I would never consider Samsung. They have had a recall after class action lawsuit and they are notorious for poor customer service. I have no personal experience with either machine.

Stay away from Samsung (way too many quality control issues).

Whirlpool and Electrolux are pretty decent with reliability and Electrolux got GREAT cleaning results on reviewed.com.

2016 is the same as 2017 models (unlike Samsung that changes their models every time the wind blows).

You do get a true Sanitize cycle on the two upper end Electrolux's (heats over 150 Fahrenheit),

Miele would be your most trouble free brand but smaller drum and much more $$$.

I could be wrong but I don't think there are any newer Whirlpools with a thermal sanitize even though there's a sanitize cycle.

The other day I watched an Elux 617 normal wash cycle and was very unimpressed. It seemed to take forever to wet the laundry and get the load started. And everywhere I look they talk about how it's rough on laundry. I'd pick a Whirlpool instead.

I would be looking at Electrolux given the choices you presented. Whirlpool while being a good brand, but discontinuance of thermal sanitation is a deal killer.

What I've heard is that all the "normal" cycles on machines are the most energy efficient and use the least water and heat. This is so they can meet the standards for energy efficiency. Correct me if I'm wrong. That said, people use the other cycles to meet their cleaning needs.

Enduring, you are correct about the normal cycles. I do believe it has now trickled down into the Heavy Duty cycles...adjusting down the hot water target temps. I would recommend the Whirlpool brand over any of the others, personally.

@Littlegreeny...I see what you mean with it not getting down down to business and fill fully more faster. It looks like it takes 5 minutes or so of tumbling with minimal water, then the recirculation pump kicks in and then it fills with more water. Totally saturating the load.

Mine doesn't do this (last generation WaveTouch). Mine fills while the recirculation pump turns on and off sporadically through the fill process, thoroughly wetting the clothes with in the first 5 minutes (usually...adding a dash more water here and there).

I too am not impressed with this generation Electrolux's but they are doing well with cleaning and not so many problems. Yes cycle times are LONGER.

I hope the next generation after this will add back a true Pre-Wash and more water temp. options (they did away with Eco-Hot which is more like warm and warm is more like cool). Another thing on this current gen. is the drain pump doesn't stay on longer at the beginning of the draining process, it keeps turning on and off. On the older gen. it stays on for 3 minutes then turns off, turning on again when the sump fills with water like when spinning.

Here's the cycle in full...

Thanks everybody. This helps, but still adds to the confusion in some way.

It seems like Samsung is garbage, Electrolux is not for everybody and Whirlpool discontinued an important feature.

Which brands should I be looking at instead in this price range?

Thanks again!

I am interested in this topic as well. The Mieles are out of my price range. And the Whirlpool not having thermal sanitize is a deal killer as mentioned above. What about Bosch? Are they good?

LG or Electrolux.

pcpr_gw......very well put and valid points. I have had my 617 set for exactly one year now and do not regret my choice of appliances. It is easy to want to recommend them but everyone has their own expectation of how a washer should act so I hesitate to flat out say..."get them, you'll love them."

I have said before that my items are cleaner with no pillage or shrinkage. One thing I have noticed with items that I have laundered then stored away. They smell fresh after being stored for several months. I used to get a sour smell with that type of wash after a period of storage. Is it the 617 or what? I do not know but it is just one more star on the page for Electrolux for me.

I do not use fabric softeners or dryer sheets and only use Cheer powder or Persil Pearls plus always an extra rinse. My wash cycles average 52 min. (never use normal) and I do not find that to be excessive.

In my city, Electrolux appliance service technicians are readily available, but none are available for Miele. That ruled out the Rolls Royce of appliances for me but I am happy with what I now have so I did not look back.

Good luck with your decision making....

I had a Bosch 2460, the 240 volt version, for well over a decade with just one small repair (motor brushes). I am sure the new ones have a larger capacity, but still provide good water heating and temperatures maxing out at 160-170 probably. I loved my Bosch almost as much as I love my current Miele.

Damn pcpr_gw! I couldn't have said it better myself about the Electrolux 617 pair. The only thing I'll add about the "long" wash times is, my laundry isn't drying any faster, so I don't see the issue. By the time the dryer is done and I fold that load, the washer is in it's final spin.

The Elux617 delay in wetting down the load is due to the detergent mixing in the chamber below the tub. Once the pre-mixing phase has completed, saturation of the load begins.

I have had my Elux set for right at one year. My only complaint? The basket tumbles in a single direction too long before reversing. This forces clothes (sheets and blankets) to ball and knot together. Just an annoyance, but once in a ball, they either just roll or lift and bounce on the suspension.

MRB

That is part of lure of the 617 with smart stain removal. Pre mixing the detergent then applying a concentrated spray is a very effective stain removal tool. Unfortunately, it's always active. I don't think there is a way to disable or over ride the feature. If your looking for a more conventional type of front loader, this isn't the machine for you. The marketing strategy is smart stain removal, minimal user intravention, and simply load, wash and go. With its stunning aesthetics targeted directly at the younger generation, not the laundry affection ado. User selected options are kept at minimum.

Additionally, I do like that selecting the stain treat option for blood does a profile wash. Works great!

MRB

rpsinfoman...I am confused...SmartBoost and Stain Removal are two separate features. SmartBoost is always on but the Stain Removal is optional. There should be no need to override,

Aesethics targeted directly at younger generation..I guess that design idea flopped as I am pushing 80. . I do agree that a real laundry aficionado would have a frustrating experience at first.

@pcweary- those stunning aesthics are appealing to any generation, but no doubt we are not the target market. The LG signature series has stunning looks also with a price tag to go along with it. But again we are not the market base they are going after. It's really about business, sales, market share. Old world laundry is the last thing these companies are thinking about. Retailers and products that are not reinvented and aimed at younger markets soon won't be around. That methodology is proving itself everyday with mainstay retailers closing up. Malls are becomng extinct, and buying habits have changed in the new world.

rpsinfoman.....What you say is so true and also a little sad. Just read an article on email, as we know it, being passe. It is hard to keep up with all the changes and we have to be a part of the changes whether we like it or not...we are left with very little choice. I was not arguing your former statement but laughed when I read it. I guess I am more forward thinking at my age than I realize.