GE gives a modern upgrade to this old-school-style washer (2024)

About the GE GTW585BSVWS washing machine

• Dimensions: 46” x 27” x 27” (H x W x D)
• Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet
• Finishes: White
• Cycles: Colors/Normals, Towels, Delicates, Whites, Active Wear, Quick Wash, Sanitize with Oxi, Bulky/Bedding, Drain & Spin, Casuals
• Cycle options: Water level control, my cycle, delay wash, extra rinse, deep rinse, auto soak, deep fill, eco cold, soaking rinse
• Special features: Stainless-steel tub, spray arm, drying method
• Control panel: Top control
• Matching washer/dryer: GE GTD58EBSVWS
• Dispensers: Bleach, Detergent, Fabric softener
• User manual: GE GTW585BSVWS manual

Coming in a clean white finish, the GE GTW585BSVWS washer has a tinted black translucent lid, so you can look into the 4.5 cubic foot drum. At the center of the drum is an agitator pole in the shape of a drill bit.

The control panel is on a black backsplash. A dial controls the different cycles, meanwhile a series of buttons allow you to adjust the water fill level, temperature, and spin cycle. Inside the washer is a pull-out compartment to add in detergent and fabric softener. The bleach compartment is on the lower left corner of the washer.

How we test washing machines

We’ve tested over 12,000 appliances in our Cambridge, Mass., labs, so we’re professionals when it comes to testing washing machines. Each washer is put through challenges that focus on stain removal, fabric wear, and energy efficiency, and we use this gathered data to inform our reviews.

In addition to those evaluations, we also use the machines just like you do at home to test out usability, features, and functions.

What we like

It gets stains out—no matter the cycle

Some believe when it comes to agitator vs. impeller, an agitator pole is absolutely necessary to get clothes clean. While our testing has shown that isn’t necessarily true, this particular GE agitator pole washing machine definitely gets the job done—no matter which cycle you’re using.

Across the board, it does a solid job of removing stains regardless of the cycle. Normal and Delicate both excel in cleaning power. The Bulky cycle turns out clean laundry, however, it wears fabric down in the process, which means excessive wear and tear on your clothing.

You can adjust the water fill level

Some of us like to pick a wash cycle and go, but others want a more customizable experience. Beyond the more traditional temperature and spin options, this washer allows you to set the water fill level to your personal preference. While more water doesn’t always mean a better clean, it can be helpful if you need to soak items.

On the control panel, you can select between auto, low, medium, high, and maximum water fill. For individuals conscious of water consumption, being able to select a low water fill is a huge advantage. Or if you have some heavily soiled uniforms that need a deep soak, the max fill is especially helpful.

The buttons and controls have a nice feel to them

The control panel on the GE GTW585BSVWS is intuitive with buttons that are raised with a matte finish.

The buttons have an actual press to them so you can feel them click as you change the settings. While this may not sound notable, with all the upgraded appliance tech these days you’re often met with touch screens and digital buttons. It’s refreshing to have the tactile feel so you know the settings are changing.

In addition to the buttons, a center knob, adjusts the cycle, while buttons to the bottom and right allow you to control water level, temperature, soil level, and spin. While we like the idea of the knob, it happens to be particularly flimsy.

What we don’t like

Flimsy plastic parts easily detach from the machine

While we love most of the machine’s control panel, it’s hard to ignore the flimsy knob. The center knob, which controls the machine’s cycle settings, easily pops off. The small plastic piece slides onto a peg but doesn’t secure tightly. This means that when you’re spinning the cycle and use too much pressure, it can pop off.

Additionally, the detergent tray feels cheaply made. The plastic tray where you pour in detergent is crafted from thin plastic and isn’t attached to the machine so it can slide out completely. While there is a barrier that should prevent that, we found that even with a little extra pressure it slides out easily.

The heavy-duty Bulky cycle goes a little too hard on fabrics

The GE GTW585BSVWS has decent cleaning performance on the Bulky cycle, but it comes at the cost of clothing wear.

Typically we measure stain and fabric wear separately using two different test strips. Yet after we ran the stain strips on the Bulky cycle, it was shocking to see the visible wear. When the strips came out of the washer, the strings stitched along the sides were loose and dangling—something we’ve never seen during this phase of testing.

This extra wear on the stain strips doesn’t mean it’s outperforming other machines in terms of stain performance, in fact, it falls toward the middle of the pack. You’re just getting fairly standard performance with the cost of extra wear on clothes.

What owners are saying

Reviews of the GE GTW585BSVWS washing machine are generally positive. On GE's website it has over 1,900 reviews and a 4.4-star rating, and The Home Depot lists it as one of its top-selling washing machines.

The consensus is that users love the features and the ability to customize settings during cycles. Some reviewers note that the speed of the agitation pole is harsh on clothes, something that aligns with our test results. Another common complaint is that the machine runs loud.

Warranty

There is a one-year warranty on most GE appliances, including the GE GTW585BSVWS washing machine, which covers defective parts as well as any labor required to fix the appliance. The motor is covered by a 10-year warranty should it fail within that time frame.

Should you buy the GE GTW585BSVWS washing machine

Yes, it’s a classic machine at a great value.

The GE GTW585BSVWS is a well-performing machine. It takes the old-school agitator pole design, and brings it into modern times. Between the intuitive buttons, solid cleaning performance, and adjustable water fill, using this machine is fantastic.

However, the flimsy parts on the machine make it feel cheap, and we don’t love how hard it wears on clothes, especially during the Bulky cycle. All around, the GE GTW585BSVWS washer, is a decent option if you’re on a budget, or looking for a classic agitator pole washing machine.

An alternative machine, for those who prefer the latest tech over an old-school agitator, is the GE Profile PTW900BPTRS, our best overall top load washer.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.