We’ve come a long way from traditional washers and dryers, even in the last two decades since the rise in popularity of high-efficiency washing and drying machines. While laundry itself is as easy as toss, wash, dry, and fold, shopping for new a washer or dryer can make it feel like your head is the one doing the tumbling. Luckily, you can shop confidently after you’ve followed our guide to the three things you should do before you buy a washer or dryer!
Consult Our Laundry Appliance Buying Guides
Personal research isn’t just valuable—it’s an essential part of any modern buying process. Still, with so many resources available, a quick search for laundry appliance comparisons can quickly turn into a scavenger hunt full of inconsistent answers and suggestions.
That’s why having experts you can trust will always be better than making a major investment with just any provider. Take our laundry appliance buying guides, for example. Each has all the important information you’ll want to consider before buying a washer or dryer with your home in mind.
Our washer buying guide includes information on:
- Different washer styles
- Average price of a washer
- Washing machine features
Our dryer buying guide includes information on:
- Different types of dryers
- Average price of a dryer
- Dryer features
- Vented dryers versus ventless dryers
Remember Measurements & Connections
Did you know high-efficiency laundry appliances are designed to hold bigger loads than standard washers and dryers? Of course, bigger capacity also means a bigger appliance.
However, there’s more to measuring your laundry space than simply its height, width, and depth. The space around each unit will also have an impact on ease of operation, too. That includes small details, like overhead cabinetry between the lid of a top-loading washer, or the clearance between the door of a front-loading washer or dryer and nearby obstacles.
As you browse and compare each brand and model, pay close attention to measurements of doors when ajar. This is often referred to as “height with lid open” for top-loading washers and “depth with door open” for dryers and front-loading washers.
Other considerations include:
- The height of a laundry pedestal (on average, between 12 to 16 inches)
- The direction a front-loading washer/dryer door opens
- The manufacturer’s recommended clearance behind a washer for the hoses
- The manufacturer’s recommended clearance behind a dryer for the vent pipe
- The correct gas/electric washer and dryer connections
- Electric washers use a three-prong120-volt outlet
- Electric dryers use a four-prong 240-volt outlet
- Gas dryers use a grounded, 120-volt electric outlet
Research Features
While considering a major appliance purchase, appliances featuring fancy bells and whistles can begin feel like an easy way to sell you something you don’t need.
Take the ThinQ® Technology function on the LG DLE7300WE, for example. While its smart-device app management may or may not not be a necessity if you’re a single-person household, in larger, busier homes, it can help to easily track and manage household chores.
That is all to say, features carry different value from home to home; don’t overpay for something shiny if it does nothing more than look pretty in your laundry room.
Having said that, there are features washers and dryers should definitely have, which are also conveniently outlined in our washer and dryer buying guides. Or, print a handy washer and dryer checklist and make your shopping even easier.
Looking for a feature every shopper can appreciate? How about value? Don’t hesitate to stop by and browse all the exclusives you won’t find anywhere else with these resources only from Grand Appliance and TV.
- See what everyone else is saying in our top-rated appliances blogs, where we shine the spotlight on outstanding appliances that have been tried, tested, and reviewed by verified buyers—just like you!
- Find Exclusive Savings the Big Box Can’t Beat on laundry appliances from major brands like Electrolux, LG, and Speed Queen.
- With our Promotions and Rebates, staying on budget for your laundry appliance replacement or upgrade is even easier.
Experience the Grand Difference
The third time may be the charm, but with the three major factors of this buying guide under your wing and the expert help from Grand Appliance and TV, you can be sure to select the right washer and dryer the first time around. Whether you’re buying a single washer or dryer, a laundry pair, or a stacked laundry unit, you can count on us to set you up with a winner. Browse, shop, and compare in-store or online today!