Last updated on July 2nd, 2024
Choosing between a front load washing machine and a top load washing machine depends on your family’s specific needs and priorities. If you’re looking for efficiency and space saving options, front loaders might be the way to go. But if ease of use and lower upfront costs are more your speed, a top loader could be your best bet. Remember, the right washing machine is the one that fits seamlessly into your family’s life, making the never-ending battle with laundry a bit more manageable. Let’s break it down, considering washing machine capability, efficiency, space, and cost.
Capability as Washers
Front Load Washing Machines
Front load washing machines are renowned for their gentle treatment of clothes. The tumbling action is less abrasive than the agitator in traditional top loaders, resulting in less wear and tear on fabrics. This can extend the life of your clothes, keeping them looking new for longer.
Front load washing machines usually also have on board heaters, even those with both a hot and cold water connection. They have better control over the wash temperature, and can heat the water to a set temperature as required to kill microbes.
Top Load Washing Machines
Top load washing machines with an agitator are harsher on clothes, which can lead to quicker wear. Some newer top loaders with impellers (instead of agitators) offer a gentler wash that’s more comparable to front loaders. That said though Fisher and Paykel changed from an agitator to impeller design, and then changed back after a few years after poor user satisfaction.
Top load washing machines are usually faster than front load washing machines. If you have a lot of washing you need to get through quickly, a top load washing machine is the better option – with one caveot. When washing bulky items like sheets or bath towels, if they don’t settle out properly at the end of the final rinse, the washer can end up off balance. When this happens after a few tries it gives up and calls for help. If you’ve gone out for the day, and you’re expecting to come home to a finished wash cycle, not so much. So while top loaders can be faster, they can also need your intervention to balance out the load making them slower, and less convenient
Top load washing machines rarely if ever come with on board heaters. There’s no reason why they couldn’t (other than long cycle times while the washer heats the ocean of water within), but they just don’t seem to. This means the hottest a wash can be is as hot as your hot water service is, which in newer buildings is usually regulated to 50 degrees Celsius (122°F). This is not hot enough for sanitation washes. Additionally if you only have a cold water connection for your washer, which is becoming more and more common, a top loader washer will not be able to do anything but a cold water wash, which is a real invitation for mould and microbes.
Efficiency and Water Usage
Front Load Washing Machines
Front load washing machines are celebrated for their efficiency, particularly in terms of water and energy use. They work by tumbling clothes through a small pool of water, which significantly reduces water consumption and the volume of water needed to be heated, which is the most significant energy requirement of a washing machine. Their washing action also requires less detergent and heats water more efficiently, leading to savings on your utility bills.
Top Load Washing Machines
Traditional top loading machines use significantly more water than their front-loading counterparts. They operate by filling the drum with water and using an agitator or impeller to move clothes through the water. While they’ve improved over the years, top loaders will always lag behind front loaders simply by their design. If you use hot washes, much more water will need to be heated, so you can expect a toploader to cost you significantly more on your energy and water bills.
Space and Accessibility
Front Load Washing Machines
Front load washing machine offer a sleek design that fits well in most modern homes. They can be stacked with a dryer, a crucial feature for those with limited laundry room space. However, bending down to load and unload can be a drawback, especially for those with back issues. Pedestals are available to raise them to a more comfortable height.
Top Load Washing Machines
Top load washing machines are easier on your back, thanks to their waist-high opening. They’re ideal for those who prefer not to bend over when doing laundry. However, they take up more vertical space and can’t have a stacked dryer, which might be a consideration if you’re tight on space. You could consider hanging a dryer from the wall above a top loader washing machine, but only a lightweight vented dryer can be hung, which means heat pump dryers and condenser dryers won’t be an option.
Another consideration is the type of floor the washer will be installed on, and its condition. Top load washing machines are better suited to stump floors especially if the floors are in poor condition. A front load washing machine installed on a stump floor can cause a lot of vibration especially when it spins. These vibrations can not only be very loud and annoying but also carry the potential to damage your floor, and exacerbate existing damage. Top load washing machines are gentler on stump floors, with front load washing machines being better suited to concrete slab floors.
Cost and Longevity
Front Load Washing Machines
Front load washing machines tend to be more expensive upfront. However, their efficiency can lead to cost savings over time. They also typically offer more settings and features than top loaders, providing a more customizable laundry experience. Durability varies, but front loaders often have a longer lifespan due to their gentle washing action. Front load washing machines also tend to have better resale values, going for around 30-40% of their new price depending on condition.
Top Load Washing Machines
Top load washing machines have historically had a lower purchase price than front load washing machines but some current models are more than double the price of an equivalent front load washing machines. In some respects they have become more of a premium item, for those who can afford the space to have them. They are generally less expensive to repair, making them attractive to budget-conscious families, but due to their low resale value of 10-20% of their new price, you’re usually better off finding a reputable used model with a warranty and replacing the machine.
Top load washing machines can be more durable, with some models lasting many years with minimal issues. However, the cost savings on the purchase price might be offset by higher water and energy bills, more wear on fabrics and a lower resale value if you need to sell it.