I just used this washer and I absolutely found a gem. The old washer (9 years old) was flooding my floor. So I started some research. I had a list of what I was looking for: 3.5cuft or larger (this is 3.7), top loader, full agitator, must not require HE detergent (irritates my skin), manual water level setting (no automatic sensing), no limit set on hot temperature (must use 115-120F water), must have second rinse, no "cycles" overload, no automatic load balancing (uses too much water and TIME0, must allow for soaking (no auto drain if lid left open over 10 minutes), no lid lock (can add more stuff on the fly). So this Hotpoint came right to the front of the line — hit every requirement. Reaction after hours of joyful use: the machine is orders of magnitude quieter, the spin cycle is really high speed and extracts much more water than the replaced washer and the wash is quick with very clean clothes thanks to the two speed agitator. Some pleasant surprises: during the rinse fill cycle, the agitator pulses to move the clothes around as fresh water enters, spin drying starts slowly and in three steps get to the max (quietly, too). No delicate cycle, but the permanent-press cycle uses gentle cycling (pulses and slower spin speed). Every washer setting worked exactly as expected: hot water, full tub, soak, two rinses. No whistles, no PhD degree for operation settings. Just set a three dials and wait for the clean clothes. Full disclosure: I do not work for Hotpoint or GE. I design computers and did not want one for a washer (ok, there are internal electronic controls, but I think you know what I mean).

I've had it for about a week. It does a good job of washing and leaves the clothes ready for the dryer. I find it makes a loud swooshing sound when in washing mode. I previous washer that died after eight years was a Whirlpool.. I loved it and it made very little noise. We bought the extra warranty just in case. I hope I get used to the annoying noise.

As appliances get more complex, I find that they tend to also get more problematic. Since the cost of a repairman can easily run close to the cost of a new basic appliance, I find it more economical to do without the bells, whistles, and buzzers and buy a reasonably priced washer or dryer that gets good ratings and meets my needs. I purchased this Hotpoint washer at a local big box store and since the controls are quite basic, four load levels and the usual three combinations of water/rinse temperatures, there was no need to read the instruction booklet and I just proceeded to finish the laundry left over when my last basic machine died after six years. It has a nice size capacity as well as the expected bleach dispenser and a power rinse cycle for use with fabric softener. One thing that did surprise and please me was how quiet this machine runs. It does a nice job with getting clothes clean, with cycles for whites, permanent press, colors and light or heavy time choices for each of those.

I normally don't spend time doing reviews but the washing machine thing became a very sore topic around our house. We used Consumer Reports to guide us (normally they have been good to us in the past) and purchased an expensive, highly recommended, water and energy efficient machine. Within a few months all our towels and cotton clothing were smelling like mold. We tried cleaning with clorox, vinegar, and a number of other tricks. It got so bad, we gave the machine away after a year. We replaced with another fancy, recommended, high efficiency machine. After another year of suffering with the same problem we also got rid of that machine. We went online and saw that many other people were having the same problem, and there are now class action suits against the manufacturers of those machines. Which brings us to this inexpensive, ugly little white box of a washing machine. It is so simple to use, it makes me laugh--it's like the machine my mom used when I was a kid. It won't sing a nifty tune when the clothes are done, and it doesn't have any USB ports or a cappucino maker. But our clothes finally smell clean and fresh. It has worked great for us for the past three months, and we do several loads a day. Saving water and electricity is great, but you know what's even better? Clothes that don't stink the second you put them on! Buyer beware on those fancy chrome machines.

Works wonderfully. Awesome price! Purchased even though it had some bad reviews, and washer did none of the things the bad reviews posted.