What size? Budget?

We like Miele. It is compact size though,

Probably on the bigger side - we do tons of laundry! More concerned with reliability and performance than price

How many loads per week is a lot? family size and types of textiles? Any king size bedding?

We do 40+ loads per week in Miele for 13 family members. Very reliable.

Larger capacity options for reliability in residential machines would be Speed Queen and LG. Speed Queen will lack onboard heater.

Thanks for the tips - what happens with washtower of one of the machines breaks - do you have to replace the whole thing?? Will have to check out Miele too - my family is slowly downsizing as the older kids leave home. I do have king size bedding… mostly queen but one king comforter. We have athletes so I am constantly washing large loads of smelly clothes.

what happens with washtower of one of the machines breaks - do you have to replace the whole thing??

Yes, assuming it can't be repaired - but in my experience both units in a stacked pair are usually replaced at the same time anyway. I had an LG washer die at about 12 years old, and I replaced the matching dryer at the same time because I didn't want the two units so out of sync in their remaining years left. I sold the still-working 12 year old dryer. Sometimes new units don't match in size either.

Honestly, it never occurred to me that I'd want to replace one without replacing both. Maybe I'm just weird that way.

I might consider a washer/dryer combo with heat pump technology. They are wider than a typical washer, but not as wide as a washer and dryer side by side. They are easier to install since its a heat pump (plug into a 120 volt standard plug with no gas connection or heavy 220 volt plug in) And you will never have to switch clothes from the washer to dryer again because it switches to drying when washing is done. What is not to love?

$2600 for one at Home Depot

Just bought the LG washer dryer stack (all one unit) and LOVE it!

Good to know. Thank you.