WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Among washing machine manufacturers, LG ranks highest in customer satisfaction for a third consecutive year, while Samsung ranks highest among clothes dryer manufacturers, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Laundry Appliances Study(SM) released today.

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The study measures customer satisfaction with clothes washers and dryers based on performance in six factors: ease of use; features (such as the number of settings available and appliance capacity); performance (including energy efficiency, noise level and how well the appliance functions); styling and feel; warranty; and value.

For a third consecutive year, LG ranks highest in satisfying customers with clothes washers. Achieving a score of 831 on a 1,000-point scale, LG performs particularly well in four of six factors: performance; features; ease of use; and styling. Following LG closely in the rankings is Samsung (829), which performs consistently well across all factors. Kenmore Elite ranks third (819), performing well in the ease of use and features factors.

Samsung ranks highest in customer satisfaction with clothes dryers with a score of 833, performing particularly well in the performance and warranty factors. LG achieves a score of 829 and follows Samsung in the rankings, performing particularly well in ease of use; styling and feel; and features. Kenmore Elite follows both Samsung and LG in the rankings with a score of 815.

'Consumers expect major appliances such as washers and dryers to be extremely reliable, so the fact that both LG and Samsung stand out in terms of operational performance is particularly impressive,' said Dale Haines, senior director of the real estate and construction industries practice at J.D. Power and Associates.

The study finds that while effective cleaning or drying performance is the most important driver of overall satisfaction, energy efficiency is also critical to the majority of consumers. The percentage of consumers who purchased high-efficiency washing machines -- which use less water, energy and detergent than traditional washers -- has increased to 60 percent in 2008, compared with 53 percent in 2007. In addition, approximately two-thirds of respondents report that their new laundry appliance is Energy Star(TM) certified.

The study includes the following key findings:

-- Laundry appliance owners cite capacity and price as the two most important considerations in selecting a washer or dryer.

-- Owners report experiencing very few problems with their laundry appliances.