Whether stacked or side-by-side, this Maytag washer and dryer combo offers great features and capacity.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
Maytag Washer and Dryer Review: Made Like They Used to Be
Published on Nov. 20, 2024
They always say that appliances aren’t made like they used to be. I disagree, especially after testing the Maytag washer and dryer with a 16-hour fresh hold (they sure didn’t have that feature on a 1950’s washer/dryer set).
After testing this set for the past three months, I’ve seen how it performs with dark clothing, hairy pet beds, extra-large comforters, and smelly workout clothes. Here’s what you need to know.
What is the Maytag washer and dryer?
VIA MERCHANT
Maytag Front Load Washer with Extra Power and 16-Hr Fresh Hold
VIA MERCHANT
Maytag Front Load Electric Dryer with Extra Power and Quick Dry cycle
The Maytag Front Load Electric Washer with Extra Power and 16-Hr Fresh Hold and Front Load Electric Dryer with Extra Power and Quick Dry Cycle are complementary stackable models with large capacity, an Energy Star certification and a variety of settings and features. The washer can connect to Wi-Fi through a Maytag app.
The direct drive motor and stainless steel wash basket are covered by a 10-year limited parts warranty. Similarly, the dryer has a 10-year limited parts warranty on the drive motor and drum. Both the washer and dryer are available in three colors: volcano black, white and metallic slate.
Maytag Washer and Dryer Features
The front-load, 4.8-cubic foot capacity washing machine offers 14 cycles for your load of laundry. These include an assortment of settings, including specialty options for towels and bulky items. Use the ‘Quick Wash’ cycle for small-scale loads that are slightly dirty. Thanks to extra-high spin speeds, they will be clean in 15 minutes. Meanwhile, the ‘Sanitize’ cycle uses ultra-hot water temperatures to remove 99.9% of household bacteria.
Extra Cleaning Power at the Push of a Button
An ‘Extra Power’ button in the middle of the cycle display provides increased cleaning power. It boosts stain-fighting capability on any wash cycle with a unique dual-temperature wash. Press the ‘Wash Cycle’ Knob to activate the ‘Extra Power’ option, which activates a cold prewash cycle before the main cycle starts. When ‘Extra Power’ is started, the ‘Wash Cycle’ Knob will illuminate, and the run time remaining on the display will increase.
Unique Washer Options
With just a touch, you can activate additional wash options and features. These include:
- A Fresh Hold setting keeps clothes from getting musty by periodically tumbling them while circulating air from an internal fan. Clothes will stay fresh for up to 16 hours after the original wash cycle ends.
- A Steam option adds additional soak and wash time with a steam boost to many cycles, providing added cleaning power to remove tough stains. A built-in heater helps maintain perfect wash temperatures.
The Wi-Fi Connect option allows you to use the Maytag app to connect your washer to your home WiFi network. Features include remote start/stop from anywhere, cycle notifications and the ability to schedule wash cycles. There are also smart tips, a stain guide and more.
Sturdy and Built to Last
The 4.8-cubic foot capacity provides enough space to clean 30 towels at once. The direct-drive motor has the power to handle large loads, and the stainless steel basket is designed for many years of washes and built with rugged materials to last.
A Dozen Cycles
The front loading 7.3-cubic foot capacity dryer has 12 cycles covering everything from delicates to bulky items. Like the washer, a sanitizing cycle uses extra-hot drying temperatures to remove up to 99.9% of common household bacteria. There’s also a steam refresh cycle that can spruce up your tired clothes without having to wash them. Meanwhile, the Quick Dry cycle allows you to dry a small load fast. When you combine it with the Quick Wash cycle on the washer, you are able to get some clothes ready to wear in quick order.
Get Extra Power to Dry Faster
The Extra Power option can be used with both Timed Dry and Sensor Cycles. Press the Cycle Control knob to activate the Extra Power option, which provides an additional 10 minutes of cycle time. When Extra Power is activated, the Cycle Control knob will illuminate, and the estimated time remaining on the display will show 10 additional minutes.
More Drying Options
The Wrinkle Prevent option is useful if you are not able to immediately remove a load. By touching the Wrinkle Prevent button, you get up to 150 minutes of periodic tumbling to help reduce wrinkling.
The Reduce Static option tells the dryer to automatically tumble, pause and introduce a small amount of moisture into the load to help reduce static and cut down on cling. This option adds approximately three minutes to the total cycle time.
The Steam option adds steam to the end of certain Sensor Cycles to help smooth wrinkles. It can be used with high or medium heat settings and adds approximately 15 minutes to the total cycle time.
Stackable
To accommodate tight spaces, a washer-dryer stacking kit can be used to place the dryer on top of the washing machine, freeing up extra room in your laundry area. To stack the machines, you need to purchase a stacking kit (approximately $50-60) that corresponds with your exact models. Whirlpool makes specific kits for its Maytag line of appliances.
The kit includes all the parts needed to safely support the washer and dryer, as well as detailed installation instructions. Maytag says installing the kit will require basic hand tools and novice repair experience, but having them installed by a professional might be worthwhile if you think you’d be unable to lift the bulky dryer onto the washer.
How We Tested It
I washed two small dog beds, which used to cause trouble in my old machine. The beds would never come out fully clean, and I would have to use an all-purpose cleaner to wipe out the washer and dryer afterward because they would be filled with dirt or fur. That was not the case this time. There wasn’t a bunch of gook left in the washing machine., and I didn’t have to use a lint roller to get the fur from our long-haired dog off.
When I put the dog beds in the dryer, I once again used the Bulky Items setting and let it rip. At the end of the cycle, the dog beds were dry and free of dirt and dog hair. Any stray dog hair landed in the lint collector, which was easy to remove. I was highly pleased that I did not have to clean out the inside of the washer or dryer, as I’ve had to do with previous machines!
Cleaning a Comforter
I also wanted to wash a new king-sized comforter before using it because it was smelly. It fits with ease inside both the washing machine and dryer, and it couldn’t have been easier. Previously, when I washed comforters or heavy blankets, the washing machine would tilt and stop working — requiring a reset. And with the dryer, multiple cycles were needed to get the comforters or blankets dry. This time, the comforter handled the wash cycle flawlessly. I think the lack of an agitator on the front loading machine allowed a better washing function.
Things did not get off-kilter, and the comforter came out fresh and clean. It took one cycle to dry it in the dryer, and it turned out perfectly warm and dry. I was so gleeful about it!
Washing Dark Clothing
For the next load, I washed a variety of dark clothing, including black leggings and black dress clothes. With our old machine, when I would wash dark clothes, they would come out covered in lint and/or dog hair. There was nothing that frustrated me more when that would happen. I can’t tell you how many things were ruined. With the new machine, I set the clothes to the normal setting. At the end of the cycle, when I pulled everything out, I was so thrilled not to have anything stuck to my clothes. The washing machine delivered with flying colors.
Workout Gear
Next, I wanted to do a load of workout gear that had been sitting in the laundry basket all week. Everything was dirty and smelly when it went in, and it came out clean and fresh. The extra power buttons are fantastic: I honestly wasn’t sure if they were necessary, but it’s a great feature. Be sure to add extra detergent to the extra power compartment.
Front-Loading Washer vs Top-Loading Washer
Let’s talk about what it’s like to have a front-loading wash machine versus a top loader. Ourprevious washer was a traditional top-load machine with an extra-large capacity. The size was nice, and you could select a pre-soak button that would fill up the machine halfway and then let your stained clothes sit in the water and detergent to get some extra attention. But, as I mentioned earlier, our old machine would tend to freeze up with bulky loads. It would also make a lot of noise. And when the load was finished, I usually had to stand on my tip toes to get things out of the bottom of the drum.
With the front load machine, there is no pre-soak setting. I suppose you could stick everything in the bin, start a wash and hit pause to create the same effect. But maybe it’s not necessary with all of the great settings on this machine. Plus, I’ve seen a number of comments from experts online that suggest your laundry will touch the laundry soap and water more often on a front-loading machine than it would on a top-loader that uses an agitator.
After using the front-loading washer for a while, I feel that it’s hard to tell when the machine is full. Maytag says the washer can handle 30 towels at once, but well before you get to that number, you start to feel like you’re piling up pancakes on the breakfast plate and wonder if the syrup will make it to the bottom of the stack. But they’re right. I’ve overstuffed the machine multiple times with two weeks of clothes, and everything is getting clean!
Pros
- Stackable or side-by-side
- Steam setting
- Comes in multiple colors
- Extra power feature gets clothing very clean
- 16-hour fresh hold
- 10-year warranty
- Available in electric or gas
Cons
- Hard to hear end-of-load alerts
- Some buttons are similar or duplicative, which is confusing
FAQ
What is the advantage of leaving the door open on the washer when it’s not in use?
You need to leave the door open all of the time when not in use so it doesn’t develop mold or mildew.
Can I do a full load on a quick wash and quick dry?
No. The settings are not meant for that. Quick Wash and Quick Dry should be used for small loads.
The dryer has both a ‘Regular’ and a ‘Normal’ setting. What’s the difference?
Though they sound similar, they are slightly different. The Regular setting lasts for 57 minutes on the second temperature setting out of four. The Normal setting uses hotter temperatures and lasts longer. It goes for 1:27 and uses the third temperature setting out of four.
Is Maytag made in China?
Though the various parts for the machines might be sourced from around the globe, these washers are assembled in Clyde, Ohio, and the dryers are assembled in Marion, Ohio.
Who owns Maytag now?
Maytag was a standalone company for more than 100 years before it was acquired by Whirlpool in 2006. In addition to washers and dryers, the Maytag brand makes refrigerators, dishwashers, ranges and microwave ovens. Other Whirlpool-owned brands include KitchenAid, JennAir and Amana.
What other reviewers/experts had to say
“The dryer is as nice as the matching washer,” said a verified Best Buy reviewer. “It auto senses dampness and dries accordingly. It is also quiet, perhaps even more so than the washer.”
“Steam is nice, as is the wrinkle guard,” said a verified Best Buy reviewer. “The dryer seems to actively adjust the time remaining based on sensors and usually ends up drying faster than anticipated.”
“We have had this washing machine and the matching dryer, both on pedestals for the last month,” said a Maytag reviewer. “They are FANTASTIC.”
Final Verdict
This Maytag washer/dryer combo delivers everything you would want for a large or small household. These machines can easily handle bigger jobs like comforters, dog beds and jumbo loads of towels. They can also pivot to smaller loads, delicates, or a quick wash of clothes if needed on short notice. This dynamic duo does an amazing job at everything I throw at them.
You will not be disappointed in the washing machine’s cleaning power or the dryer’s drying power. These good-looking machines are also stackable, so they can fit into a smaller space. I highly recommend them.
Where to Buy the Maytag Washer and Dryer
This Maytag washer and dryer set is available at Maytag, The Home Depot, and Best Buy. The washer is just under $900, and the dryer is around $800.
