Get Your Laundry Cleaner With the Best Top-Load Washer

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When you’re shopping for a the best new washing machine, one of the biggest choices you’ll have to make is whether you want a top- or front-load model. While front-loading machines often feature more bells and whistles, there’s still something to be said for a quality top-load washer.

Not only are top-load washing machines more affordable, but their cycles are typically shorter and they’re more reliable and easier to repair. Plus, top-load washing machines are less likely to have mold or mildew problems, as they have better ventilation, and most perform just as well as front-load models in terms of effectiveness.

Best Top-Load Washers

• Best Overall: Samsung WA50R5400AV 5 Cu. Ft. Energy Star High Efficiency Top Load Washer

• Best Value: GE Appliances GTW335ASNWW 4.2 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer

• Best With Agitator: Kenmore 21112 4.7 cu. ft. Energy Star Top-Load Washer

• Best for Detergent Pods: GE Appliances GTW720BPNDG 4.8 Cu. Ft. Energy Star Top Load Washer

• Best Large-Capacity: Samsung WA54R7200AW 5.4 Cu. Ft. Energy Star Top Load Washer

• Best Compact: Farberware FCW10BSCWHA 1 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer

• Best Smart: GE Appliances GTW840CSNWS 5.2 Cu. Ft. Energy Star Smart Top Load Washer

• Best for Bedding: Kenmore 2622352 4.2 cu. ft. Top Load Washer

What to Consider

As you compare different top-load washing machines, there are several things to look at. First, you’ll need to decide if you want an agitator or an impeller inside the drum—agitators (a central post) are typically cheaper and have faster wash cycles, but impellers (a low-profile cone or disc) are more efficient, spin more water out of clothes, and offer a larger capacity.

It’s also important to consider the capacity of the unit. Washing machines with a capacity between 3 and 4 cubic feet can typically hold 12 to 16 pounds of laundry, while a larger-capacity model, usually over 4 cubic feet, can hold up to 20 pounds or more. There are also compact, portable models with 1 to 2 cubic foot capacities that can be used in small apartments and RVs. Other features to look for include Wi-Fi connectivity, detergent pod dispensing, and steam cleaning.

How We Selected

To find the best top-load washers for a variety of households, we considered several factors, including their capacity, features, and brand reputation. We read dozens of reviews from users, cross-referencing with insights from professional product testers. With all this information in mind, we selected washers of several different sizes and price points, aiming to provide a variety of options to suit every household.

Samsung WA50R5400AV 5 Cu. Ft. Energy Star High Efficiency Top Load Washer

This large high-efficiency washing machine from Samsung offers a number of features that are sure to be welcome in your laundry room. In addition to its spacious 5-cubic-foot capacity, it has an improved tub interior that extracts more water and prevents fabrics from snagging. A soft-close lid prevents it from slamming shut, and the Super Speed cycle can clean a full load of laundry in just over 30 minutes.

The Samsung Top-Load Washer is Energy Star certified, and it even has a built-in faucet that lets you pretreat stained clothes by pressuring a button. It has 12 wash cycles and five temperature settings, and its easy-access tub allows you to reach the bottom without standing on your tiptoes.

GE Appliances GTW335ASNWW 4.2 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better value than the GE Appliances Top-Load Washer, an agitator-style model that offers 4.2 cubic feet of drum space. It has a heavy-duty single-action agitator that washes clothes thoroughly, and its deep clean cycle offers 67% more cleaning power for those extra-dirty clothes.

The GE Washer has a precise fill feature to take the guesswork out of choosing a water level, and it offers 11 wash cycles and six temperature settings. It might not be the fanciest model out there, but it will get the job done without breaking the bank.

Kenmore 21112 4.7 cu. ft. Energy Star Top-Load Washer

If you prefer a washing machine with an agitator, this model from Kenmore is an Energy Star-certified option. It has a triple-action agitator in its steel drum, which has a 4.7 cubic foot capacity, and the agitator has nine spray jets that blast laundry with a concentrated detergent mix.

The washer has a convenient pull-out dispenser drawer where you can add detergent, fabric softener, and bleach, and there’s even a built-in water faucet where you can pre-treat stains. The spacious washer can accommodate up to 25 towels in a single load, and it has multiple deep fill options you can select via its LCD control panel.

GE Appliances GTW720BPNDG 4.8 Cu. Ft. Energy Star Top Load Washer

For those who prefer using detergent pods, this top-load washer from GE has a dedicated pod dispenser that pierces the pack with a water jet, helping to activate the detergent faster for optimal cleaning. The high-efficiency washer uses an impeller to clean laundry, and it even offers preset modifications to treat five common stains.

This washing machine has a spacious 4.8 cubic foot drum, and you can choose from 12 wash cycles and six temperature settings. Its dynamic balancing technology makes operation quieter than other top-load machines, and it can even be Wi-Fi enabled with the purchase of an additional part.

Samsung WA54R7200AW 5.4 Cu. Ft. Energy Star Top Load Washer

This Samsung Top-Load Washer has an extra-large 5.4-cubic-foot capacity, allowing you to fit more laundry in every load. The high-efficiency model offers a number of useful features, as well, including a self-clean setting, soft-close lid, and built-in faucet for pretreating stains.

The washer is powered by an impeller, and it has a “Swirl+” tub design that extracts more water during the spin cycle. There are 10 wash cycles, five temperature settings, and five soil levels to choose from, and the Deep Fill option allows you to maximize the water level used, if desired.

Farberware FCW10BSCWHA 1 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer

For those who live in an apartment or small home, the Faberware Top Load Washer is an extremely compact option, measuring just 20 inches wide and 31 inches tall. It has a 1 cubic foot capacity and can hold 7 pounds of clothing at a time, and it still offers the convenience of digital controls and multiple wash settings.

The washer hooks up to your sink for operation, and its compact design can easily be tucked into a closet when not in use. It has seven wash settings, including heavy, speedy, and gentle, and it spins clothing at 800 RPM to extract as much water as possible—important if you air dry your laundry.

GE Appliances GTW840CSNWS 5.2 Cu. Ft. Energy Star Smart Top Load Washer

If you’re looking for a smart appliance, this GE top-load washer has built-in Wi-Fi, giving you the ability to monitor and control its cycles from your smartphone and receive real-time notifications and updates. The Energy Star-certified design uses an impeller to clean clothing, and it has an intelligent dispenser that holds up to 48 loads worth of detergent and automatically releases the right amount for each load.

This washer offers 10 wash cycles and six temperature settings, and it has an integrated water faucet that can dispense water and detergent or just water, depending on your needs. The unit is designed for quieter washing and reduced vibration, and there’s even a prewash option that will take care of pre-treating stains for you.

Kenmore 2622352 4.2 cu. ft. Top Load Washer

For those hoping to clean bulky bedding in their top-load washer, this model from Kenmore has a dedicated cycle for these items, as well as a deep fill option. The unit has a triple-action agitator that keeps laundry moving for a more thorough clean, and there are 12 wash cycles and five water temperatures available.

The 4.2-cubic-foot stainless steel drum can hold up to 19 towels at a time, and its pattern is designed to avoid snagging fabrics. In addition to the various wash cycles, the washer also offers several rinse options, including single or double rinses with or without fabric softeners.

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