The Best Traditional Top-load Agitator Washers of 2026

Top-loading washing machines with pole agitators have been around for roughly a century. Your parents and grandparents used them. Now, as a homeowner, you may like to use one too: There's something comforting about doing household chores the same way you saw them done growing up.

That being said, time hasn’t stood still for pole-agitator models: Many major brands have improved on the time-tested design by adding stainless steel drums, soft-close hinges, and dual-action agitators.

Over years of lab testing, we’ve put hundreds of washers to the test to see how well they remove stains, what their water usage is, and how gentle they are on clothing. We’ve found that the Whirlpool WTW8127LC (available at Lowe's for $998.00) is the best top-load washing machine with an agitator, blending modern features with old-school cleaning. If you're set on buying a top-load washing machine with a pole agitator, it should be this one.

Editor's Note: Appliances purchases are a large investment of both money and time. We’ve not only compiled lists of the best washers to shop, but also the best places to buy in-stock appliances right now and the best times of year to buy appliances to take advantage of sales and new releases.

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Other Top-load Washers with Agitators We Tested

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What You Should Know About Top-Load Agitator Washers

Which is Better, an Agitator or Impeller Washer?

We've got some bad news for top-loader and agitator fans.

While top-loaders with pole agitators are still popular, they’re pretty old-fashioned. While personal preference is always going to factor into your choice, our data shows a clear winner in the agitator vs. impeller competition.

The top-ranking washers are almost universally front-loaders, with some top-loading impeller washers appearing once you’re outside the top 10. The highest-ranked pole agitator washer we’ve tested still ranks below over a dozen front-load washing machines—and that’s primarily because you can remove the agitator and use its built-in impeller instead.

While the pole can add some torque to the scrubbing action, it also restricts movement inside the drum to “clockwise” and “counter-clockwise.” Other top-loaders use impellers to get laundry tumbling throughout the whole drum, which is gentler on your clothes and also scrubs them more completely. Even better? Front-load washers use a lot less water and really get your laundry tumbling around.

The older design may feel familiar, or newer designs might not make as much intuitive sense, but stain strips don’t lie: As of right now, top-loaders with pole agitators can’t get your laundry as clean as front-loaders. They can get them almost as clean, but over time your clothes will look dingier, faster.

How do You Remove a Washing Machine Agitator?

You don’t! Outside of some very specific models, like the Whirlpool WTW8127LC, that pole agitator needs to stay in the washer. Without it, the washer won't be able to create any sort of turbulence in the water to move your clothes around.

How do You Load a Top-load Agitator Washer?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions about top-loaders with agitators, but it’s fortunately got a pretty easy answer. There’s nothing special to consider when loading clothes into your top-loader. You just distribute your clothing more or less evenly around the central pole agitator.

How do You Clean a Top-loading Washing Machine With an Agitator?

While you could check out a more in-depth guide on how to clean a washer, the short answer is to do it with baking soda and vinegar. Mix some baking soda with warm water and give the machine a scrub down, then pour in two cups of vinegar and run a normal load at high heat.

How We Evaluated The Best Top-load Washers With Agitators

The Tests

Every washing machine that comes into Reviewed’s labs gets put through the same testing regime, which addresses both performance and user-friendliness. Performance tests include:

• Stain removal — on a strip of AHAM-approved stains (which includes cocoa, sweat, pig’s blood, red wine, and oil), how much of each stain can this washing machine remove?

• Wear and tear — during a given cycle, how hard is the mechanical action of the washing machine on your clothes?

• Water retention — how much water does your washing machine spin out at the end of the cycle?

• Cycle time — how long is each washing machine cycle?

The best agitator washers have solid stain removal abilities, do not damage your clothes, retain little water, are Energy Star certified and efficient, and have short cycle times.

We also assess the usability of each washing machine, based on our experience during testing and during more casual use (bringing our laundry to work is one perk of working at Reviewed!). Our main goal is to learn how easy it is to use each washing machine. This involves evaluating the control panel, the door, the detergent dispenser, and any smart features or Wi-Fi connectivity.

By combining the performance data with our own observations, we can make solid recommendations for someone looking for any type of washing machine at any price point.

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