LG consistently ranks #1 for their front load washers and dryers.
Today we’re covering what makes LG so great, while giving you an in-depth overview of the
7 different models in their line-up.
Stick around til the end and we’ll give you our top expert recommendation on which
series we think is best for most people, as well the one reason LG might not be right
for you.
Hi this is John with Designer Appliances New Jersey and New York's premiere appliance showroom.
Finding appliances that fit both your budget and lifestyle shouldn’t be difficult, but
browsing the 100’s of identical looking options while cutting through confusing technical
jargon can be overwhelming.
That’s why as the experts we’re proud to have helped thousands of customers just
like you make a confident selection while helping you to avoid costly mistakes along
the way.
So what makes LG’s front-load washers and dryers so great?
LG is consistently one of the best when it comes to reliability and in addition to being
reliable, their washers and dryers range from large to huge.
Bigger is always better right?
Customers always ask us, can it fit a king comforter?
With LG’s largest model at 5.8 cu ft, not only can it fit a king comforter, you can
also wash the sheets with it at the same time.
While you might not do that frequently, extra capacity also lets you wash more at once.
At my house, my wife and I shove as much as we can into the washer and hope for the best.
Unfortunately sometimes we push it too far and the clothes come out smelling musty or
soapy.
Having the extra capacity would let us get more down without having to sacrifice on cleaning.
A really cool feature that’s unique to LG’s front-load models are their optional Sidekick
Pedestal Washers.
This innovative add-on runs independently of the main washer, allowing you to do more
than one load of laundry at once, saving you valuable time.
The sidekick is perfect for cleaning small loads and is gentle enough to handle even
your most delicate items.
All LG front load washers are compatible with the optional sidekick pedestal.
LG also makes standard pedestals as well if you just want to raise your washer and dryer
for easier loading without the extra washing capacity.
Another standout feature on select models is LG’s TurboWash technology.
This has the power to clean large loads in under 30 minutes.
Unlike some express cycles that are just meant for lightly soiled small loads, TurboWash
can handle a full load in a fraction of the time.To put this into perspective, the normal
cycle on most front load washers is at least 50 minutes.
Have questions yet or need help deciding?
Comment below.
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about our top picks.
Now that you have a better understanding of what makes LG’s front-load washers and dryers
unique, let’s break down the different series available.
Although model numbers can feel overwhelming at first, you can figure out what series an
LG washer or dryer belongs in based on the numbers in the middle.
The letters simply indicate other aspects of the model like washer type, color, and
special features.
LG has their washers and dryers broken into three different labels...
LG, LG Studio, and LG Signature.
As you go up in label, basically just the exterior and finishing touches like controls
get a little more luxurious.
Most people will likely wanna focus on just the standard LG label, but we’ll cover all
three so you understand the differences.
First up, we have LG’s standard lineup, which includes the WM3400, WM3600, WM4000,
WM4200, and WM4500 and their matching dryers
These models range in capacity from 4.5 to 5 cubic feet.
As you go up in series, you’ll get additional wash cycles, features, and programs.
All of these models can be installed either side by side, on standard pedestals, on pedestals
with TwinWash, or stacked with the washer on the bottom, dryer on top.
All of the models in this category come with LG’s TrueBalance anti-vibration system and
LoDecibel quiet operation.
You’ll notice every brand on the market has their own branded “anti-vibration”
technology.
None of them are perfect, but we find the LG does a pretty good job of minimizing vibrations.
The WM3400 is LGs basic entry level model.
This entry level washer and dryer pair typically retails for about $1600.
Keep in mind, prices fluctuate throughout the year and we typically have mail in rebates
that help you save money on certain items.
At 4.5 cu. ft. it’s large enough to fit a king size comforter and has 8 wash cycles
which performs 90% of the washing tasks that most people need.
They are only available in white and you’ll notice the styling is pretty basic.
If you’re just looking for something basic that washes well, or need a reliable set for
a vacation home or an apartment rental, this would be a good choice.
However we find most people typically upgrade to one of these next options.
Next up is the WM3600 which gives you a ton of great features that were lacking on the
previous model.
This pair retails for about $1800 and is available in both white and a gray color LG calls graphite
steel.
For an extra $200 over the previous pair, you get steam functionality in both the washer
and dryer.
In the washer steam is great for removing allergens like dust and dander, and in the
dryer steam helps to soften fabrics and remove wrinkles.
You also pick up WiFi technology which allows you to start, stop and monitor you laundry
remotely using an app.
At my own home we love getting notifications when the wash is done because it let’s us
quickly move the laundry into the dryer.
This helps us get more laundry done in less time.
Stepping up to the WM4000, you’ll pick up LG’s TurboWash and enhanced styling.
This pair retails for around $2000 and is again available in white and graphite steel.
You’ll notice LG added a nice styling touch with the rose gold cycle selector and the
trim around the door.
If you like this styling, it’s only available on this pair, so keep that in mind if you
are tempted to upgrade to the next step up.
The main feature you’ll pick up is LG’s TurboWash360, which we love.
It uses 5 water jets around the tub to quickly clean a full load in just about 30 minutes,
which is the quickest full load wash available on any front load washer that we know of.
Next up is the WM4200, which gives you extra capacity
This pair jumps up in price by $400 to about $2400.
With that you’ll mainly just pick up extra capacity.
The washer increases in size from 4.5 cu.
Ft. to 5 cu.
Ft., which is going to let you get more laundry done at one time.
Most washers in this category and size are huge and take about 29” in width or more
but LG has managed to keep the dimensions tight at a standard 27” width while still
giving you this huge internal capacity.
Just watch out for the depth on these models.
These are 3” deeper than the previous model we have talked about.
If you have a tight closet space that may be something you want to consider.
Also if you are like me, my laundry room has pull down stairs to access our attic.
My attic stairs literally clear my washer and dryer by about 1 mm.
Just something to keep in mind.
Any finally we have the WM4500 which can automatically dispense detergent and fabric softener, which
is one of my favorite convenience features in new washers
At $3,000 for the pair we understand this will be out of budget for a lot of people,
but if you have the money to spend this pair really has everything you could possibly want.
To start with, this is the best looking pair in this lineup, and has a large square door
with chrome accents.
It only comes in LG’s black steel color, which looks great, but if you had your heart
set on white you’re out of luck with this pair.
With the WM4500, you’ll get ezDispense, which is LG’s automatic detergent and fabric
softener dispenser, which holds enough for about 18 loads.
Just fill the reservoir and the machine will take care of correctly using the right amount
of detergent and softener for your load.
In my household we really like this.
We buy the huge economy size bottle of detergent and rather than having to lift the heavy awkward
heavy bottle, we just fill it up once every few weeks and the machine takes care of
the rest.
So that covers LG’s standard lineup of washers and dryers.
Next, up with have the LG Studio label, which only includes one model, the 8100 and it’s
matching dryer
This is a mega capacity washer at 5.2 cu.
Ft., but to be quite honest, with the release of the mega capacity WM4200 and WM4500, we
don’t really understand the point of this model.
The pair goes for about $3,000, but is missing some of the features we really loved about
the WM4500 at the same price point, including the lack of an automatically detergent dispenser.
Also, this model takes up a lot of space at 29” wide.
The one scenario where this unit makes sense is if you already have something from this
series, like an older 8000 series or even a newer 8100 and your washer or dryer broke,
it’s nice that these units are still around since they are a unique size and styling.
This actually happened to a friend of mine and they bought this as a replacement.
And finally, we have the luxurious LG signature models, which includes the WM9000 and WM9500
and matching dryers.
These LG signature models look amazing and will be the centerpiece of any laundry room.
Starting with the door, the controls and door are all integrated giving you a nice seamless
look.
This is made possible since the detergent dispenser is hidden under a sleek sliding
door at the top of the washer.
Keep in mind because of this sliding door, these units are not stackable, since you’ll
need access to this compartment.
You can install these side by side, on pedestals, or on a pedestal with a TwinWash pedestal.
These units are massive at 29” - 30” wide, so definitely make sure you have the space
to fit them.
They are also taller than most, so if you are installing them under cabinets, especially
if you go with pedestals, check the total height and make sure they will fit.
First up is the WM9000 and matching dryer
This 5.2 cubic foot washer and matching dryer retail at about $3600 for the pair and are
only available in LG’s graphite steel.
These machines come packed with all of the great features we’ve already talked about
in the core LG lineup, including steam, WiFi, and a ton of convenient cycles.
So really you’re just paying for the unique styling.
The only thing missing is the automatic detergent dispenser which for me would be a deal breaker
considering the extra expense over the WM4500 we already discussed.
However, if you love the styling, and the dispenser isn’t a big deal for you, this
is a great pair to consider.
Next up is the WM9500
Believe it or not, these units get even bigger at 5.8 cu. ft. and are only available in LG’s
black steel.
5.8 cu. ft. is huge and the biggest available capacity on the market, by a lot.
They are 30” wide so again make sure you have the space.
At $4000 for the pair, this is one of the most expensive washer dryer pairs you can
buy.
In addition to the extra capacity, LG moves to all touch controls for an even sleeker
looks on this models over the WM9000.
Are you on Instagram?
Follow us @designerappliances to see real-life laundry room renovations and get ideas to
make the most of your living spaces!
Now that you have a better understanding of LG laundry, let’s talk about which model
we recommend for most people.
LG has so many models it’s hard to choose just one.
Me personally, i’d go with the WM4500 since I love the 5 cu.
Ft. capacity and I really like the automatic detergent dispenser.
I’d get the pair and install them on pedestals, with one of the TwinWash pedestals.
This is basically my dream laundry setup.
However, for most people, I think the WM4000 is the sweet spot in terms of features and
price.
At 4.5 cu.
Ft. it meets that threshold of being large capacity and able to wash a king size comforter,
and I think TurboWash is worth the upgra de over the basic models to be able to wash
a full load of laundry in just 30 minutes.
When we recommend a product, we want you to have the full picture before making your decision.
So what’s the one reason why an LG front-load washer and dryer might not be a good fit for
your home?
To be completely honest, it's hard to pin-point anything wrong with LG in general… besides
their lineup being so hard to figure out, but hopefully we helped you with that.
As you go up in series, you can find a washer and dryer with just about any feature and
capacity you could want.
I do wish that the LG signature series carried over all the feature benefits of the WM4500…
because now they force you to sacrifice features for design… which might lead some people
to have a hard time making a decision.
If there was one area I wish they could improve it would be service.
While their units tend to be tops in terms of reliability, if you do need service it
can be hard to get an appointment quickly and their communication and coordinating is
extremely lacking.
But really, that can be a criticism for just about every brand and it’s not specific
to LG.
If anything hopefully the better than average reliability keeps you from ever needing service
in the first place.
So now that you have a better idea if LG is right for your home, before making your purchase,
we recommend watching our video on how to measure and select the right model for your
space, because over the years, we’ve seen it all - from appliances not fitting through
the front door to customers ordering an electric dryer when they actually need gas.
If you’re in New Jersey or New York and ready to make a purchase, our team of experts
would be happy to help.
Visit us online, give us a call, or stop by one of our showrooms to get started.
Which LG feature impressed you most?
Let us know in the comments below!
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