Credit:
Reviewed / Michael Elderbee
Products are chosen independently by our editors. Purchases made through our links may earn us a commission.
Credit:
Reviewed / Michael Elderbee
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
Learn more about our product testing
The GE Profile PTW800BPWRS is designed to handle a lot of laundry with a huge 5.4-cubic-foot drum and built-in detergent reservoirs. Read More
The Whirlpool WTW8127LC is a one-shop stop for all your laundry needs. You can scrub stains, soak them, and even hand wash them all from this machine. Read More
With a 5.5 cu. ft. capacity and an Allergiene cycle, the LG WT7900HBA is great for those with families and pets alike. Read More
The Maytag MVW6500MBK top-load washing machine is a solid pick. Its PetPro System filter is effective at removing the majority of pet hair. Read More
The Maytag MVW7232HW offers a massive 5.3-cu.-ft. drum and above-average cleaning. Read More
While front-load washers have gained popularity over the past decade, and for good reasons, they're not the only option worth considering. Many homeowners still prefer a top-load washer for its convenience, ease of use, and affordability. With a top-loading washing machine, there’s no need to bend or stoop to load and unload laundry (as long as you can reach the bottom of the basin), and the controls are often simpler and more intuitive.
Another major advantage? Cost. Top-load washers are generally more budget-friendly than front-loading models, making them an excellent choice for families and budget-conscious shoppers alike.
If you're shopping for the best top-load washer for your laundry room, you're in the right place. We've researched and reviewed a wide variety of models on the market to help you find the perfect fit.
Our top pick, the GE Profile PTW800BPWRS (available at Lowe's for $898.00) , takes the crown for Best Overall thanks to its advanced features, powerful stain removal capabilities, and user-friendly design. Looking for the best top-load washer for your home? Here are the top models to consider.
Good cleaning power
Antimicrobial coating, steam, detergent reservoir
Large wash drum
Integration with SmartHQ voice assistant
Loud at times
Only comes in one color—Sapphire Blue
Good cleaning
Built-in faucet
Removable agitator
Rougher on clothes with pole in place
A perfect choice for large families, this LG top-load washer has a huge capacity.
One of our best top-load washers, the Maytag Pet Pro MVW6500MBK is made just for pet owners.
Catches a lot of pet hair
Decent cleaning power
Slow-close lid and built-in faucet
Delicates cycle is rough
Spin cycle doesn't get out much water
Massive drum
Deep fill option
Good cleaning
Slow cycles
A bit noisy
Solid cleaning performance
Adjustable water fill
Intuitive buttons
Flimsy parts
Heavy duty cycle is tough on clothes
Built-in faucet
10-year warranty
Expensive
Low cleaning power for its price
Tough on clothes
As you’re researching top-load washers, measure your space carefully to ensure the washer will fit. This includes doorways, stairwells, and the vertical space where your washing machine lives (yes, we’ve learned this the hard way).
Washing machine dimensions vary widely from model to model and brand to brand, so not all machines may fit the space you have. Top-load washing machines are often taller than front-loaders, so make sure you have enough vertical clearance to open the lid fully.
If you have kids who do lots of outdoor sports, or a housemate who works in automotive or construction, look for a washer with a high-performing Heavy Duty cycle. If your household includes pets, look for a washer with cycles or features specially designed to remove pet hair.
Some washers feature a quiet mode, which is particularly helpful for condos, shared spaces, or a laundry room that shares a wall with a bedroom.
A washing machine that’s built to last may cost more up front but will save you in the long run. Fewer and fewer appliances are built to last for a decade or more, but brands that have a good reputation for reliability and offer longer warranties are worth their higher price tags. A good-quality top-load washer may cost around $600, but if you spent $1,000 or more you can get a machine with better build quality, more features, and a longer warranty.
Consider the best times of year to buy appliances, around major shopping holidays such as President’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Black Friday, when you’re more likely to find deep discounts on high-quality appliances. Don’t forget to factor installation and haul-away costs (or discounts) into your final cost comparison.
To get the longest possible lifespan out of your top-load washing machine, be sure to take care of it with regular maintenance. Clean the drum, dispensers, and filter monthly to avoid buildup and odors. Inspect hoses and electrical supply annually for signs of wear.
We recommend leaving the lid open when the washer is not in use to help dry it out and prevent mildew build-up.
While the distinction between top-load and front-load washers might seem minor, they differ significantly in terms of their design and user experience. With front-load washers, the wash drum is oriented horizontally—you load your dirty laundry in through a door on the front of the machine. Front-loaders can leverage gravity as they run, allowing them to keep your laundry tumbling to agitate it.
With top-loader washing machines, the wash drum is oriented vertically. You lift up a door on the top of the machine to drop your laundry in from above. Top-loaders use their rotation to rub your laundry items against each other to scrub out stains.
There are plenty of reasons to buy a top-loader, but the three most important reasons are ease of use, extra water options, and ergonomics.
Front-load washers have overtaken top-loading washing machines in the laundry popularity contest, although some shoppers prefer to stick with what they know—top-loading washing machines with pole agitators (the big spiral column in the middle).
The sentiment isn't misplaced. Most top-load agitator washing machines have gotten a tech-induced face-lift and will look different than the one in your mom's basement. But even so, if you're already familiar with the layout and logic of these machines, it can make your laundry life easier.
On top of that, you can easily throw laundry into a top-load washer after a cycle has started. This is a much more difficult task for a front-load washer, which has to pause the cycle so that water doesn't spill out when you open the door.
Top-loaders may be easier for some people to use because they let you drop your laundry into the washer from a standing position. Front-loading washing machines make you bend or crouch down to get your clothes in and out.
In general, most top-load washing machines are less complicated than front-loaders, which often come with control pads that look like they belong on a spaceship. If you just want to hit a few buttons and get your laundry going, you're probably better off with a top-loader.
Top-loaders don't generally score as well in the efficiency department as their front-loading counterparts when it comes to water and energy usage. But some people like having the option to increase the water level for really dirty loads of laundry.
It's worth noting this doesn't necessarily mean your clothes get any cleaner. But it's a popular enough feature that a number of brands have added options like Deep Fill so that users can easily add more water to a wash cycle.
Just because a washing machine cleans clothes, doesn't mean it can clean itself. Stuff builds up inside the washer drum, from bacteria and mildew to scummy detergent and softener residue. No one wants to wash stinky clothes in a machine that stinks worse.
Cleaning a top-load washer is different than cleaning a front-load washer, because of its drum orientation. For many front-loaders, especially basic models, the gasket is a problem area because mold, bacteria, and odors can build up there. They also have a filter that needs to be cleaned every few months. Top-loaders on the other hand, don't have these problems, because of the orientation of the top door and vertical drum.
Use vinegar or bleach (don't mix them) to clean your top-loading washing machine—both work well, and vinegar also does a killer job at killing smells. Run the washer through its hottest wash cycle using one of those ingredients; then do it again with baking soda. In addition, you'll want to unclog and clean the washer's drain, and, if your top-loader has an agitator pole, remove any hair or strings that may have gotten twisted around it.
Every washing machine that has visited the Reviewed labs went through the same testing regiment. We standardized variables such as load size, stain types, cycle tests, and water temperature. Read a detailed account of how we test washing machines in the Reviewed lab, which addresses both performance and user-friendliness in things like stain removal, wear and tear, water retention, and cycle time.
In addition to capturing comparable performance metrics, we aim to answer a very important question: How easy is it to actually use this washing machine? This involves assessing the control panel, the door, the detergent dispenser, and any smart features that are included.
By combining performance with user experience, we can make solid recommendations to help you buy the best top-load washing machine for your needs.
The experts seem torn on what the best top-loading washer is. To save you some time and trouble, we’ve gone ahead and done the research for you.
User comments around the topic of best dishwashers display the typical amount of rancor and infighting. We’re pulling these user reviews from sources like Reddit and appliance retailers.
Mark Brezinski works on the Home Team, reviewing refrigerators, minifridges, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, air purifiers, and fans.
Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.
Dr. Dave Ellerby
Chief Scientist
Dave Ellerby has a Ph.D. from the University of Leeds and a B.Sc. from the University of Manchester. He has 25+ years of experience designing tests and analyzing data.
Our team is here to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and experts obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
Shoot us an email
4.1
