Selecting a new washing machine can feel like a daunting decision. Like a car or refrigerator, you’ll rely on your investment for years to come.
However, the best washing machine to purchase varies from household to household. Your ideal washing machine size, settings, and style depend on your family’s unique needs.
Unsure if you should go for a front load v top load washer? Both have their benefits, but it’s important to juggle the pros and cons before making a purchase.
Here’s the WaveMAX guide to choosing the right style of washing machine.
Front Load VS Top Load Washer: Which Should I Choose?
The Front Load Washer
As the name implies, front load washing machines have a front door that swings open around knee height. Here’s what to consider with a front load washer:
Cleaning: Front load washers use gravity to gently tumble clothing together, but the shape prevents users from adding clothing wid-wash.
Sizing: Front load washers are typically shorter than top loaders, but take up a lot more room (up to 8 inches on average) depth-wise.
Maintenance: Owners of these machines typically need to call in professionals when problems arise.
Other Considerations: If you or someone in your household is in a wheelchair or must sit during laundry tasks, a front load machine will be your friend. This goes for particularly short folks too!
The Top Load Washer
While front load machines have a traditional front door, top load machines are opened from the surface. Here’s what makes these machines unique:
Cleaning: Top load machines twist garments to clean them with friction and agitation.
Sizing: As you’d expect, top load washers have more height than front loaders, but are generally more narrow and shallow. However, the top of the machine can’t be used for storage. Is storage your #1 concern? Be sure to read our blog on space-saving laundry ideas.
Maintenance: With easier access to the machine’s components, owners of top load washers can tinker with DIY maintenance.
Other Considerations: If your machine isn’t made to be energy efficient, a top load washer can guzzle 19 gallons of water per load. For comparison, a front loader uses 13 gallons on average.
Choosing a Front Load VS Top Load Washer
Simply looking for the best washing machine to buy on a budget? Top load washing machines have the cheaper price range: $400 - $500 on the lower end, compared to $600 - $800 starter options for front load washers.
If you’re trying to lower your overall laundry cost, check out our 9 top tips for saving money on laundry.
When it comes to overall performance, two things are worth noting: the majority of Americans prefer top-loaders, yet laundry aficionados generally prefer front load washing machines.
Why? In short, top load machines are cheaper to maintain and can handle larger loads, but front loaders clean clothes better and save on energy costs.
The ultimate decision is up to you, but either way, we’re firm believers that laundry skills matter most!
If you’re not quite ready to commit to a washing machine purchase, your nearby laundromat is here to help – here are our tips for making the most of your WaveMAX visit!
For more laundry-related insight and information on professional services, head to the WaveMAX website.
