One of the not so fun realities of adulthood is never-ending laundry. It’s a chore you really can’t avoid, even if you try. In my house, we do at least one load of wash per day. With two young kids, we’re continually battling all kinds of stains and odors, as well as figuring out how to wash things we didn’t even know could get dirty, like car seats, sofa cushions, and teddy bears. The LG 4.5 cubic square feet Ultra Large Capacity Front Load Washer arrived ready to rock with built-in smart features, an app to start cycles remotely, and steam for deep cleaning and allergen removal. To put it to the test, I used it daily for a month and tried all the built-in settings, bells, and whistles. Did this high priced LG front load washer live up to its reputation as one of the best you can buy? Keep reading to find out. In terms of aesthetics, the washer has a tempered glass door. The machine is a shiny white color with black and silver accents. The look of this washer elevates the look of my otherwise basic laundry room. While I chose white, both the washer and dryer are also available in a darker steel gray/black color. Before getting started on my ever-growing laundry pile, I downloaded and paired my new washer with the LG ThinQ App on my smartphone. I was excited about having an app to control my washer. After installing the user-friendly app, pairing the washer was as easy as following the prompts. You’ll need Wi-Fi in your home to take advantage of the app and all its features. From within the app, you can choose the cycle you want to run, start and stop your load, and receive notifications when the cycle is complete. Unfortunately, I didn’t use remote start as often as I thought I would because the machine needs to be on to control it with the app. Based on our laundry room’s size and layout, I decided to set up my new washer and dryer side by side. This particular LG set has the option to be stacked—a great way to save space. A team from Best Buy came and installed the washer (and dryer) and hauled away our old washer and dryer. The delivery, installation, and removal took about an hour. I liked that I could use the app to download new cycle programs that aren’t an option on the washer. I downloaded programs specifically for kid’s clothes, small loads, and blankets; I used them often. You can also monitor the energy you’re using per month with each cycle and see how many cycles you have left before you need a Tub Clean cycle. The Tub Clean cycle is a maintenance cleaning cycle that keeps your washer running smoother longer and helps minimize odors and detergent residue buildup. You can buy specific tub cleaning products for this cycle, but I just used liquid bleach, which you load into the regular bleach compartment in the detergent drawer. We tested the washer’s manual operation and cleaning performance. There are two large buttons on the washer: one to power it on and off and one to start/pause your cycle. You use a control knob to select preset options and a display that shows details about certain cycles. It has touchscreen-like buttons that allow you to make manual changes. You can also pause your cycle at any time and load more items or lock the display so your kids can’t disrupt the cycle. You add liquid detergents, bleach, and fabric softeners via a drawer. I mostly use detergent pods, which I toss directly into the drum. I didn’t like the display functionality because the touch buttons are not lit, which is hard to operate in dim lighting. The drum inside doesn’t light up either, so if your room is not well lit, you might forget a sock or two in the washer. I prefer the front loader to our old top loader. Larger items don’t get caught up in the agitator, and things seem to tumble around more. Also, it’s more efficient than our old machine because the tub doesn’t have to entirely fill with water. In terms of cleaning performance, I’m in love with this washer. There are 10 standard wash cycles available to choose from with the control knob. Plus, you can download extra cycles on the app. Each cycle (like Bedding, for example) has default settings for spin speed, temperature, and load size, but you can adjust them on the machine based on your needs and preferences. Most of the cycles are pretty fast, even for large loads, but I love Speed Wash for lightly soiled loads; it only takes 15 minutes. The Speed Wash cycle is a lifesaver when I need to get through a giant mountain of laundry. The washer has five jets that surround your clothes from every angle, and 6Motion technology means that each wash cycle combines up to 6 different wash motions to provide the best cleaning experience possible. I also love the Allergiene Cycle, which uses steam to remove pet dander and dust. This washer is certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and is the first brand of washers to earn this distinction. Since we have a baby in our family, we love to trust this cycle to reduce allergens on bedding and clothes. The steam feature worked well for tough stain and odor removal. Similar to a household steam cleaner, the high temperatures loosen dirt and kill odor-causing bacteria. After your cycle ends, the clothes spun nicely, so they aren’t soaking wet. You know when you forget to move your freshly washed clothes into the dryer, and they start to get that funky smell, so you have to wash them all over again? FreshCare is a cool feature on this machine that eliminates that problem. After your cycle is complete, the FreshCare option tumbles your clean laundry every few minutes, so even if your clothes sit in the drum for hours, it will be like your cycle just ended. No re-washing is needed.
Is this washer noisy?
You don’t hear the motor at all, and it doesn’t vibrate or shake. But when the cycle is spinning, you can hear it. According to the manual, this LG front load washer is made with a TrueBalance Anti-Vibration System and LoDecibel Quiet Operation. It keeps your load in balance as it washes to reduce noise and vibration. It is much quieter than any other machine I’ve owned, but it isn’t silent.
How long will the washer last?
In one month, it’s tough to test this washer’s durability. But, it does have a NeveRust stainless steel tub to prevent chipping. A 10-year limited warranty backs its Direct Drive motor.
What load size can this washer handle?
This particular washing machine is 4.5 cubic square feet. It is what LG calls “ultra large capacity.” Compared to other washing machines, it’s a full-size washing machine. It can handle loads up to 20 pounds and also works great for smaller sized loads. Even though it has the capacity for larger loads, it’s not a big machine. It’s made to fit into a closet.
Is this washing machine worth the price?
Is this washing machine worth $1000? Yes, the steam feature and numerous cycle options have been a total game-changer for our family. If you have asthma or allergies, this washing machine is worth the expense.
LG Ultra Large Capacity Front Load vs. Samsung 5.4 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer
If you have a larger family and want to save some time, a larger capacity machine like the Samsung 5.4 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer might be a better fit. On its own, it’s a little more expensive, but if you buy the washer and dryer bundle, Samsung knocks off $600 from the cost, making this larger washer cheaper than the LG. Another key difference is one machine is a top-loader while the other is a front-loader. If you are shorter in stature, you might prefer a front-loader since top-loading machines usually have deep drums that make it difficult to get clothes from the bottom. Top-loaders are generally the larger option and can accommodate comforters and bedspreads, while front-loaders can’t wash those items as well. The Samsung washer has Active Jet technology, a neat feature for gently washing hand-wash only items. This machine offers 10 cycles, including Heavy Duty, an extraordinary powerhouse when washing out children’s set-in stains. The LG also offers 10 cycles and might edge out the Samsung by offering smart connectivity. It is handy having getting notifications when the wash ends, and if you don’t get to it right away, the Fresh Care cycle will keep the clothes tumbling and not getting musty. This washing machine has been a total game-changer for my family. Our clothes are getting a deep clean every time with the LG Ultra Large Capacity Front Load machine’s powerful jets and varying tumble motions. It’s efficient, looks good, and washes a large load fast. My favorite thing is the steam function and getting rid of allergens like dust and pet hair and removing tough stains with steam’s gentle power.
