Why You Can Trust CNET GE GTW750CSLWS review: Smart GE washer responds to Amazon, Google voice commands
GE's $799 GTW750CSLWS top-load washer works with Amazon and Google voice assistants, but its cleaning power is only so-so.
GE's $799 GTW750CSLWS top-load washing machine is very similar to the brand's $699 GTW685BSLWS model -- with some key exceptions.
GE GTW750CSLWS
The Good
The Bad
The Bottom Line
The pricier GTW750CSLWS has a built-in Wi-Fi module, so you don't have to buy the separate $49 ConnectPlus accessory to use the GE laundry app, Amazon and Google voice assistants or IFTTT. It also comes with a detergent reservoir to autodispense soap as needed, as well as a dedicated "Water Station" faucet to wash tough stains before a cleaning cycle with a water/soap mix. But the GTW750CSLWS' stain removal score was average, whereas the more-affordable GTW685BSLWS excelled.
The GE GTW750CSLWS washer is a solid choice, but only if you'll make use of its smart integrations, the detergent reservoir and the faucet. If not, consider GE's better-performing GTW685BSLWS instead -- or Kenmore's 26132 (currently on sale at a good price at Sears).
Getting to know GE's GTW750CSLWS
The GE GTW750CSLWS comes in a white or a gray finish (which costs $899). The washer looks nice in white, but it doesn't offer anything particularly unique or innovative in terms of design. It has a see-through lid so you can check on your clothes midcycle, and a light gray display panel to give it a slightly more premium look.
I like that GE made use of most of the display here, with power and start/pause buttons on the left, a dial for selecting among the 14 available cycles in the middle, and additional settings on the right side. The $899 Maytag MVWB765FW only makes use of half of its display, causing it to look cluttered. The GTW750CSLWS' digital screen is a good size, too -- about 3.25 inches diagonally -- but it's difficult to read how much time is left in a cycle at certain angles.
Special settings, such as the Water Station faucet and the Smart Dispense self-dispensing detergent reservoir, are easy to use. "Water Station" is a cycle option at the bottom of the dial; simply select it, chose whether you want to use soap and water or just water and press the start button. Use this option to hand wash or presoak clothes (or a particularly stubborn stain).
Smart Dispense is similarly easy. Select among the off, auto, small, medium and large settings in the top right corner of the display and add liquid detergent to the reservoir on the front left side of the washer drum. The reservoir can hold up to 75 ounces of soap; GE's user manual says that's good for roughly 50 "average laundry loads."
Take a look at how the GTW750CSLWS compares to GE's own GTW685BSLWS, the Kenmore 26132 and the $899 Samsung WA52M7750AW:
Comparing washing machines
| GE GTW750CSLWS | Samsung WA52M7750AW | GE GTW685BSLWS | Kenmore 26132 | |
| Price | $799 | $899 | $699 | $830 |
| Color finish | White | White | White | White |
| Capacity | 5 cubic feet | 5.2 cubic feet | 4.5 cubic feet | 4.8 cubic feet |
| # of cycles | 14 | 13 | 14 | 11 |
| Energy consumption | 176 kWh/year | 180 kWh/year | 150 kWh/year | 169 kWh/year |
| Dimensions (width, height, depth) | 27 x 48 x 27 inches | 27 x 46 x 29.3 inches | 27 x 46 x 27 inches | 27.5 x 37 x 27.9 inches |
| App | GE Laundry app, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT | Samsung SmartCare | GE Laundry app, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT (with ConnectPlus Wi-Fi module sold separately) | No |
GE's GTW750CSLWS has competitive specs alongside other top-load washers in roughly the same price range. Its one additional standout feature, aside from its built-in faucet and auto-dispensing reservoir, is its Wi-Fi connectivity. Yes, Samsung's WA52M7750AW works with a related app, but it's outdated and ultimately offers little overall value. GE's laundry app is slightly better.
You can use it to see how much time is left in a cleaning cycle and receive alerts, both when a cycle ends and when the finished clothes have been sitting in the washer for 30 minutes. This model also works with Amazon and Google voice assistants, but the most you can ask either Alexa or the Google Assistant right now is "What's the status of my washing machine?" Until you can start, stop and pause cycles remotely via voice commands, these smart integrations will only be marginally useful.
See how much time is left in a cycle in the GE laundry app -- and get alerts when your clothes are ready.
Performance
To learn more about how we test washing machines, read this article. In short, we score performance based on stain removal and how tough or gentle a washer is on clothes -- all using the "Normal" cycle.
The GE GTW750CSLWS did pretty well in terms of stain removal, with 48 percent of the original skin oil (sebum), mineral oil (carbon), pig's blood, cocoa and aged red wine stains remaining after each cleaning cycle. Check out the washer graphic below to see how the GTW750CSLWS fared against other top-loaders (the lower the percentage, the better the washer did removing that particular stain). Basically, the GTW750CSLWS removed most stains better than the Samsung WA52M7750AW, but worse than the Kenmore 26132 and the GE GTW685BSLWS.
GE's GTW750CSLWS was very gentle on clothes in the normal cycle with 214 attached, frayed threads measuring at or over 2 millimeters long. (Again, check out our article on washer testing if you have questions about the process.) The GE GTW685BSLWS was much tougher on clothes with 279 attached, frayed threads. Samsung's WA52M7750AW had an average of 227 threads and Kenmore's 26132 was the most gentle with an average of 197 attached, frayed threads.
The takeaway
The $799 GE GTW750CSLWS is a very good washing machine. It offers a lot of cleaning cycles and a few advanced features that set it apart from other models in the same price range. Its self-dispensing reservoir and integrated faucet are particularly intriguing options, but its related app and voice smarts also add another level of functionality, however limited. Still, the GTW750CSLWS' performance was just average, so keep that in mind when you're considering this otherwise excellent washer.