<p>I have a “medium cheap” Maytag top loader–7 years old, and also a Kenmore top loader that was left with my house. (10-15yo?) I have a big family (7 kids) and do huge loads of laundry. Both of these work just fine. The Kenmore has one of those spiral agitators, which works well for cleaning, but I think it can be rough on knits and it sometimes gets out of balance with big loads. (I just throw everything in the “normal” cycle, so I’m not that careful.)</p>
<p>My sister got front loader a couple years ago. I tried it out and was disappointed. It didn’t seem to very clean well, and, even worse, it took a super long time to do a load. My sister also has a big family (6 kids) and I think she regrets that purchase because of all the waiting around to get a load done. You have to plan ahead for your laundry–no quick, last-minute loads (which I couldn’t survive without.) After that, I haven’t been interested in front loaders. (If I lived in a place where I really had to conserve water and had a small family, I might look at one.) My mom has had her good old Maytag for 40+ years.</p>
<p>I bought a new Maytag Bravos 300 washer and dryer set a month ago.</p>
<p>If you are buying after many years as we were (17 year old Maytags), I highly suggest going in the stores and trying them out - meaning opening and shutting the doors, touching the knobs, etc. </p>
<p>I wanted inexpensive Maytags to replace mine but couldn’t stand the door closure on the dryer. I love the doors on my new set. They close firmly and feel sturdy.</p>
<p>My washer holds SO MANY CLOTHES! I can’t believe it compared to my old one with the agitator. My dryer DRIES IN 40 MINUTES!!! LOL!! My old dryer was losing it’s drying ability and taking forever. </p>
<p>Also, my washer is a top loader. I did not want to go with a front loader. I do have to use the HE detergent now, but our clothes are clean and smell great out of the washer and the dryer. (I use dryer sheets.)</p>
<p>The washer doesn’t make tons of noise, it makes “different” noise. It sort of sounds like a spaceship taking off - but it’s quiet. The dryer is relatively quiet too.</p>
<p><strong>These are only the opinions of me, one person, so who knows if you would feel the same if you tried this set</strong> Good luck!!</p>
<p>ps. my washer smells fine. some online people have complained about theirs but you are supposed to clean the washer once per month.</p>
<p>I have a one year old Maytag Bravos top of the line top loader (no agitator) washer and steam dryer. I like it a lot(not love it) but I don’t know any washer or dryer that I would replace it with. It is fairly quiet and has minimal movement during the spin cycle (so it would be great choice for a second floor laundry room). The clothes are a bit more wrinkled than other washers right out of the washer but it dosen’t bother me. No problems so far with it but I did buy the Lowe’s extended warranty.</p>
<p>Interesting to me that anyone could love a washer. For me to love it, it would have to fetch the clothes from the second floor, wash them in the basement, fold them, and put them away - back on the second floor. </p>
<p>Perhaps you are looking for love in one of the wrong places.</p>
<p>I would get a good solid basic model, but look it up for reviews so you don’t pick up a lemon. I really regret my frontload. It does not fit that much more, it tangles the clothes, a problem with the seal means a flood, and the electronic LED buttons can get confused if you push them too quickly or carelessly. The only things I like about it are the counter top space you gain and it does use a lot less detergent. I think it s a water saver too, but I didn’t notice any savings on our water bill.</p>
Good luck!!</p>