Best Washers for $800 or Less
These workhorses from CR's tests handle loads of laundry at a relatively low price
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You don’t have to pay $1,000 or more to get a washing machine that cleans well. Consumer Reports tests plenty of washers that cost that or more, but most of us would rather spend less.
And that’s not impossible, after a brief, perplexing tariff spike. According to Ralph McLaughlin, chief economist of the data intelligence firm OpenBrand, the current pricing landscape is "surprisingly favorable." OpenBrand’s latest index of consumer prices shows that prices on laundry machines (including washers) fell by 0.5 percent in September, 0.9 percent in October, and 1.18 percent in November, marking a distinct shift from tariff-driven increases seen earlier in the cycle, he says.
“This decline suggests that manufacturers and retailers have already absorbed most tariff-related cost pressures, leaving consumers in a stronger position to find value," says McLaughlin. "If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to buy, the data indicate that now is one of the most advantageous times in months to secure a well-priced appliance.”
That turnaround was also aided by existing washer manufacturing capabilities in the US. Over the past 12 months, the firm reports that median prices for washers at major retailers (Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s) were $899 for front-load washers, $748 for top-load agitator washers, and $764 for HE top-load washers.
- Best for Under $800: Front-Load Washers Top-Load Agitator Washers HE Top-Load Washers
- How CR Tests Washing Machines
Best Front-Loaders for $800 or Less
Front-load washers typically earn an excellent or very good score for cleaning performance in our tests, and many can be stacked with a dryer to save space. But their wash times are often long, and they require stooping down to load. Thirteen of the 35 front-loaders in our ratings are currently priced at $800 or less.
Best Top-Load Agitator Washers for $800 or Less
Top-load agitator washers are typically the most affordable option, starting at around $380. Eighty-seven percent (35 models) in our ratings are priced at less than $800. Their cycle times are typically shorter than those of other types of washing machines, but they also use more water than others and tend to be rough on clothes. Half of the agitator models in our ratings offer middling-to-mediocre washing performance, according to our tests, and brand reliability is often just adequate.
Best HE Top-Loaders for $800 or Less
Many high-efficiency top-loaders earn a very good or excellent rating for cleaning performance in our tests, but their cycle times tend to be on the longer side, typically ranging from 70 to 110 minutes. In our ratings, 84 percent of these washers retail for less than $800 (21 models).
How CR Tests Washing Machines
To test how well a washing machine cleans clothes, CR’s testers use fabric swatches stained with red wine, cocoa, carbon (which is similar to soot), and other difficult-to-remove substances. They analyze each swatch with a spectrocolorimeter before and after washing. The lighter the stain after laundering, the higher the machine scores in washing performance.
We also evaluate how gentle a washer is on fabric, and record the amount of water and energy each machine uses. Our testers measure the amount of vibration the washer transmits to a wood floor, and our panelists evaluate the washer’s noise levels during the fill, agitate/tumble, drain, and spin cycles.
In addition to the lab test results, we incorporate each washer brand’s reliability and owner satisfaction scores from CR’s member survey into the Overall Score.
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