Washers & dryers: savings at a price.

Tougher new energy standards for 2007 have helped spawn more energy-saving washers at stores now. But many of these frugal new models are pricey, and some deliver relatively little savings for the money.

Beginning next January, all washing machines must be roughly 17 percent more efficient than the minimum allowed today. Front-loading washers already meet that standard by extracting more moisture, though most cost $1,000 and more. Manufacturers are upgrading top-loading machines in various ways.

Kenmore's new Oasis is among several high-efficiency top-loaders that meet the standard using a unique wash action and a faster-spinning, stainless-steel drum. Earlier high-efficiency top-loaders such as the Kenmore and Whirlpool Calypso tended to tangle and wrinkle shirts. The Oasis did less of both in our initial tests (see First Look on page 46). But at $1,000, it's as pricey as many front-loaders.

Kenmore's HE2 offers front-loading performance for less than most other front-loading washers. While slightly smaller than Kenmore's high-scoring HE3 and HE4 front-loaders, the HE2 performed nearly as well while delivering the efficiency, gentleness, and quietness that set these machines apart. At $850, it's also a CR Best Buy, though that's still $300 more than most top-loaders.

Swappable washer and dryer control panels, programmable controls, and wash cycles as short as 35 minutes are among the other ways major brands are wooing you in the laundry aisle. But as our several hundred pounds of test laundry revealed, some of those options can be less than a bargain. Indeed, one familiar brand left our wash loads soiled and took too long to dry. Here are the details:

Matched sets can cost you. Roughly 30 percent of washers and dryers are now bought as a pair. GE, LG, Maytag, and other brands encourage that with look-alike consoles. GE adds electronic links that match the dryer heat and drying time to the chosen wash cycle. But even if you're buying both machines, you can spend hundreds less by choosing the best-performing washer and dryer a la carte.

Programs can add complexity. GE's high-efficiency, top-loading Harmony washers and dryers have touch screens that let you program cycles for up to six users or fabrics. While such settings should save time once they're logged in, some shoppers may balk at yet another programming task. At $890 and $1,000, both Harmony washers we tested cost as much as better front-loading machines.