Top Loading Washers
Fri Feb 25 2022
- Appliances
Before you read on to find out what we picked as our best top loading washers as of 2024, a question you’ll have to ask yourself is: “Why do I want a top load washer?"
Some good answers would be that it feels awkward and uncomfortable loading clothes into and transferring clothes out of a front load washer. With that being said, shorter users may find it harder to unload a top load washer, so keep that in mind as well.
Many front loaders aren’t going to let you add any clothes mid-cycle, while with a top loader, you can easily open the top and toss them in. Another common difference is that front load washers tend to require more maintenance. If you don’t often wipe the door gasket, it will start to smell and potentially grow some mold. You should also run a cleaning cycle at least every month. One more important factor is if you’re the type of person who overloads their washer (and who isn’t), then a front load washer may not be for you. Their bearings are under much more pressure than top load washers and are therefore much more susceptible to being damaged from an oversized load.
With that being said, if you have heavily soiled clothes, a front loading washer wins every time. Front load washers will save you money by using less electricity and less water than a top load washer. Clothes will also come out more dry, saving you even more due to less time in the dryer. On top of that, you can stack (pun intended) front load washers and dryers. This comes with a list of pros and cons which we won’t get into here. At the end of the day though, for moderately soiled clothing, a top load washer will work just fine.
On the subject of price, front load washers generally cost a bit more, especially when you start looking at the higher-end models. Still, we do carry many affordable front load washers, many of which are priced lower than our best top load washers of 2021 (though if the price is a top consideration, we do have two high-quality budget washers at the bottom. If a front load washer sounds like it may be a better fit for your family, check out the front loaders that we have in stock here. Before you start to feel torn between the two options, there does exist a healthy balance between the two; a high-efficiency top loader.
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Agitator vs HE Top-Load Washers
There are two main types of top-load washers. First, there is the old-school style with an agitator, which many of us are familiar with, and second are a newer style of top-load washers that use an impeller, which is a low-profile cone that sits at the bottom of the basin.
Agitator in Washing Machines
The agitator is the long spindle that sticks up in the center of many top-loading washers. The idea behind the design was to replicate the way that hand-washing clothes in a tub would “push” all of the soil out of the clothes. Similarly, the agitator, well, agitates. It spins, but not continuously, more in a back-and-forth motion, once again, to replicate the rubbing and scrubbing of clothes washed by hand.
Keep in mind that there are some drawbacks to a washing machine with an agitator. For one, it uses more water and energy than a high efficiency (or a front-load) washer. In addition to that, your clothes are more likely to rip and will wear out faster due to the agitator. Another drawback is that washers with an agitator use more water and energy than HE washers.
HE Impeller Washing Machines
HE or impeller washers don’t have an agitator, relying instead on a rotating impeller at the bottom of the tub. This impeller creates a turbulent motion in the water, which helps to move and clean the laundry. HE washers often fit better larger laundry like blankets. With that being said, you have to load them carefully - you can’t just dump all of your laundry in and shut the lid. You won’t want to stuff your clothes in. You should only fill it up about halfway at most. Also, you’re going to want to loosen the laundry that you put in there. What you don’t want are any tight clumps. Lastly, try and lay your laundry around the outside of the basin, around the impeller.
Our Favorite Top Load Washers for 2024
Best Top Load Agitator Washer: Speed Queen TR7 - TR7003WN
Speed Queen is a company that was started in 1908 in Ripon Wisconsin, just a thirty-minute drive from our Fond Du Lac showroom. They manufacture many of the commercial washers and dryers that you see in laundromats. Their consumer models are made with the same quality and can last much longer than most other washers. They are tested to last 10,400 cycles. If you wash eight loads of laundry per week, that adds up to 25 years.
The first thing to note with the Speed Queen Perfect Wash TR7 is its ultra quiet performance, measuring in at only 43 dB during agitation. Featuring 8 specialized cycles and the Speed Queen Perfect Wash, it empowers users to customize each cycle for ultimate fabric care. Plus, with a 7-year warranty, you can have peace of mind knowing your investment is well-protected.
Explore all Speed Queen Perfect Wash models
Runner Up(s): Speen Queen TC5 - TC5003WN
The Speed Queen Classic Clean offers a short 28-minute cycle. Besides that, what makes this model our favorite are its simple controls and functionality. It offers six cycles, such as “Extra Rinse” and “Heavy Soil” and four temperatures. It has a switch that gives you the option to “deep fill”, which will fill the washer with water up to the top; to completely soak your laundry for the entire cycle.
Best Top Load HE Washer: LG 5.5 cu.ft. Mega Capacity Smart Top Load Washer - WT8600CB
The first thing to know about this high-efficiency LG washer is that it’s big. Its capacity is 5.0 cubic feet, that's almost as large as LG’s highest capacity front-load washers. And before you read further, if you like simple controls, this may not be the washer for you. On the other hand, if you do like a lot of features, this certainly may be.
The WT8600CB, being a high-efficiency washer, doesn't have an agitator, instead, it works with an impeller system. This gives it a few of the advantages we had talked about earlier, including a higher spin speed, allowing it to dry clothes more allowing shorter time in the dryer. Also, it does have a greater capacity making it ideal for washing comforters and bulkier laundry. Just make sure to remember that it’s important not to overload washers in general.
Getting to the smart part of this washer, you can turn the machine on or off from your phone, and you can set it to alert you if there is an unbalanced load, or when the cycle is complete. With advanced AI technology, it intuitively detects fabric texture and load size, ensuring the perfect wash with optimal motions and temperatures. Plus, its automatic dispenser lasts between 14 to 25 wash cycles, offering versatility for detergent and softener or detergent alone.
Best of Both Worlds: Whirlpool 4.7-4.8 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer with 2 in 1 Removable Agitator - WTW5057LW
The WTW5057LW is the first top load washer to feature a removable agitator. The removable agitator allows users to accommodate larger loads or delicate fabrics with ease. its built-in water faucet provides convenient access to a water stream, allowing users to prewash clothes and other items right in the washer. And for added convenience, you presoak your load for 30 minutes before your cycle begins.
Bonus - Best Top Load Washers For a Budget: GE 4.2 Cu. Ft. Capacity Washer - GTW335ASNWW & GE 4.6 Cu. Ft. Capacity Washer - GTW500ASNWS
Reminiscent of our top pick, the Speed Queen Classic Clean that we wrote on up above, the GTW335ASNWW washer has simple controls and uses an agitator. This washer has an average cleaning ability which should clean clothes that aren’t overly soiled just fine. Like other washers with an agitator, it can be a bit harsh on clothes. But if you run it on the “delicates'' cycle, it performs true to its name and stretches your clothes less.
At the end of the day, if you’re just looking for a quality washer at a fair price, this washer is a great choice. If you are looking for everything above but would like the benefits talked about of HE washers, check out the GTW500ASNWS.
Find the Best Top Load Washers at Silica
If you have any questions about our laundry appliances or any other appliance, reach out to our appliance experts at Silica, or visit one of our appliance store locations in in Fond du Lac, Beaver Dam, and Watertown, WI.
At Silica, we offer the best deals on commercial washers, stacked washers and dryers, gas dryers, electric dryers, and more.
Related Readings:
Frequently Asked Questions Top Load Washers
Are top load washers suitable for large families with heavy laundry loads?
Many top load washers offer large-capacity drums capable of handling bulky items and large loads. Some models even feature advanced agitation or impeller systems to ensure thorough cleaning.
Do top load washers require special detergent?
While most top load washers can use standard laundry detergent, some high-efficiency models may require HE (high-efficiency) detergent. It's essential to check the manufacturer's guidelines to ensure optimal performance and avoid damaging the washer.
What is an impeller washer?
An impeller washer is a type of washing machine that doesn't have a traditional agitator in the center of the drum. Instead, it utilizes a rotating impeller at the bottom of the tub to create a turbulent motion in the water, which helps to move and clean the laundry.
Are there washers with removable agitators?
Yes, there are washers with removable agitators. These washers feature an agitator that can be easily detached or removed from the center of the drum, allowing users to accommodate larger loads or delicate fabrics more effectively.
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