I have Samsung front loader washer and dryer.
They both have a pause button that you can stop the cycle and add garments.
You only have to wait about 10-15 seconds for the washer to unlock.
No wait time for the dryer.
I also think my wash is cleaner than with my very very old top loader.
My daughter had scorch marks on her comforter which she tried to dry in her too small dryer.
My washer got out all the scorch marks. She was amazed.
I did not get the pedestals, but I also am a short person.

I do not have them. My dryer is stacked on top of the washer. The washer is front load and has a big opening. I have never missed or thought about having a pedestal. $500-$600 yikes! How about Craigslist? I do have back issues.

This is also a great idea. I know in europe the floor often is slightly elevated under the washer or dryer but it is only 4 inches or so. I am not sure if it is for the plumbing or to raise the machines.

Who would of thought that buying a washer or dryer could turn into a traumatic experience? We had to replace our wash machine earlier this year. I had no idea that washers had changed so much in the 18 years since we bought our last one. It was very hard to to decide. I did some research but it didn't help.
We've made our own washing detergent for years and the new machines don't like them at all ( I was told using it would void any warranty), so now we also have to buy low suds detergent. The machine weighs the clothes to determine how much water to use. The cycles are much longer then our old one. My family says I'm just a cranky old lady. Perhaps they are right--I miss my old washer, I could tell by listening to where it was in the cycle. I sure hope my dryer hold our a few more years- I still use my clothes line for many things. There is nothing like sun dried linens.
These are suppose to be my "Golden Years", I'm afraid there is more "Rust" then "Gold". Happy Wash Day.

We had mine installed so they stack. My laundry room is a tad bigger than a guest bathroom. My husband built me a laundry station as we call it and a large deep drawer for my laundry supplies.

They used to rattle a bit when on spin cycle but turning down the spin speed helped. I have no problems reaching into the dryer, nor using the controls. Being 5'4" we thought that might cause problems.

I have the regular front loader here at home and the washer with no agitator in our other home. The disadvantage of the front loader is you have to leave the door open to let it dry and if you don't have an area where the door can hang open, you won't be happy with the frontloader. I would not want the front loader without the stand...too hard on the back. They both clean efficiently.

I always wanted front loaders and pedestals but now that I have one I hate it. They off balance so easily and bounce up and down. Give me the older models

I am sorry to hear about the homemade laundry detergent issue. We are moving to a house where there is a front loader - Whirlpool Duet. I am leaving my old top loader here - it is over 20 years old and don't want to move it. My idea was to use the front loaders til I can get myself a set of old fashioned top loader with agitator and regular dryer after we are settled in.

I have been making my own laundry detergent for several years, powder, and it makes zero suds. I wonder if that would be a problem in the new house? I have done laundry there and it is fine enough for what I did, but it is very noisy. It is on tile on the main level, not a slab, so wonder if we put cushioning under it would it be quieter.

It doesn't have pedestals. I don't need them. I'm short and it isn't a problem for me. Plus I like to fold on top of the machines.

Personally I would never get a front load washer, but concerning your pedestal question.... Probably depends on how tall you are, I'm fairly tall ( 5'9") so having to get on my knees to reach get the clothes out.... So for me pedestal would be needed.

I'm about 5 feet tall and have no pedestals, but hubs is 6 feet and its hard for him to get the clothes out. His 70 year old body doesn't bend like it used to. I have the LG brand, it has a pause button so you can open the door and throw in that sock you dropped. It also has a sanitize cycle which is a pre-wash in hot water only. It has several options for hot, warm, cold combos. The thing I don't like about it is that if I don't dry the inside of the washer and dry under the rubber sealing gasket it smells and mold forms.