Shopper says GE washer died, then repair-shop advice steers them to LG over Samsung

Buying a new washing machine is supposed to present an upgrade, not a chance to choose between a rock and a hard place. 

But one frustrated shopper on the r/Appliances subreddit summed up a familiar dilemma after a GE front-loader failed: "They are either ridiculously expensive or have known issues and crappy warranties!"

Here's what to know

In a thread on Reddit, the shopper's complaint grew into a broader conversation about how hard it has become to buy an appliance that feels both durable and reasonably priced.

The shopper said a familiar inverter-board problem had effectively ruled out GE, leaving two contenders on the shortlist: the LG wm3400cv and the Electrolux elfw7437aw.

LG drew the most enthusiasm overall, though not without some hesitation. 

"I decided to call around to a few appliance repair places and see what they repair the least and they all told me LG," one commenter wrote.

They said that advice matched their experience: "I bought a set they still work great. I would buy another set in a heartbeat."

A separate user offered a mild warning about LG, noting, "Our LG washer had [a] serious fault after 1.5 years." They said the fix cost $400, although a credit card's extended warranty covered it.

Samsung received much harsher reviews. One commenter wrote, "Avoid samsung, However LG washing machine is solid, mine is 12 years+." Another said their Samsung washer "lasted maybe 3 years" and argued the company does a poor job shielding electronics from water and steam.

More background

Speed Queen surfaced as the high-priced reliability pick, 

"Triple the price for reliability is worth it," one commenter argued. "Buy once cry once." 

Not everyone agreed, though. Another commenter described their own Speed Queen as "a service nightmare." Separate comments also cited GE control-panel failures and said repair costs made those machines hard to justify.

Electrolux also had backers in the thread. One commenter said they "strongly considered Electrolux," and another said the Electrolux 7637 was better built than the 7437 model the original poster was weighing.

What's being done

Replacing a washer can mean spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars, and frequent breakdowns can also create more waste when appliances are scrapped earlier than expected.

One commenter wasn't feeling great after choosing an LG over other imperfect options, 

"It still feels disappointing to spend so much money on something that isn't a perfect fit for me," they wrote. "I will adapt, I guess! I'm folding my first loads now, and, well, at least we have clean laundry again."

That might be the fate of the OP, given their budget and all of what they have read and what the commenters shared.

"The best options seem to be Electrolux and LG," they wrote in a follow-up. "Speed Queen is out of my league for now."

Where can I learn more?

If you're still comparing washer reliability, repair costs, and long-term value, many of the same issues crop up.

• Frustrated buyers say one durable washer still rules even as $2,000 models fail early.

• Appliance repair techs say using too much detergent can quietly shorten a washer's life.

• Repair pros warn fabric softener could be ruining internal parts long before breakdowns become obvious.

• When washers start wobbling, experts say simple maintenance fixes can delay costly replacement.

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