When it comes to value, General Electric's top-loading washer WDSR2080G has plenty to offer at a price that won't make you cringe. At 3.2 cubic feet of capacity, this washer may not be the largest on the market or the most sophisticated, but it's a reliable machine that will get your clothes clean without unnecessary frills. In fact, this model and models like it were the industry standard long before the high-efficiency, front loaders became trendy.

Easy to operate, simple and inexpensive to repair, GE's WDSR2080G makes an excellent selection for the cautious buyer who is interested in a reliable, functional washer. This model, with eight cycles, offers a sufficient number of settings for most households. Specific cycles can handle clothing with light to heavy soil and fabrics from cottons to permanent press. We found delicate fabrics to be the only fabrics that may not fair well in this machine. Those who plan to wash lingerie, silks and fine woolens may find that this model lacks the gentlest cycles that these fabrics require. For these fabrics, hand washing is a better alternative than relying on this rough and tumble washer.

Three temperature selections give you the basics: hot, warm or cold. These settings work for most durable household fabrics, such as whites, mixed loads and colors. A choice of three water level settings gives you the ability to control how much water is used in the basket. A bleach dispenser is offered, but this model lacks a dispenser for fabric softener. A simple, inexpensive solution to this is to use a fabric softener ball from the supermarket detergent aisle.

The major drawback to this GE model is its comparative low score for water usage and energy efficiency in the world of today's high-efficiency models. Unfortunately most energy-efficient washing machines still cost substantially more than the WDSR2080G.

The controls on this model consist of three simple and familiar rotary dials. For this reason, there shouldn't be much of a learning curve for people converting to this model from an earlier conventional one.

Ease to use, with basic controls and the functional features required for daily use, GE's WDSR2080G isn't fancy or trendy, but practical, reliable and affordable for most.


Pros: Affordable, reliable, two speeds, 3 water levels, 3 temperatures
Cons: Low score for energy efficiency and water usage, lacks delicate cycle, softener dispenser

Warranty
1 year