Front Loading or Top Loading Washing Machines

I have a top loading washer without an agitator. It is the GE Harmony. We have had it for just over 4 years. I really like it. I couldn't see getting a front loader--think laundromat--and my husband agreed. It holds way more than the washers we had previously. I can put a weeks worth of towels in one load. Cuts way back on loads. We paid more for the set than many of the front loading sets but for us it was worth it. I would buy it again if I could afford it again.

I personally HATE the front loader that came with our house when we bought it. I gets really stinky so we have to leave the door open, which is really annoying because it is in a closet in our hallway. I am counting the days to when we can get a new machine and I can go back to a top loader. We have a Fridgidaire.

I have one to NOT recommend, and it's a european style washer/dryer combo. The washer becomes the dryer, switching from wash function to dry function. It only has a 12 lb capacity. It takes FOREVER to get a tiny load of wash done, and then it never gets dry, because it uses steam to dry?!?! We always end up with clothes air drying all over the place. It came with our condo. or else I never would have chosen it, especially now knowing how worthless it is. I wish I had room for a regular washer. Sorry to vent so much, I really hate this machine.

I grew up with the top loaders, and I like that you can throw in a stray sock or towel that you forgot about after the cycle starts. With front loaders you can't do that, the door locks and you can't open it once it starts. But, the frontloaders look really nice, and they are better for the environment because they use less water. Sorry I don't have a brand to recommend. Good luck on your search!

I bought a Whirlpool Cabrio washer this past January. It's a high-efficiency, top loader that does not have an agitator. It cleans well that's if your clothes don't get too dirty that is. Personally, my next machine will be the regular top loader with an agitator. Why? Well, I'm in my forties, so I've been around and I love doing laundry. After all these years, I've learned that the best laundry machine is the top loader with an agitator. I bought into the "high-efficiency" craze, and I don't think it cleans as well as the old style machines. This is my third high-efficiency machine. The first was a Frigidaire that left my clothes wrinkly. So, technology improves, right. Well, I bought another Frigidaire with the seal that got all pitted, moldy and stinky. It lasted 5 years and then died. My next washer will be a top loader with an agitator--the kind that has been around for years.

We have an Electrolux front-loading washer and love it. It was on the expensive side, but we splurged because it had the biggest capacity we could find (my husband is 6'5" so his laundry is enormous, ha). The front-loaders are way more efficient on water, and gentler on clothes since they don't have an agitator. Everything comes out just as clean, from what I can tell. On ours you can specify things like "extra rinse" or "extra spin" - I use extra rinse for the baby's stuff, and extra spin for anything bulky. The only annoying thing is sometimes items come out twisted together a little, so it can be tricky to get things into the dryer. But that's a minor issue.

The other nice thing about the front-loaders is that you can also buy the little drawer that goes underneath. They prop up the washer and dryer so you don't have to bend over as far, and are great additional storage. Maybe you can get those with top-loaders as well but I've never seen them.

If you're in NJ, check out the appliance stores in New Brunswick and Plainfield; they generally have better prices and more knowledgeable sales staff than the big box stores, and lower sales tax.

ETA: Someone mentioned that the front-loaders lock when you start the cycle, so you can't throw in extra stuff you find after you started the load. Ours actually has a "pause" feature, so you can put stuff in if you need to, then start it back up again.

I had a front load that eventually died (it started randomly filling up with water when not in use) and by then I was so sick of the stinky smell and having to leave the door open that we didn't even try to get it fixed, just went out and bought a top-load GE that I LOVE. It has extra-large capacity, so I can fit a ton of stuff in it. And it's high efficiancy too. Only thing I wish I'd paid attention to was that our particular model doesn't have a buzzer to alert you it is done, and it is so quiet when it runs I have to stick up a note to remind me I'm doing laundry. But I don't think I'm ever going back to front-load.

true about keeping door open and soap drawer,more quiet than top loader,much less soap needed andthe drawer is useful for storage-i especially like not bending over to dig clothes out~Fridgedare le~~D.

We have a GE and its great. We have had it now for about 3 years, no problems. You just have to leave the door slightly open when not in use so it doesn't get smelly in there. You have to do this with all HE units. Most detergeant is HE now anyway but if you don't have any you can use a little of your old stuff until it runs out. My sons likes to help and watch it.

We have the LG front loader washer & dryer. I love them! Like another poster said we also went for the large capacity and they cut laundry time in half. You can put so much more in on the load and it takes less detergent to wash. The front loaders also save you the hassle of taking your big quilts or bedspread to the cleaners. If they have washing instructions they fit right in. Yes, you do have to leave the door open on the washer when it is not in use or a foul smell does occur. But considering how much easier the front loader makes laundry, it is a minor disturbance. I will never have another top loader again, front loaders are so convenient and time saving.

Front loaders - we have the maytag and you have to leave the door open when not in use (or unplug if the plug is convenient) to avoid a foul smelling appliance. We have the ability to 'unlock' it once the cycle has started. We push the 'start' button, wait for the lock button to go off, and then open it. Put the forgotten item in..and push start again. It goes through some beeps and then it continues where it left off. It is very water efficient. Once I forgot to unplug the drain on the laundry tub. In my old washer, it would overflow the laundry tub. On the maytag neptune, it used maybe half the tub - for both the wash and the rinse. Seems to get clothing cleaner and the capacity is much better!

Go with the front loader. Saves a lot of water. My kids even like to help move clothes from washer to dryer. As for the occasional odor, stores now sell products from Tide & others that you put into the machine like detergent & run it through a cycle. Leaving the door open helps too. We have a Sears Kenmore 3.1 cubic ft model. Get the largest size you can afford, so you can do fewer loads. Have had ours for 4 years now.

My answer is right there with Markasa C. I bought a front loader and hated it. It does not use as much water and the clothes do not get as clean. You need water and detergent to clean. Also I hated that water was left in the dispenser after the cycle was complete. This may be why they always smell. I didn't keep mine long enough to find out. I didn't want to wait till it died to get a top loader with agitator, so I returned it after about a week. I actually hugged my new top loading machine because I was so happy to just get on with the business of doing laundry and not having to think about it.

I have a Maytag Neptune set about 10 yrs old. I have not had any issues.

HOWEVER, I had a Maytag top of the line fridge and dishwasher that died within 5 yrs. I believe Maytag no longer is the quality name it once was. I would not purchase Maytag again.

If I were replacing my washer/dryer, I would get the stackable one. My SIL has one, I forgot the name but I think it started with an S. She loves hers.

We just got a Maytag 4000 series front loader. I like it. I do notice that I have to leave the door open when it isn't in use or it gets a mildewy smell. I really don't notice a huge difference from the top loader, but I guess it used a lot less water.

I have the Maytag front loader and love it. Yes I had to have it fixed right after I got it, the vent hose kept coming disconnected but I picked up some craft foam and they glued it on and replaced the hose and now all is fine. This is my 3rd front loader, the first was the Maytag Neptune, then I got an LG and now I have my new Maytag. I will say stay away from LG mine went within a year, actually they couldn't work on it until after the warranty was over and the repairman I called said the barrings went and the machine would cost more to fix than a new one and that this is typical of LG. Also with all the front loaders your water bill will drop significantly, ours cut in half and with 5 kids that is a huge plus. I swear by front loaders, I wouldn't have anything but them now.