CR judged that the recommended LG WM4500HBA and WM4200HWA would perform similarly but the latter is $180 less. I'd use the "compare" feature on the LG website to decide between them.

I don't have LG myself, but when here to repair a different appliance other than laundry one day, my service person said he thinks somehow "LG has gotten the energy efficient washing machines 'right'."

I'd been concerned, young nephew and his wife had just bought an LG pair with a toddler and baby on the way. I was hoping for good performance and reliability for them and knew nothing about LG. Their laundry pair has worked out just fine ;)

Thanks! I will go with the LG 4500.

I've had the LG 4200 since last late October. I'm glad I don't have the auto dose feature of the 4500.

Yes I am not sure how much I will use the auto dispenser since I mainly use powder. But I was thinking for the size 4500 would be good.

The 4200 and the 4500 are both 5.0 cu. ft. Same washer, largest difference is the auto dispense. I am going back to powder only. A friend of mine pointed out another difference between the 4500 & 4200, The 4500, Rinse & Spin is a specific cycle on the cycle dial. On the 4200, Rinse & Spin is an option button. The 4500 version is simply a cycle whereby if you want a different spin speed you just change the spin speed. But with the 4200, I can power up the mchine, select Rinse & Spin and thene change the cycle dial to a specific cycle and the rinse & spin mimics the final rinse & spin for that specific cycle. Such as Delicate or Perm Press, it will yield a shorter rinse times and uses the final rinse time period as well as tumble pattern of that cycle and the spin period is shorter too as compared to cycles that are longer spins and more aggressive tumbling patterns. I just like that flexibility.

As @boba1 pointed out, the 4200 is also an excellent choice. I don't believe the 4200 has a tub light if that matters to you.

Don't get a Whirlpool. I'm in a rental with a new Whirlpool front load (one level below the 6820) and it is awful. Build quality is meh, with lots of plastic parts, like all the door hinges/hardware. It's louder. The controls are stupid. You have to make 2 selections (what to wash and how to wash) and it lets you combine nonsensical things. For example, for what to wash you can select delicates, and for how to wash, it allows you to select sanitary. Or select towels with delicate wash. I miss the standard rotary knob where the machine knows how to wash already. And, most importantly, it cannot properly balance a load to save its life. At least the clothes are clean, but the process of getting there is infuriating. I used to have an LG front loader and I miss it so much. That machine was high quality, quiet, barely any vibration, and clothes were always super clean and fresh. Looks like both LG models you're considering have TurboWash, which I highly recommend.

@littlegreeny: "I don't believe the 4200 has a tub light..."

Better for hiding the family jewels.

LG all the way! I highly recommend using the Towels cycle over the Normal cycle!!