Whirlpool WFW6620HW front-load washing machine review

We should also mention that this model is classified as closet depth, meaning it’s 31.56 inches deep—giving you about two inches of saved space compared to other front-load washers. Overall, the WFW6620HW has a lot of great design choices, culminating into a very handsome-looking machine. Its downside comes from its build quality. Having spent several weeks fiddling with this washing machine, we think some of the parts, like the detergent dispenser, feel a bit too flexible and possibly breakable.

About the Whirlpool WFW6620HW

• Dimensions: 31.56” x 38.63” x 27” (D x H x W) • Capacity: 4.5 cu. ft. • What to wash: Regular, Delicates, Bulky Items, Whites, Colors, Towels • How to wash: Normal, Wrinkle Control, Heavy Duty, Sanitize, Cold Wash, Quick • Warranty: One-year limited warranty

What we like

It’s less easy to have a laundry “accident”

Have you ever told a teenager or a hapless spouse to do the laundry, only to worry that all your whites will come out pink? Even laundry veterans can be thrown for a loop on how to handle tricky stains. The WFW6620HW helps remove confusion with its two-step process: First, you select what you’re washing, and second, how you wish for it to be washed.

We originally tested this What to Wash / How to Wash system on the Whirlpool Cabrio WTW85000DC when it debuted in 2015. Since then, Whirlpool has mastered its system. It covers all your bases without being overwhelming.

The WFW6620HW takes it one step further with its Load and Go XL dispenser. There’s a drawer at the bottom of the unit that can store detergent for up to 40 loads of laundry. The system automatically dispenses the optimum amount of detergent based on the amount of laundry and the cycle selected. Add too much detergent and your clothes come out greasy. When you add too little detergent, stains remain.

You can select hot or cold whenever you need it

Washing your laundry in cold water is a surefire way to help the planet. The WFW6620HW lets you turn a Normal or Quick cycle into a cold wash.

On the other side of the spectrum, sometimes you need to bring the heat, like if you get a grease stain on your favorite shirt, and this Whirlpool washer can do that, too. When we tested the Sanitize and Steam functions, our sensors picked up temperatures as high as 150°F. That’s enough to blast away grease stains and destroy many types of microorganisms and allergens.

It will fit in a laundry closet

The WFW6620HW measures just 31 and 9/16th inches deep—about an inch or two shallower than the average full-sized front loader. Being just a tad smaller than average means this washer can be placed in a laundry closet. The number of full-sized washers that can fit in a space usually designed for compact machines or laundry centers is pretty slim, so the WFW6620HW is a rare breed.

What we don’t like

Parts are a bit flimsy and noisy

The plastic bubble over the door, the regular detergent dispenser, and the special Load and Go XL feel flimsy and it’s not hard to imagine them breaking. This is not a huge deal since the average consumer doesn’t yank and slam their washer all the time. However, you may find these parts rattle and squeak during the spin cycle.

It accumulates detergent residue

On multiple occasions during testing, we had to clean soap residue out of the detergent dispenser. In our labs, we use AHAM powder detergent, which is specially formulated for testing. Every test cycle, we measure out a certain amount of detergent based on the cycle and the weight of the laundry.

After the Quick and Delicate cycles, we found globs of detergents left behind. This experience isn’t unique to us or to powdered detergents. We read online complaints of detergent pods not fully dissolving on certain cycles as well.

If you find this happening to you, we suggest reducing the amount of detergent or choosing a cycle that uses warmer water.

What users are saying

At the time of writing this review, there are 511 reviews of the Whirlpool WFW6620HW on The Home Depot website, with 84% of them recommending this washer. Users liked the Load and Go XL feature, as well as the machine’s cleaning performance.

Detractors of the WFW6620HW cited high amounts of vibration and noise as their main reason for not recommending this Whirlpool model.

Should you buy the Whirlpool WFW6620HW?

Yes, if you’re in the market for a closet-depth washer.

Just make sure during installation that the machine is perfectly level. Otherwise, the vibrations and noise might sour your experience.

Its cleaning performance is on point, especially when you access the Sanitize and Steam options.

For a washer in the under-$1,000 market, the WFW6620HW is jam packed with special features and the unique cycle selection.