Updated on Sep. 17, 2024
From smart tech connectivity to powerful stain-fighting cycles, LG vs. Electrolux washers both offer a wide range of user-friendly features. But which is best?
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Buying a new washing machine isn’t something you should do on a whim. These appliances are a hefty investment which means you want to ensure you’re choosing a model that will actually keep your clothes and linens clean. If you’ve been doing your homework, odds are you’ve come across Electrolux and LG washers. These two reputable washer brands offer some of the best washing machines on the market. Both offer a variety of models at a wide range of sizes and price points, which means there’s a machine for every household and budget.
Here, we examine and explain the differences between the two brands’ washer offerings so you can more clearly determine which is best for you and your home. In addition to a breakdown of each company’s current models, we’ll dive into how we tested each brand.
Electrolux and LG are popular brands consumers turn to when shopping for a new washing machine—however, they’re more different than you might think. While Electrolux has been making appliances for over 50 years, LG is relatively new to the washing machine world, introducing its first model in the early 2000s. Their varied backgrounds and development history have shaped each brand’s washer designs differently, most notably with Electrolux machines relying on a stain-fighting foundation and LG washers focusing on smart technology.
With a generous mix of wash and rinse options, the Electrolux ELFW7637AT is a versatile machine with a user-friendly design. Its Pure Rinse feature is especially useful for those with sensitive skin or infants and removes any trace detergent fragrances or residues without using additional water. Even heavily soiled garments are no match for the Solid Soil feature, which powers through tough stains like caked-on mud and dirt.
Our favorite feature, though, is the 15-minute wash cycle. This won’t be practical to use all the time—the 15-minute time is based on a 3-pound load—but it’s a convenient option to have at your disposal when you’re in a rush. We also appreciate the convenience of the adaptive dispenser, which, unlike other washer brands, accepts pods and liquid detergent.
Combining a versatile 4.5 cubic feet capacity and various user-friendly features, the LG WashTower is our favorite LG brand washer. This large-capacity, stackable washer-dryer machine has a single control panel that’s easy to access and operate and an LED touchscreen display that allows you to start and stop cycles instantly without bulky knobs or buttons. You can also switch to remote control from the control panel to select, start and stop cycles from your phone in the LG ThinQ app
LG’s ThinQ app allows you to use your smartphone to operate controls remotely and receive notifications about current operations and maintenance reminders. Those who want even more smart features and don’t mind paying a little extra should consider the LG WM6700HBA front-load washer.
Electrolux and LG washers are popular mid-range appliances with various wash cycles and load capacities, but they differ in a few ways. According to Jay Sanders, owner of Castle Dream Construction, “LG is known for its advanced technology, including smartphone app control and AI-powered wash cycles while Electrolux tends to focus on user-friendly interfaces.” Electrolux washers are also primarily focused on stain-fighting ability. Although LG models are perfectly capable of handling soiled garments, they don’t have as many specific stain-fighting features as Electrolux machines.
Sanders adds that although the price of washers from these two brands vary widely, based on the model and features, “LG might have more budget-friendly options, but they also offer premium models with higher price tags,” he says.
Electrolux currently offers five front-load washing machines and doesn’t manufacture any top-load models. These front-load washers range in price from around $799 to $1,300 and capacity from 2.4 to 4.5 cubic feet. Depending on the model, several stain-fighting features are available, like a pre-cycle stain-soak, a stain treatment that uses cold water to prevent setting, and a special Optic Whites cycle to keep those whites looking whiter for longer. All Electrolux models are also Energy Star certified.
LG offers both front- and top-load washers, with smart capabilities available in both types. LG’s front-load washers range in price from $729 to $2,099 and capacity from 2.4 to 5.8 cubic feet. Several of these front-load models have the option of attaching an LG pedestal washer—allowing you to run two loads simultaneously—but at $700 or more, these are a significant expense. Pedestal storage drawers cost about half as much.
Both Electrolux and LG offer durable, dependable washing machines. We found Electrolux and LG front-load washers similar in load capacity and features. Plus, both brands also sell a variety of washing machine models at local appliance and big box stores like The Home Depot.
Senior shopping editor Caitlyn Fitzpatrick tested the Electrolux 600 Series Washer and Dryer set for over six months. In spite of a rocky delivery experience, she couldn’t be happier with the set. Caitlyn especially appreciated the intuitive control panel and numerous cycle options.
According to Caitlyn, it takes about an hour to complete a load of laundry and it’s well worth the wait. “The very first thing I noticed after the cycle was done in about an hour was that my clothes were spun really well. There wasn’t a drop of water coming off my clothes,” Caitlyn explains in her Electrolux review. “I can hang up shirts, pajama pants and cardigans up at night, and by the afternoon the next day, they’re ready to put away. As the laundry doer of my home who hangs a lot of the clothing that comes through, I appreciate this to an unfathomable degree.”
Shopping editor Mary Henn has been using the LG WashTower for an entire year. During that time, her unit has survived the initial delivery and a move. Mary is particularly pleased with its durability, large capacity and overall performance. “I love the large capacities of the tub and drum, the convenience of the remote control setting and the endless cycle options for all my washing and drying needs. It seems like the washer gets my clothes noticeably cleaner than my previous washing machine,” she writes in her LG WashTower review.
While Mary is happy with the LG WashTower overall, she notes that it does have a few quirks. Most notably, she isn’t thrilled with the sensitive dryer sensor. Most pre-set drying cycles leave her laundry slightly damp. Fortunately, the timed dry function leaves her clothes dry and toasty.
In addition to the finicky pre-set drying cycles, Mary could do without the ThinQ app. “The remote start function for the WashTower is great, and I like that it sends notifications when your laundry is finished,” she explains. “While there are many pre-set cycles within the app, the settings (water temperature, spin speed, soil level, etc.) can’t be individually adjusted with those cycles. I also can’t seem to enable steam cleaning and drying, prewash, cold wash and turbo wash from the app.” Luckily, the LG WashTower washes and dries clothes just as well without the app.
The bottom line is that if you want a washer that provides smart washing features, like AI technology, that selects optimal cycles and settings and smartphone control, go with an LG washer. If you’re more interested in specific wash cycles for a more stain-fighting focus, an Electrolux would probably be a better choice.
Both Electrolux and LG offer quality options, but the best washing machine for you depends on your specific design or cleaning needs. If your priority is user-friendly features like Wi-Fi connectivity and smart controls, the LG is probably a better choice. If your wash loads present a variety of stain and soil levels, and you’re less interested in smart features, an Electrolux would probably be a better option.
Keep pricing in mind, too. “The LG is more economical overall, as the LG has a wide variety of price options for any budget.” Sanders adds. “I would still choose a Whirlpool as they tend to last longer overall.”
There are several differences between Electrolux and LG washers, most clearly their smart functionality capabilities. LG washers provide several smart features not found on Electrolux machines, with Wi-Fi connectivity to the ThinQ app to stop and start programs remotely, as well as receiving notifications and maintenance reminders. Electrolux machines provide more stain-specific features and modes than LG washers, which makes them more user-friendly for those with a variety of stains to deal with.
Another difference between these two brands is that LG offers a much wider variety of washer options. LG offers both front- and top-load washers and a stacked washer/dryer WashTower line, with a range of sizes and prices to choose from. Electrolux has a much more limited selection and zero top-load units available, although that could be a benefit for those who get easily overwhelmed with too many options.
At Family Handyman, we have personally tested dozens of appliances. We’ve covered everything from the best refrigerators, to the top-rated washer and dryer sets. And since we know you can’t always try before you buy, our goal is to help you make informed shopping decisions based on our real-life testing before you buy. For this article, we asked two of our expert product testers and shopping editors to test new Electrolux and LG washing machines in their homes, doing their laundry for six months to a year. Yep; our staff actually got rid of their old washing machines to test new units from these big brands. During the testing period, they reported on everything from delivery and setup to usage and issues. We strive to provide full transparency in each product review and will never recommend a product that does not meet or exceed our expectations.
