Skip to main content
DEAL WATCH: Keurig K-Express | 22% off $69.99

Keurig has changed the face of coffee, and snagging one of these for less than $70 is a solid deal. Read Review

BUY NOW
  • Introduction

  • Front

  • Controls

  • Drawer

  • Interior

  • Sides

  • Back

  • Electricity Use

  • Water Use

  • Cost Per Wash

  • Yearly Running Cost

  • Washing Speed

  • Washing Cycles

  • Customization

  • Additional Wash Options

  • Washing Options

  • Detergent Dispenser

  • Washer Door

  • Ease of Use

  • Controls

  • Comparison

  • Comparison

  • Comparison

  • Efficiency

  • Performance

  • Features

  • Introduction
  • Front
  • Controls
  • Drawer
  • Interior
  • Sides
  • Back
  • Electricity Use
  • Water Use
  • Cost Per Wash
  • Yearly Running Cost
  • Washing Speed
  • Washing Cycles
  • Customization
  • Additional Wash Options
  • Washing Options
  • Detergent Dispenser
  • Washer Door
  • Ease of Use
  • Controls
  • Comparison
  • Comparison
  • Comparison
  • Efficiency
  • Performance
  • Features

Introduction

Front

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Controls

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Drawer

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Interior

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The interior of the CDWT980VSS.

Sides

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Olympus SZ-31MR iHS side views

Back

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Electricity Use

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Washers don't use a ton of electricity, and the {{product.name}} is no exception. Only 54 cents per year of the total operating cost goes to paying for electricity.

Water Use

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

In an average year, the {{product.name}} will set you back $17.64 on cold water and $8.92 on hot water, though you can save even more by choosing cold water washes.

Cost Per Wash

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

You won't think twice about running a wash. The most expensive, the Heavy cycle, costs 11 cents per use. At the other end of the spectrum, the Delicates cycle only costs 3 cents per wash.

Yearly Running Cost

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

{{comparison_bars title="Yearly Running Cost", attribute="Yearly Running Cost", xLabel="Cost to run over a typical year ($)"}}

Washing Speed

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Washing Cycles

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Neither the owner's manual nor control panel offers any hint at how long these cycles take. Luckily, we timed them for you.

Customization

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Users can customize the speed of the spin cycle and must choose a temperature for each wash.

Additional Wash Options

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

A "stain clean" (extra soak), extra rinse and extra spin can be added to certain cycles. All three can only be added to the Heavy and Normal cycles.

Washing Options

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Detergent Dispenser

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Opening the detergent dispenser requires sliding a safety latch beneath the handle. This is a minor annoyance that other washers don't have.

Washer Door

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

A lightweight door opens from right to left and cannot be reconfigured. The handle is curved, but not contoured.

The interior of the CDWT980VSS.

Ease of Use

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Front-loaders tend to be a little harder to load and unload, as they require bending down. The {{product.name}}'s simple controls could be a lot easier to use, too.

Controls

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Cycles and temperatures are set by tapered selector knobs, while spin cycles and extra features must be scrolled through with a single button. The options/select buttons may be somewhat confusing for some users, as the options button scrolls through the wash options, while the select button is used to turn that option on or off.

Comparison

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The GE can be found for far less than its MSRP -- within $60 of the {{product.name}}. For that, the GE offers slightly better stain lifting, a lot better dirt removal and a much more user-friendly set of controls.

Normal Stain Performance

Comparison

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

With better wash performance and dirt removal, plus a better control panel and overall feel, the {{product.name}} is in a different class of washer than the Frigidaire.

Normal Stain Performance

Comparison

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Found online for nearly double the price of the {{product.name}}, the Whirlpool has a lot more features and slightly better dirt removal, though only marginally better overall cleaning performance.

Normal Stain Performance

Efficiency

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

Even Jack Benny wouldn't complain about how much it costs to run the {{product.name}}. Most wash cycles cost less than a dime and would even cost less if you choose to turn down the temperature.

Performance

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

The {{product.name}} is tough on stains, but gentle on delicate fabrics. Unfortunately, that means it doesn't do the best job removing dirt or getting water out of finished loads.

Features

{{section_header}}{{section.name}}{{/section_header}}

We suspect the majority of money saved on building the {{product.name}} came from the sparse control panel. There isn't even a wash timer, let alone special features.

Meet the tester

Keith Barry

Keith Barry

Former Editor in Chief, Reviewed Home

@itskeithbarry

Keith was the Editor in Chief of Reviewed's appliance and automotive sites. His work has appeared in publications such as Wired, Car & Driver, and CityLab.

See all of Keith Barry's reviews

Checking our work.

Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.

Shoot us an email

Up next