Well, I can speak on LG....

We got a LG 2077 washer and matching dryer at the end of 2004 and it lasted until this April when a flood in our basement took the dryer out. Since it was city sewer water that flooded our basement with 3.5 ft of water, we replaced them both since neither my wife or I would think our clothes would have gotten "clean" again. In those 6 years the machines worked great and probably would work today if it were not for the flood.

Cleaning performance was great and we really liked the machines. We replaced them with a matching Kenmore set which is made by LG. We got the 4044 washer with steam and the matching gas dryer. They also work well.

I think the most important thing is to get a machine with a heater. If it has a Sanitary cycle it has a heater.

Hope this helps!

Before I got my Frigidaire FL, I did some research. The LG's got much better reviews than the Whirlpools. I would have gone LG but they were out of my price range at them time so I got the Frigidaire. Next one I get will be an LG. I just haven't decided if I want the HE top loader or the FL.

We upgraded from Whirlpool Duet Sport to LG WM2301 last year and I couldn't be happier. Mind you, the Duets we had were the smaller, simpler version of Duets, so I'm not sure how they would compare to the full size set with all the features. But my new LG washes a lot better, does not vibrate as much and, most importantly, has a heater that heats up the wash water in Hot and Extra Hot cycles. Whatever you decide, do what itguy08 says: get a washer with a heater.