I think that chosing which machine is better is right up there with the pre-wash or not to pre-wash thing. You'll get so many different opinions depending on the expectations one had in a machine to the quality and service it gives. I know I've seen under google search places where you can compare machines but you may have to decide to either just try it out or not. With machines rather its a car or sewing machine there are lemons and there really well built ones of the same make and model. Good luck with you decision; they are so expensive and it's such a big undertaking because you can't be 100% sure. Ask the store thier return policy and how the warranty; does it fix it all or only certain things so if you have a problem you aren't stuck with added cost.