I swear they are all built to break within 5 years or less.

I swear by never buying Samsung, best I can offer

I have a Samsung front-loading washer and dryer. My wife hates them, especially the washer, but it’s what we have. I’ve had to repair both but they keep going. The dryer has only needed a heating element replaced. The washer has needed a power inverter board and several door gasket replaceme...

Is it off balance?

migrant labour

If it's a relatively new front loader, check for shipping bolts first. Front loaders ship with three or four bolts holding the drum, and they have to come out before first use or the drum can't move freely.

Every washer and dryer I've owned has been purchased secondhand and non-digital. That's my only advice. Also, Dawn is right about opening it up and checking counterbalances. We have a friend that does appliance repair so we use him for the hard stuff but if it's an older machine, no digital shit, yo...

Go low tech. No board, dials and knobs. Maytag.

My house came with a Samsung, electric, front loader. We've run it hard since '12 with no issues except a failed heating element. That was an easy DIY fix.

Speed Queen

I have the Speed Queen TW01 and TW02 heavy duty commercial washer and dryer. They beat the shit out of your clothes, but they actually remove stains and just run forever.

Miele. Or Bosch if you’re on a budget.

A violent spin cycle is usually a leveling or floor issue rather than the machine — check that it's dead level and that the shipping bolts are out before blaming the brand. If you're actually replacing it, Speed Queen is the one repair techs and laundromat owners swear by: overbuilt, mechanical, t...