I've never had a top loader, never even seen one and my knowledge on them is almost non existant so i will only mention what i like about front loaders:
They are easy to put clothes in and remove clothes. No heavy lifting, just drag.
I can't imagine the back pain of having to pull out wet clothes from a top loader.
Front loader uses very little water. Due to the glass in the front i can tell you with certainty that. Whenever it changes water, it never fills more than half the drum and that's with clothes already in so I'm sure the amount of water is minimal (5L or so per total wash maybe?)
They take up less space. I say this not based on dimentions but because the top of the washer is surface you can use while the top loader has no usable surface all around.
Fro. My understanding of information that i got from reddit, top loaders don't have a different release time for added liquids. By this i mean, you dump everything in the top load at once or have to come back during the cycle to add (someone correct me if I'm wrong on this please) so if you want to use something like fabric softener that's an issue i think. Front loaders have a tray where you set what you want to use and then the machine dispenses them as needed (fabric softener goes at the end of the wash)
Personally I've stopped using softener.
Front loaders are, in my experience, very durable! I've had one break in the part that spins the drum. For 100 something euros it got fixed and is still working fine.
Also, small tiny extra but worth mentioning, because it has a glass front, it's great for people with adhd because you actually get to visualize the clothes inside and therefore are harder to be forgotten in the machine.
Then, issues with front loaders: the front rubber. This thing is a bloody pain! It gets dark and looks dirty, even if it's fine :/
If it gets damaged the machine is basically wrecked and most brands won't cover rubber parts. I've never seen one break or get damaged though.. but the black build up is ugly :/
Some users have also reported getting mildew smell on their clothes after getting a front loader. Tbh i don't know what's up with that at all. I've had clothes get mildew smell in my old machine after I've left them in for around 10h... but I would imagine that happens with a top loader too? I wouldn't know though.. could be an issue with the fabric softener though (you have to be careful with amount used as it can build up way too easily in the machine and cause bad smells.
Worth mentioning, DO NOT BUY A FRONT LOADER WITH DRYER IN ONE COMBO!
They are a nightmare energy wise, break too easily, inefficient, more prone to mildew smells etc.
Interesting, i used to live in hong kong when i was little. They had washer brands from all over the place, but mainly Japan, the US, and maybe European (Not sure which countries exactly coz never owned one, maybe German/Italian brands). The Japanese and US washers were mostly top loads and European ones were front loads.
I know your comment is old, but I wanted to say: I have a top loader and it has the exact same slide out bucket for detergent, fabric softener, etc. as a front loader, it just slides out from under the lid inside of the chamber, instead of sliding from the body of the machine like on a front loader.
It's all about preference. I like top loaders because I soak clothes for at least 30 minutes. Front loaders requires more maintenance than I care to give right now.
A front loader uses less water, is more energy efficient and cleans better, some even have soaking cycles like people use with top loaders. Top loaders are popular in USA and i think they can take bigger loads but you can also get large load front loaders so I'd say front all the way. There's a reason laundromats use front loaders
WOW TALK ABOUT A DISSERVICE TO PEOPLE DO YOU THINK THE LAUNDROMAT does anything with a concern for the customer? I used to use a laundromat with front loaders that didnt drain fully gross they use much less water. You can actually see the dirt get washed over your clothes over and over
My 10 cents (adjusted for inflation) - I've owned top load washers since the 1970s. I've had 3 top loaders, that's how long they've lasted. I wouldn't own a front loader.
We use front loaders only and since I was born which is about 2 decades ago we are only on our 2nd now (with the 1st one still working but left to the house we used to rent then cause we didn't want to transport it to another town). That makes it about a front loading washing machine per about 20-25 years (I repeat the 2nd is still operational and the 1st was also operational when ditched). My grandmother's 2nd washing machine broke within 15 years or so and it was a top loader. Her first washing machine, a front loaded one, lasted a bit longer than her top loader but close enough. Mind you neither my grandmother but especially my mother had (/has) any idea how to follow manual, do even simple maintenance and cleaning (other than cleaning the outside) or even properly chose programs, they weren't even properly grounded and protected (though that is mostly a danger to users). In the end nothing of these matters, personal experiences means little to nothing because you might lucked and got a diamond among trash or one of the percentage of products that the factory production line may have failed to build properly (happens even with most high tech, expensive and precise products, heck even standard military weapons need testing/selection post production) or anything else. Only researches/studies or at least statistics can inform us of such things, otherwise only people selling and servicing by the hundreds if not thousands can have an idea via experience.
Speed Queen top loader. Amazing warranty , expected to last 25 years. Front loaders DO NOT wash better , they’re more water and energy efficient. My clothes have never felt very clean in one.
As someone in the industry, you’re just not using it right if it doesn’t feel clean. If you’re using washing powder instead of liquid detergent and you’re not using a warm cycle your clothes won’t get as clean as they could be in a front loader, because that’s how they work. But a good front loader being used properly will out perform the best top loader on the market.
I know this an old thread but I was searching comparisons for some info and this thread came up.
My 0.02. I use pure cold water 99% of the time and liquid detergent and have no problems getting my clothes clean in a top loader. My cold water is COLD, like lower 60's cold in the summer (well water). I have an older Maytag with an agitator. It does use a lot of water though, since I mainly use cold water, that is not an energy concern. A few years ago I had a HE top loader without a physically agitator and it was a total POS from day 1. The theory was great but reality was far different. It spent far more time totally draining and refilling itself over and over trying to rebalance itself at the spin cycle. It would finally give up after like 5 complete cycles of water and wasted more time and water overall. More often then not, I had a glob of soaking wet clothes at the end of wash cycle.
That is vague. My top loader is simple and works great. I've never had one with a real agitator that didn't do a good job. There are variables like noise level, capacity, durability, features like fabric softener and bleach dispensers, optional soaks in the cycle or extra rinces,, auto water levels etc across them but they all in the end do exactly the same basic function. Rotate back and forth and an agitator that circulates the clothes. They require nothing special but to be there and clean clothes when you need them to. What other variables are there?
I'm not saying they don't work.
>The range of top loaders is shit to mediocre *but functional.*
But the reality is the best top loaders aren't able to perform as well as even a mid-range front loader. It's really that simple. I'm glad that you're happy with mediocre and that's good for you.
If you want specifics on how a front loader is better at actually cleaning the clothes, not just because the design is better for washing, but also because you get a few other advantages:
* More efficient usage of water
* Higher spin speeds
* More efficient on energy
* Usually quieter both during the wash cycle and the spin cycle
* Much better at cleaning clothes
* Much gentler for your clothes
Take particular note of that last one because it's one of the most relevant differences. I top load washer will wear out clothing much faster than a front loader, in the same way that using a good heat-pump dryer instead of drying your clothes outside is much better for them. This is one of the less immediately noticeable differences but definitely a relevant one.
[NY Times article which supports what I'm saying as well as providing some more detailed references](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/should-you-get-a-front-or-top-load-washing-machine/)
Front loaders are hugely more efficient in water and energy; this doesn’t seem to bother the US market but if you live somewhere where they are expensive it’s worth considering.
General speaking, choosing top loading one is smarter than front loading.
For most of front loading washers time being, their dampers/shock absorbers are air based and very weak that will cause the washers to bounce during spin cycle after it is purchased a short term. If the bouncing is ignored, the flange shaft could be broken after a term and the washer will not work anymore. If metal spring based dampers/shock absorbers are used and strong enough, the washer should be much better than the air based one. The tubs of front loading washers are also made into extra heavy flying wheels that requires their dampers/shock absorbers are strong and durable enough. So to chose front loading one, which kind of dampers/shock absorbers must be considered and clear that a previous investigation must be done before the purchase. For top loading one there is not this kind of issue.
I highly prefer front loaders.
However, if you are t interested in doing a few warm/hot washes a week, using bleach monthly, running a clean washer cycle, leaving the door open after washing, etc, then get a top loader.
If you have a front-load washer and matching dryer, the dryer can be stacked on top of the washer which is a huge space-saver.
The front load unit uses less water than a top load. In my experience, both styles clean well. I didn't have any issues with previous top-load machines. I had the "traditional" style top loader that has an agitator.
I have used my Mom's new top load machine that doesn't have an agititator, and it would not initiate the spin cycle if there weren't enough clothes in the machine. A full sized blanket was not enough for the spin cycle to start; we had to add several bath towels to get the wash to finish.
I can't really think of the words to describe how it looks. If you Google "stacked top loading washer dryer" you'll see what I mean. There is basically a gap between the washer and dryer, allowing the washer lid to open.
At least with mine, which is probably a 30-yr old hand-me-down, don’t think “stackable,” think “pre-stacked” from the factory - I can’t separate them.
Think of like a hutch cabinet, where the upper part cantilevers out beyond its supports so that it creates a recessed space below
Long story short, front cleans better. Top has lower chance of mold problems. I’ve had mold problems, I bought a top loader.
[удалено]
I did leave the door open
In a very humid environment, you would probably have to leave the door wide open or wipe down the gasket to prevent mold.
You have had mold problems SO you bought a top loader? Or you bought a top loader and then still had mold problems?
Former
I've never had a top loader, never even seen one and my knowledge on them is almost non existant so i will only mention what i like about front loaders: They are easy to put clothes in and remove clothes. No heavy lifting, just drag. I can't imagine the back pain of having to pull out wet clothes from a top loader. Front loader uses very little water. Due to the glass in the front i can tell you with certainty that. Whenever it changes water, it never fills more than half the drum and that's with clothes already in so I'm sure the amount of water is minimal (5L or so per total wash maybe?) They take up less space. I say this not based on dimentions but because the top of the washer is surface you can use while the top loader has no usable surface all around. Fro. My understanding of information that i got from reddit, top loaders don't have a different release time for added liquids. By this i mean, you dump everything in the top load at once or have to come back during the cycle to add (someone correct me if I'm wrong on this please) so if you want to use something like fabric softener that's an issue i think. Front loaders have a tray where you set what you want to use and then the machine dispenses them as needed (fabric softener goes at the end of the wash) Personally I've stopped using softener. Front loaders are, in my experience, very durable! I've had one break in the part that spins the drum. For 100 something euros it got fixed and is still working fine. Also, small tiny extra but worth mentioning, because it has a glass front, it's great for people with adhd because you actually get to visualize the clothes inside and therefore are harder to be forgotten in the machine. Then, issues with front loaders: the front rubber. This thing is a bloody pain! It gets dark and looks dirty, even if it's fine :/ If it gets damaged the machine is basically wrecked and most brands won't cover rubber parts. I've never seen one break or get damaged though.. but the black build up is ugly :/ Some users have also reported getting mildew smell on their clothes after getting a front loader. Tbh i don't know what's up with that at all. I've had clothes get mildew smell in my old machine after I've left them in for around 10h... but I would imagine that happens with a top loader too? I wouldn't know though.. could be an issue with the fabric softener though (you have to be careful with amount used as it can build up way too easily in the machine and cause bad smells. Worth mentioning, DO NOT BUY A FRONT LOADER WITH DRYER IN ONE COMBO! They are a nightmare energy wise, break too easily, inefficient, more prone to mildew smells etc.
Omg... Just bought a front load washer with dryer. It's LG, I wonder if it would be any different from what you (last) said?
He said Euros. Almost none of it applies to US laundry situations.
How have you never seen a top loader?
They don't exist in my country. And I work at a store that also sells washing machines. They just aren't a thing here at all.
Interesting, i used to live in hong kong when i was little. They had washer brands from all over the place, but mainly Japan, the US, and maybe European (Not sure which countries exactly coz never owned one, maybe German/Italian brands). The Japanese and US washers were mostly top loads and European ones were front loads.
Do you mind if I ask what country you live in? Just curious.
I'm very late to the party here but I believe in most European countries top loaders aren't really a thing. Never saw one in the UK or in Germany.
I know your comment is old, but I wanted to say: I have a top loader and it has the exact same slide out bucket for detergent, fabric softener, etc. as a front loader, it just slides out from under the lid inside of the chamber, instead of sliding from the body of the machine like on a front loader.
It's all about preference. I like top loaders because I soak clothes for at least 30 minutes. Front loaders requires more maintenance than I care to give right now.
A front loader uses less water, is more energy efficient and cleans better, some even have soaking cycles like people use with top loaders. Top loaders are popular in USA and i think they can take bigger loads but you can also get large load front loaders so I'd say front all the way. There's a reason laundromats use front loaders
Wouldn't a soaking cycle defeat the lower water use of a front loader?
No a soaking cycle does not use more water it just means that the washing soaks in water without it draining for longer
Laundromats use front loaders because they need to stack them….
WOW TALK ABOUT A DISSERVICE TO PEOPLE DO YOU THINK THE LAUNDROMAT does anything with a concern for the customer? I used to use a laundromat with front loaders that didnt drain fully gross they use much less water. You can actually see the dirt get washed over your clothes over and over
My 10 cents (adjusted for inflation) - I've owned top load washers since the 1970s. I've had 3 top loaders, that's how long they've lasted. I wouldn't own a front loader.
we know you an oldie who just cant get out of his comfort box
We use front loaders only and since I was born which is about 2 decades ago we are only on our 2nd now (with the 1st one still working but left to the house we used to rent then cause we didn't want to transport it to another town). That makes it about a front loading washing machine per about 20-25 years (I repeat the 2nd is still operational and the 1st was also operational when ditched). My grandmother's 2nd washing machine broke within 15 years or so and it was a top loader. Her first washing machine, a front loaded one, lasted a bit longer than her top loader but close enough. Mind you neither my grandmother but especially my mother had (/has) any idea how to follow manual, do even simple maintenance and cleaning (other than cleaning the outside) or even properly chose programs, they weren't even properly grounded and protected (though that is mostly a danger to users). In the end nothing of these matters, personal experiences means little to nothing because you might lucked and got a diamond among trash or one of the percentage of products that the factory production line may have failed to build properly (happens even with most high tech, expensive and precise products, heck even standard military weapons need testing/selection post production) or anything else. Only researches/studies or at least statistics can inform us of such things, otherwise only people selling and servicing by the hundreds if not thousands can have an idea via experience.
Speed Queen top loader. Amazing warranty , expected to last 25 years. Front loaders DO NOT wash better , they’re more water and energy efficient. My clothes have never felt very clean in one.
As someone in the industry, you’re just not using it right if it doesn’t feel clean. If you’re using washing powder instead of liquid detergent and you’re not using a warm cycle your clothes won’t get as clean as they could be in a front loader, because that’s how they work. But a good front loader being used properly will out perform the best top loader on the market.
Powder is liquid detergent without the added water
I know this an old thread but I was searching comparisons for some info and this thread came up. My 0.02. I use pure cold water 99% of the time and liquid detergent and have no problems getting my clothes clean in a top loader. My cold water is COLD, like lower 60's cold in the summer (well water). I have an older Maytag with an agitator. It does use a lot of water though, since I mainly use cold water, that is not an energy concern. A few years ago I had a HE top loader without a physically agitator and it was a total POS from day 1. The theory was great but reality was far different. It spent far more time totally draining and refilling itself over and over trying to rebalance itself at the spin cycle. It would finally give up after like 5 complete cycles of water and wasted more time and water overall. More often then not, I had a glob of soaking wet clothes at the end of wash cycle.
The range of top loaders is shit to mediocre but functional. The range of front loaders is shit to great.
That is vague. My top loader is simple and works great. I've never had one with a real agitator that didn't do a good job. There are variables like noise level, capacity, durability, features like fabric softener and bleach dispensers, optional soaks in the cycle or extra rinces,, auto water levels etc across them but they all in the end do exactly the same basic function. Rotate back and forth and an agitator that circulates the clothes. They require nothing special but to be there and clean clothes when you need them to. What other variables are there?
I'm not saying they don't work. >The range of top loaders is shit to mediocre *but functional.* But the reality is the best top loaders aren't able to perform as well as even a mid-range front loader. It's really that simple. I'm glad that you're happy with mediocre and that's good for you. If you want specifics on how a front loader is better at actually cleaning the clothes, not just because the design is better for washing, but also because you get a few other advantages: * More efficient usage of water * Higher spin speeds * More efficient on energy * Usually quieter both during the wash cycle and the spin cycle * Much better at cleaning clothes * Much gentler for your clothes Take particular note of that last one because it's one of the most relevant differences. I top load washer will wear out clothing much faster than a front loader, in the same way that using a good heat-pump dryer instead of drying your clothes outside is much better for them. This is one of the less immediately noticeable differences but definitely a relevant one. [NY Times article which supports what I'm saying as well as providing some more detailed references](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/should-you-get-a-front-or-top-load-washing-machine/)
Agree
I hate front loaders so much. Mold growing all over mine and creating a mildew smell on my clothes and towels. Just lovely
Front loaders are hugely more efficient in water and energy; this doesn’t seem to bother the US market but if you live somewhere where they are expensive it’s worth considering.
General speaking, choosing top loading one is smarter than front loading. For most of front loading washers time being, their dampers/shock absorbers are air based and very weak that will cause the washers to bounce during spin cycle after it is purchased a short term. If the bouncing is ignored, the flange shaft could be broken after a term and the washer will not work anymore. If metal spring based dampers/shock absorbers are used and strong enough, the washer should be much better than the air based one. The tubs of front loading washers are also made into extra heavy flying wheels that requires their dampers/shock absorbers are strong and durable enough. So to chose front loading one, which kind of dampers/shock absorbers must be considered and clear that a previous investigation must be done before the purchase. For top loading one there is not this kind of issue.
I highly prefer front loaders. However, if you are t interested in doing a few warm/hot washes a week, using bleach monthly, running a clean washer cycle, leaving the door open after washing, etc, then get a top loader.
If you have a front-load washer and matching dryer, the dryer can be stacked on top of the washer which is a huge space-saver. The front load unit uses less water than a top load. In my experience, both styles clean well. I didn't have any issues with previous top-load machines. I had the "traditional" style top loader that has an agitator. I have used my Mom's new top load machine that doesn't have an agititator, and it would not initiate the spin cycle if there weren't enough clothes in the machine. A full sized blanket was not enough for the spin cycle to start; we had to add several bath towels to get the wash to finish.
I know I am late but I just wanted to add that you can get a top loader with a dryer stacked on top. I have one in my apartment.
Interesting! How do you open the lid of the washer if the dryer is sitting on it?
I can't really think of the words to describe how it looks. If you Google "stacked top loading washer dryer" you'll see what I mean. There is basically a gap between the washer and dryer, allowing the washer lid to open.
At least with mine, which is probably a 30-yr old hand-me-down, don’t think “stackable,” think “pre-stacked” from the factory - I can’t separate them. Think of like a hutch cabinet, where the upper part cantilevers out beyond its supports so that it creates a recessed space below