Question which is a better top loader clothes washer with or without agitator?
#1
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Question which is a better top loader clothes washer with or without agitator?
Hi,
I am in HI and want to get a clothes washer. I like front loading but the cost is much more than the others.
I am now considering top loaders. I see now there are HE models that do not have an agitator. A sales person at Sears said that they try not to sell these since they don't clean clothes well enough.
I see good prices for ones with agitators and there is a Maytag on sale for $400 without an agitator.
I want one that will wash clothes well and last a long time.
What are your thoughts?
Thank you.
I am in HI and want to get a clothes washer. I like front loading but the cost is much more than the others.
I am now considering top loaders. I see now there are HE models that do not have an agitator. A sales person at Sears said that they try not to sell these since they don't clean clothes well enough.
I see good prices for ones with agitators and there is a Maytag on sale for $400 without an agitator.
I want one that will wash clothes well and last a long time.
What are your thoughts?
Thank you.
#4
For a few dollars... an online subscription to Consumer Reports is a worthwhile investment if you're in the market for heavy appliances.
#5
Was a washer repair person and the lack of agitator is not a problem, Both work about the same. On the whirlpool and Kenmore washers they are the same washer, Only change on some is amount of water used.
Last edited by pugsl; 11-30-14 at 02:59 AM.
#6
I'm not against innovation or progress, but from what I've heard the front loaders and non-agitator washer do not work as well. They are popular in Europe however. I'd stock with tried and true top loader with agitator. They tend to last for 20 years plus.
#7
FWIW, I have an HE Toploader without an agitator (LG) and mine cleans very well, in fact surprisingly well. I've not had any problems.
#8
From all my customers have told me Front loaders first than the top loaders and the one's without agitator are best for clothes.
#9
I replaced a Maytag Neptune money pit with a top load Maytag that has no agitator, and it works impeccably. You just have to load it properly (leaving the center hub exposed), and use HE detergent. Not sure what the naysayers are concerned with. Technology?
#10
For everyday light soils, I suppose a top load without agitator is OK. But, I for one, have not worn a clean work shirt in several years. Not a big fan of the top load w/out agitator. Everyone elses clothes seem to be fine.
#13
This is the worst designed washer ever made IMO.......Dont know how anyone can think they work well... Or clean clothes properly..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5so5DyopIRI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5so5DyopIRI
#14
I think the HE non-agitators washers are move in the direction to use less soap. That's good. It's a known fact that Americans like to see lots of suds (our typical detergent is formulated to make make suds) and use more soap than needed. But in fact that has nothing to do with the ability to clean. But I agree I don't think they do a better job. The agitator is designed to move cloths from top to bottom and inside to outside of tub thereby mixing and rubbing cloths against each other to get them clean. I suspect the front loaders do a better job of tossing the cloths but not causing that rubbing contact between them as an agitator does.
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I did check Consumer Reports and to my surprise they do rate the HE non-agitators better than the traditional washer with agitators.
My first choice would be front loaders and I am leaning towards the HE non-agitators.
Thank you for your suggestions and comments. I will post back what my wife and I decides to buy.
Thank you all.
My first choice would be front loaders and I am leaning towards the HE non-agitators.
Thank you for your suggestions and comments. I will post back what my wife and I decides to buy.
Thank you all.
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I don't trust Consumer Reports at all. I used to do a lot or painting jobs & they had Glidden Paint rated as #4. Glidden is one of the worst paints that I have ever used.
#17
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I agree with being leery on CR's recommendations! I've consistently heard that this paint or that paint got high marks from them but my real world experience with those particular coatings proved otherwise.
Glidden like most paint manufactures sells a wide quality range of coatings. There cheap paint is garbage but they also have some quality coatings. The Glidden paint sold at the big box store is their cheapest paint and IMO not fit to use. You have to go to a Glidden store [now called ICC ?] to find their better coatings.
Glidden like most paint manufactures sells a wide quality range of coatings. There cheap paint is garbage but they also have some quality coatings. The Glidden paint sold at the big box store is their cheapest paint and IMO not fit to use. You have to go to a Glidden store [now called ICC ?] to find their better coatings.
#18
CR reports are best used as a guide if you know nothing about a product. My beef CR is the parameters they use for comparison. The points they use may not be the same points or features that I would want rated. Case in point...Several years back a certain dish washer boosted that a child could stand on the open door without breaking. As a result CR gave it good marks. WTF? My kids would never get that chance and therefore it is not a point or feature that needs to be rated.
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I, too, am leery of Condemner Reports. CR ONLY tests the most popular models based upon total sales. That means that an excellent machine, but one with low sales, will NOT be tested and most often not even mentioned. Or, they will impute a high repair frequency (and according downrate the model) based upon testing of other items from the same manufacturer, even from years ago.
Remember also that few people make comments on appliances that work well, only when the appliance does NOT attain a level of satisfaction. In other words, the worst of the worst WILL get lots of ink and often the best of the best will get some glowing revue but there are MANY items that might have excellent performance at a better price that get no mention at all. There may also be "reasons" why CR downrates something that have absolutely no bearing on your usage; something like a particular model may have a poor method of keeping children from playing with the controls could earn a down grade but if you have no children it is meaningless.
As for my personal opinion...I would never buy a top-loading machine with the possible exception of the Staber top-loading horizontal axis washing machine.
Remember also that few people make comments on appliances that work well, only when the appliance does NOT attain a level of satisfaction. In other words, the worst of the worst WILL get lots of ink and often the best of the best will get some glowing revue but there are MANY items that might have excellent performance at a better price that get no mention at all. There may also be "reasons" why CR downrates something that have absolutely no bearing on your usage; something like a particular model may have a poor method of keeping children from playing with the controls could earn a down grade but if you have no children it is meaningless.
As for my personal opinion...I would never buy a top-loading machine with the possible exception of the Staber top-loading horizontal axis washing machine.
#21
Furd had to google it nice looking machine but same problem with that as with Fisher Pacbal (sp wrong) is there is no repair info out there and nobody has seen one.
#22
As for my personal opinion...I would never buy a top-loading machine with the possible exception of the Staber top-loading horizontal axis washing machine.
This may be my next washer if and when my front loader ever fails me...
Just a note I had top loaders all my life. after I got my first front loader I will never go back.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnxs601NyIw#t=176