Here are the key features of UltraFresh machines: GE's Ken Rudolph says that the company's own lab tests show 99 percent humidity in the gasket area of front-loaders after washing one load, removing the laundry, and immediately shutting the door. And while front-loaders often come with many features, top-loaders now have features that boost convenience and allow consumers to multitask while doing laundry, such as an integrated faucet for pretreating stains, and WiFi-connectivity. Levy points out that top-loading washers now have larger capacities. But there may be other reasons beyond price that explain why consumers prefer top-loaders. "The lawsuits and media attention could have impacted consumers buying habits," says Ashley Levy, an analyst covering laundry appliances for Gap Intelligence, a retail market research company. A judge dismissed a class-action lawsuit concerning claims of funky GE front-loaders in 2014, saying that plaintiffs failed to offer sufficient facts to support their case. Simpler, less expensive agitator top-loaders maintain the largest market share.Įlectrolux, LG, and Whirlpool have settled class-action lawsuits involving allegations of odors and mold in this type of washing machine while denying any wrongdoing. That compares with 31 percent for high-efficiency top-loaders. As a category, front-loaders have their advantages but have declined in market share, from a peak of 38 percent in 2009 to 27 percent in 2019, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.
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