Top Load Vs. Front Load HE Washer?

[DarkManX]

My old 25~ yr old washer failed. Time to get a replacement. I Want to get an HE model, but am torn between a top or front load? I live alone. Work in an office, so I don't have very dirty clothes. I am not looking for the top capacity, so im thinking a 4~ Cu. Ft is enough. Space is not an issue. Ive been reading reviews on some top loads and they are pretty bad, high rate of early failure due to poor designs. A lot of people complain about flooding due to exhaust breaking. A lot of people are not happy with the quality of the general wash. Not sure how trusty reviews are on the retailer websites so I wanted to get feedback from real people. I am also not in a huge rush, and might wait for BF to see if there are any "deals".

Thanks in advance!

 

[LegendKiller]

My old 25~ yr old washer failed. Time to get a replacement. I Want to get an HE model, but am torn between a top or front load? I live alone. Work in an office, so I don't have very dirty clothes. I am not looking for the top capacity, so im thinking a 4~ Cu. Ft is enough. Space is not an issue. Ive been reading reviews on some top loads and they are pretty bad, high rate of early failure due to poor designs. A lot of people complain about flooding due to exhaust breaking. A lot of people are not happy with the quality of the general wash. Not sure how trusty reviews are on the retailer websites so I wanted to get feedback from real people. I am also not in a huge rush, and might wait for BF to see if there are any "deals".

Thanks in advance!

I wouldn't touch a front load. My wife loves our LG top loads, my brother has the same ones and he loves them also.

If you want a washer that won't fail and are willing to do without all of the bells and whistles, get a Speed Queen. I couldn't convince my wife to get one despite their excellent reputation. They have smaller loads but faster cycles. She wanted bigger capacity so she could do big loads without having to switch all of the time. We'll see how that turns out.

 

[NetWareHead]

Ive had front loaders for over 10 years and never had a complaint. I've also never noticed a smell in the tub as so many people claim. My experience with them has been positive and if they save me money as far as reduced water, less wear and tear on clothes then I am happy.

 

[BoomerD]

We used Whirlpool top-load washers for decades. Sadly, the build quality has gone downhill so much that for the first time ever, I considered a different brand...and one that wasn't American made.
We got in on a deal at Home Depot over the summer...got a 3.6 cu/ft Samsung front loader and matching dryer for less than $850 for the pair.
They don't have all the "bells and whistles" that the more expensive models have...but they do the job just fine. One thing to consider is the condition of your floor. (sub-floor and joists underneath) If they're not solid, the high-speed spin of the front-loaders will cause a lot of vibration...and they can "walk" around a bit.
Otherwise, IMO, they do a good job getting clothes clean, use less water than conventional top-loaders, and because they spin more water out of the clothes, you use less electricity/gas to dry your clothes.

Keep an eye on Home Depot. They run clearance deals on appliances all the time. Nice way to save some serious money on your appliances.

 

[boomhower]

I have a top load Maytag and am very happy with it. I went with it over side load for two reasons, costs and massive amounts of complaints of the side loads smelling. I think the reason for a lot of the complaints of top loads is people don't read the directions. They aren't like old ones and you have to load them a certain way for them to work correctly. Mine cleans just fine. Failure rates seem pretty much the same for the cost categories from what I've seen. Cheaper you go higher the failure rate.

 

[DarkManX]

If it matters, I generally do a load a week thats pretty mixed lights, colors, mostly underwear and gym clothes type of stuff. If I dont do it weekly and ill have 2 weeks build up, I will usually separate whites from colors.

 

[DarkManX]

Do you guys really think that a higher end model of a given brand is really better? For example looking at LG.. I would guess the lowest end model uses the same exact pump as the higher end model. I feel like the higher price gives you more cycles, maybe some extra sensors? But essentially most of the hardware I would guess is shared.

 

[Malodrik]

Front loads generally don't have agitators, so the clothes won't get wrapped around it.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Both daughters have gotten LG front loaders from Home Depot clearance. One in 2011, the other earlier this year.

Have not heard any complains except that one would like to trade due to color. But she saved $600 for the set - I have told her "go get a can of Rust-Oleum and solve that problem".

 

[DarkManX]

Front loads generally don't have agitators, so the clothes won't get wrapped around it.

When it comes to HE models, they never have an agitator.

 

[Malodrik]

When it comes to HE models, they never have an agitator.

Fair enough. Then to that fact, I've almost always used front loads and had no issues.

 

[BoomerD]

We had one "agitator-less" top loader. Whirlpool Calypso. Nothing but problems. I've read that they have solved the issues that came with that one...but no fucking thanks. Once was enough for me.

 

[Viper GTS]

Do you guys really think that a higher end model of a given brand is really better? For example looking at LG.. I would guess the lowest end model uses the same exact pump as the higher end model. I feel like the higher price gives you more cycles, maybe some extra sensors? But essentially most of the hardware I would guess is shared.

I'm on my second set of LG now. The first time I had the entry model, the second time I went one up to get the steam dryer + sanitary cycle washer. It's mostly cycles and sensors as you mentioned, sometimes faster spin speeds (results in quicker dry times).

I've been very happy with mine, the only reason I bought the new set is because I moved to a house with gas.

As for the front vs top debate, I can't see how the top loader would avoid using far more water than the front. Agitator or not you still don't have the ability to roll the clothes in and out of a small amount of water.

Viper GTS

 

[NetWareHead]

As for the front vs top debate, I can't see how the top loader would avoid using far more water than the front. Agitator or not you still don't have the ability to roll the clothes in and out of a small amount of water.

Viper GTS

I agree. I washed a set of bedsheets plus 2 pillow cases when I stayed at my moms house this weekend. She has a top loader and I set the water level to medium. The machine used far more water than when I set my front loader to large loads. I didn't measure the water used but I was able to eyeball that the top loader uses so much more water than the front loader.

 

[soulcougher73]

Top load all the way.

 

[edro]

We got top load HE. We heard numerous people have stinking issues with the front loads.

Be warned though, HE top load makes clothes extremely wrinkly. Because it doesn't use much water, it agitates the hell out of them. When you pull them out, they are all twisted and wrinkly.
The dryer doesn't always pull all the wrinkles out.

 

[Mixolydian]

I've never used a front-load, only ever had top-load. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, I say.

 

[Engineer]

Have had Whirlpool front load and Samsung front load. Couldn't stand the Whirlpool because it shook my house down no matter how much leveling and tinkering that I or the service guy did to it. Replaced it with another Whirlpool and same crap. Put in a Samsung with VRT (Vibration Reduction Technology- i.e. dual drums with ball bearings between them that balance the load on spin) and have never been happier with a washing machine.

 

[iGas]

My 12 years old Kenmore front loader still serves me well.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I've always used top load. Heard bad things about the newer front load such as mould issues not to mention all the electronics being a point of failure, though I think those issues are probably moot at this point, they've been around for a while now. The advantage of front load is you have more room for stuff like big blankets. Top loads have the agitator in the way making it harder to fill it. The front load drums tend to be bigger too.

Think if I was to buy a new set I'd go ahead and go with the newer front load style. You just don't want those things to go unbalanced.

 

[Slick5150]

I bought a Samsung top load HE about a year ago and can't say enough good things about it.

 

[BladeVenom]

The thing I don't like about top loaders is when you wash something heavy they get out of balance too easily.

 

[mmntech]

Got a Kenmore front load. We've had it for a couple of years now with no issues so far, knock on wood. Never really encountered the stinking issue. Though you do have to run the cleaning cycle every so often with a bit of bleach.

 

[TwiceOver]

Personally I just like the stackability of my front load washer and dryer. Save space.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Personally I just like the stackability of my front load washer and dryer. Save space.

Same here. Have a front-load LG washer with the dryer stacked on top. Fits in a closet in my master bedroom. 5+ years no issues. Used to have a Kenmoe front-load and gave it to my brother. Must be 10+ years old and it's working fine also.