8)

We also try out any specialty cycles like heavy-duty, delicate, quick wash and sanitizing cycles. To determine gentleness, our experts wash cotton swatches with five pre-cut holes and assess any fraying after the cycle is complete by counting every frayed thread. We then score each washer’s ease of use by assessing the control panel and general intuitiveness, ease of loading and ease of opening and closing the door. Finally, our analysts verify water and energy usage claims and check each owner’s manual for the presence of clear and thorough user instructions.

9) What to look for when shopping for a top-loading washing machine

✔️ Capacity: If your typical laundry load tends to be on the smaller side, you should opt for a standard-capacity washer. If you have a larger family, you might benefit from a large-capacity washer that can handle larger loads as well as bulkier items like bedding. On average, standard capacity top-loaders are around 3 to 4 cubic feet, while extra-large capacity units are about 5 cubic feet or more.

✔️ Cycles: Before buying a top-loading washing machine, check to see if it has a variety of cycle styles programmed. They come in handy when laundering different items, such as delicates, lightly soiled clothing and towels, which can all benefit from dedicated cycles. For extra control, many units even allow you to customize the preset temperature and spin options.

✔️ Ease of use: Make sure the drum of the washer you choose isn't too deep for you to reach the bottom, so you don't struggle to load and unload it later.

✔️ Smart features: If you want to be able to schedule laundry loads from your phone, receive notifications when a cycle is complete, order detergent and more, look for a machine with a companion app. Some laundry machines even leverage AI technology to care for fabrics and help select cycles.

✔️ Detergent dispensing: If you’re never quite sure how much detergent to use, try a machine with built-in dispensers that you fill once to serve multiple loads. Machines with this feature dispense the correct amount of detergent into each load automatically based on the cycle and size of the load.

11) Is a top load washer better with or without an agitator?

There are two main types of top-loading washing machines, those that use agitators and those that have impeller plates. An agitator is a central post which twists back and forth, removing soil as clothes are pulled through the water. An impeller plate is a disc at the bottom of the machine that spins or bounces to clean clothing.

The main difference is that agitators swish clothing in a water bath and require a bit more water to get everything clean while impeller plates cause clothing to rub against itself under a shower of water to remove stains and grime. In our experience, both options clean effectively. Remember that agitators take up more space inside the tub, potentially making it more difficult to fit large blankets and duvets in a smaller capacity washer, though some models feature removable agitators for this purpose.