GoKawiilHome appliances are becoming more energy-efficient every year, including laundry units. But there are significant differences among models and types, making some a better long-term buy than others. When we tested washing machines, energy efficiency was factored in alongside performance, features, and user-friendliness. After reviewing more than 15,000 data points, an obvious gap emerged between front- and top-load models.
While top-load washers are cheaper upfront, front-loaders were, on average, the clear winners in terms of energy efficiency. So then, which is the better overall value? The answer isn't quite so simple when you factor in regional energy costs, energy volatility and the range of washing machines from various brands at markedly different price points.
To find out whether an efficient front-loader is truly the better buy, I dug into the numbers to calculate the payback period -- how long it would take the energy savings to offset the higher upfront cost.
The average payback period for front-load versus top-load is 6.5 years. This means front-loading washers -- which last an average of 12.6 years -- are generally the best way to save money in the long term. With this anticlimactic fact out of the way, let's see how practical it is with CNET's entire washing machine lineup.
Armed with pricing, efficiency and utility rate data, I've calculated the payback period for CNET's top washer pick and the most energy-efficient machine on our list, Electrolux's ELFW7738A, and compared it with every other product in the lineup -- plus a few we didn't pick.
Let's jump in to see how it stacks up.
How I did the math: Collecting data and calculating the payback period
I compared the payback period of our most energy-efficient washing machine pick to the others on our best list. John Carlsen/CNET
I collected almost all of this baseline data in June 2025, ahead of my comparison of the best washers -- this includes Energy Star information and most retail prices. However, the retail prices for the models below are current as of January. Here are the statistics behind the math.
Brand Electrolux Samsung LG Insignia GE LG Maytag Whirlpool Model number ELFW7738A WA45T3200AW WT8200C NS-WMT41WA5 GFW550SSNWW WT7250C MHW5630 WFW4720RW Load configuration Front Top Top Top Front Top Front Front Retail price $1,099 $579 $749 $500 $866 $729 $749 $699 Capacity 4.5 cu. ft. 4.5 cu. ft. 5.0 cu. ft. 4.1 cu. ft. 4.8 cu. ft. 5.0 cu. ft. 4.5 cu. ft. 4.5 cu. ft. Water usage 3,452 gallons/yr. 8,552 gallons/yr. 6,330 gallons/yr. 7,856 gallons/yr. 4,239 gallons/yr. 4,720 gallons/yr. 4,267 gallons/yr. 4,248 gallons/yr. Water costs $58.10/yr. $143.93/yr. $106.53/yr. $132.22/yr. $71.34/yr. $79.44/yr. $71.81/yr. $71.49/yr. Electricity usage 74 kWh/yr. 240 kWh/yr. 120 kWh/yr. 186 kWh/yr. 158 kWh/yr. 110 kWh/yr. 128 kWh/yr. 140 kWh/yr. Electricity costs $12.21/yr. $39.60/yr. $19.80/yr. $30.69/yr. $26.07/yr. $18.15/yr. $21.12/yr. $23.10/yr.
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