Front Load or Top Load: Which is the Better Washer?

The great debate between front load and top load washers has been raging on for some time now. Each type of washing machine has its own advantages and disadvantages, and each one is highly effective in its own right.

Both the top load and front load washing machine have seen many improvements over the years, but their many iterations have given us no obvious winner to this day. However, if you have to pick one, front load washers are the safer bet. Here’s why:

Front Load Washing Machines Clean Clothes Better

Front-load washing machines have a horizontal axis of rotation, which allows them to take advantage of gravity to clean clothes more efficiently. Without any central agitator that will pull, twist, and potentially rip fabrics apart with prolonged use, the horizontal drum is gentler to your clothes.

Newer models of top load washers do not have agitators, using slightly smaller impellers instead to clean clothes. This improvement makes for gentler handling of fabric, but smaller items can still get caught in the impellers.

More Water and Energy-Efficient

The design of front-load washers allows you to fit more clothes in the tub, which means you need fewer cycles to finish large piles of laundry. Additionally, front load washing machines are inherently more efficient, performing better on important metrics such as energy usage, water consumption, and even the required amount of detergent.

Most, if not all models consistently receive favorable Energy Star ratings, which means they require 11% less power than older counterparts. They also use around half of the amount of water needed by top load washers to clean clothes effectively.

Front-load washing machines generally command a higher price than their top load cousins, but given the money you can save from reduced energy consumption, you will get much more than your money’s worth in the long run.

More Durable

The horizontal orientation of the front load’s rotating drum is gentle on your clothes. More importantly, it puts less stress on the machine’s mechanical parts. With this design, front load washing machines are less likely to break or malfunction. This means they will last longer and would need less maintenance, which is another way that you can recoup its slightly higher cost.

The machine’s longer functional life will also give you more time to recover the slightly higher upfront cost, leaving you ahead in terms of money spent by the time the machine needs to be replaced.

Better Use of Space

Most homes use a combination of washer and dryer. In these cases, space can be an issue. With top load washers and dryers, you do not have the option to stack one on top of the other, which means you would need extra space for storage.

Most front load washers and dryers can be stacked, which is a better configuration for some homes. If you have much storage space and you prefer to have both machines on the floor, you can put them on pedestals so you won’t have to bend too much when putting in or taking out your laundry.

Stay on Top With Front Load Washers

Manufacturers are continuously improving both front load and top load washers, and there may come a time where both choices are equally beneficial. But for now, choosing a front load washing machine is a smarter decision.