Inside Consumer Reports Test Labs: The LG WM210C[W] front-loading washer is a real mover and shaker

Because front-loading washing machines spin so rapidly—up to 1,200 revolutions per minute—and their drums rotate on a horizontal axis, the vibration and noise these machines produce can be a nuisance for users, especially when a front-loader is used near main living areas or on a second floor in a home.

Our testers have seen plenty of front-loaders that produce a lot of vibration and noise, though no front-loader has ever actually moved from its spot during our vibration testing. Until now. In a recent vibration test on a wood floor, the $550 LG WM2010C[W] front-loader turned on an angle and moved forward about three inches when it had an 8-pound evenly distributed load . And when we repeated the test with a 1-pound unbalanced load, the LG again slid forward several inches.

LG offers a solution with the “SpinSense” function, which the manufacturer says “can be used to help reduce or eliminate vibrations, especially on wood floor installations.” When our testers turned on the SpinSense mode, the WM2010C[W] didn’t vibrate and stayed put. The trade-off is that the machine extracted about 20 percent less water from the load. In practical terms, that means more time and energy are required to dry a load.

On the performance front, this LG front-loader delivered only good cleaning, unusual for front-loading machines, which typically get a very good or excellent score in our tests. The WM2010C[W] does offers excellent capacity, with a claimed capacity of 3.5-cubic-foot in its stainless-steel wash basket. It was gentle on laundry and excelled in energy- and water efficiency, though, again, if you use the SpinSense function you’ll use more energy drying. Cycle time is 90 minutes, and the model is stackable and includes a child lock.

While this LG is inexpensive for a front-loader—many cost $1,000 and up—other models, including the Frigidaire Gallery GLTF2940F, $650, deliver better washing performance without the vibration concerns. See our continuously updated ratings (available to subscribers) for more details on this and dozens of other washers.—Kimberly Janeway | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook

Essential information: Check out our free buyer’s guides to washing machines and dryers, our latest report on laundry detergents, and our advice for placing laundry rooms near living spaces.