<p>Our washing machine died and boy have things changed since I was last researching washing machines. I had not even heard of the high efficiency top loaders and was surprised to see the machines without agitators. I had been thinking about going back to a top loader as I don’t really like the front loaders that much. I keep thinking I have settled on one, then I read some awful reviews mixed in with the good ones and now I’m just confused.</p>
<p>Anyone have a top loader he? Love it? hate it? </p>
<p>I just don’t know what to buy and am trying to make a decision while the labor day sales are still on! Opinions please. (I’d been thinking LG)</p>
<p>Hate it! Worthless for towels & heavy loads! Okay for light loads. (Actually maybe I don’t know how to use it. If anyone knows how to get towels, mom smelling clean. I’d appreciate the advice. Thank you)</p>
<p>Have a GE one, a few years old. Seems to get the clothes clean. Occasionally it doesn’t seem to spin out enough water, but that could be due to the cycle it’s on. Have never had to call in a repairman and that was not true for previous GE washers we’ve owned. The cycles take longer than an agitator model and use less water. On the plus side, you can get fit a blanket or bedspread in there.</p>
<p>Personally, I don’t think the top loader HE washers can do as good of a cleaning job as front loaders just because of how they’re not able to easily move clothes around…especially large objects like sheets and blankets. Think about it, it uses less water, so having a top loader makes it harder to get the clothes moved around to fully clean…unlike how the process works for front loaders.</p>
<p>I have an LG steam front loader.</p>
<p>full disclosure: I worked for Whirlpool, so I’ve seen first hand how much harder it is for top loaders to work.</p>
<p>We bought a maytag top loader he a year or two ago. Mine is great on all load types. Love that I can wash lightweight comforters easily. I haven’t had any problems and would buy it again. (2nd set of maytags- 1st set lasted 20 plus years.)</p>
<p>Purchased a Sears Kenmore Elite Oasis in 2007–top loading HE. I was a little leary because of some poor reviews. We’ve never had a single problem with it through giant loads of towels from two swimmers, king size comforters, and two kids bringing a month’s worth of college laundry home. It all comes out smelling and looking clean.</p>
<p>A few months after we purchased it, Sears called about coming out to replace some part computer part that had been recalled. We had not had a problem.</p>
<p>Our first Kenmore lasted 16 plus years so I took a chance on this one and really like it. I’m just not a front-loader fan as I tend to find misc. things to throw in after a load starts. It did take me some time getting used to the clothes coming out nearly dry at times from the spin cycle. I was worried about all the wrinkles, but they are fine after the dryer.</p>
<p>I got an LG top loader about 6 months ago. It is OK. I knew I didn’t want a front-loader.
Personally, I prefer the old fashioned agitator machines. I have a big family and do a lot of laundry. This new one can’t handle the really big loads I used to cram into my old machine. I liked being able to start filling while I’m loading (lid up/water on not an option). I liked running the agitator with the lid up and easily adding garments. I liked reseting things like water level and temp with dials in the middle of a cycle. I feel like this machine just “locks in” and doesn’t trust my experience! It takes so long to add/change anything because you have to wait for the machine to stop, unlock, then open the lid, close, relock, etc. And sometimes it resets and starts over. And all the cycles except the speedwash cycle, which doesn’t clean that well, take a long time. I like being able to adjust the time by hand. This has pre-set cycles. Still getting used to it. Just don’t like change at this age! It works OK so far, and the brand was recommended by the repairman (as the one he NEVER sees. . .) So I’m living with it. It is interesting how it “agitates” the clothes/linens by swirling them around/reversing back and forth. I’m not sure how it would be that different than a front loader. (Top loaders with agitators were better, IMO). I just prefer loading from the top. The angle is easier for me/what I’m used to.</p>
<p>I bought a top loader GE HE washer about 3 years ago. It’s ok. I do not like front loaders at all, and the repairman who worked on our previous washer recommended against a front loader because our laundry room is on the second floor over the kitchen. He said the vibrations could get pretty bad. I agree that with less water, the clothes may not get as clean, but the cycle seems longer. I have had problems getting suds completely out of dark loads and usually run a 2nd rinse on all dark loads other than jeans. Mine has an agitator. Our laundry is rarely dirty enough to require heavy-duty cleaning. It has seemed to wash light comforters and blankets ok. If I have to do something really large, like the rug I used to do in my old washer, I’ll just use the laundromat down the street.</p>
<p>We have a front loader, Frigidaire. WE don’t like it. You have to really work to get towels to smell clean. We add downey, we add the little “pebble” things you buy in a bottle and throw IN the tub. We clean it regularly with the Tide cleaner. We have had things get stuck in the “tube” out …coins, an underwire and you have to pay to have it fixed. It’s so easy to drop things when you take them out of the washer … so clean clothes end up on the floor.</p>
<p>Really? I love, love, love my front loader Frigidare washer/dryer. They are smaller units, stacked, a few years old now. I leave the door open to avoid any mold, and wipe the seal once in a while. I’ve had zero problems with smell, things getting stuck, vibrations, etc.</p>
<p>Towels: Hot water wash them with some detergent and some of that Oxy washing powder. Dry them immediately, don’t let them sit in the washer. You could line dry them if it’s hot. If that doesn’t work, add a small amount of bleach in addition to the detergent and hot water wash. Wash them again to rid them of the bleach smell.</p>
<p>Forgot to mention the amusing experience I recently had with niece’s HE top loader. I had to practically climb on top of the thing to reach the stuff in the very bottom. Do a test in the store if you’re short!</p>
<p>Count me as another one not crazy about HE top loaders. Mine is a Whirlpool and about two years old. I, too, like to start the machine and throw things in. I also like to fill the machine with clothes, water, and detergent and LET tHEM SOAK. The machine has a soak cycle, but it does not seem the same. I can’t really get a new one because I replaced a not top of the line LG front loader that was about two years old with this one.</p>
<p>I am still trying to figure out how anything is saved when I have to run two cycles because clothes do not smell clean, and I have to buy those boost packs to get our regular, not workout, clothes clean the first time I wash them. </p>
<p>Every chance I get, I tell people to keep getting their old machines repaired.</p>
<p>My SIL has a Samsung top loader and she raves about it. It also gets top reviews in Consumer Reports. It is likely what we will get when our Maytag dies.</p>
<p>Re: vibrations…our laundry room is also upstairs. We were told we should get a heavier HE washer (these are also the more expensive ones) because the lighter weight ones really vibrate more AND can dance across the floor! The Samsung is heavier (and more costly) but will likely be our choice.</p>
<p>Got an HE top loader agitatorless washing machine at Lowe’s about a year ago. Works great. Everything gets clean. No problems. What’s not to like?</p>
<p>I love my Kenmore top loading HE machine without an agitator. Works very well - only issue is vibrating with heavy loads (but the fool that I am - did all of daughter’s dorm linens and then realized it had a bulk cycle I could of used instead of normal!)</p>
<p>I was looking at the washers this summer when I was at the appliance store replacing my range. I have to,say…there were NOT many washers with agitators being sold at all. I’m thinking these are going the way of coiled top electric stoves.</p>
<p>My washing machine is 21 years old and still going strong. I am dreading the day I have to replace it. Do they still make the old style top loading machines with agitators? Now that we are empty nesters I don’t need a huge capacity.</p>
<p>I guess thumper answered my question while I was typing!</p>
<p>I had the same issue 2 weeks ago. Went thru same angst after 28 yo washer made its final spin. Reviews for front loaders and friends’ experience steered me away. I bought a GE 3.9 cf top loader w impeller model GLWN 2800D1WS on sale for $449 plus $50 rebate. Has mechanical dials and I select the water level. Does a great job. Huge capacity. Washed dogs bed wo any issue. For $400…I can afford to replace it if it does not last. And its quiet. Love it.</p>
<p>I am on my 2nd front loader (14 years with the first) and can’t imagine having anything else. My clothes get clean, the dryer time is drastically reduced which saves power usage, and it all works great. I have an LG. the water level adjusts, which saves water, too. No vibrating.</p>