The LG WM4000 and the Whirlpool WF5620 are two of the most popular front-load washers.
But like most front-load washers, they look the same and have seemingly similar features.
So how do you know which one is best for you?
In this article, we’ll explain the key differences of the two similarly priced washers so you can pick the right machine.
I’ll also be referencing other models as well, in case you’re looking for a particular feature.
As an added bonus, at the end of the article, we’ll show you which brand is more reliable based on over 40,000 service calls logged by a service department just last year, and the results may surprise you.
There are seven features to consider before you decide which to buy.
Capacity, spin, speed cycles, auto dispensers, smart functionality, price.
Don’t forget to read to the end of the article for bonus content to see which brand is more reliable.
Table of Contents
Price
First, many of the features are similar. The price for the LG is $1,149 and the Whirlpool is priced at $1,040.
Capacity
Both have the same capacity at 4.5 cubic feet.
You should buy any front-load washer between 4.5 and 5 cubic feet because it becomes much more expensive to buy the mega or larger washers, which are only a half a foot to a whole foot larger.
Steam
Both offer steam in their washers. Steam is an interesting feature because it helps remove odors and lift tough stains like grass, blood or wine out of clothing. It can also help to refresh or de-wrinkle clothing quickly.
Sensor Driven
They also utilize sensors to detect how much laundry is in the drum so that the correct amount of water is always used.
Spin Speed
LG spins at 1300 rpm, while Whirlpool spins at 1160.
The faster the machine spins means the more water that will be rung out of the clothes for less time in the dryer.
Depth
LG is also less deep at 30 1/4 inches versus Whirlpool at 31 9/16, which may or may not be an issue if you’re stacking in a tight closet.
Automatic Dispensers
Automatic dispensers are great because they release the right amount of detergent at the right time, which prevents the overuse of detergent.
Using too much of a detergent in a front load washers can cause oversudsing. Causing it to seep into the machine to make for an expensive service call down the road.
Whirlpool offers a 20 load automatic dispenser. This LG model doesn’t offer a dispenser.
You would have to step up to their next bigger model, the WM4500, which is bigger at five cubic feet but also more expensive at $1,499 to $1,649.
Smart Functionality
LG offers WiFi connectivity and can automatically set your dryer to the right cycle based on how you washed your clothes.
You can also download new cycles to the machine through their ThinQ app.
Smart technology is still in its infancy when it comes to appliances, but it does make sense for laundry.
You can see the time remaining on any cycle from your phone. The washer will even send you a push notification when the cycle is done, so you don’t have to walk down to your basement just to stand there for the remaining three minutes.
Whirlpool doesn’t offer any smart functionality in this model.
You would have to step up to their best model, the bigger WFW9620 to have smart functionality at $1,400.
Wash Cycles
LG also offers a few special cycles that are not available in the similarly priced Whirlpool model.
Their Allergen Cycle helps to remove 95% of allergens and irritants from your clothes, and their Turbo Wash employs five powerful jets to spray your clothes from multiple angles for a complete clean under 30 minutes.
In total, LG offers 12 cycles and 13 options. Whirlpool is a more basic machine with 6 wash programs.
So it’s pretty even, you have the auto dispenser with the Whirlpool and the smart functionality in the LG.
Now let’s take a look at the reliability.
Reliability
Based on over 40,000 service calls completed by a service department just last year, LG is actually the most reliable brand.
To be specific, only 3.3% of LG front load washers needed service in the first year, versus 9.9% ine for Whirlpool and 6.3% for front-load washers in general.
Key Takeaways
They’re both good machines and they have their pros and cons, so it really depends on what you’re looking for.
They have the same capacity, and both offer steam.
So would you rather have the LG WM4000 with more cycles and a faster spin speed and smart functionality?
Or the Whirlpool with an auto dispenser for $100 less?