online reviews complaining about its poor service. Besides Electrolux, how about LG WM8000HVA (5.2 cu ft), Kenmore Elite 41072 (5.2 cu ft), or Whirlpool WFW97Hedw (4.5 cu ft), which also have very good reviews?

Really appreciate your help.

I just got a Speed Queen electronic front loader. I had a GE Adora front loader since 2005. I'm loving the SQ so far. My only concern was that it was smaller and I wouldn't be able to wash my king quilt in it. I've washed the king quilt twice now with no issues at all. Today I even have a bath sheet, the quilt and 2 small throw pillows in there. I'm pleasantly surprised at the size of the washer. I looked at the prices of the washers you mentioned above. They range from 1000-1300. The SQ is 1800. I didn't mind spending the extra $500 on a washer that is supposed to last 25 years and has the reputation of SQ.

Jane2000...

LG and Kenmore are the same thing (LG makes front load washer for Kenmore).

The thing with LG that you need to take into consideration is that with the fill process (Larsi had an LG and can tell you), it's very fast and abrupt which can cause serious water hammer (banging of the pipes from quick sudden water pressure). It can cause water pipe damage. I don't know if LG corrected this issue.

I don't recommend Samsung (way too many issues).

ANY front load washer WILL grow mold if too much or too little detergent is used as well as doing COLD or WARM washes all the time.

Depending on your water hardness, you literally need only need between 1 and 3 Tablespoons of detergent. More so for hard water but not much.

Front loaders will benefit from HOT & Sanitize washes often to keep mold at bay.

Also keep door open afterward and keep open the detergent dispenser (at least until the machine has dried out).

I take Consumer Reports with a grain of salt so don't base your purchase solely on what they recommend.

Another SERIOUS contender would be a Speed Queen front loader. VERY well made. Though it doesn't have a on board heater (or steam feature which is kind of useless).

Maybe some one can comment on the models you described.

@Jane I have the Kenmore elite 41072 like the wma8000 large 5.2 lg. Check out reviewed.com for their review. I know George and LarsI have issues with the water hammer arrestor and plumbing problems they encountered. Enough people have reported problems that I believe in specific locations and plumbing setups, there is an issue. HOWEVER, I haven't had the problem. The lgs do have a loud release noise as the water enters the drum. It doesn't bother me. The 41072 is a versatile machine that does just about everything I need. It is true that no machine however expensive will satisfy all things for all people. But YMMV. I went through disappointment with a general electric right height and a smaller (4.3) LG before I got the 41072. I did this by buying the general electric ,struggling with poor customer support and techs who didn't know as much as I did. I sold it to a tech student who gave his mama a wonderful Christmas present after their class project was over. Win win for all. Key to my success was to buy from a source (sears) which has a 30 day no questions exchange on the appliances. Sears sells both the 41072 and the lg. I got a better price on the Kenmore than the lg. My sears was open to negotiation. You don't have to pay list, they will bargain and price match. We have few service options in my area. Service was a prime consideration to me as well as the extended warranty to cover the computer boards. You can negotiate that too. Last tip is to plug any electronic gizmo into a surge protector before you turn it on. That $10 surge protector saved the machine when lightening wiped out our local power lines. I would suggest you decide on your favorite laundry methods as you evaluate the features on a machine. I wanted the on board heater for a true hot wash. I have sick people in my family and must be able to disinfect laundry. The 41072 shows a number of fancy cycles that actually duplicate each other with a tiny variation. Take a look at some of the threads from rpsinfoman for details on what you get. I like this machine maybe it will work for you too. Good luck.

I am coming up on my third set of Whirlpool Duet front loaders in a year. The first set was in a rental, ordered new from Lowes to replace a stacked set that died. The second set was a higher end set put into a house we moved from due to a job transfer. Third set is coming shortly to our new house. I don't know why they don't get more love on here, they're just fine. On the latter two, I love the heater in the washer (true sanitize cycle) and the steam refresh cycle in the dryer. And if you have access to Whirlpool InsidePass (check your employee benefits discount programs), you can get a new pair at the high end of the range for around $1500 - excellent discount base prices and almost always at 10% discount/free shipping code on top of that.

I have to mention Miele as an option. I love mine. The machine will do a queen sized quilt. While some think the euro sized units small I think they are fine. Electrolux also makes a euro version that is smaller like the Miele.

I, too, endorse the Kenmore Elite 41072. I have had this machine for 5 months now and it is the best washer (except for the GM Frigidaires of the 70's). I have used every cycle on it. If something is stained, the steam cycle takes care of it. Everything I put in there comes clean. No need to re-wash. Even blood stains are removed. Yes, rpsinfoman does have some hints I got from him that I love. I don't know where he gets them from, but I'm grateful. I noticed it is on sale here for about $700 less than the list (I'm in Hawaii-everything $$$$$). Here is a link you might like: http://laundry.reviewed.com/content/kenmore-elite-41072-washing-machine-review They gave this machine 100 points. Good luck in your choice.

Electrolux compact are great...

I didn't mention Miele, as I know it can be a touch price tag to swallow...but in all my machines, I have NEVER loved an appliance more than my Miele PW6065 (Little Giant) washer! I can do small loads all day, or I can wash our CA King sheets with 4 pillowcases or a CA King blanket.....Little when it needs to be, GIANT when it needs to be. Zero Compromises! :) Also, the options and owner flexibility and customization is mind boggling!!!

Larsi is right. Miele is the gold standard for FL washers. They are pricey but they will last longer with fewer repairs and do an excellent job of cleaning. You get what you pay for with Miele.

Debbi, appreciate your information about Speed Queen.

Georgect, thank you very much for your detailed explanation, very helpful.

poppy214, thanks for sharing your experience. Does Sears still have the policy of 30 day no questions exchange on the appliances? Does that include fridge? Because I'd like to buy a bigger fridge. If I feel it's too big for my kitchen after delivered, I hope I could return for the counter-depth one. Thanks for the money saving tips. The surge protector is a good idea. California will have El Nino this coming winter.

Chazas, thank you for your information about whirlpool duet.

Enduring, thanks for sharing your experience of Miele. I trust Miele brand. I saw the Miele PW 6065 has a capacity of only 2.1 cu ft, much smaller than the standard 4.3 cu ft. or 5.2 cu ft. Would this load capacity be too small? I am fine with 4.3 cu ft.

Lemonmaui, thank you for recommending Kenmore Elite 41072 and sharing your experience of it.

practigal, thanks for recommending Electrolux. I found the features of Electrolux Wave touch 70 are very good, but I have some concern for its durability, quality, and customer support, after reading some online reviews.

Larsi and tideman, thank you for recommending Miele PW6065. Its drum capacity of 2.1 cu ft is much smaller than the 4.3 cu ft or 5.3 cu ft of other models. Although it's a gold standard, I am afraid I need to wash 2 loads with Miele instead of one with other washers. I am fine with 4.3 cu ft.

Larsi, is the Electrolux wave touch better than the IQ-touch?

Really appreciate all your help.

Jane....I've had both the Electrolux Wave Touch washer and IQ-touch washer. Both amazing machines. If you can get the Wave Touch on sale, go for it. If not, the IQ is nearly identical. They are both 4.3 cu ft.

Btw, I've also had the Kenmore Elite 5.2 cu ft as well as both Electrolux units, and my Miele PW 6065 has not had one single issue handling EVERYTHING the 4.3 and 5.2 units did. I mean EVERYTHING I washed in the big units, the Miele has and is doing! No fear. :)

I think the Miele PW6065 is bigger than 2.1cf. I believe the W3033 is that size. The 6065 is larger. When I was at the Miele store in downtown Chicago at the Merchandise Mart, I was told that they dont "measure the machines in cf" they give us size based on bedding. I could not get him to budge. Anyway I was told by the regional manager who was there at the time that the w3033 would do queen sized bedding, and the pw6065 would do King sized bedding. I do queen sized comforters without problems. I think that they don't want comparisons made with the gigantic sized FL out there when these Mieles can function just fine. I have an old Maytag top loader in the basement, and my 3033 can handle almost the same sized loads in general. I get about 6 pairs of jeans in the top loader and 5 in the w3033 if I recall. I might try 6 jeans in the 3033 next time and see if I can get them to fit.

larsi, How many jeans can you get in the 6065? Using sized 36 mens as a standard.

@Jane Check with your local sears and big box stores about the exchange/return policy. They all had some sort of exchange ranging from 15 days to 30 days when I was shopping. You need to read the fine print very carefully. IIRC there was a catch in the Lowes that limited the exchange to higher priced item only. Also note that they do price match each other during "sales events". I know Sears does the measurements for every appliance in the specifications on the web site. You can't determine whether that fridge will fit from the depth measurement (front to back) and your counter depth? I have a narrow galley kitchen so had to be careful with the open door swing measurement. I'm terrible with imagining "the space" so ended up cutting a piece of cardboard to various sizes so I could "see" how much it stuck out. Other posters are also right about the differences between the "normal" US cu ft and how much will fit in the European machines. Mieles and Askos were far above my budget so I didn't seriously consider them. However, I've used a Miele before and you really can stuff it almost full and have the clothes come out beautifully clean. None of my North American front loaders could be loaded as full with the same results. Yes, you can put a lot in those big drum tubs, but you can load up the European models too. I guess it depends on how you do laundry: all in a day or some loads every day. We're on a well so I can't run the machine endlessly for just one day. Also remember that all the modern front loaders have relatively long wash cycles; most are +/- 1 hour. The sanitary cycle on my 41072 is 2 hours minimum and almost 3 if I do more than 1 extra rinse. HTH

Bring a bunch of your (clean) laundry to the store, and see what you can fit into the machine you're considering. "Fit" doesn't mean forcefully stuffing it in.

These pages list the capacity of washers as measured using the US Department of Energy standard method:

http://www.energystar.gov/productfinder/product/certified-clothes-washers/results

https://www.energystar.gov/productfinder/product/certified-commercial-clothes-washers/results

Unfortunately neither page includes Miele at the moment, which might be just a temporary omission.

The capacity of the Little Giant was discussed here a few weeks ago. The conclusion, based on specs shown on non-US Miele sites, was that it's 2.0something cubic feet. I don't know how what method is used to get those non-US measurements.

@ enduring.....Well, since we have been between 90-100F for over 4 months straight, the 5-6 pairs of jeans I own (size 30 btw, LOL) have not been touched.

But the Little Giant swallows a ton of laundry, and when wet compresses down in the drum, and there is always a lot of turn around. An avg. load is 2 pairs of thick cargo shorts (think Volcom or Billabong...lots of pockets), 10-12 pairs of underwear, 10-12 pairs of socks and at least 10+ shirts.

Always room for more in the washer, but the Miele dryer is not huge and not fast at drying.....so I try and keep wash loads in line with the dryer. Smaller loads in the Miele dryer though, will dry very quickly :)

As I have mentioned several times though....CA King fitted sheet, top sheet and 4 pillowcases fit perfectly into the Little Giant (room to spare). Wash, rinse and spin flawlessly every time. I will say this Little Giant spins EVERYTHING, EVERY TIME. It is a master balancer :)

Buy Meile if you can afford it, and it will suit you size-wise. I, too, have the new electronic Speed Queen and love, love, love it so far. I was afraid my bulky King bedding would overwhelm the Meile, and could not live with the Meile condensing dryer, so I did not consider them.

Thank you so much for all your help. The Electrolux Wave touch 70 has very good features. It also has wool and handwashable cycles which the IQ touch 60 (after sale, $300 cheaper than wave touch) does not have. The only thing I concern is how its durability is. Because I saw the negative reviews for wave touch 70 were mostly about its high repair rate. LG8000 is now on big sale with $400 off plus $150 Pacific Gas & Electricity's rebate. How is LG 8000 compared with Electrolux wave touch 70 on durability, cleaning effects, and gentleness?

Miele is really good, one Miele's price plus delivery fee can get 3 high end washers of other brands. I bought a Miele dishwasher last year which I really love. But I'll visit a Miele dealer this weekend to take a look.

Really appreciate all your help.

Lg8000 is quite a bit larger than the wave touch. Is that important? I think it's 4.4 cu ft (electrolux) vs 5.2 for the lg. The cabinet for the lg is corresponding larger. Do you have doors wide enough or will you have to remove doors or molding? If your electrolux is delivered in good shape, you shouldn't have problems provided you follow standard front load protocol. I think many of the problems reported were defective machines or inability to read the manual and follow instructions. Are you OK with the unusual push electrolux door? With either machine, I would have some towels on hand for the trial rinse and spin before the installers leave. If the machine is going to dance, you will see it with 5 or 6 bath towels on a high spin. Good luck in your choice.