LG 4.5 cu. ft. Front Load Washer vs Whirlpool 4.7 cu. ft. Top Load Washer

Buy the LG if you want a front loader that stacks, steams and cleans big loads fast. Its TurboWash 360 cycle finishes large loads in under 30 minutes, and the Allergiene steam cycle is AAFA certified to remove over 95% of pet dander and dust. The Whirlpool is the simpler top loader: a removable agitator, a built-in faucet for pretreatment and a slow-close glass lid, but no steam, no WiFi and no Energy Star rating. Owners rate the LG higher (4.6 from about 2,000 ratings vs 4.1 from about 12,800), and the LG's direct drive motor and 2-year warranty beat the Whirlpool's 3-month warranty.

• Choose the LG if you want steam, smart controls, stacking and fast large loads, and you can live with a front loader that needs a pedestal or a bend to load.
• Choose the Whirlpool if you prefer a top load you drop clothes into, want a removable agitator for bulky items and a built-in faucet for stains, and don't need steam or app control.