Best Top-Load Agitator Washing Machines—and the Worst—of 2025

These six top-load agitator washers have the highest ratings in our tests. They all come with features like auto temperature control, an auto detergent and fabric softener dispenser, and a stainless steel tub.

When it comes to top-load agitators, don’t give in to attractive prices. Some budget-friendly washers may be duds. These two agitator top-loaders fall short in washing performance, lack Energy Star certification, and rank lowest in our tests.

Think of the various types of washers the way you might view cars. Traditionally, agitator washers were the no-frills station wagons of the laundry aisle, while high-efficiency top-loaders and front loaders raced in the muscle car and luxury lanes loaded with shiny, sleek designs and advanced technology. So why are so many agitators still being sold? Let’s pop the hood on that.

Top-load agitator washers have been positioned as wallet-friendly alternatives to the aforementioned costlier varieties. But manufacturers have started tweaking them with more feature-rich enhancements, which can drive up their prices. That’s why you’ll see agitator top-loaders in our ratings that have stylish details, such as a stainless steel finish or a glass lid. Some also now have jumbo capacities, so you can do more laundry at once. But if you’re looking for a less expensive washer, there are still options that cost less than other types of washers. 

Their downsides? Performance, for one. Until recently, they washed fewer clothes per load. They can also be water hogs, typically using 20 gallons or more per load. And if you value the longevity of your threads, be aware that top-load agitators tend to be rougher on fabric than other types of washers.

To evaluate how good a washing machine is at cleaning clothes, CR’s testers use fabric swatches stained with red wine, cocoa, carbon (which is similar to soot), and other hard-to-remove stains. They analyze each swatch with a spectrocolorimeter before and after washing. The lighter the stain after laundering, the higher the machine scores in washing performance.

We also evaluate how gentle a washer is on fabric and record the amount of water and energy each machine uses. And we record the energy needed to dry the laundry we just washed. Washers that extract more water shorten dryer time and score higher in our energy-efficiency tests. Water- and energy-efficiency scores are among the factors we use to determine the Green Choice designation for washers.

Our testers also measure how much vibration the washer transmits to a wood floor, and our panelists judge the washer’s noise levels during the fill, agitate/tumble, drain, and spin cycles.