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  • Introduction

  • Design & Usability

  • Performance & Features

  • Conclusion

  • Science Introduction

  • Cleaning Performance

  • Efficiency

  • Introduction
  • Design & Usability
  • Performance & Features
  • Conclusion
  • Science Introduction
  • Cleaning Performance
  • Efficiency

Introduction

Overall, this washer managed a decent job of removing stains. But no other washer offers this kind of capacity alongside nifty features like the ability to add steam to some cycles. With its cavernous interior and tech-savvy feature set, GE has produced a top loader for the next generation of American consumers.

Design & Usability

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The GTWS8650DWS has frills, but no fuss.

The GE GTWS8650DWS is surprisingly easy to use from the very beginning of a wash. Open the door, and it'll turn on a basket light gradually. Close it, and soft-close hinges keep it from slamming.

The GE GTWS8650DWS is surprisingly easy to use.

Prepping for laundry has also been simplified and purified. There are four dispensers, two of which are SmartDispense tanks. That means they can hold up to two months of fabric softener and liquid detergent, which the GTWS8650DWS will dispense automatically based on load sensors.

The giant GE wasn't all rainbows and kittens, however. Of note, during the Sanitize cycle the edges of the lid became very wet because steam started condensing on the outside of the machine. If you keep your washer in a closet, you may want to keep the doors open, unless you want a combination laundry room and sauna.

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Performance & Features

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This washing machine has slightly above average performance, and plenty of features

Top loaders tend to be less efficient than their front-loading counterparts. The GTWS8650DWS was no different. Based on national average costs for electricity and water, we estimate the yearly running cost to be around $47. That's quite good for a top-loader, but still about $10 to $15 more per year than an average front-loading machine. We also had a chance to check out the eWash feature, which saved about a nickel a wash in our tests. However, a closer look showed this feature is more economical than environmental: It took longer, used more electricity, and more water overall. The savings came from using less hot water.

This washing machine did a great job of spinning out excess water before a cycle completed. On average, test loads retained only about 56% of their weight in water. This means that your dryer will have to expend less energy to dry your clothes.

One of the coolest features of this washer comes into play if you decide to buy a matching dryer: The GTWS8650DWS will send a signal to the GTDS820ED0WS dryer to select the appropriate cycle for the wash that just ended. Washers talking to dryers? Next thing you know, cats and dogs will be friends! There's also a vibration reducing option called Vibration Control, and a stain removal guide that was a little silly, but fun to play around with.

Conclusion

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The {{ products(50fa340896ab5860160c8bd4).name }} is a solid machine.

GE has made a big deal of how the GTWS8650DWS is made in America, but we're more impressed with how well it's made for Americans. Giant top loaders are king in the US, and this machine marries features with capacity. Its cleaning performance was on par with the best top-loading washers, too.

Though it used less water and electricity than many of its top-loading counterparts, efficiency proved to be the {{ products(50fa340896ab5860160c8bd4).model }}'s weakest pillar. Based on national average costs for water and electricity, this washer will cost around $47 a year to run, which is about $10 to $15 more than the average front-loader. Still, this washer has nearly twice the capacity of some of those super-efficient machines. Depending on how much laundry you do in a load, you may end up coming out ahead.

Science Introduction

We put every washing machine we get through a set of standardized tests. When all was said and done, the {{ products(50fa340896ab5860160c8bd4).name }} stood a competent machine.

Cleaning Performance

To test cleaning performance, we placed in stain strips for the {{ products(50fa340896ab5860160c8bd4).name }} to deal with. The strip is divided up into sections, each stained with a different common household substance such as cocoa or red wine. These strips are placed in a test load weighing approximately eight pounds.

After a cycle has concluded, using industry standard detergent, we place the strips under a light spectrometer. We measure the amount of the stain is lifted.

The {{ products(50fa340896ab5860160c8bd4).name }} had little trouble dealing with organic stains like sweat, blood, and red wine.

Efficiency

Whenever we hook up a washing machine, we attach water meters. We take note of how much water each cycle requires. The {{ products(50fa340896ab5860160c8bd4).name }} did well, for a top loader. The Normal cycle used about 20 gallons of water and 200 watt-hours of energy. Combined, that adds up to about 14 cents.

If you consider that most consumers use a combination of cycles, we estimate this washing machine will have a yearly operating cost of around $47.

Meet the tester

Jonathan Chan

Jonathan Chan

Senior Manager of Lab Operations

@Jonfromthelab1

Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.

See all of Jonathan Chan'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.

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