New Clothes Washer Recommendations

I don't have top loaders, but I do have Whirlpool HE front loaders and I just wanted to say I've never had problems getting my diapers clean.

BTW, you can stop the cycle on a front loader and throw stuff in. I do it all the time, rarely getting water on the floor.

This is a question I'll be facing eventually this year.
I'm totally not interested in any front loader - I've heard too many complain about the smell problems to want to deal with it.
With the agitator-less models - people complain the clothes come out extremely wrinkled even if they go out of their way to make sure the load isn't over loaded.
I've been reading up on comments about them in Consumer Reports and the more I read the more I want to stick with an old fashioned top loader with an agitator.
High Efficiency is all good and well but there comes a point where too little water just does not rinse out dirt and soap - and I itch if I don't double rinse (I make sure to use the absolute minimum detergent).

I have the Maytag Centennial top loader agitator - less HE machine, and I love it. It does everything you have in your list. I have not had any issues with it getting my clothes and the kids (read: dirty!) clothes clean and thoroughly rinsed. And if you load it properly, there should be no issues with the twisting, etc. I also have not seen anything that looks like it spun too hard or terribly wrinkled my clothes, and I was getting delicates in there often.

The one thing I read about often while researching the agitator - less machine was that you need to read the manual and use it per the directions, not so hard! I've done that and had no issues. For example, when you load the clothes you set them around the washer basin in "clumps" and leave a clear view of the sensor in the bottom. Lastly, you do need HE detergent, but it seems to me that is easy to get (we use the Costco brand), and you need to read on the detergent bottle the correct amount to use for your washer.

Good luck!

We have an aggitator in ours, but it's an HE top loader. It's a Maytag Centennial. Our model may be slightly different than the other poster b/c it does have the HE sticker. You do need special HE detergent for HE machines, but nearly every company makes HE stuff now. We went from our ancient (and I do mean ancient - probably 40 yrs old) washer to this one and drastically cut our water bill. Further, we also save gas because it gets clothes drier than the old machine so the dryer doesn't need to run as long. I have not noticed it being any harder on our clothes and I'm really pleased with it. I do not use cloth diapers much anymore (occasionally if I run out of Pull Ups) and have not noticed an issue. I use vinegar in the laundry regularly and you can do an extra rinse easily. We can stop our machine by holding the button for 3 seconds.

One of the reasons we also like our machine is it senses the level of water needed so I can throw in whatever sized load and it knows. The whole cycle does take longer, but you get used to it and it's more in tune with the dryer. My DD has sensitive skin and has not had a problem with residue on her clothes, even without the extra rinse.

Our washer got mixed reviews online but you never know who is really typing. The dryer repair guy was impressed with it when he came to fix our dryer. He said outright it was a good washer and that he doesn't expect to be here to fix it for years, if ever.

We bought a front loading LG washer a little over a year and a half ago and the thing leaks. We've called everywhere to see who will fix it and almost no one will touch it. Those that will charge about half the price we paid for it new. Needless to say we feel pretty burned by this purchase. Be forewarned on that brand...

I did some reading up, too, when our top loader died a year or two ago. We ended up going with a Maytag Centennial because it had great reviews (and we have liked it, fyi). It does have an agitator, but I've heard that's really beneficial. Have read a lot of complaints about clothes just not getting clean without one. The Centennial is energy efficient, but doesn't require HE detergent.

You can throw in forgotten items, but it does affect efficiency. It causes the washer to add more water to compensate for more items.

This model also has the soaker feature.

We lost our washer when our basement flooded during hurricane Sandy. We replaced it with a Kenmore top loading High Efficiency washer. I cost about $550 which was considerably less than the front loaders which I wasn't interested in because I have a bad back.

It's taking some getting used to, but I do like it. The lid locks when the washer starts, but you can interrupt the cycle easily and get it started back up quickly. I feel it does hold more clothes without the agitator in there. It does use less water and detergent. I think it's getting the clothes at least as clean as the 13 year old washer we replaced. I'm pretty sure you can soak things too, but be prepared because you'll see that if you interrupt the cycle after the washer has filled with water - there is hardly any water in there. There's no such thing as filling the machine with water, throwing the clothes in and letting them soak or wash. You put the detergent in first, the clothes in next and THEN close the lid and the water goes in - but it's very very little water. I haven't noticed that the clothes are any more wrinkled than with my other machine.

Don't let anyone talk you into a front loader. I wanted a top loader and the sales guy convinced me the front loader was the way to go. Bottom line is I don't like it! I have to leave the door open to dry out when not in use otherwise mold grows and it gets a funky smell. I have to run through a cleaning cycle monthly which is not any extra work for me but I do have to buy the special detergent. FYI...the front loaders use so little water you can stop them and throw more clothes in. As a result of using so little water though, which I think is gross, I use the pre-wash setting then extra rinse setting so it takes 2 hours to run through all three cycles. I also miss soaking my whites overnight like you can do with a top loader. (My machine wasn't the cheap one either.).

I have a Whirlpool Cabrio high efficiency top loader. I've had it for 2 years now. Honestly, I like it and haven't had problems, but I think the old style front loaders clean clothes better. I will not buy a new machine now because I spent alot on the one I have, so until it breaks, I'm stuck.. My machine doesn't have an agitator. It's a huge machine and I can wash a queen size comforter in it. The problem with washing blankets and comforters in my machine is that the machine spins so fast that it becomes unleveled and it bunches up the blankets. So, you have to untangle every thing and restart the machine. In my opinion, clothes get wrinkled in any machine. I use a fabric softener sheet in the dryer and it takes care of that problem most of the time.

Previously, I had a Frigidaire front loader with the rubber belt--do not get that one. A previous poster mentioned it gets a funky smell and is moldy--that is very true and after a few years, the rubber belt starts to fall apart. Stay away from that washer.

You have to use HE detergent in the new high efficiency machines. If you don't, you will ruin your machine and void out the warranty. The HE detergent is specifically designed to not suds as much as regular detergent. When you buy detergent for your HE machine, make sure you see the HE label on the bottle. Most detergents work in both HE and regular washers, but there are a few brands out there that have not yet caught up, so keep your eyes on the bottle.

In order to get clothes clean in a high efficiency machine, you can use those Tide boost pacs or HE bleach or non-chlorinated bleach. I buy the Purex powdered non-chlorinated bleach at Walmart, it works great and doesn't cost as much. It's like $1.97 for a box.

You can go on You Tube and check out the videos that feature he Whirlpool Cabrio--check them out to see if that is the type of washer you would like.

Best wishes:)

We got a new Kenmore HE agitatorless top loader and dryer last Black Friday and love it. We paid less for the set than one unit normally costs. My inlaws purchased the same set the year before and were the ones who told us not to pass it up. It cleans great, saves money and time, has a ton of settings and is faster than my old washer. It has all the features you're looking for. I do need to use HE detergent, but have no problem finding mine at Target for the same price. Never had an issue with smell either, like some front loaders do. I highly suggest you power through for another week and wait until Black Friday to buy. You will save so much money. We didn't wake up early or wait in line either, just walked onto The Great Indoors around noon and bought out machines.

Two years ago I researched the heck out of this topic. My washer broke and I was tired of fixing it.

I, too, didn't want a front loader because of all of the problems I heard about them. But the top loaders (Cabrio for one) don't work as well and use more water. I know two people with cabrios and they both pretty much hate them for how they twist up their clothes and bigger items like comforters. And I was thisclose to buying one.

When I finally made my decision, I bought a Samsung front loader. At the time it was the best-rated in the industry. I have not had one problem with it, or the dryer. I actually love them! They don't stink, they don't leak and they are so easy on my clothes and get them cleaner. I can also fit whole comforters in there, and sleeping bags.

I just wanted you to know where my research led me, since I was in the same boat as you once. Good luck with your search. There are almost too many options!

I don't have any brand advice but I do have HE advice. They do clean just as well as the regular washers. You do not need to use HE detergent. Straight from a washing machine repairman's mouth - the HE detergent thing is BS! All you need to do is use a lot less detergent (about 1/4 cap full) - they are designed to get the most use out of your soap so you don't need as much. Also, you don't want to build up tons of suds in your washer b/c when it spins the suds will go out, not the water, leaving your clothes really wet which is why we called the repairman out (thinking our washer was having trouble spinning). His solution - run some vinegar through every now and again - with or without clothes, it doesn't matter. It cuts suds and soap scum preventing build up. Added bonus - vinegar gets out harsh smells and whitens clothes (whites and colors) safely. Problem solved and I just use whatever detergent I can get on sale!