Top Loading Washers

The traditional top loading washer has come a long way and is still quite popular. In this type of washer the tub is mounted vertically inside the machine. The agitator in the middle helps in churning the clothes and water together and dislodges the dirt form the clothes. After a wash it drains, gets filled up with clear water, again agitates the load, drains again, rinses and finally spins. They are cheaper than comparable front loading machines. You don't have to bend or kneel while operating a top loading washer and this is an advantage for people having knee or back problems. Five top loading washers are reviewed below.

Whirlpool Cabrio WTW6200 top-loading washer

Recently I had bought the Whirlpool Cabrio WTW6200 and it is a great machine. It is quite smart and energy efficient. Everyone in my home loves it. Our clothes get super clean and although it consumes a little more water than our earlier front loader it is not much. It is very good looking and reasonably priced. I was given the option of a clear top at an additional cost but as I don't feel like staring at my clothes while they are being washed, I didn't opt for it. It has a 3.8 cubic feet capacity and offers the sixth sense technology and direct injection wash system like Whirlpool's more expensive models.

The advantage of direct injection system is that it pre-treats the stains and loosens the soil and the sixth sense technology uses sensors to select the optimal water temperature and ensures efficient use of water. The Whirlpool Cabrio WTW6200 top loading washer has 4 temperature settings and 7 wash cycles. It is one of the quietest top loaders. In its basic model it offers very good value for your money. The only disadvantage I can think of is that it could be a bit expensive to repair considering the sophisticated technology. Like other top loading washers it comes with a 1 year warranty. It costs $669.00 at AJ Madison and $679 at Sears.

Whirlpool WTW5300S top-loading washer

If you are willing to pay a little bit extra for more gentle treatment for your delicate fabrics then the top-load Whirlpool WTW5300S washer with 3 wash and spin options makes a very good choice. Although single speed washers are alright for more durable fabrics delicate fabrics like lingerie, swimwear and other fine lightweight fabrics need the 3 speed action. It comes with 7 cycles and the slower speeds are useful if you wish to avoid wrinkling as well as damaging delicate fabrics.

Another advantage of the top-loading Whirlpool WTW5300S washer is its versatility. You get the choice of three water levels which is useful for matching wash load and water used. You also have the choice of 3 wash temperatures cold, warm and hot along with a final cold water rinse for all of them. The advantages of this model are that you can wash smaller loads and it also has a bleach dispenser. The disadvantage is that it is not Energy Star rated. It has a 1 year warranty and costs $449.99 at Sears and $389 at AJ Madison.

Maytag Centennial MTW5807TQ top loading washer

This top loading model from Maytag is quite dependable and durable and does a lot to repair the somewhat tarnished image the company had acquired in the past. The price tag is moderate and it is a high capacity washer with some practical features. It lacks the fancy electronics that was unreliable giving Maytag's Neptune line a bad image. It has simple but reliable dial controls. These features will appeal to those looking for a sturdy construction and reliable operation.

The Maytag Centennial MTW5807TQ has a capacity of 3.2 cubic feet and a wide lid opening making it easy to handle large loads effectively and easily. It has ten automatic wash presets including super wash, hand wash and delicates. These cover most of the usual home laundry needs. It has a porcelain coated steel wash basket to give it odor, scratch and stain resistance. The only disadvantage is that it is a bit noisy and it is suited to areas in your home which are not busy. Another disadvantage is it lacks Energy Star label. The Maytag Centennial MTW5807TQ comes with a one year warranty and will cost you $499.00 at AJ Madison and $479.00 at HomeClick.com.

Haier HLP21E Top Loading Washer

This top loading washer is most suitable for a dorm room or small apartment. It can help you to save time and expense of visits to the Laundromat. It has a 1 1/5 cubic feet capacity stainless steel wash basket. It comes with a quick connect adapter for sinks that connects the washer to your sink in 5 easy steps. Perfect load is ensured every time with the Haier HLP21E's smart technology and the electronic controls that make it possible toselect the water level and wash setting . If you live in a small apartment or dorm you don't have to look elsewhere. This one is just perfect. It costs $270.75 at eppliances.net and $199 at Amazon.

General Electric's WBSR3140GWW Top Loading Washer

This comes with a 3.2 cubic feet super plus wash basket that offers more surface area for squeezing more water off the clothes during its spin cycle. The garments come out quite dry and drying time is thus very much reduced. It comes with variable speeds so that wash action and fabric type can be matched. The lower speeds provide gentler wash action for more delicate clothes. There are 14 wash cycles due to various combinations of the 3 wash and spin speed, several fabric specific settings as well as 4 wash/rinse temperatures. It has 3 water level settings to minimize water wastage. This washer costs $379.00 at AJ Madison and $419 at Home Depot.