What's inside?

Looking for the best washer on the market? CNET editors help you choose between pressure washers, washer dryer combos, and other washing machines to meet your needs.

Today's washing machines sure beat the washboard, and most have settings that will help you care for your clothes versus just washing them in a one-size-fits all way. For example, most new models now have compartments to pour in prewash detergent, detergent, bleach, and fabric softener so you don't have to dump a cup of soap right on top of your clothes. Others offer stainless steel drums. Here some other features to review when shopping.

Wash cycles: On standard models, you'll usually find about four cycles including heavy duty, normal, delicate, and permanent press. Advanced models will have those basics and more than a dozen other cycles such as prewash, rinse and spin, stains, steam, towels, bedding, baby care, bulky/large, cotton/normal, express wash, hand-wash/wool. Depending on the sophistication of your wardrobe, you may not need those extra settings.

Temperature settings: Like wash cycles, you'll have more temperature combination for different types of fabrics on advanced models, such as extra hot-cold, hot-cold, warm-warm, warm-cold and cold-cold. You may also be able to automatically adjust the temperature. Standard models, however, tend to feature three basic settings: hot-cold for whites; warm-cold for lights; cold-cold for dark colors.

Water levels: In the past, most washers came with three basic "load" sizes that determined the water level: small, medium, large, and heavy. Advanced washers often have sensors that detect the load size and amount of water needed.

Spin speeds: Standard models usually spin clothes around 630 revolutions per minute, whereas advanced models will spin up to 2000rpm.

Finishes: Washer styles now go beyond white. You can get machines in red, orange, black, almond, gray, stainless steel, and even midnight blue finishes.

Pedestal and bottom drawer: To make it easier to reach inside your washer, and to add bonus storage, some units come with a 15-inch pedestal to raise the unit and provide a drawer for storing detergent or clean laundry.

Work surface and tower: Some models include a rubber work surface that can be placed on top of your washer-dryer combination to create a table top for folding laundry or treating clothes for stains, for example. Others include a "tower" of drawers that fits in between the washer and dryer for extra storage space for detergent or bleach.