Washer: Top Loading W/ Agitator or No Agitator? Pro/Cons, Etc. Brands?

We bought a Whirlpool HE Front Loading last year. I have been very happy with it. It uses very little water, and spins clothes nearly dry. I do all of my wash in cold water, and I have had no issues with clothes not getting clean. It holds so much more than my old top loader with the agitator did, I get my laundry done in half as many loads. Since the spin cycle gets the clothes so dry they hardly have to spend any time in the dryer. I also bought pedestals for my washer and dryer, so no awkward bending (and lots of bonus storage space).

Toploading washers use significantly more water, soap, and energy. They also don't get clothes as clean.

I've had toploaders. I love my front-loading HE machine. I love that I can pack it full, shove a whole hamper full of clothes in, and every piece will get clean because when the drum turns, water is forced through the clothes using gravity. My clothes aren't just being sloshed around. The same amount of clothes would take three loads in a top-loader.

Just something to consider.

♥
C. Lee

ETA: I have the Whirlpool Duet set. And I also make my own detergent. As long as you leave the washer door slightly ajar between uses so the rubber seal can dry, you'll never have stinky towels.

I have a Samsung front loading set which I love.

Pros-
1. The lack of an agitator is great since the clothes no longer tangle on it.
2. I can wash very large loads at one time and still feel like the clothes come out clean. Larger loads = fewer loads
3. I use less detergent.
4. I like the different settings on the washer and the dryer both. The wrinkle release setting on the dryer is amazing. I am not very good about having time to promptly fold clothes once they are dry. With the wrinkle release setting the clothes are given a quick fluff on a lower heat. The whole load comes out ready to be folded without needing to be ironed.
5. Because of all the jazzy settings I don't take very many things to the dry cleaners any more.
6. There is an insert for both the washer and dryer which allows me to wash things like tennis shoes without them rattling around.

Cons -
1. The washer door has to remain open or the nastiest, funkiest, moldy smell develops in the washer. I have found a good solution to the funk when the door is accidently closed. I spray the entire inside of the washer and the door gasket with spray bleach. I close the door and let it sit overnight. Then I run a quick rinse cycle and finally wash a load of dog towels or something else which can stand any stray bleach.
2. You cannot open the washer door in mid-cycle so forget tossing in any last minute items.

I have had my set four years now and love it just as much today as when I bought it originally. Good luck whatever you decide.

Hi. We recently bought a Maytag Centennial top loading HE washer with no agitator. I was skeptical, to say the least, but after trying it a few times, I got it down. I actually like it much better than the ones with the agitators. I use much less detergent and the clothes seem to come out cleaner. Also, my husband showed my I was putting in smaller loads than need be. So, now I put clothes in the make the washer about 1/2 full (not packing them down). So, there's my experience with them. If you know someone who has one, maybe you can ask if you can do a load of laundry at their house and do a comparison?

Happy shopping!

~L.

I've got a Samsung HE top loader without agitator. I really love it. Less water, less soap, but still able to put clothes in the middle of a cycle. Also it is huge capacity and takes me a lot less loads to get through a week of laundry.

Now the dryer is another story. It dries well and I like most things about it, except that mine squeaks. I'm just too busy to call and it get it repaired.

Honestly, I can't imagine why you would want a top-loader. I've owned both, and the front loaders get the clothes a LOT cleaner. Noticeably so. Using less water and less soap, doing less damage to your clothing than the agitator types. Saves you money over the long run!

Like Alexis, I have a Samsung front loader. I've never had it get musty smelling; I use the steam sanitize feature several times per week though, which also kills any stray bacteria that might be hiding out in the washer. Literally I've never had a single problem with the machine, and our clothes get CLEAN.

Seriously, SH, just go get the big front-loading Samsung. I promise you won't regret it.

I have front HE washer that I bought at Sears. This is my second such machine and have never had to have it serviced until the last one died. It died most likely because I didn't use HE detergent.

My father both sold and repaired several different brands and types of washers. He said the front loading one is more efficient in getting clothes clean. It uses less water and detergent and is more gentle on the clothes.

My parents had a front loader while I was growing up and I've used both a top loader and a front loader. My clothes are much less tangled with the front loader. They just fall to the bottom when the drum rotates while with the top loader the clothes are twisted when the agitator turns. I don't see how the front loader could possibly tangle the clothes more.

I've not seen a top loader without an agitator. I'm thinking you're comparing the top and front loader.

Once you purchase a machine you can have repairs done by any serviceman. Thus you don't have to deal with the customer service department unless your machine is faulty. The possibility of that happening is slim.

Whatever washer you use, you have to leave the door open after each use so that mold and mildew do not form. The washer has to dry out. It's the mold and mildew that causes clothes to smell.

It's plenty confusing. My mom has a Maytag Bravos automatic high efficiency washer (which is now owned by Whirlpool, I think) top loader. It's a great machine. BUT, a dime and a penny caused her to have to pay over $100 to get the washer fixed. You can't miss something in the pockets. Now, I don't know if this is because of not having an agitator or if it's just this brand. Blech!

When my washer dies, I don't know what I'm going to replace it with...I do know that I hate front load washers. I never know how much can fit in them, and it hurts my back to do all that bending.

Dawn

Our Maytag Centennial is a top loader with a spindle (aggitator?) in it. We have not had any issues with it. Works like a champ and if you do it right, you can still get a decent sized blanket in there.

I think many machines are HE and it's not a big deal anymore to find HE detergents.

I have a front load HE without agistator. I love it. My clothes are super clean.

I think we have a Maytags.

Yep, I have always had Whirlpool and I love them. They are a pretty good company and have a pretty good customer service department. I currently have a front loader that I hate and would never recommend. Seriously I wish I could throw it out. I had a top loader with the agitator before this set and I love it. I have boys in the house and we are dirty folks. Very rarely did the clothes get tangled up. That has happened before in my front loader if a string gets hung up. It happens. I like that the agitator really seems to clean better. Good luck

Love our commercial grade Maytag with an agitator.
No complaints at all.
But I don't see it on the Sears website--sorry.

We bought the LG top load washer w/o agitator about 2 years ago. We've had no problems with it! We went to a store with literally 40 different choices in washer and the sales guy helped us with the decision.

The only 'pro' I see to one with an agitator is the cost:)

I have a front loader and although I am now used to it I wish I had bought just an old fashioned agitator machine. and here are the reasons why

1. once the load is going there is no opening it to throw in one more item.

2. no soak cycle at all. AT ALL!!!!!!! so no soaking those nasty smelly socks or baseball pants etc.

3. if you forget and close the door after a wash and don't leave it open EACH AND EVERY TIME YOU USE IT it will mold and mildew and that smell / stain is impossible to get out of the rubber gasket on the door. (this is my biggest complaint about the set)

4. if you don't put your bras / camisoles in a net bag they will hook on the front of the door and then you will have a tornado type tangle of clothing.

5. it is all computerized now also. so if you have a problem it has a "mother board" just like a tv / vcr etc. and it costs a lot to get fixed.

The spin cycle is great and the drying time is less because the spin cycle is great in the washer. I feel my clothes get clean but I miss the soaking cycle and the being able to open the lid and throw in a stray sock or washcloth. ok thats my rant for now lol