9 Best top-load washing machines for 2023
A washing machine typically lasts 11 to 14 years. When you buy one, you’re essentially making a decade-long commitment, so selecting a new washing machine is an important decision for any household. An investment of that financial and long-term significance calls for some solid research. That’s where we come in. In this guide, we recommend the nine best top-loading washing machines on the market to help you get the most out of your investment.
To find out if this guide is for you, decide if you’re more interested in a top-loading or a front-loading washing machine. We’ll go over some of the differences between the two designs so you can know which you prefer before we get into our favorite top-loading washing machines for 2023.
Differences between a top-load and front-load washing machine
Finding out which washing machine is better largely depends on your specific needs. Both types serve the same purpose but have a few differences that boil down to personal preference.
Here are the main differences between top-loading and front-loading washing machines:
- Ease of use. Top-load washers are a bit easier to use because the drum comes up to about waist height. However, people who like to sit and load washing machines might prefer front-load machines. Generally, top-loading washers are considered better for your knees and back.
- Adding clothes midcycle. Items can be added to a top-load washing machine in the middle of the cycle. You can’t add items to a front-load machine because the drum will fill up with water once the cycle begins.
- Visibility. Front-load washing machines offer better visibility because of their transparent doors. Top-load machines offer no visibility at all. You have to pause the cycle, lift the lid and peer inside to see what’s going on.
- Agitator vs. impeller. Top-loaders use an agitator or a central post to clean clothing. Clothes will twist and swirl against the agitator, allowing dirt to release. Typically, agitator washers are top-loading ones. Front-load washers tumble clothes on top of each other to clean them. Some front-loaders might have an impeller or a textured surface at the bottom to help scrub clothes for stain removal. Front-load washers are generally gentler on clothes and use less water.
- Repairs. Top-load washing machines are easier to repair and known for their durability. Front-load washers are best repaired by trained technicians because they are a bit more complicated.
- Water use. Top-load washers use about 19 gallons of water per cycle, whereas front-load washers use about 13 gallons.
- Mold. Top-load washers generally don’t develop the same mold issues that can plague front-load washers and make them smelly.
- Stacking. Most people like to make the best possible use of space within their laundry rooms by stacking dryers on top of washers. Top-loading washing machines are not stackable like front-loading washers are.
- Cost. Top-load washers cost anywhere between $400 and $500, while entry-level front-load washers cost between $600 and $800.
- Life span. Top-load washing machines last about 14 years, while the life expectancy of a front-load washing machine is 11 years.
As you can see, both top-loading and front-loading washing machines have minor differences in the quality of service provided. It’s more about what suits you best based on your specific needs and budget.
If you’ve concluded that you’d like to invest in a top-loading machine, read on. We’ve done the research to put together a list of the best washing machines in this category. Let’s get started!
Whirlpool WTW8127LW 2-in-1 Top Load Washing Machine
The Whirlpool WTW8127LW is a versatile washing machine. This 5.3 cubic-foot washer includes an impeller and a removable agitator so you can decide how gently or thoroughly you want to wash your clothes.
For example, if you want to wash your delicates, you might not want to use an agitator. You can detach it from the washer and wash the clothes gently using only the impeller plate. Or you could remove the agitator to wash a bulky load of blankets that might need more room in the washing machine.
Top features:
- The Whirlpool WTW8127LW offers 11 preset wash options, plus control over water temperature, spin speed and deep-water fill.
- Built-in Wi-Fi syncs with the Whirlpool app. You can use this to schedule your next load at a preferred time. The app also sends you notifications about the cycle.
- It’s an Energy Star-certified model.
- It includes a built-in faucet that you can use to hand-wash or scrub out stains before the cycle begins.
Best for: While this washing machine is a bit expensive, it’s ideal for people who care about their garments and need more control over the washing mechanism. This washer is also perfect for those who like smart devices they can customize with their phones.
LG WT7900HWA TurboWash3D Top Load Washer
The LG WT7900HWA TurboWash3D is an absolute beast. With a 5.5-cubic-foot capacity, it’s much larger than average washers and ideal for bigger loads, bulky items or large sheets and blankets.
With a certification from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, this washer is adept at removing pet dander, dust mites, and other allergens and bacteria. It has specific Allergiene cycles to deal with such garments. Additionally, it features a Sanitizing cycle that removes bacteria and other impurities from the washer drum.
The washing machine is pretty energy-efficient, especially when it comes to its cold water cycle. Typically, the Normal and Speed wash cycles last 30 minutes, while the Heavy Duty cycle clocks in at just under two hours.
Top features:
- The large stainless-steel drum can handle bulky garments.
- Some of its cycles feature steam.
- It has 13 preset cycles and wash settings.
- It includes a deep-fill option.
- Its sanitizing features destroy odors, bacteria and allergens.
- It’s a Wi-Fi-equipped washing machine that can be synced with the LG ThinQ app.
Best for: The LG WT7900HWA TurboWash3D is ideal for asthma and allergy sufferers.
Amana Top Load Washing Machine
The reliable and sturdy Amana NTW4516FW is an ideal pick for a budget-friendly top-loading washing machine. With a dual-action agitator, simple detergent dispenser and auto-fill technology, the Amana is a simple washer that delivers on its promise to clean both small and large loads.
It offers eight wash cycles and five settings for water temperature on a 3.5-cubic-foot porcelain drum. It only offers about 680 rpm of spin speed, which is lower than most higher-end washing machines. You can access all these options on the control panel at the back of the washer.
With a model such as this one, which comes at a great price but doesn’t offer as many conveniences, you have to be careful not to overload the washer. Once you’ve figured out the washer’s sweet spot, you will love this machine for your laundry needs.
Top features:
- The Amana NTW4516FW comes at a budget-friendly price.
- It features auto-fill technology.
- It’s a sturdy washing machine.
Best for: The Amana NTW4516FW top-load washing machine is best for families looking for a reliable and affordable washer.
Samsung Extra-Large Capacity Smart Top Load Washer
If you’re looking for something high-capacity to tackle large loads, the Samsung Extra-Large Capacity washing machine is the one for you. With a 5.5-cubic-footstainless-steel drum and no agitator pole, this washer is built to wash large items like blankets, bed covers and even king-size comforters.
Without an agitator, the drum includes an impeller plate that produces enough movement to thoroughly wash clothes. It has 12 preset cycles, with the speed wash cycle taking only about 28 minutes to complete. The washing machine also comes with a built-in water faucet that can come in handy when you want to pre-soak your clothes or hand-wash stained garments.
Top features:
- The Samsung Extra-Large Capacity washing machine features a large, 5.5-cubic-foot washing drum.
- Though it’s a top-loading washer, it uses impeller plates for a gentle cycle.
- It contains a built-in faucet.
Best for: This washing machine is best suited for those with a lot of washing. Large families or those with newborn babies would likely appreciate a washer like this one.
Maytag MVWC565FW High-Efficiency Top Load Washer
This compact washing machine hardly takes up any space, but it still offers over 4 cubic feet of capacity. It’s less than 28 inches wide with a depth of 27 inches, making it ideal for people who don’t have much laundry room space.
The central agitator helps clean a load of laundry thoroughly, while the PowerWash cycle gives you extra power to tackle stubborn stains. The washer offers 11 wash cycles and options for water temperature, spin and rinse cycles.
Top features:
- It’s size is compact, perfect for small laundry rooms.
- It has a 4.2-cubic-foot capacity.
- Its powerful spin cycle cleans clothes thoroughly.
Best for: Maytag’s top-loading washing machine is perfect for those looking for an affordable, compact and efficient washer for their everyday needs.
GE GTW335ASNWW Top Load Washer with Agitator
The GE top-load washer is a classic washing machine, a mainstay in many small-family homes. It’s humble and reliable and delivers on all its promises without doing too much damage to your wallet.
With a stainless-steel drum of just over 4 cubic feet fitted with a central agitator, the washer can handle all kinds of laundry cycles whether light or heavy. It comes with 11 wash cycles and a Precise Fill water setting that fills water based on load size. It even lets you manually set the water level to ensure that all items immerse properly.
Top features:
- The GE top-load washer features auto-sensing fill technology.
- It has versatile functionality.
- Its Precise Fill water setting lets you customize the water level.
Best for: The GE top-load washer is always a great choice, a classic for families looking to stick to their budget.
Maytag MVW7232HW Top Load Washer
With just over 5 cubic feet capacity, the Maytag MVW7232HW impeller washer has the ability to wash 20 to 25 pounds of laundry in one go. This beautiful beast of a machine is ideal for giving blankets, comforters and sheets a thorough cleaning while gently washing delicate clothes.
It’s a smart washing machine with Wi-Ficonnectivity and connection to the Maytag mobile app. You can use the phone app to control your washing machine, schedule cycles, receive updates and even stop ongoing cycles remotely.
What’s more, you can operate the washer through Google Assistant, Siri or Alexa. The cherry on top is it comes with anti-vibration technology that significantly reduces noise. This means you can run a cycle even when guests come over and no one will be any the wiser.
Top features:
- It works with Wi-Ficonnection and other smart features.
- Anti-vibration technology keeps wash cycles quiet.
- It has a 5.3-cubic-foot capacity.
- It features a removable agitator.
Best for: This model is ideal for those who want to invest in one of the best washing machines that modern technology offers.
LG Electronics Mega Capacity Top Load Washer
At 5.7 cubic feet of capacity, this top-load washer is one of the largest in the market, meaning you can do more laundry in fewer loads. With steam technology penetrating fabrics of all kinds and removing dirt and odors, LG’s Mega Capacity washer offers the best modern technology to improve your experience.
The washing machine boasts Allergiene cycles that help remove dog dander, dust mites and other allergens. This feature is particularly useful for those who suffer from asthma or pollen allergies.
Overall, it offers 14 types of wash cycles, including Heavy Duty BrightWhites, Power Cleanse, WaterProof and Sanitary. It even has a water-jet spray system that washes laundry at super speed.
Top features:
- LG’s Mega Capacity washer has 5.7-cubic-foot capacity.
- It features steam technology.
- It has an Allergiene cycle.
- The three-tray dispenser lets you pour in multiple liquids, like detergent and fabric softener.
Best for: The LG Mega Capacity washer is ideal for those with asthma and allergies or who are looking for a large, versatile washer.
Magic Chef MCSTCW20S5 Portable Top Load Washer
Not everyone needs or wants a large washing machine. If you don’t have a laundry room or you’ve got a small one, you need a more compact solution.
The Magic Chef Portable washer is perfect for a compact top-loading washing machine that won’t take up too much space. You could even take it on vacation with you if you don’t want to wash your clothes in unfamiliar washing machines.
At 2 cubic feet of capacity, this washer can fit into small spaces, and the wheels on the bottom make it easy to move around. With a stainless-steel drum, the Magic Chef washer offers six types of wash cycles.
Top features:
- The Magic Chef Portable washer is an affordable option.
- It’s portable, with a small size and wheels on the bottom.
- It features a stainless-steel drum.
Best for: Since this washing machine can be moved around easily and has very low energy consumption, it is ideal for homes with limited space.
Protect your washer from costly repairs with Cinch
Now that you’ve heard about the best top-load washers on the market, we hope you can feel more confident choosing one that suits your needs. Once you’ve made your decision, remember to invest in regular maintenance. Cinch Home Services can help with that.
Purchasing a home warranty plan from Cinch Home Services is easy and convenient. Cinch’s Appliance plan is one of the best in the market and covers the cost of repairing or replacing major appliances due to normal wear and tear. Appliances covered include washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens and microwaves.
For an affordable price, you can stop worrying about unforeseen appliance breakdowns and enjoy peace of mind. If your appliances need repairs, our experienced technicians will be at your home in no time.
Get a quote from Cinch today!