Why consumers prefer top-loading agitator washers

Do you know any laundry enthusiasts? Have you ever seen a reality TV show where fun-seeking young people spend nights doing laundry rather than partying at the Jersey Shore? Washing and folding laundry isn't fun, but front-loaders and high-efficiency top-loaders have raised the performance bar and offer advantages over top-loaders with agitators. And yet agitator washers are still the best sellers.

That's because they're typically cheaper and faster. Most agitator top-loaders tested by Consumer Reports are less than $600 and do a normal wash in 40 to 50 minutes using the heavy-soil setting. "But they score lower in our tests as they generally don't wash as well, have smaller capacities, use a lot more water, and extract less of it so dryer time is longer," says Emilio Gonzalez, the engineer who runs our tests of washers and dryers. Vibration isn't a problem for agitator washers, but noise is and most aren't so gentle on fabrics.

The best from our tests. If you're set on buying an agitator washer check our washing machine ratings. The $580 Whirlpool WTW4850BW is the only top-loader agitator washer to make our top picks. It was one of the few to deliver impressive cleaning, used the least water, and cycle time was 50 minutes on the heavy-soil setting. Our ratings include agitator washers from Amana, Frigidaire, GE, Hotpoint, Kenmore, Maytag, Roper, and Speed Queen. Most scored good in capacity, meaning the washer held about 15 to 19 pounds of laundry. Very good indicates that the washer fit about 20 to 24 pounds.

You may be able to improve cleaning by using a more aggressive cycle, such as a heavy-duty cycle, but that can extend wash time. A good detergent helps. Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release was the best we tested, but expensive, and Member's Mark Ultimate Clean from Sam's Club and Wisk Deep Clean cost less and are top picks from our laundry detergent Ratings. 

If you're considering an HE washer. If you're interested in taking an HE top-loader for a spin, the LG WT1001CW, $650 is worth considering. We named it a CR Best Buy. Washing performance and water efficiency were excellent in our washer tests and energy efficiency was very good. Normal wash time, on heavy soil setting, is 70 minutes.

The only front-loader on our top picks list that costs under $1,000 is the Maytag Maxima MHW5100DW, which sneaks in under that price tag at $950. Washing performance and energy and water efficiency were top-notch in our tests and cycle time is 75 minutes. For more choices see our full washer Ratings and recommendations and consider the best matching washers and dryers in our tests.

—Kimberly Janeway