A hot water connection means that you can provide the machine with hot water from your main hot water supply. This can be faster than an internal heater and can save money if you have a cheap and efficient water heater.
A direct drive motor has no belt and pulley. This means it wastes less power in friction, are less prone to breakdowns and have longer lifetimes in general. They are able to operate more quietly and with less vibration.
Front loading machines are good as you can use the space above and sometimes stack a dryer on top. In general front loading machines use less energy, using less water by only partly filling the drum and obtaining higher spin speeds which clean without requiring as much heat.
Top loading machines are good because you can load and unload without bending down. In general they have less problems with mold accumulating and on average a wash takes less time. In general they are cheaper to buy and are a good space saving option.
A reversible door is useful if the machine is in a corner, so you can make it open more conveniently. It also means the door is easy to remove and can be replaced if needed.
Condenser dryers extract the water from the damp air in the dryer and store it in a container. They are good because they can be put anywhere in the home whereas vented dryers should be next to an outside wall.
With a delay start option you can schedule the machine to begin at a later time. You can also set the machine to wash at night if your electricity is cheaper outside of peak times.
Vented dryers are cheaper and can be more efficient than condenser dryers. The damp air extracted travels through a long plastic hose and is discharged outside the home, either through a window or hole in the wall. You don't have to empty a water container like you do with some condenser dryers.
Devices which use a heat pump can save up to 50% on energy as they conserve heat better. They are better in warmer climates as in temperatures lower than 5 degrees their performance begins to suffer.
Any faults with your machine can be detected and diagnosed at an early stage with a smartphone. The machine will send a signal indicating what is wrong and how to fix it, without you having to call for help.