Which top-load washer should I get?

Jordan C Woika, BestReviews Staff

2 years ago

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What top-load washer is best?

Being able to wash your clothes in your home instead of hauling everything to a laundromat is a true luxury experience that’s hard to give up once you’ve had it. If you’re moving to a new home or your current washer has stopped working, you have an opportunity to change your life with a brand-new top-load washer. To avoid wasting money — including on your water and energy bill — consider aspects such as capacity, aesthetics and high efficiency.

What to know before you buy a top-load washer

High-efficiency washer pros and cons

High-efficiency top-load washers, or HE washers, have several pros over standard washers but also some cons.

Pros: The main benefit is that they use less water and energy than a standard washer, saving you untold amounts of money over time. They also usually have sensors that let them adjust their cycles and settings automatically to your load. On average, they can hold larger loads and are quicker to drain once a cycle finishes.
Cons: In return, HE washers cost more and need more maintenance. You also need to use HE-specific detergent, or you could damage it. Finally, they usually take longer to complete a cycle.

Capacity

Top-load washers come in four capacity ranges.

Personal washers have no more than 1 cubic foot of capacity. These are for individuals living in small spaces, such as studio or one-bedroom apartments. Most don’t need a washer hookup, letting you attach to a sink instead.
Small washers have a capacity of 1 cubic foot to 3.5 cubic feet. These are good for single or two-person households that don’t go through much laundry. They’re also good for smaller apartments.
Medium washers have a capacity of 3.5 to 4.5 cubic feet. If your household has up to four people that go through a reasonable amount of laundry and you have some space to stash it, this size is what you need.
Large washers have a capacity of 4.5 cubic feet or more. These are for large households or those that chew through laundry at a rapid pace. You need a dedicated laundry space for one of these.

Dryers

Don’t forget to consider how you will dry your clothes after they’re washed. Most top-load washers have a matching dryer, and many brands offer both as a bundle for a discounted price. You never need to match them, but a handful of smart-capable top-load washers have features that won’t work unless they’re paired with their matching dryer.

Appearance

The classic washing machine design is plain white, but you can also find them in black and a faux-steel shiny gray. If it’s black or gray, check to see if it’s smudge-resistant, or it can get grimy fast.

What are the best top-load washers to buy?

GE 4.2-Cubic-Foot Top-Load Washer

A deep clean cycle and deep rinse help clean even the toughest stains, plus you can choose the water level manually or use PreciseFill to handle it automatically. It has 11 wash cycles, six water temperatures and cycle status lights.