Best Buy Washers With Agitators ((BETTER))

Only 10 percent of top-load agitators in our current washing machine ratings earn an Excellent score in our cleaning test. Many earn a midrange Good rating, though, meaning they should clean most loads well. They may have trouble with heavily stained or soiled items.

best buy washers with agitators

In our water-efficiency test, a washer earns an Excellent rating if it uses 13 gallons of water or less. Only five of 40 agitator washers in our ratings hit that mark, whereas most front-loaders and many HE top-loaders earn an Excellent score for water efficiency. In fact, many top-load agitators earn only a Good or Fair rating, using about 16 to 24 gallons to wash an average-sized load.

Top-load agitators have long been about function instead of form. But manufacturers now offer some models that are more stylish and have larger capacities as well, pushing up prices to between $650 and $1,300. At the same time, prices on other types of washers have come down.

Top-loading washing machines with pole agitators have been around for roughly a century. Your parents and grandparents used them. Now, as a homeowner, you may like to use one too: there's something comforting about doing household chores the same way as you saw them done while growing up.

Agitator vs impeller is a top question when shopping for a new washing machine. Front load washers do not need agitators because they clean by lifting clothes up as the drum turns and then dropping the clothes into the water; however, many top load washers do not replicate the same movement, instead relying on friction between clothes to clean them. A tall vertical spindle affixed in the center of a top load washer, an agitator aids in stirring clothes together in the detergent water for a better, cleaner outcome.

• Top load washers are better than front load washers when it comes to upfront cost, maintenance, and lifespan. The familiar design of a top load washer is typically more budget-friendly and doesn't collect mildew and odors as quickly as a front-loading machine. You can usually do basic repairs, like balancing the drum, on your own by watching an instructional video or following the troubleshooting tips in your manual. On the downside, top load washers can create a good amount of wear and tear on your clothes. For more, check out our comparison guide on top load versus front load washers."}},"@type": "Question","name": "Do top load washers use more water and energy?","acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer","text": "Top load washers can use significantly more water and energy compared to other types of machines. On average, they use 40 gallons of water per load. If you're hoping to save money, you'll want to shop for a high-efficiency washer that uses about 12 to 17 gallons of water per load. This is competitive with front load washers, which use an average of 13 gallons per load.","@type": "Question","name": "How do you clean a top load washer?","acceptedAnswer": "@type": "Answer","text": "To clean a top load washer, first, empty the drum completely. Next, choose the hottest and longest cycle on your machine and start it. Before your machine begins to agitate, pause the cycle and add four cups of liquid chlorine bleach to the drum. Finish the cycle, and then turn your focus to your dispensers. If there is residue build-up, you can tackle it using distilled white vinegar and an old toothbrush. For the full step-by-step process, check out our guide on how to clean a top load washing machine."]}]}] .icon-garden-review-1fill:#b1dede.icon-garden-review-2fill:none;stroke:#01727a;stroke-linecap:round;stroke-linejoin:round > buttonbuttonThe Spruce The Spruce's Instagram The Spruce's TikTok The Spruce's Pinterest The Spruce's Facebook NewslettersClose search formOpen search formSearch DecorRoom Design

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Top load washers can use significantly more water and energy compared to other types of machines. On average, they use 40 gallons of water per load. If you're hoping to save money, you'll want to shop for a high-efficiency washer that uses about 12 to 17 gallons of water per load. This is competitive with front load washers, which use an average of 13 gallons per load.

Most washing machines are priced within the $800.00-$1,300.00 range. You can find expensive agitator washers and expensive non-agitator washers. But in general, top load/agitator washers tend to be less expensive. Though top-loaders may be less expensive up front, they are more expensive to run.

Mildew smell and mold can be a concern for front load washers. Since gravity pulls the moisture away from the gaskets where mold can grow, agitator top load washers typically don't have these issues. However, we always recommend cleaning your washer once every few months with vinegar and baking soda (or a supermarket variety washing machine cleaner) to keep it smelling fresh.

Agitator top load washers are the classic choice when it comes to doing laundry. They're fast, simple, and relatively inexpensive compared with top load washers that don't have an agitator or than front load washers. They also require very little cleaning and maintenance. However, they can be harsh on your clothes and tend to have fewer wash options and bells and whistles than other washing machines.

The machine pulls in outside air to dry the interior while the drum spins intermittently. And the door gasket, dispenser drawer and other internal components are treated with Microban, an additive to help keep mold at bay. Our experts were impressed that the drum and door seal were bone dry after a full vent cycle. The full cycle does take eight hours, though, so it's best to run it after your last load of the day or overnight.

If you can't decide whether to purchase a washing machine with or without an agitator, this unique Whirlpool top load washer gives you the best of both worlds allowing you to keep the agitator in for regular loads or remove it for bulky loads like washing a comforter.

In the simplest terms possible, agitators are central columns that twist and turn during a wash cycle and are usually found within the best top load washers (opens in new tab). They are sometimes equipped with vanes in order to create friction, and aid in removing stains and dirt from clothes due to the vigorous motion they create. By contrast, impellers, which are ordinarily found within the best front load washers (opens in new tab), are disc-shaped devices that work to spin your clothes in a circular motion within the main body of the machine.

Washing machines with an impeller tend to wash your clothes better than with an agitator. That means that, generally speaking, front load washers or top load washers without an agitator will do a better job at getting rid of tough stains and dirt off your clothes.

Why? Well, when an impeller works it turns the clothes inside a washing machine in circles so that they are constantly spinning and using friction to rub the clothes against each other to get them clean. Agitator washers rely on just the agitator itself to do the cleaning and the clothes need to come into contact with the agitator to really be cleaned thoroughly. For stains and really dirty clothes, an impeller washer is the better option.

Another thing to consider about washing machines with agitators is the potential damage to your clothes. Top load washers are known to cause damage over time to your clothes due to how rough the agitator is with fabrics. 041b061a72