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Editor's Note:

The Whirlpool Cabrio WTW8700EC (MSRP $1,399) with smart functionality is the flagship of Whirlpool's Cabrio top-load washer series.

The 5.3-cu.-ft. washer impressed us with its ditch-the-dial control system. Divided into What to Wash and How to Wash, consumers will find that it elminates much of the mystery about what settings to use.

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Our lab tests showed that you can expect stain removal on the level of other Whirlpool top loaders—that is, about average. Expect cycles to run about an hour, and to be great at removing protein-based stains.

For about $150 more than the otherwise-identical Whirlpool WTW8500DC, the smart WTW8700EC adds the ability to download new wash cycles and remotely start your washer from anywhere in the world.

To learn about this washer's matching dryer, read our full review of the Whirlpool Cabrio WED8700EC.

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What's Unique?

Those smart features separate the 8700 from the rest of the Cabrio lineup—and from any other washer on sale. We tested these features extensively and appreciated the effort, but found them wanting.

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{{amazon name="Tide High Efficiency Laundry Detergent", asin="B00PY9YZGC", align="right"}}In theory, Whirlpool's laundry app allows you to download new cycles to your washer, remotely start it, and get status updates all from your phone. The idea is appealing: Imagine loading your laundry into your machine before you go to work, then scheduling it to start so it finishes just as you open your front door.

In practice, however, the 8700's smart features and associated apps were less than intuitive. It took multiple tries to register our unit, multiple attempts to remote start, and a call to customer support to download a cycle. But it's not all bad news—the WTW8700EC's Nest compatibility promises to adjust cycles to run more quietly when you're home, and Whirlpool has announced a whole family of appliances that will follow suit.

We'd recommend waiting for some software upgrades. But if you're looking to transform your home into a smart home today, Whirlpool has you covered.

For much more information, read our review of the otherwise-identical Whirlpool WTW8500DC.

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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

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