Top-Loading Washers

Agitator-free top loaders get better reviews

Top-loading washers -- both traditional (generally with an agitator) and high-efficiency (generally agitator-free) -- do not earn as many recommendations as front loaders, either from professional sources or from users. The two top loaders that received the most recommendations overall were from the Maytag Bravos line: the Maytag Bravos MVWB750WQ and the Maytag Bravos MVWB300WQ. However, this entire line is now discontinued, and most of the washers in the newer Bravos X line do not earn the same enthusiastic reviews as their predecessors.

Among available top loaders, we found the best reviews for the LG WT5101HW (*Est. $950) . This Energy-Star-rated washer boasts an extra-large capacity of 4.5 cubic feet, along with 12 wash programs, a see-through lid and a maximum spin speed of 1,100 rpm. Instead of a tall central agitator, it has an impeller that twists to create turbulence and swirl clothes through the water. (This design also leaves more of the space in the wash basket available for laundry, effectively boosting the machine's capacity.) One special feature of this machine is LG's ColdWash cycle, which LG says uses cold water and enhanced washing motions to penetrate deep into fabrics, allowing for the cleaning performance of warm water with the energy savings of cold water. The machine also includes a high-temperature sanitary cycle, which heats water to 158 degrees Fahrenheit to kill bacteria and remove tough stains, and a dispenser that adds detergent, fabric softener and bleach at the appropriate points in the wash cycle. The washer has a one-year warranty, but the motor is covered for a full 10 years. The LG WT5101HW comes in white or graphite steel (as the LG WT5101HV, which costs about $100 more). It can be paired with the LG DLEX5101W (*Est. $1,000) or the gas LG DLGX5102W (*Est. $1,075) .

Professional reviewers are somewhat divided over this washer's performance. The editors of Good Housekeeping name it as a top pick, saying the ColdWash cycle "lifts out stains as well as a warm wash does." Another professional test also gives the LG WT5101HW very good marks for washing performance, efficiency and noise level. However, it earns only a fair rating for gentleness. Users appear to agree; we found more complaints about this washer's damage to clothing than we did for most top-loaders. "I washed my son's brand new sweatshirt and it came out looking 10 years old," reports one user at HomeDepot.com. We also saw a few complaints that the water on a standard hot-water cycle (as opposed to the sanitary cycle) does not get hot enough to clean effectively. Despite these drawbacks, most users are enthusiastic about the LG WT5101HW, praising this washing machine's extra large capacity, efficiency, quiet operation and multitude of settings. In more than 200 owner reviews at HomeDepot.com, BestBuy.com and AJMadison.com, it earns an average rating of 4.7 stars out of 5.

We also found generally good reviews for the LG WT5001CW (*Est. $825) , which is very similar to the WT5101HW. This washer has the same basic design, capacity, spin speed and warranty as its higher-priced cousin. It also has most of the same features, including the detergent dispenser and the ColdWash cycle, but it lacks a sanitary cycle. In one professional test, the LG WT5001CW performs somewhat better than the higher-priced WT5101HW. It gets very good scores for cleaning performance, efficiency, and noise level, and testers say it's gentler on clothing (though it's hard to imagine why, since it uses the same mechanics). Users are also very enthusiastic about the LG WT5001CW. We found more than 250 total reviews from owners at HomeDepot.com, BestBuy.com, AJMadison.com and Amazon.com. Across all four sites, the machine receives an overall rating of 4.5 stars out of a possible 5. Users praise this washer's large capacity, quiet operation, low vibration and ease of use. Owners also say they appreciate the machine's little details, like the see-through lid that allows you to watch your wash tumble and the "nice little happy tune" that marks the end of a wash cycle, instead of a buzz.

The most common complaint we saw about the LG WT5001CW is that it tangles and wrinkles clothing to an unreasonable degree. "I have three teenage children and I need a machine that will clean clothes without tying them into knots," says one owner at HomeDepot.com. Other users note that the washer has a tendency to become unbalanced, especially when washing heavy loads or large items, such as sheets. If you're short, a few users warn, it may be hard to reach all the way to the bottom to retrieve the clean laundry. The LG WT5001CW is sold only in white; matching dryers include the electric LG DLE5001W (*Est. $900) and the gas LG DLG5002W (*Est. $975) .

One top loader that fares well in professional tests is the Kenmore 2800 (*Est. $800) . This Energy Star-rated washer has a 3.6-cubic-foot capacity, 6 wash cycles and a maximum spin speed of 800 rpm. Its central impeller (which Kenmore describes as a high-efficiency wash plate) rotates in the opposite direction of the wash basket to help keep the laundry in motion. A dispenser drawer located just below the lid holds detergent and fabric softener in separate compartments, mixing them with water before adding them to the wash. The Kenmore 2800 comes only in white and can be paired with either the electric Kenmore 6800 dryer (*Est. $800) or the gas Kenmore 7800 (*Est. $900) . The washer is backed by a one-year warranty.

In one independent test, the Kenmore 2800 top-loading washer earns very good scores for washing performance and excellent scores for water and energy efficiency. However, its gentleness on clothes and its noise level are rated average. Most users at Sears.com (the only retailer that sells Kenmore appliances) do not object to the machine's noise level; we found far more comments praising its quietness than complaining about its noise. Owners also praise the machine's low water and energy use, including the energy it saves when the clothes get transferred to the dryer (because the spin cycle removes a significant amount of water). "It has cut drying time almost in half," says one owner. Although most users say they are satisfied with the washer's cleaning performance, a few complain that it doesn't get their clothes clean enough. "I am constantly finding myself re-washing loads 2-3 times just to get them somewhat clean," one user says. We also saw a couple of complaints that the laundry comes out badly twisted and tangled (a common problem with high-efficiency top loaders) and a few reports of breakdowns. Overall, owners appear to have fewer problems with this machine than with most top loaders. In the 50 or so reviews at Sears.com, it earns an average rating of 4 stars out of a possible 5.

For those with more modest budgets, we found reasonably good reviews for the Maytag Bravos X MVWX500XW (*Est. $650) . This top-loading washer is one of the most efficient to be reviewed in our sources; it meets not only the Energy Star standards but also the Consortium for Energy Efficiency's Tier III certification -- the most stringent energy standard available. The washer has a capacity of 3.6 cubic feet, eight wash cycles and three temperature settings; its maximum spin speed is 800 rpm. It comes in white or, for another $100 or so, "liquid silver" (as the MVWX500XL). The entire machine is covered by a one-year warranty, with the wash basket and motor covered for 10 years; however, this warranty covers only parts, not labor. Matching dryers include the electric Maytag Bravos X MEDX500XW (*Est. $650) and the gas Maytag Bravos X MGDX500XW (*Est. $700) .

In professional tests, the Maytag Bravos X MVWX500XW gets very good scores for washing performance and excellent scores for efficiency, but its noise level is only so-so and its gentleness is below average. The 80-plus reviews we found from users at BestBuy.com, HomeDepot.com and Sears.com give this washer good scores (around 4.2 stars out of 5 overall). Users say they love its capacity, efficiency and quietness, but we read many complaints that its actual cleaning performance is subpar. One user at BestBuy.com complains that dark-colored clothes "have to be washed twice to get them clean," while another user at Sears.com says that the washer doesn't clean as well as the 20-year-old machine it replaced. We also saw the usual complaints about tangling or wadding of clothes that are common with high-efficiency top-loaders, as well as a few about noise.