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The LG WM9000 laundry pair. Credit: LG

The Best Washers for Large Families of 2024

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

The LG WM9000 laundry pair. Credit: LG

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Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.

Learn more about our product testing
1
Editor's Choice Product image of Maytag MHW8630HC
Best Overall

Maytag MHW8630HC

4.3
Check Price at AJ Madison

The Maytag MHW8630HC is a powerful washer that lets you do laundry on your terms. It's 5.0-cu.-ft. drum can handle just about anything. Read More

Pros

  • Power Heavy Duty cycle
  • High number of features
  • Streamlined controls

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Slow cycles
2
Editor's Choice Product image of GE Profile PTW900BPTRS
Best Top-loader For Large Families

GE Profile PTW900BPTRS

4.1
Check Price at Best Buy

The GE Profile PTW900BPTRS is designed to handle a lot of laundry with a huge 5.4-cubic-foot drum and built-in detergent reservoirs. Read More

Pros

  • Good cleaning power
  • Antimicrobial coating, steam, detergent reservoir
  • Large wash drum

Cons

  • Loud at times
  • Alexa integration seems buggy for some users
3
Editor's Choice Product image of Samsung WF53BB8700AT
Best Value

Samsung WF53BB8700AT

4.2
Check Price at Samsung

The Samsung WF53BB8700AT looks great, washes well, has a gigantic 6.1-cubic-foot wash drum, and comes with a ton of other features. Read More

Pros

  • Fast, effective wash cycles
  • Large wash drum
  • Steam, stackable, other features

Cons

  • On-board controls can be difficult to read
  • Loud chime has no volume controls, just on and off
4
Editor's Choice Product image of LG WM6700HBA

LG WM6700HBA

4.3
Check Price at LG

The LG WM6700HBA is a gorgeous, high-performance washer that's perfect for large families. Read More

Pros

  • Large wash drum
  • Fast cycles
  • Solid stain-scrubbing power

Cons

  • Causes more wear and tear damage than average
  • AI Wash cycle is underwhelming
5
Product image of Whirlpool WFW9620HC

Whirlpool WFW9620HC

4.1
Check Price at Home Depot

With a built-in automatic detergent dispenser and an intuitive app, the Whirlpool WFW9620HC will make doing laundry a breeze. Read More

Pros

  • Very fast quick wash
  • Intuitive app

Cons

  • Cycles finish with very wet laundry
  • Not very gentle
  • Expensive
  • Best Overall Maytag MHW8630HC
  • Best Top-loader For Large Families GE Profile PTW900BPTRS
  • Best Value Samsung WF53BB8700AT
  • Other Washers We Tested
  • How We Tested
  • What You Should Know Before You Buy A Washer For Large Families
  • More Articles You Might Enjoy

Everything scales up when you have a big family. Groceries are consumed faster, toilet paper disappears in a blink of an eye, and laundry piles up until it's taller than your youngest.

For these situations, you need a washer with a high capacity and speedy cycles. Also, since children enjoy finding creative ways to get dirty, families with small children should invest in a washer with a sanitize feature. There are even washers out there that come with a secondary mini-washer to keep items like cloth diapers separate from everything else.

Considering the various needs of a large family, we went through the data we’ve collected from testing hundreds of washing machines to select the best one.

The Maytag MHW8630HC (available at AJ Madison) came out as the clear winner. It has everything we were looking for: a high capacity, powerful cleaning cycles, and a useful steam mode that will sanitize. If you think the MHW8630HC is too expensive, don't worry: Our roundup also includes more affordable models.

Editor's Note: Appliances purchases are a large investment of both money and time. We’ve not only compiled lists of the best washers to shop, but also the best places to buy in-stock appliances right now and the best times of year to buy appliances to take advantage of sales and new releases.

The Maytag appears on a white background.
Credit: Reviewed / Maytag

Sanitize even the largest of loads with this laundry tank.

Best Overall
Maytag MHW8630HC
  • Style: Front-load
  • Dimensions: 32.94” x 38.63” x 27” (D x H x W)
  • Capacity: 5 cu. ft.
  • Special features: Extra power / boost option, steam, Maytag app support, detergent dispenser (8-load reservoir)
  • Matching dryer: Maytag MED8630HC (electric)
  • Energy Star rated: Yes

Combining excellent stain removal ability, a massive drum, and a plethora of features, the Maytag MHW8630HC is one of the best washers we’ve tested. The Heavy Duty cycle aced our cleaning tests, dealing with everything from red wine to oil.

We also appreciated the MHW8630HC’s internal water heater. With it, the Sanitize cycle achieved temperatures of around 130°F, allowing you to easily eliminate the most common illness-causing bacteria.

Cleaning alone does not make a great washer. This Maytag also makes the chore of doing laundry easier. It has an automatic detergent dispenser that holds soap for up to eight loads so you don’t need to keep busting out the bottle.

In addition, the MHW8630HC comes with Fresh Hold and Overnight Wash & Dry. Both these features tumble the drum after a wash has finished, which means that for full-sized loads, it keeps a musty odor from developing or can wash and dry a shirt or two.

Read our full review of the Maytag MHW8630HC washing machine

Pros

  • Power Heavy Duty cycle

  • High number of features

  • Streamlined controls

Cons

  • Expensive

  • Slow cycles

Buy now at AJ Madison
The GE washer set up in our laundry testing lab
Credit: Reviewed / Michael Elderbee
Best Top-loader For Large Families
GE Profile PTW900BPTRS
  • Style: Top-load
  • Dimensions: 43.88” x 27.88” x 28” (H x W x D)
  • Capacity: 5.4 cubic feet
  • Special features: FlexDispense detergent and pod tray, Alexa integration, slow-close lid, SmartHQ integration, SmartDispense detergent and softener reservoirs, large wash drum
  • Matching dryer: PTD90EBPTDG (gas) or PTD90EBPTDG (electric)
  • Energy Star rated: Yes

With a 5.4-cu.-ft. stainless steel drum and detergent dispensers the GE Profile PTW900BPTRS is a top-loader that's more than ready to handle all your family's laundry needs.

The PTW900BPTRS has eight cycles, five water temperatures, soil and spin settings, and three rinse levels, so you know you'll be getting the exact wash you want. Also, if you want to set it and forget it, this GE's auto dispenser has you covered for up to 32 washes, and its smart wash soil sensor will adjust cycle times based on how dirty your laundry is. You can even use this washer's Alexa integration to help select which cycle to use.

Of course, this GE Profile is also a powerhouse when it comes to scrubbing out stains. The Normal and Delicates cycle really impressed us with their cleaning power.

Read our full review of the GE Profile PTW900BPTRS top-load washing machine

Pros

  • Good cleaning power

  • Antimicrobial coating, steam, detergent reservoir

  • Large wash drum

Cons

  • Loud at times

  • Alexa integration seems buggy for some users

$1,169.99 from Best Buy
The Samsung WF53BB8700AT set up in our laundry testing lab.
Credit: Reviewed / Beckett Dubay
Best Value
Samsung WF53BB8700AT
  • Style: Front-load
  • Dimensions: 38.7” x 27” x 34.4” (H x W x D)
  • Capacity: 6.1 cu. ft.
  • Special features: Modern Bespoke design, high-capacity drum, 28-minute Super Speed 2.0 wash, Smart Dial, steam wash, Self Clean+, VRT Plus noise and vibration reduction, drum light, 20-year warranty for inverter motor, MultiControl, Samsung SmartThings app support
  • Matching dryer: Samsung DVE53BB8700T
  • Energy Star rated: Yes

The Samsung WF53BB8700AT brings the popular Bespoke line of appliances to your laundry room—in a big way.

First and foremost, this front-loader features a whopping 6.1-cubic-foot drum, which is great when you have multiple people in your household.

Also, the WF53BB8700AT’s cycles are incredibly efficient, scrubbing out more stains in less time when compared to the average washer. What this means for you is fewer laundry days each week and a faster, smoother experience each time.

The WF53BB8700AT also has a ton of other features that help reduce headaches. Its steam cycles can help sanitize baby clothes or pet blankets, as well as quickly erasing wrinkles without needing to break out the iron.

Its interior LED makes loading and unloading laundry easier, even in a dim laundry room.

Its self-cleaning mode helps automatically clean its interior, preventing odor buildup and removing the need to clean it manually. One of its best features is its ability to stack up with its paired dryer and still fit inside a laundry closet.

Read our full review of the Samsung WF53BB8700AT washing machine

Pros

  • Fast, effective wash cycles

  • Large wash drum

  • Steam, stackable, other features

Cons

  • On-board controls can be difficult to read

  • Loud chime has no volume controls, just on and off

$28,981,399.00 from Samsung

Other Washers We Tested

Product image of LG WM6700HBA
LG WM6700HBA
  • Style: Front-load
  • Dimensions: 39" x 27" x 33.25" (H x W x D)
  • Capacity: 5.0 cu. ft.
  • Special features: TurboWash 360°, Smart Pairing, AI Wash, LG ThinQ app support, ezDispense automatic detergent dispenser
  • Matching dryer: LG DLEX6700B (electric) (electric), LG DLGX6701B (gas)
  • Energy Star rated: Yes

The LG WM6700HBA has a futuristic look and some impressive performance that should appeal to any busy family.

For starters, it has a huge, 5-cubic-foot drum, which should vastly improve your laundry throughput. On top of that, its cycles are incredibly fast, letting you power through piles of laundry. As a cherry on top, it also features an automatic detergent dispenser that further cuts down on laundry overhead.

In terms of stain-scrubbing strength, the WM6700HBA also doesn't disappoint. The only cycle that didn't quite measure up was its AI-powered wash, which took much longer to finish than other cycles and didn't wash as well.

Read our full review of the LG WM6700HBA washing machine

Pros

  • Large wash drum

  • Fast cycles

  • Solid stain-scrubbing power

Cons

  • Causes more wear and tear damage than average

  • AI Wash cycle is underwhelming

Buy now at LG
Product image of Whirlpool WFW9620HC
Whirlpool WFW9620HC
  • Style: Front-load
  • Dimensions: 38.625” x 27.0” x 33.25” (H x W x D)
  • Capacity: 5.0 cu. ft.
  • Special features: Steam, sanitize, Fan Fresh, bulk detergent drawer
  • Matching dryer: Whirlpool WED9620HC
  • Energy Star rated: No

The Whirlpool WFW9620HC combines a large capacity and short cycle times to churn through loads of laundry quickly.

We love its bulk detergent drawer, which helps remove overhead from doing laundry. We also love its Fan Fresh mode, which can keep laundry tumbling with fans blasting away humidity for up to 12 hours, keeping your laundry fresh until you can actually get a minute to switch it over to the dryer.

The cleaning quality is also above average on the Normal and Delicates cycle, which means less of a need to rerun a cycle.

Read our full review of the Whirlpool WFW9620HC washing machine

Pros

  • Very fast quick wash

  • Intuitive app

Cons

  • Cycles finish with very wet laundry

  • Not very gentle

  • Expensive

$1,699.00 from Home Depot
Product image of Whirlpool WTW8127LC
Whirlpool WTW8127LC
  • Style: Top-load
  • Dimensions: 27.25” x 27.88” x 43.5” (W x D x H)
  • Capacity: 5.2 cu. ft. (agitator in) or 5.3 cu. ft. (agitator out)
  • Special features: Remote Enable, Drum Light, Steam Options, Steam Refresh, temperature settings, dryness settings, Wrinkle Shield, Ecoboost, built-in pretreating station
  • Matching dryer: Whirlpool WED7120HC
  • Energy Star rated: Yes

If you like an agitator sometimes, but wish you could take it out other times, the Whirlpool WTW8127LC may be the perfect pick for you. It comes with a removable pole agitator, so it's available when you need it, but can easily sit out cycles where you don't. Regardless of your preference, this washing machine comes with a deep wash drum that's more than big enough for the needs of most families.

This washer has a built-in pretreating station complete with a built-in faucet and a little scrubber brush with a detergent reservoir. It's the perfect pair of features for getting a head-start on scrubbing out stubborn stains.

You'll also like the high quality clean you get from this machine, and its built-in light makes loading and unloading a lot easier.

Read our full review of the Whirlpool WTW8127LC washing machine

Pros

  • Good cleaning

  • Built-in faucet

  • Removable agitator

Cons

  • Rougher on clothes with pole in place

Buy now at Lowe's
Product image of LG WM4200HWA
LG WM4200HWA
  • Style: Front-load
  • Dimensions: 39” x 27" x 33.25" (H x W x D)
  • Capacity: 5 cubic feet
  • Special features: Steam, 4-way dispenser that can accommodate two rounds of detergent, plus bleach and fabric softener
  • Matching dryer: LG DLEX4200B
  • Energy Star rated: Yes

When the LG WM4200HWA first came out, it's price was so high it was almost disqualifying. Fortunately, at this point it's come down considerably, making this front-loader a great value.

You'll love its high-capacity drum, fast cycles, and built-in detergent dispenser, all of which make it easy to do lots of laundry quickly. Its powerful spin cycle also means less time spent in the dryer.

On top of all that, its steam features are great for quickly refreshing wrinkled items.

Read our full review of the LG WM4200HWA washing machine

Pros

  • Effective and fast cycles

  • Steam features

Cons

  • Controls aren't responsive

  • More wear and tear on gentle cycle than is typical

$999.00 from Abt

How We Tested

The Testers

Hello! We're Reviewed's appliance testing team. Between us, we have dozens of years of experience lab-testing appliances, and today we’re turning our attention to washers for large families.

Regardless of what we test, we take a two-pronged approach. For starters, we run each appliance through the paces with a battery of standardized objective tests, which lets us cross-compare each products’ performance. We also make sure to just use the products normally, like how anyone would use them in their own home. This pass lets us catch any user interface issues or particularly brilliant design flourishes that you’ll only notice on the hundredth time you do something.

The Tests

A person loading the front washer with laundry.
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

Every washer on this list features both a sanitize cycle and a heavy or extra heavy soil cycle.

Every washing machine that comes into Reviewed’s labs gets put through the same testing regime, which addresses both performance and user-friendliness. We look at stain removal, wear and tear, water retention, and cycle time.

When testing washing machines through the lens of large families, we specifically look at the washer’s drum size to gauge how much laundry it can hold at one time—our minimum size requirement is 5.2 cubic feet—as well as whether it has a sanitize cycle and a heavy or extra heavy soil setting to deal with all manners of family generated stains, from muddy knees and poopy diapers to pasta sauce and red wine spills.

What You Should Know Before You Buy A Washer For Large Families

Capacity Is One Of The Most Important Metrics

When we recommend a washer as one that’s good for large families, we’re mostly looking at that washer’s capacity. A washer’s drum is rated in cubic feet, and the higher the number is, the more laundry you can fit into the washing machine for a given cycle.

The average washing machine has a drum capacity between 4.2 cubic feet and 4.5 cubic feet. This drum size can accommodate the laundry needs of a family of four.

When you have a larger family, however, chances are that you’ll have bigger and more frequent laundry loads; in this case, we look for washing machines that have capacities with a minimum of 5 cubic feet.

There’s An Emphasis On Cleaning and Sanitization

Every washer on this list features both a sanitize cycle and a heavy or extra heavy soil cycle. Why? Because babies poop a lot, little kids are constantly on the ground grinding dirt and grass stains into their knees, and pre-teens and teens are dripping paint, ketchup, or cosmetics all over themselves. Families need wash options that are both tougher and germ-conscious.

If You’re Running Multiple Loads, Speed Matters

Another spec that makes a washer good for large families is the washer’s cycle time. Sometimes, even with large capacity washers like the ones listed here, you’re still going to be running multiple cycles of laundry in a given day; it’s best for everyone if those cycles don’t take too long.

You’d think that more laundry in a load would automatically translate into longer cycle times, since, you know, there’s more laundry to clean. However, some brands have come up with ways to efficiently disperse detergent and rinse it out fairly quickly, which cuts down on the time you’re standing around waiting to put laundry into the dryer.

Meet the testers

Mark Brezinski

Mark Brezinski

Senior Writer

@markbrezinski

Mark Brezinski works on the Home Team, reviewing refrigerators, minifridges, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, air purifiers, and fans.

See all of Mark Brezinski's reviews
Jonathan Chan

Jonathan Chan

Senior Manager of Lab Operations

@Jonfromthelab1

Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.

See all of Jonathan Chan's reviews
Leigh Harrington

Leigh Harrington

Executive Editor, Home

@

Leigh Harrington has more than 20 years experience as a writer and editor for myriad print and digital publications.

At USA TODAY and Reviewed, Harrington oversees large appliances, including refrigerators, dishwashers, ranges, and laundry, and manages Reviewed's overall home content, including areas of focus like home improvement, cleaning, gardening, cooking, and parenting. She focuses on writing, but mostly editing, consumer ed content and product reviews.

Harrington is also an experienced travel writer, and has authored books including Fodor's Boston, 100 Things to Do in Boston Before You Die, and Colorful Boston, an adult coloring book.

See all of Leigh Harrington's reviews

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Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.

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