The Avanti W798SS washer is clad in trendy stainless steel and is similar in design to GE's compact model in white, but surprisingly and enticingly the Avanti unit costs a bit less. Designed conveniently for an apartment setting, the W798SS is portable. It is mounted on rollers, which is often a must in small city apartments and mobile homes where the only way to do the laundry is to roll the machine to the sink. This model rolls well on hard floors, but can be a bit resistant when rolled on thick carpeting.

While this model makes a great choice for an apartment that's short on space, its 12-pound capacity is fairly small. Don't plan on washing as much clothing in it as you would in a larger machine at the Laundromat. The W798SS is easy to hook up and comes with clear instructions. It's fully automatic and features a simple-to-operate digital control panel. The wash cycle is fairly quiet -- quiet enough for you to carry on a conversation or watch TV in a nearby room.

We like the fact that this stainless-steel model will hook up to separate hot and cold water supplies. This allows you to use it effectively if you have a washer hookup. Saving some water on really small loads is also a possibility thanks to the multiple water level settings.

Getting the washer near a sink for water and drainage is necessary. You will also need access to an electrical outlet for power. Finding a water source close enough to a power outlet in some older homes can be a challenge. When considering where you will use this washer, keep in mind that the cord and drain hose on the W798SS are not particularly long.

The spin cycle on this Avanti model is very effective for a small machine. The washer efficiently removes a great deal of water from clothing so they will generally hang dry fairly quickly. This is particularly important if you don't have access to a clothes dryer. A nice touch on such a compact washing machine is that this little washer has a case for adding detergent as well as a dispenser for properly adding fabric softener at the right time.

Fairly efficient for a small, modestly priced unit, the Avanti W798SS doesn't use a lot of electricity. You can find it at appliance stores in urban areas or order it from your favorite online retailer.


Pros: Digital controls, quiet, portable, dual water supply
Cons: Small capacity, short cord and hose

Warranty
1 year