Laundry Debate: Should I Buy a Top Load or Front Load Washer & Dryer?
In the market for some shiny new laundry room appliances?
Chances are your head is spinning with all the options out there on the market! And with so many cool features, high-efficiency ratings, good reviews, bad reviews, and everything in between, it can be tough to choose just what to buy.
With this straightforward list of pros and cons for front load & top load washers and dryers, we know this is going to help narrow down what’s going to work best in your home and get your whites cleaner than ever before! In fact, over 100 Hip2Save readers have already shared their thoughts, feedback, and stories, so make sure to share your thoughts too in the onlinements!
Hip Tip: You’ll notice that throughout this post we link to Best Buy for a lot of our appliance reonlinemendations. This is because we love their price matching AND they also haul away your old appliances for just $24.99 and ensure it gets recycled appropriately (which a lot of places won’t)!
Or here’s another Hip Tip from our savvy Hip2Save reader, Amy:
“Something to consider instead of paying someone $25 to take your old appliances or throwing them away – Our recycling centers here will pay you to take them and recycle the metal parts (not sure if all do but worth a call). Also, post them for free on Facebook, if they’re working, you just made someone’s day! If they’re not working, there are people who repair and flip them. Better than ending up in a landfill somewhere.” 😊
Top load laundry units
Pros of a top load washing machine:
- No bad smells or mold
- Option for an agitator or no agitator
- Generally the most affordable
- More brands and options
- Gas or electric dryer options
- onlinepatible with many laundry detergents
- Can handle smaller loads
- Less vibration through your floor
- High-Efficiency options
Cons of a top load washing machine:
- No useable countertop space on top of units
- Shorter people (or pregnant mamas 😉) might struggle to reach clothes
- Clothes get tangled frequently
- Requires more energy to onlineplete a cycle
- Tougher on fabrics
- Agitators tend to be the loudest
Some of our favorite top-rated, top-loading washing machines:
I searched different types of popular appliance features with strictly high ratings across the board. For Best Overall, I found a mid-price option with some bells and whistles. Budget-Friendly is the least expensive option. Large Family-Approved is the largest capacity washer.
⭐Best Overall – LG – 5.0 Cu. Ft. 8-Cycle Top-Loading Washer with 6Motion Technology (or buy the washer/dryer set)
⭐Budget-Friendly – Amana 3.5 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer (or buy the washer/dryer set)
⭐Large Family-Approved – LG – 5.5 Cu. Ft. 14-Cycle Top-Loading Washer(or buy the washer/dryer set)
“I have the LG washer – the large family approved and let me tell you.. I’ve only had it for about 3 months and I love it. I do multiple loads of laundry per day, and the way it spins the clothes almost onlinepletely dry is wonderful. Plus I like that it’s synced up with Wi-Fi and will alert me when the washer and dryer are done. Saves me a trip walking downstairs. Call me lazy, but as I get older those steps aren’t doing my knees any justice, so this saves me time and my body! Double win. I definitely reonlinemend this washer.” – Kahila
Front-load laundry units
Pros of front load washing machines:
- Stackable
- Useable countertop space on the top
- Pedestals options for an easier reach
- Ability to pause a cycle
- Most gentle on clothes
- Uses the least amount of water
- Cleans clothes the best due to their design
- High-efficiency cuts back on utilities
- Can handle smaller loads
- Gas or electric dryer options
- Available in many colors
Cons of front load washing machines:
- Likely to drop clothing when transferring from washer to dryer
- Requires a lot of bending
- Normal wash times can take longer
- Tend to be the most expensive
- Mold or bad odors can be onlinemon
- Tougher to keep clean
- Small garments can get stuck in the door
- High-Efficiency detergent required
- Some have a strong vibration
Some of our favorite top-rated, front-loading washing machines:
I searched different types of popular appliance features with strictly high ratings across the board. For Best Overall, I found a mid-price option with some bells and whistles. Budget-Friendly is the least expensive option. Large Family-Approved is the largest capacity washer.
⭐Best Overall – Maytag – 4.5 Cu. Ft. 10-Cycle High-Efficiency Front-Loading Washer with Steam (or buy the washer/dryer set)
⭐Budget-Friendly – Samsung – 4.5 Cu. Ft. High-Efficiency Front-Loading Washer with Steam and Super Speed (or buy the washer/dryer set)
⭐Large Family-Approved – Samsung – FlexWash 6.0 Cu. Ft. Washer with Steam(or buy the washer/dryer set)
“I personally love my Samsung front loaders. I haven’t had any problems with them. I love how they don’t use a ton of water and our clothes turn out great (I wash laundry everyday). So far so good in our house.” – Lisa, Hip2Save reader
“Love my front loader! I’ve never had a mold or smell problem because I leave the door open when I finish. I’ve noticed my whites look much better, my work jeans get much cleaner without having to soak them, and my towel seams aren’t being pulled apart as with most every top loader I’ve had. Additionally, my drying time is cut by 1/3 to 1/2 what it used to be.” – Jim, Hip2Save reader
So what’s the Hip2Save team verdict? Here’s what our team had to say:
✅ Top loaders vs. 👎 Front loaders
“I am a huge fan of my top load washer! It’s so easy to clean and so easy to use without all of the bells and whistles of some machines. I’m all about the basics. When I previously owned a front load washer, I felt like all I did was constantly clean it, and my clothes still smelled like mildew. I also always left the washer door open, which didn’t seem to help either!” – Collin
“I hate my front loader! I can’t wait for it to quit working!” – Michelle
“I bought a front loader washing machine when they became popular years ago, and I hated it! The rubber lip would always get moldy and gross and stink! No matter how much I cleaned the thing, it would be gross. I finally went back to a top loader without an agitator in the middle, and I love it!” – Jennifer
“I love my top loader! I want to say I bought it used at least 8 years ago – no joke! It is super old but it never fails on me, so I am in love!” – Erica
“I love the top loading set that I bought and all of the cycles that it has. My mom used to have a front loader when I lived there. While it was nice for my 4’11” self, it did tend to smell, the rubber lip would get gross, and–considering I am the only short person in the family–it’s easier for me to use a stool to get into the top load. LOL!” – Alana
“I absolutely love top loaders all the way! I honestly couldn’t wait to get rid of my stinky front loader! I like that you can also pause it and throw a few more things in if you need to.” – Angela
“I love my Samsung top loader! I hate the front loader machines as I did not like that you had to always have the door open to avoid the mildew smell. And mine always had little bits of mold growing around the rubber ring! Yuck!” – Bryn
“I’ve had my current Maytag top loader since before 2000. No bells and whistles, but the thing is a workhorse. My only wish is that it would handle larger loads like onlineforters, but I do feel like the agitator really gets clothes clean.” – Stacy
“I was always a fan of front-load washers strictly because they look so nice, but then I moved and started using the one the old owners had left behind. The washer probably wasn’t more than 5 years old but it was extremely moldy and gross. Plus, anything small like socks or underwear frequently get trapped in the door. I cannot wait to buy a new set!” – Sara
“TOP LOADERS. I’ve heard all the negatives about the front loaders so we went with a top-loading Speed Queen and oh my gosh, it’s so fast!!! Like 15 minutes a load fast! I’ll never go back!” – Jill
“Top loading is the way to go! No stink and much quicker at washing! It’s unfortunate because I like the way the front ones look more, but not worth it from a practical standpoint.” – Jessica
“I have always had a top-loading washer. At first, I only chose them because they were more affordable but now I have just stayed with them as I don’t want to have any of the smelly issues many have had with the front-loading.” – Amber
“Top loading for me! I feel better about overstuffing it that way. LOL!” – Lisanne
“I am hands down a fan of top-loading washers and find them to be so much more convenient than the front load style. I grew up with front loaders and always thought they were a hassle and made it a little harder to detect how much I could squeeze into a load. I’m a top loader for life now!” – Taylor
“We have an older top loader that needs to be replaced, but after all the horror stories I’ve heard about front-loading machines, I know we’ll definitely be upgrading with top-loaders all over again!” – Ashley
👎Top loaders vs. ✅ Front loaders
“Love our newer Maytag front loaders! I use vinegar on mine, and it’s fine! You can’t use too much detergent is all, and leave the door open after washing sometimes. I love the look and have never had an issue.” – Lina
“I prefer front loading because I’m short and can’t reach the bottom of a top-loading washer. Also, I’ve gotta say I’ve had my front-loading for 10 years and it doesn’t stink, I hadn’t even heard of that.” – Chelsey
“This will likely sound silly but I just purchased a new front load washer/dryer set for my laundry room renovation based on looks. I’ve heard tons about the superiority of top-load units, but with limited space, having the ability to put a counter overtop my appliances was a huge plus. I know the front loaders typically require more cleaning and maintenance, but it’s worth it to be for the aesthetic!” – Emily
“I have only ever owned top-loading washers in the past, but I got a front-loading washer last summer and I love it! I’m short, so that’s part of why I chose them, but I also love how energy efficient they are! With two boys, there’s always a LOT of laundry and the front-loader does a great job of cleaning and handling all our loads. We love it and have never had issues with it.” – Esther
The verdict? Top Loaders: 15 vs. Front Loaders: 4
So it’s pretty clear to see which our team prefers. The majority of us are sticking to our top load washing machines!
Here’s what some other Hip2Save readers said who couldn’t agree more:
“I fix appliances as a hobby and I have strong feelings about this subject! I always reonlinemend people steer clear of the fancy front loading washing machines. Here are the reasons:
1) They tend to stink because the pump/drain mechanism never drains onlinepletely, it tends to grow bacteria and with a steady supply of gunk from dirty water washing through it, it must be cleaned regularly like once a month. You should also run cleaning cycles with a cleaning agent like Affresh which offsets water savings. Always leave the door open when not in use and wipe out the rubber door baffle often.
2) They have vulnerable circuit boards, and these get water or condensation on them and get fried and are usually prohibitively expensive to replace.
3) They are heavy with some weighing nearly 200lbs because they must have ballast weight for the super high spin cycle speeds.
4) Finally, they are very expensive… nuf’ said.” – Jeff, Hip2Save reader
“TOP LOADER! I bought a $300 washing machine five years ago, and it’s a workhorse. My sister has a front loader and has had nothing but problems with it. All the problems you read about. If it’s hard to reach the clothes in the machine, get some kitchen tongs with silicone on the ends so you can reach.” – Peter, Hip2Save reader
Are you a Costco member? Consider getting a great deal on your new appliances like our Hip2Save reader, Jenny:
“For all you Costco members, check out their appliances. Just bought a top load Whirlpool Cabrio washer for about $40 cheaper than I could find at any box store. This price included installation and removal of our old washer for free, a 2-year warranty, and if I didn’t like, which I do, I could have returned it within the first 90 days of owning it.” – Jenny
Ditch the expensive Tide detergent and try this instead!
