I'd always had top loading machines until six years ago when our last ones went kaput and we needed to replace them. We went with Samsung front load washer and dryer with pedestals and I absolutely love them! We got a really super deal on the pair late in the year when new models were coming out and my husband convinced them to throw in the pedestals at very little extra charge. I'm 5' 4 1/2 inches tall and these are the perfect height for me with the pedestals and require no bending. They are large capacity machines which I am thrilled about because it allows me to launder king size bedspreads, blankets and comforters with ease and all three of our bedrooms have king size beds and I truly love the fact that they don't have the agitator mechanism that used to sometimes tear up delicate fabrics! They do make smaller capacity front load machines though for those who don't want the large ones. My husband did a lot of research before we made our purchase, reading pro's and con's of many different brands. He's the technical and mechanical one in the family and wanted to be sure we got something that didn't have a lot of issues ... and six years later, these machines are still going strong without any problems whatsoever! I'm not sure what models they are but the washer has the VRT (Vibration reduction technology) which is wonderful; it adjusts to load size and does not wobble and get off-balance with heavy loads like every other washer I've had in the past! Last year we purchased our retirement home where we will be moving in May and there's a real nice Maytag set (front loader washer and dryer on pedestals) in the laundry room at that house but we are switching them out before we move in. We'll bring that set here for when we put this house up for sale and take my Samsung's down to our new house. Our best friends just replaced their washer and dryer in December and they went with the Samsung top loader washer. She got a great deal at Lowes on scratch and dent machines but you can't see any dents or scratches anywhere. She said there was a small scratch on the washer but it's on the back by the wall so it doesn't matter.
My oldest sister and her husband moved about a year ago and they got the LG brand front load washer and dryer and she loves them. My youngest sister has (I think Maytag) front load washer and dryer with the steam option and she loves hers.
I've never had odor problems with my washer but I leave the door open until the interior has dried because I read something a long time ago about that they seal so solidly if you don't let them dry out they will begin to smell. I read something about cleaning the front door gasket thingy out and did it once but I'm lazy and never bothered again ... so far, I haven't had any issues with odors.
