Front load, top load...which way to go?
 

My wash machine is on it's last legs. Before it floods my laundry room or dies mid-load, I want to replace it, but I'm so confused by all the options and reviews out there right now.

Front loader, top loaders, LG, Samsung, Whirlpool... which way to go? Any suggestions about which one to buy or warnings about which ones to avoid?

I have a front loader right now, but I'm leaning towards replacing it with a top loader so I can soak things and leave the top open to completely dry out between uses. I try to leave the door open, but the dogs are always bumping in to it on the way to their piddle pad since the laundry room is tiny.

I prefer the top-loader for the reason you gave. It's just easier for me. I've had mine for awhile now, so I don't have any suggestions on the new models. I have some friends that recently bought a set of the LG and really love it.

I sucked it up and got new front loaders on pedastals last year. The Samsung VRT Steam. I will say that every time I have company every one comments on how good my sheets and towels smell - even the kitchen ones. I do wipe the door of the washer off quite often and use a cleaner tablet in it once a month as recommended. My old set was only 4 years old, but I honestly feel like sometimes you get what you pay for. The only thing I am concerned about is repair cost. With the newer systems being so "computerized" I can only imagine how much it will cost if something breaks down. My Mr. is the one who researched which brand would be the best, so I went with that.

I also like that I can put a king size comforter in both and not have to take it to get dry cleaned.

Good luck with your decision!

I've had both, and I could not get used to the front load washers. Also I would expect the pedestals to come with the machines but they don't. If you're tall, or old and can't really crouch down, you'd have to get the pedestals, and they don't even raise them up that much. I did like how you could take out the laundry and put it in the washer in one motion, instead of bending over a top loader and them bending to the side to put in the dryer.

Plus you say the pee pads are in there, and with the doors open would the pups jump in?

What's the difference? Now ask me about Garage Door Openers!

What about garage door openers?

I like the front loaders the pedestals are a must though. I have whirlpool

Donna, we replaced our washer/dryer about a year and half ago with Kenmore Elite Oasis HT. Washer is HT with dark tinted glass on toploader and glass on the dryer door. I absolutely love them.
I knew I wanted HT but with my back, front loader was not so good for me...darn age anyway:p

I have a Maytag front loader and it is easier for me to take the clothes out of and transfer them to the dryer than it was with the top loader.

We bought a new washer/dryer earlier this year and went in thinking we would get a front loader. After A LOT of research we went with the top loader. I read many complaints about the front loaders (mildew smell, not able to soak, etc.). We bought LG and love both machines!

I have had both and last month replaced my frontloaders with a top load HE washer I love it I can put it on a bulky setting and I can completely fill wash er when I need to do large items or sheets or large loads of towels. I like that it gives me a choice. Brand wise they are whirlpool appliances. Would not trade them for nothing else.

I have brand new GE frontloaders that are stacked in a closet I built for them on the main floor, (existing hookups were in the basement when I bought my wee house). I like them alot but am slightly paranoid about a front loader leaking as my entire main floor is hardwood, so I never set the washing going unless I know I'm going to be home for the whole cycle.

I just had to replace my 6 year old Kenmore Elite front load washer. It gave me nothing but problems from the start, error codes indicating that the door wasn't latched when it was, and the filter was clogged, when it wasn't. I could get it to work sometimes by repeatedly re-closing the door, but toward the end it would stop mid cycle and hold my stuff hostage for days sometimes!:mad: It was going to cost over $500 to fix it:eek: Funny, but the dryer is still going strong:rolleyes: So I bought a top loader GE. The only thing I don't like about going back to a top loader is that it can't handle my king size mattress pad or comforter, and it seems to be tearing up my clothes more. The pee pads never used to leave lint in the dryer screen, but now they do, so I know they are being torn up, and my clothes aren't looking as new now. Of course I was stuck buying the cheapest washer, so there's no gentle cycle:(

If you go with a front loader, try to get one that's got the least bells and whistles. You won't need 19 cycles, and that is just more to break. Also, NEVER EVER let it sit empty with the door CLOSED, as this will make mildew grow in the door gasket, which is very expensive to replace.

Good luck!!!

I bought a new washer and dryer (GE) about 5 years ago, and I went with a top loader, even though everyone was pushing the front loaders. It was just what I preferred.

As a wedding gift, we got a top loading washing machine from my husband's parents. I think it's a Whirlpool? But we like the top loading. I think our's is on it's last leg too. We've had it almost 10 years. Our washer lid switch keeps going out and it sounds funny. Our dryer is starting to squeak too. We have been looking at getting a new one as well. I want a high efficiency one and we were looking at front loading, but not sure after reading some of the reviews from fellow YT'ers. I would hate to pay all that money and it have problems.

Thanks for the input, everyone.

I currently have the whirlpool front loader. The one I bought in San Diego was great, so I bought the same model when we moved here. Unfortunately, I've had nothing but problems with mildew in the gaskets in this pair. :( The panel also only has a tendency to work lately. I bought them originally because of the low water usage, but in reality I don't feel like my clothes are getting clean enough.

More than likely I am going to go with the top loader this time around. Now, to narrow down brands.

I also have the Whirlpool front loader on a pedestal and would never go back to the top loader. They handle so much more laundry at a time and appreciate the storage the pedestals add. I also have a shelf attachment to put in the dryer for sweaters.

I have a front loader, love it since now I can reach all the clothing in the washer without standing on my tip toes bending over trying to fish out that stray sock.

I was looking at a washer & dryer too! My fiance nixed the idea on me until we get a water softening system! Bbbboooo ours are terrible! Old, really dirty, broken knobs... I hate them! Anyways.... we were looking at the LG front loaders on Black friday since they went on sale for $550 a piece. However, the guy steered up towards the Samsung front loaders that have Steam clean and vibration reduction technology, which LG does not have. That is good if your laundry room is not in your basement. The steam clean is good for longer life span with your clothes. We are looking at front loaders for water reduction costs and more energy efficient. However I can't say that a new top loader is not just as energy efficient. However I think it does take less water. I think you can get a bigger top loader than a front loader, 4.7 cu ft (if you want) vs. 3.9 cu ft. However 3.9 cu ft is big enough to wash a King size comforter!

**SIGH** I'm jealous (in a good way) I would love a new washer & dryer! Someday! He says next Black Friday! uugghhh 1 year to go! haha

AMEN! I so miss soaking things!

My 22 pound kitty got in my dryer... but I always stand there after turning the machines on to be sure they're running right. My dryer sounded like an imbalanced top load washer! WTH! Hit the off button, and reached in, feeling around, then I felt something move, scared me to death! I don't think he had even woke up, lol! He was fine, but could have been a deadly situation had it continued. ( for him and the dryer!)

I hurt no matter how I do laundry! I do like it clean though after exerting myself, and my Whirlpool Duet is poop when it comes to clean! I rewash so many times I'm not seeing any savings. And HE detergent stinks! Literally. Liquid fabric softener will greatly add to a moldy smell in the washer, so I use dryer sheets instead.

My cousin has a clear-topped top loader with no center agitator, she loves it. Also HE (higher spin ratio=less dryer time). That's my next choice! Forgot who makes them....:D

I have the Kenmore Elite 4.5 cu. ft. HE top loader washer and dryer. It's the one with the glass top in the washer and glass front in the dryer. I absolutely love them. I got them last year on Black Friday for $999 for the pair. The same washer and dryer are currently $1058 each. I actually couldn't get them at the store last year, they said they were "sold out" :roll eyes: (this was at 4:05AM, just after the store opened) so I went home, got online and found them online for the advertised price of $999 for the pair, ordered them and they were delivered the next week. I've had them for a year and absolutely love them.

I just ordered a pair of top loading on black friday because I wanted a bigger washer. Its 4.7 I believe vrs the front loading was 3.7

I got my first front load washer & matching dryer, LG, about a year ago & I absolutely love them. Remember when comparing capacity that the front loaders don't have an agitator so that gives you more room as well. My front loaders are not the largest size but my top loader was an extra capacity & it still did not hold what my front loader does. I have the pedestals & have my set on the main floor so I do have "noise" from them. An appliance tech man told me these were meant to be installed in basements (very solid flooring). I love the height mine are as I have significant back issues (rods, plates, screws etc. in my low back & plates & screws in my neck) so this is probably my most beloved appliance in the house (along with my dishwasher). :D

As a side note, my SIL told me she went out on a service call with the tech. guy once due to a "stinky"/moldy washer & he said it was due to HE liquid detergent! He said it is almost impossible to eliminate it once it has happened. My SIL said it was the stinkiest, grossest smelling stuff. I use the HE powder.

Here's the one I ordered Samsung - 4.7 Cu. Ft. 11-Cycle High-Efficiency Washer - White - WA5451ANW/XAA

It doesnt have the agitator. Can't wait to get it!

I prefer the top loader i guess what one gets used to :)

Front loaders are supposed to be less hard on your clothes and save water. Europeans have been using them for years, but American manufactures really dropped the ball when they produced the first ones and there were so many complaints, with smelly laundry the biggest complaint. I mean that’s definitely a deal breaker! I think things have changed, and you might be able to find a good front loader. I agree with the others who say, don’t buy one with all the bells and whistles, they are more costly to repair, and aren’t worth it. Anyone have one of the new steam washers?

I bought the Samsung front loader and am very unhappy with it. Won't wash a queen size comforter, things do not come out clean, and I could go on and on. I strongly recommend a top loader.

Well pfffffff.... I thought I would be able to get my new machines, but the transmission went out in DH's car. :( When it rains, it pours.