How Much Does A Washing Machine Weigh?
The best way to move a washing machine depends on how heavy it is and where you’re moving it. In some cases straps are the best choice and in others you should use a hand truck. The average weight of a washing machine is about 170 pounds. A large capacity washing machine weighs around 230 pounds on average. A medium capacity top-loading washing machine weighs around 150 pounds while a medium capacity front-loading washer weigh around 180 pounds. Washing machines weigh between 100 and 300 pounds, depending on the washer’s size, brand, type, features, quality and the components used. In general, higher end brands weigh more than cheap brands because they use better parts and a heavier motor.
Front load washers are generally about 10-20 pounds heavier than top load washers because they have added counterweights. If you don’t know the exact weight of a washing machine you need to move, know that front loaders generally weigh more than top loaders of the same size.
A washing machine filled with water can weigh between 300-500 pounds, based on the type and capacity. An average washer uses from 20 to 25 gallons of water per cycle. High efficiency top load washers average between 12 to 17 gallons of water per cycle while high efficiency front load washers average only 7 gallons per load. Water weighs 8.34 pounds per gallon, so they can get quite heavy when you fill them up.
When moving a washing machine, use a dolly or straps based on how much the machine weighs, and have a plan for how you’ll be maneuvering around the house without damaging the home or washer.
The 10 Best Washing Machines & How Much They Weigh
Here’s a list of the 10 best washing machine being sold today, including their type, capacity and weight along with a link to the product listing if you want to see more details.
Washing Machine |
Type |
Capacity |
Weight |
Product Listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Large Smart Dial Washer | Front Load | 6.0 cubic feet | 304 lbs | See On Amazon |
| Samsung Small Smart Dial Washer | Front Load | 2.5 cubic feet | 167 lbs | See On Amazon |
| Whirlpool High Efficiency Washer |
Front Load | 3.1 cubic feet | 235 lbs | See At Home Depot |
| GE High Efficiency Stackable Washer | Front Load | 2.4 cubic feet | 166 lbs | See At Home Depot |
| Bosh 5.0 Series Energy Star Compact Washer | Front Load | 2.2 cubic feet | 160 lbs | See At Home Depot |
| Maytag Washer With Deep Fill | Top Load | 4.8 cubic feet | 150 lbs | See At Home Depot |
| Whirlpool Large High Efficiency Washer |
Front Load | 4.3 cubic feet | 220 lbs | See At Home Depot |
| Maytag Washer Extra Power Button |
Top Load | 5.3 cubic feet | 139 lbs | See At Home Depot |
| Maytag Stackable With Steam |
Front Load | 4.8 cubic feet | 220 lbs | See At Home Depot |
| LG Large Capacity |
Front Load | 4.5 cubic feet | 187 lbs | See At Home Depot |
How Much Does A Washing Machine Weigh?
How much a washing machine weighs depends on its size, brand, type, features, quality and the components used. In general, higher end brands weigh more than cheap brands because they use heavier parts and a bigger motor. The average weight of a small capacity washing machine starts at around 99 pounds while an extra-large machine can weigh up to 300 pounds.
When comparing washing machines of the same size, but made by different brands, the higher end machines generally weigh 10-30% more. This is because the manufacturer is using better, stronger and more durable components which are heavier.
- Front load washing machines are about 10-20% heavier vs a top load washer of the same capacity and brand. They use less water so more counterweight is used to balance them out and the door tends to be larger and thicker glass
- The weight of a washing machine varies based on the brand and model.
On average, a washing machine weighs around 170 lbs. S small washers averages around 100-120 lbs in weight, a medium capacity washer weighs around 150-180 lbs while a large capacity washing machine weighs around 230 pounds and up.
Washing Machine Type |
Average Weight |
Average Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Top-Load Washing Machine | 125 | 3.1-4.0 cubic feet |
| Front-Load Washing Machine (Average Size) | 205 | 4.2-4.5 cubic feet |
| Small Capacity Front Load Washing Machine | 180 | 2.0-2.5 cubic feet |
| Medium Capacity Front Load Washing Machine | 250 | 3.1-4.0 cubic feet |
| Large Capacity Front Load Washing Machine | 300 | 4.2-5.0 cubic feet |
| Washer-Dryer Combo | 200 | 1.6-3.0 cubic feet |
What’s The Average Weight Of A Washing Machine?
The average weight of a washing machine is about 170 pounds. Washing machines come in front load and top load designed, front load being about 10-20 pounds heavier on average. They’re sold in different sizes ranging from small, medium and large capacities. Small sizes average around 100-120 lbs while large capacity units can weigh over 230 lbs. Brands and quality make a difference too because higher end manufacturers like Maytag use better parts which are heavier than cheaper store brand appliances.
When you compare the weight of each type of washing machine by brand, size, type and overall quality, the average weight of a washer is around 170 lbs when empty. However, that weight can increase by over 100 lbs when full of clothes and water.
How Much Does A Washing Machine Weigh With Water?
Washing machines are quite heavy when bone dry, averaging 170 pounds. But when filled with water they can easily weigh an additional 100+ pounds. One gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds, and the average water capacity of a new washer is around 13 gallons, so that’s an additional 108 pounds worth of water weight on average.
Washing Machine Type |
Average Gallons Used Per Load |
|---|---|
| Older Top-Load washing machines | 30-35 gallons |
| Modern Top-Load washing machines | 19 gallons |
| High-efficiency top-load washing machine | 13 gallons |
| High-efficiency front-load washing machine | 7 gallons |
Old-fashioned top-load washing machines used between 30-25 gallons of water per wash, which is around double the water usage of modern top-load machines and 4-5 times more than Energy Star front load machines. This made them extremely heavy, carrying around 250 to 291 pounds of water weight.
- Modern top-load washing machines are much better than old fashioned machines and only carry around 19 gallons of water per wash. This is an additional 158 pounds of water.
- High efficiency top-load machines only use 13 gallons of water per wash, which is just 108 additional pounds.
- High efficiency front-load washers are the lightest and most efficient and only uses 7 gallons of water per wash, which is just 58 additional pounds.
In addition to water, an average load of wash ranges fro 6 to 21 pounds of clothes. When you add up the weight of an average washing machine, the water and the clothes, a fully loaded washer weighs over 325 pounds.
How Much Does A Load Of Laundry Weigh?
A load of laundry adds weight to a washing machine based on the size of the load and the capacity of the washer. On average, a medium size load weighs about 6 pounds, a large load weighs around 11 pounds and an extra large load weighs approximately 21 pounds.
- Medium/regular load: A medium size load weighs 6 pounds and fill a regular size laundry basket.
- Large load: A large load weighs around 11 pounds and fills a large laundry basket.
- Extra-large load: An extra large load weighs around 21 pounds and fills almost two large laundry baskets.
For reference, a medium size load is about one full regular size laundry basket worth of clothes or what you could easily carry with both arms. A large load fills a large laundry basket and is difficult to carry even with both arms wrapped around it. An extra large load fills almost two large laundry basket and takes two people to carry.
- A small-capacity washer only fits a small load of around 5-6 pounds.
- A medium top load washing machine holds around 7-10 pounds of laundry.
- Larger capacity top load washing machines can hold about 10-14 pounds of clothing.
- A standard size front load washing machine can hold 15-18 pounds of clothing.
- An extra-large capacity front load washer can hold as much as 20-22 pounds of laundry.
When calculating the weight of a washing, make sure to consider the weight of the water and the clothes if you have to move it while it’s full.
Why Are Washing Machines So Heavy?
What makes a washing machine so heavy are the electric motor, the counterweight, the drums and the body of the machine. The heaviest part of a washing machine is the counterweight, which is usually made of concrete. The counterweight helps stabilize the machine as the motor spins the drum. Without a counterweight, the machine wouldn’t sit still when the drum spins. An average size counterweight weighs around 50 pounds.
Washing Machine Part |
Average Weight |
|---|---|
| Concrete Counterweight | 50 pounds |
| Electric Motor | 20-30 pounds |
| Washer Body | 30 pounds |
| Washer Drums (Outer & Inner) | 10-20 pounds |
| Miscellaneous Parts | 15-25 pounds |
The electric motor is what provides power to spin the drum which washes the clothes. Without a strong motor, the washer wouldn’t have enough strength to spin the drum when it’s loaded with water and clothing. On average, a washing machine electric motor weighs around 20-30 pounds.
The body of the machine without any components weighs around 30 pounds on average.
The next heaviest part of the washing machine are the drums. Every washing machine has two drums, an inner drum that holds the clothes and an outer drum that protects against leaks. Combined, both drums weigh around 10-20 pounds.
Lastly, you have all the tubes, wiring, agitator, belts, controls, buttons, knobs, feet, sensors and other miscellaneous parts that weigh around 15-25 pounds.
Add up the weight of all of these parts and you get an average weight of 170 pounds per washing machine. Compact machine weigh around 100 pounds while large washers can easily weigh over 220 pounds.
Tips For Moving A Washing Machine
Moving a washing machine isn’t easy. They’re heavy, bulky and awkward to move, especially if you have to navigate through doorways, around furniture, or up stairs. The most important thing is to have a plan to get from point A to point B without harming yourself, anyone else or the house. I’ve delivered dozens of washers over the years and the small compact ones are easy, but the larger units weighing over 300 pounds can be very hard to install.
If you’re moving an older washing machines, make sure it’s disconnected and drained before you move it. The washer itself is heavy, but it gets even heavier if there’s water inside since water weighs 8.34 lbs per gallon.
Although it’s possible to move a washing machine by yourself, it’s safer and easier if you have a helper. I usually lift the machine by myself with a dolly, but have a helper at the other end to stabilize the machine and make sure I don’t hit any walls or furniture. A helper is an even bigger help if you have stairs to navigate.
- Use strong straps. If you don’t strap the washer to your dolly, it can easily fall over.
- Make sure your dolly is rated for the weight of the machine. I like extendable hand trucks because they can handle more weight and are easier to lift.
The best way to lift a washing machine depends on how heavy it is, so you can use the right tools and get help if needed.
A large capacity washing machine can weigh over 250 pounds. A medium-capacity washing machine weighs over 200 pounds while a light capacity washer weighs over 100 pounds.
Ahead I’ll list more tips and tricks for lifting and moving a heavy washer.
Step 1. Clear A Path
The first step when moving a washing machine is to clear a path. Make sure the area around the washer and the path you’re traveling is free of clutter, furniture, plants, animals, rubs you could trip on, etc. When you’re carrying a 200-300 pound washer on a dolly you don;t want lots of stuff that you could trip on or bang into.
Step 2. Choose The Right Tools
Washers are too heavy to lift by hand for most people, so I recommend using a hand truck and some strong straps. A dolly (hand truck) make moving even the heaviest 300 pound washers safer and easier to do. Make sure to choose a dolly rated for the weight of your washer. I prefer an extendable hand truck because it makes lifting and maneuvering easier. I also make sure to have a slide for when going up and down stairs.
Use strong straps to keep the washer in place as you move. This is very important because washers are heavy, bulky and awkward to move. I’ve seen more than one washer tip and fall over because they weren’t properly strapped down.
Step 3. Clean The Washer
Cleaning your washer’s drum and drain lines is a good idea if you’re selling it. But it’s not necessary if you’re moving it within your own house, to another house you own or are throwing it away.
- Remove clothes or household items from the washer.
- Use a washing machine cleaner, some white distilled vinegar or laundry detergent and run a normal, short cycle or use your machine’s cleaning cycle if it has one.
After the cycle is finished, leave the washer door or lid open to let the drum air out. This will dry the appliance and help prevent odors.
Step 4. Disconnect & Secure Hoses & Power Cord
To move a washing machine, you must disconnect the hoses and power cord and secure them so you don’t trip on them as you move. I use packing or duct tape to secure the hoses and cord to the back of the machine, Gorilla tape works really well. You can also use rope, a bungee or a strap if you don’t have any tape.
If the machine is installed, turn off the water supply by shutting off the valves behind your washer before removing the hoses. When you remove the hoses from the supply, place a bucket underneath to catch any water that spills.
- You may need a wrench or slip-joint pliers to remove the water supply hoses.
- Drain the hoses before securing them to the back of the machine for transport.
I usually tape the cord and water hoses at the top and mid point to make sure they stay secure when I move. If one comes loose it’s very easy to trip on and could be dangerous if your walking up and down steps.
Step 5. Secure The Washer Drum
Every washing machine has a tub with a suspension system that allows it to move freely. The system prevents damage from vibrations when the drum spins. Moving strains the suspension system, so it’s a good idea to secure the drum before moving the machine. If you don’t, the drum will spin and shake around as you move.
- You can secure the drum with shipping bolts or transit bolts.
- There are special slots built into the rear of the washer for the bolts.
- All you do is screw them in and the drum locks in place.
If you don’t have the shipping bolts for your washer, you can order replacements online.
In addition to using bolts, I also install some cardboard, bubble-wrap or foam around the drum to reduce vibration.
Step 6. Wrap & Lift
The final step in moving a washing machine is securing it to the dolly and wrapping it with a moving blanket to protect it from damage. If you don’t have a moving blanket, a quilt will work fine. First, secure the washer to your dolly with straps. You can also use rope or a bungee but moving straps work best. I use two rows of straps, one on the top of the machine and one on the bottom.
Once the machine is securely strapped to the dolly, cover it in blankets. Hold the blankets in place with a cord, straps or a bungee.
Now it’s time to lift and move the washer.
- Carefully lift the washer by tilting the dolly back. This can be hard to do by yourself if the machine is large. It’s easier if you have a helper push the front end up while you tilt back on the dolly.
- Once the washer is tilted back, with the weight on the dolly wheels, it’s not that hard to move around. Let your helps help you navigate doorways and turns so that you don’t bump anything. They can also help carry the load from the front by creating some counterbalance as you move.
- A helper is most useful when navigating stairs. Let the helper guide you up and down as you walk slowly.
If you properly secure your washer to a dolly and protect it with moving blankets, moving a washer is a little bit easier to do. But it’s still very heavy, bulky and hard to maneuver so I recommend always doing it with a helper.
Can Two People Lift A Washing Machine?
Yes, two people can lift a washing machine. Small washers that weigh around 100 pounds are easy to lift with two people by hand, but heaver units weighing 300 pounds are harder. I recommend using either a dolly or some moving straps.
If you choose a dolly, one person will control the dolly while the other helps steady and control it as you navigate the house and stairs.
If you use straps, the straps are secured to the washer and then used to lift it off the ground. Straps are great because they split the weight of the washer equally between two people which makes them easier to lift.
Which Is Heavier, A Washer Or Dryer?
A washer is a lot heavier than a dryer. A washer weighs between 100 and 300+ pounds with an average weight of 170 pounds. A dryer weighs between 100 and 200 pounds with an average weight of around 125 pounds. For this reason, when you stack a front load washer and dryer, the washing machine always goes on the bottom.
What Is The Average Weight Of A Washing Machine?
The average weight of a washing machine is 170 pounds. They range in weight from 100 pounds for a small compact washer to over 300 pounds for a large front load unit. On average, front load washers are around 10-20% heavier than top load washers. The weight of a washer depends on its capacity, brand, quality and features. Higher end brands typically weight about 10-30% more than cheaper brands because they use better quality components which are heavier.
Is It OK To Transport A Washing Machine Laying Down?
No, you should always move a washing machine right side up. Moving a washer laying down can damage the internal drums and/or suspension system that keeps the machine stable while washing. It can also cause the drums to shirt or become misaligned which would cause knocking when you wash. In addition to keeping the machine upright when you transport it, you should also lock the drums in place with shipping bolts and pad the inner drum with foam, cardboard or bubble wrap.
Can One Man Move A Washing Machine?
Yes, I’ve moved dozens of washing machines by myself. It’s not that hard to do if you have a large enough dolly, the right straps and a moving blanket. But it depends on the weight of the machine, the dolly you use and how strong you are. If you’re not that strong, rent an oversized dolly with extendable poles because it makes lifting a heavy machine easier. Make sure the washer is securely strapped to the dolly and wrapped in a blanket to prevent damage to the unit and home.
Having a helper is useful to help lift and stabilize the machine on the dolly. They’re also helpful when navigating around a tight home or up and down stairs.
Summary: How Much Does A Washing Machine Weigh?
The best way to move a washing machine depends on how heavy it is and where you’re moving it. In some cases straps are the best choice and in others you should use a hand truck. The average weight of a washing machine is about 170 pounds. A large capacity washing machine weighs around 230 pounds on average. A medium capacity top-loading washing machine weighs around 150 pounds while a medium capacity front-loading washer weigh around 180 pounds. Washing machines weigh between 100 and 300 pounds, depending on the washer’s size, brand, type, features, quality and the components used. In general, higher end brands weigh more than cheap brands because they use better parts and a heavier motor.
Front load washers are generally about 10-20 pounds heavier than top load washers because they have added counterweights. If you don’t know the exact weight of a washing machine you need to move, know that front loaders generally weigh more than top loaders of the same size.
A washing machine filled with water can weigh between 300-500 pounds, based on the type and capacity. An average washer uses from 20 to 25 gallons of water per cycle. High efficiency top load washers average between 12 to 17 gallons of water per cycle while high efficiency front load washers average only 7 gallons per load. Water weighs 8.34 pounds per gallon, so they can get quite heavy when you fill them up.
When moving a washing machine, use a dolly or straps based on how much the machine weighs, and have a plan for how you’ll be maneuvering around the house without damaging the home or washer.
If you have any questions or comments about how much a washing machine weighs, email any time.
