Our favorite is the Whirlpool WTW8127LW 5.3 cu. ft. 2-in-1 Top Load Washing Machine because it has both an agitator and impeller plate, an extra-large capacity, and a host of convenient features. Find the best top load washers for every type of budget, household, and laundry room below. The Whirlpool WTW8127LW 5.3-cubic-foot Smart Top Load Washer is capable of pleasing fans of both agitator- and impeller-style washing machines. Open the lid to this washer and you’ll find a snap-in center agitator that can easily be removed to meet various laundry needs, like making room for a bulky load of blankets or opting to gently wash delicate items using the impeller plate. No other top load washer on the market offers this 2-in-1 design, giving this model tremendous value. With the agitator in place, the washer provides 5.2 cubic feet of room inside the stainless steel wash basket. Once removed, the wash basket has 5.3 cubic feet of space. Regardless of which washing mechanism you choose, the Whirlpool WTW8127LW is equipped to meet the care requirements of any laundry load. It has 11 pre-set cycle options along with selections for things like water temperature, spin speed, or a deep water fill. In total, there are 36 unique cycle combinations to properly care for your clothes. With built-in Wi-Fi, you can also use the Whirlpool app to schedule your next load of laundry to begin at a specified time or receive updates on the cycle status. Another feature that is unique to top load washers is the built-in faucet to pre-treat stains. You’ll find this handy for giving stains some extra attention before the wash cycle or for quickly cleaning items that require hand-washing only. This one-of-a-kind top load washer is known to sell out quickly, and we wish there were more widespread retailer availability right now. That said, if you find this one in stock, order it immediately. Price at time of publish: $1,299 Saving big on a top load washer means giving up a few extras, like a stainless steel wash basket or a dispenser for fabric softener. However, the porcelain-enamel finish on the 3.5-cubic-foot wash basket will offer years of reliable service as long it remains chip-free. Keep in mind that the maximum spin speed of this top load washer is 680 RPM, which is less than many other models. Avoid overloading it to ensure that it can efficiently extract water from your laundry load. Price at time of publish: $694 Depending on the cycle chosen, this top-loading washer releases steam into the stainless steel drum, removing odors, allergens, and more. Like other LG washer models, the WT7900HBA is certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, making it a good choice for households with allergy sufferers. It also features a sanitizing cycle to remove bacteria. Including these specialty cycles, this top-loading washer offers 13 preset cycles. But since this washer is equipped with Wi-Fi, you can also use the LG ThinQ app to download additional specialty cycles. Price at time of publish: $999 This high-capacity top load washer also offers high-speed clothes washing. A 28-minute speed wash setting gives you the option to accelerate your laundry routine, without skimping on cleaning ability. We tested an earlier version of this Samsung high-capacity washer and were impressed with its performance on a week’s worth of baby clothes and soiled workwear. Our product tester also appreciated the deep fill option and the built-in water faucet, which are both features on the new Samsung WA55A7300AE. This model is available in an ivory finish, intended to be a modern update of the classic white appliance color. It has a soft-close glass lid, giving you a window into the wash cycle. However, our product tester notes that the slanted lid isn’t suitable for folding clothes or holding items like laundry detergent bottles. Price at time of publish: $1,199 Maytag equips this model with a center agitator to tackle dirt and stains along with a PowerWash cycle that provides extra cleaning action. There are 11 wash cycles in total along with the usual options for water temperature and rinse cycles. This small but mighty washer is also equipped with HE features, like auto-sensing load technology to fill the washer, but you can opt for a deep water wash if you prefer. Price at time of publish: $849 Open the hamper-style door on this top-loading washer and you’ll find a dual-action agitator. The rotating action of the agitator is designed to effectively clean clothes and adjusts its intensity of action based on the cycle you choose. It’s worth noting that this high-efficiency top-loading washer is also available with an impeller plate washing mechanism, for shoppers who want to gain slightly more room in the wash basket. While high-energy washers generally do take longer to complete a cycle than conventional washing machines, a 30-minute speed wash cycle adds to the convenience of using the Whirlpool WTW4955HW. Price at time of publish: $749 This frills-free washer has the familiar center agitator that was the mainstay of washing machine technology for decades. The plastic fins are designed to provide washing motion for loads ranging from delicate to bulky. With a capacity of 4.2 cubic feet, there’s room for sheets, blankets, towels, and more—but you’ll want to make sure you properly balance the load. The stainless steel wash basket offers a smooth, snag-free finish and peace of mind against rust or chipping. There are 11 wash cycles on this machine along with a PreciseFill water setting to fill the washer based on load size. However, you can also choose a manual fill level along with options like a deep rinse. While this washer forgoes any smart features, it does feature a status indicator light bar along the back panel of the machine—letting you know where the machine is at in the cycle. Price at time of publish: $699 The Maytag MVW6200KW is our pick for a top load washer with an impeller. The impeller utilizes a reverse wash motion and three sources of water spray to thoroughly saturate and clean clothes. Without a center agitator taking up space, this model has 4.8 cubic feet of capacity—enough for 19 towels. Cycle options include standard selections along with quick-wash and wrinkle-reducing cycles. However, this model doesn’t offer any smart features and isn’t Energy Star certified. Price at time of publish: $949
Agitator vs. Impeller Plate
Top load washers can either have a central agitator or impeller plate. Both work to move your clothes in the drum of the washer as well as mix them with soap and water. A central agitator is a column in the washer’s drum, which may have attached fans for shifting clothes. This type of agitator is more traditional; however, it is known to be rougher on clothes. In comparison, an impeller plate is built into the bottom of the drum and is better for delicate cycles and sensitive fabrics. It’s typically found in more modern and high-end models.
Cycle Options
Cycle options in top load washers include traditional settings for whites, delicates, and a normal load of clothes. However, they can also include specialty settings for activewear, bedding, towels, and items that need to be washed in 20 minutes flat. The activewear setting, in particular, ensures that items like leggings and sports bras—which can include delicate fabrics made of spandex or mesh—are treated very lightly. It can mimic the process of hand-washing while more thoroughly removing sweat and grime. Other notable options are allergen and cold wash settings.
Standout Features
Built-in Faucet
If you’re frequently pretreating stained clothing, a faucet that’s built into the drum of your washer will make your laundry routine more efficient and clean. This feature, seen in top-loading models, eliminates the need to apply stain remover in your bathroom’s sink or carry a wet item across your laundry room. It’s also handy for those living in a small space where a washer may be installed in a closet or mudroom.
Bulk Dispenser
A bulk dispenser holds enough detergent and/or fabric softener for 20 to 40 loads. After a cycle is selected and started, it automatically dispenses the correct amount of liquid based on the size of your load. This feature is particularly handy in households that need to run many loads each week due to infants, multiple children, or athletes.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Having tested and researched dozens of laundry machines, we looked at reliability, functionality, and actual usefulness when recommending the best top load washers on the market. We considered the capacity, cycle options, and type of agitator for each model, in addition to dispensers, drum material, and lifespan. For insight, we spoke with Marilee Nelson, a certified building biologist, environmental consultant, and co-founder of Branch Basics; Brittney Castro, a certified financial planner for Mint; and Tiffany Aliche, The Budgetnista and the author of Get Good with Money.
Erica Puisis is a product researcher and writer with years of experience testing and writing about small and large appliances. She has hands-on experience with top-loading and front-loading washers. For this article, she researched the latest models available and rated them according to information available from the manufacturers, retailers, and verified customer reviews. All products were compared based on factors like capacity, washing mechanism, cycle options, and available features.
