GE built a front-loader with genuinely clever features, auto-dosing that actually works, a vent system that fights mold better than most, then strapped them to electronics that fail like clockwork. Inverter boards die at two to three years and frequently take the main control board with them, turning a $160 part into a $450 repair once you pay labor. Some three or four board replacements in the first few years, and GE's ten-year motor warranty covers parts only, leaving you with the $250-300 technician bill every time. Skip this unless you're getting a steep discount and extended labor coverage, or you enjoy maintaining a relationship with your appliance repair guy.
LG's front loaders routinely run 12-19 years with minimal repairs, and this black steel flagship inherits that bulletproof direct-drive motor and easy serviceability. The odd catch: climbing to this trim level strips out the basic soak cycle cheaper models include, the auto-dispense softener compartment leaks if you use vinegar, and a few chemically sensitive owners couldn't shake the new-machine off-gassing smell even after multiple hot washes. Buy if you want a quiet, decade-plus workhorse and can live without a few conveniences; skip if you need every feature to work intuitively or have scent sensitivities, the mid-range 4000 series gives you most of the durability for less money and fewer quirks.