GE GTW810SSJWS review – CNET
The Good GE’s GTW810SSJWS washing machine looks nice, is simple to use, and offers a lot of features considering its $900 price.
The Bad It doesn’t do a great job removing stains, and the Connect Plus accessory is less convenient than a washer that’s already Wi-Fi enabled.
The Bottom Line The GE GTW810SSJWS has a lot to offer, but its disappointing performance makes it hard to recommend.
Complete with a large 5.1 cubic-foot capacity, 13 cleaning cycles and a see-through lid, GE’s GTW810SSJWS already offers more than your average top-load washer. But that’s not all: This model is also compatible with an optional $49 Connect Plus accessory. With this Wi-Fi add-on, you have access to the GE Laundry app for Android and iOS, as well as GE’s new IFTTT channel for connecting to Philips Hue bulbs and other smart home devices. The beauty here is that the whole app-enabled bit is entirely opt-in, so you aren’t paying a premium for Wi-Fi access you may not need or want.
This washer looks nice too, is easy to use, and costs just $900 ($1,000 if you want the gray metallic finish instead of white). Unfortunately, it didn’t do particularly well when we tested its stain-removal power. So despite its high-end-ish lineup of features, I can’t readily recommend this washer.
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Taking a closer look
$900 is a decidedly midrange price for a top-load washing machine. But GE’s GTW810SSJWS has some features that put it in the realm of premium models like GE’s own $1,200 GTW860SPJMC and the $1,199 Samsung WA52J8700.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the three washers:
| GE GTW810SSJWS | GE GTW860SPJMC | Samsung WA52J8700 |
| $900 | $1,200 | $1,199 |
| White, Metallic (for $1,000) | Metallic, White (for $1,100) | Stainless Platinum |
| 5.1 cubic feet | 5.1 cubic feet | 5.2 cubic feet |
| 13 | 13 | 15 |
| 152 kWh/year | 152 kWh/year | 165 kWh/year |
| 28 inches x 44.5 inches x 29 inches | 28 inches x 44.5 inches x 29 inches | 27 inches x 46 inches x 29.3 inches |
| 1 year, limited | 1 year, limited | 1 year, limited |
| 120V 60Hz | 120V 60Hz | 120V 60Hz |
| Yes, Android and iPhone | Yes, Android and iPhone | No |
Screenshot by CNET
The takeaway here is that the GTW810SSJWS and the pricier GTW860SPJMC are the same in terms of basic specs and features. And aside from the premium 860 model’s auto-dispensing detergent reservoir, the only other obvious difference is that the 860 already has built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, whereas the 810 model doesn’t.
Specifically, you have to buy a separate Connect Plus gizmo, available for $49 on this GE site to give the GTW810SSJWS Wi-Fi connectivity. But it’s pretty simple. Use the included Ethernet cable to plug Connect Plus into the Ethernet port on the back of the washer, download the GE Laundry app, and follow the steps to connect.
After that, you’ll be able to view the status of your current laundry cycle on your washer — and any compatible GE dryers — remotely. You’ll also have access to GE’s new laundry-specific IFTTT channel that links compatible washers like the GTW810SSJWS (if you have the Connect Plus accessory, that is) to smart home products from other manufacturers. I connected the washer to a Philips Hue BR30 downlight so that the LED blinked whenever a wash cycle ended; it worked consistently well.
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