Washer Capacity Guide: How Many Cubic Feet Do You Need?
Washer capacity is listed in cubic feet. Compare six washers from 2.5 to 4.8 cu. ft. from GE, Whirlpool, Samsung and LG to see what each size means.
Washer capacity is listed in cubic feet, and it is one of the first numbers to check. A small drum fits a laundry closet or apartment, while a larger drum holds bulkier loads. The washers in this guide run from 2.5 to 4.8 cu. ft. and include both front-load and top-load models.
This guide compares six washers using the details on each product page. For help with the two designs, see our guide to front-load vs top-load washers, or browse all washers.
- The GE GFW148SSMWW is a 2.5 cu. ft. front-load washer with steam and sanitize, made for small spaces.
- The GE GTW325ASWWW (4 cu. ft.) and Whirlpool WTW4307SW (4.3 cu. ft.) are top-load washers.
- The Samsung WA45T3200AW (4.5 cu. ft.) is a top-load washer and the LG WM4000HBA (4.5 cu. ft.) is a front-load washer.
- The GE GFW550SSNWW is a front-load washer with 4.8 cu. ft., steam and Sanitize.
- Match the washer size to your space and the dryer you plan to pair it with.
Our top picks at a glance
Compare them side by sideSmall-Space Pick: GE GFW148SSMWW
The GFW148SSMWW is a front-load washer with 2.5 cu. ft. that lists steam, sanitize, a water heater, 14 cycles and Energy Star certification. It is 23 7/16" wide, 25 5/8" deep and 33 1/4" tall, and it plugs into a dryer or the wall.
- Steam and Sanitize
- 14 cycles
- Plugs into a dryer or the wall
- 2.5 cu. ft. drum
4 Cu. Ft. Top-Load Pick: GE GTW325ASWWW
GE GTW325ASWWW 27 inch Top Load Washer with 4 cu. ft. Capacity, Stainless Steel Basket and Water Level Control in White
The GTW325ASWWW is a top-load washer with 4 cu. ft., a stainless steel basket and water level control. It lists an agitator, 11 cycles and 6 temperature settings, and it is 27" wide.
- Stainless steel basket
- Water level control
- Agitator
- No steam cycle
4.3 Cu. Ft. Top-Load Pick: Whirlpool WTW4307SW
Whirlpool WTW4307SW 28 Inch Top Load Washer with 4.3 cu. ft. Capacity, 12 Wash Cycles, 2 in 1 Removable Agitator, Soft-Close Glass Lid, Lid Lock in White
The WTW4307SW is a top-load washer with 4.3 cu. ft. that lists a 2 in 1 removable agitator, a soft-close glass lid, a lid lock, 12 cycles and Sanitize.
- Removable agitator
- Soft-close glass lid
- Sanitize
- No steam cycle
4.5 Cu. Ft. Top-Load Pick: Samsung WA45T3200AW
Samsung WA45T3200AW 27 inch Top Load Washer with 4.5 cu. ft. Capacity, Self Clean, Vibration Reduction Technology+ and Child Lock in White
The WA45T3200AW is a top-load washer with 4.5 cu. ft. in white. It lists Self Clean, Vibration Reduction Technology+ and a child lock, with 8 cycles and no agitator.
- Self Clean
- Vibration Reduction Technology+
- Child lock
- 8 cycles
4.5 Cu. Ft. Front-Load Pick: LG WM4000HBA
LG WM4000HBA 27 inch Front Load Washer with 4.5 cu. ft. Capacity, AIDD, TurboWash, Steam and Wi-Fi Connectivity (Black Steel)
The WM4000HBA is a front-load washer with 4.5 cu. ft. in Black Steel. It lists TurboWash, steam, AIDD, Wi-Fi and a water heater, with 12 cycles and a Sanitize option.
- TurboWash
- Steam
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Front-load door needs room to open
4.8 Cu. Ft. Front-Load Pick: GE GFW550SSNWW
The GFW550SSNWW is a smart front-load washer with 4.8 cu. ft. that lists the UltraFresh Vent System with OdorBlock, steam, Sanitize and delay start. It is 28" wide, 32" deep and 39 3/4" tall.
- UltraFresh Vent System
- Steam and Sanitize
- Smart washer
- 32" deep
Washer Capacities Compared
2.5 Cu. Ft. | 4 Cu. Ft. | 4.3 Cu. Ft. | 4.5 Samsung | 4.5 LG | 4.8 Cu. Ft. | |
| Model | GFW148SSMWW | GTW325ASWWW | WTW4307SW | WA45T3200AW | WM4000HBA | GFW550SSNWW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,093 | $513 | $578 | $525 | $925 | $773 |
| Type | Front load | Top load | Top load | Top load | Front load | Front load |
| Capacity | 2.5 cu. ft. | 4 cu. ft. | 4.3 cu. ft. | 4.5 cu. ft. | 4.5 cu. ft. | 4.8 cu. ft. |
| Width | 23 7/16" | 27" | 27 1/8" | 27" | 27" | 28" |
| Depth | 25 5/8" | 27" | 26 1/4" | 29 5/16" | 30 1/4" | 32" |
| Height | 33 1/4" | 44" | 42 5/8" | 44" | 39" | 39 3/4" |
| Cycles | 14 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 12 | 10 |
| Steam |  | Not included | Not included | Not included | | |
| Sanitize | | Not listed | | Not listed | | |
| View | View | View | View | View | View |
What Washer Capacity Means
Capacity is the volume of the wash drum in cubic feet. A bigger number means a larger drum, which can hold bulkier items. Compare capacity with how much laundry you do at once, and check the manual for load guidance.
- Small space: 2.5 cu. ft.
- Top-load mid size: 4 to 4.5 cu. ft.
- Front-load full size: 4.5 to 4.8 cu. ft.
Front-Load or Top-Load?
The front-load washers here (GFW148SSMWW, WM4000HBA and GFW550SSNWW) all list steam. The top-load washers (GTW325ASWWW, WTW4307SW and WA45T3200AW) list no steam, and two of them list an agitator. Front-load doors open sideways and need clearance in front, while top-load lids open upward and need clearance above.
Pairing with a Dryer
A washer is only half of the pair. Match the width and depth of your washer with the dryer you plan to use, and check the dryer's capacity in cubic feet. Our guide to compact laundry sets covers smaller spaces.
How to Choose a Washer Size
- 01
Measure the spaceCheck width, depth and height, plus room for hoses and the door.
- 02
Choose the typePick front-load or top-load.
- 03
Choose the capacityPick a drum size that fits how much laundry you do.
- 04
Pick the dryerMatch the dryer's capacity to the washer you choose.
Our picks by budget
Compare washers by capacity, type and features.
Shop washersFrequently Asked Questions
What does washer capacity mean?
It is the size of the wash drum in cubic feet. A larger number means a larger drum.
How big is the smallest washer in this guide?
The GFW148SSMWW lists 2.5 cu. ft.
Which washers here are front-load?
The GFW148SSMWW, WM4000HBA and GFW550SSNWW are front-load washers.
Which washers here have steam?
The GFW148SSMWW, WM4000HBA and GFW550SSNWW list steam.
Do top-load washers have agitators?
The GTW325ASWWW and WTW4307SW list agitators, and the WA45T3200AW lists none.
