I started selling appliances back at the end of 1993. I was looking for a part-time job so that I could earn some extra holiday cash, and wandered into the Newington, CT branch of the now defunct electronics retailer Lechmere. The store's General Manager happened to be walking by as I was being interviewed, introduced himself, took a look at my resume, and asked if I might be interested in a full time position selling "majors", or appliances. I told him that I was indeed interested, and hence began my career selling appliances.
I had basically zero product knowledge. In an effort to get up to speed on just which appliances people were buying, I bought a few copies of Consumer Reports and began cramming model brands, recommended model numbers, and some of the features of each appliance category CR deemed important. When it came to laundry, well, choices were far simpler and more limited in 1994 than in 2026! 99% of machines were top-loading, with an auger type agitator, with volumes ranging from 2.4 to 3.0 cubic feet (compare those volume numbers to today's machines that range from 4.1 up to 5.5 cubic feet! And as to how much water they used - that could be the subject of a blog all by itself!). I also remember at the very end of CR's ratings, a couple of Frigidaire front load machines were listed. Both scored poorly on reliability (I also soon learned that even if you were interested in a front load washer, availability was limited at best.)
Now, Consumer Reports was, and still is, aimed at the US/Canada market, and therefore ignored the upper end front load washer choices. If one lived in say Ireland or Germany, your only choices for washers would have been front loaders.
Why? One word: Energy! The inherent washing action of a front load machine, tumbling clothes constantly through a relatively shallow pool of water instead of essentially bathing them in a top-load design, allowed manufacturers to offer a dramatically more efficient machine which still washed your clothes at least as well.
The downside to 1990's era front load washers:
1) Capacity. A European style washer is the size of a dishwasher. Americans have never embraced the smaller machines, even if they were more efficient.
2) Price. Euro-brands such as Asko and Miele typically cost $1000 and up, at a time when the cost of a perfectly reliable Whirlpool or GE top load washer could always be purchased for $399.
3) Installation. Euro-washers worked with an internal water heater, were plumbed with cold water only, and ran on 220v vs the US standard 110v.
4) Time: The front load washers of that time would take in the neighborhood of two hours to wash a load vs. top loading washers that would wash a larger batch of clothes in about 40 minutes.
Times have changed. D.O.E. mandates began restricting the amount of energy that appliances consumed. Refrigerators and washing machines became the prime targets. That mid-90's era top loading machine would use 40-45 gallons of water to clean fewer (compared to today) dirty clothes.
Big picture: that amount of water consumption was unsustainable. Having been warned in advance that water and energy restrictions were on the horizon, manufacturers took another look at the inherently more efficient front loading machines. In the late 90's we began to see what I called "American sized" front load washers, first by Frigidaire and Maytag, then followed by Whirlpool and others.
Fast forward to 2026, and the capacities of many front load models have doubled that of the front load choices in 1994.
So which is "better"?
I'm going to summarize the pros and cons of front loading as well both types of top loading machines (agitator and impeller).
Front load pros:
- More efficient
- Gentler cleaning
- Faster spin speed
The cons:
- Slightly deeper physically
- Slightly longer cycle times
- Generally a bit more expensive
As for top load machines, the pros and cons:
Pros:
- Generally less expensive
- Shorter cycle times
- More compact depth
Cons:
- More water and energy usage
- Slower spin speed
A much more detailed discussion of the pros and cons can be found on the link below:
Also, top loading machines come in two categories: agitator driven machines (with an auger to help move clothes around the tub) and impeller machines (using a wash plate to twist the clothes. )
The link below does a great job discussing the benefits and drawbacks of both styles:
In summary, I can't answer which format is "better" for you. What I can do is try and listen to you, my customer, when you come in to buy a new washer and help determine which style is "right" for your needs. Depending on space, price, family size, interest in specific features, my suggestion might be anywhere from a $499 Amana top loader, a $799 GE front loader, or even a deluxe $1499 Speed Queen top loader that comes with a five year warranty - everyone's needs and budget is different!
So if you find yourself in the market for a washer, or plan on buying a new machine soon, please reach out to any of the sales professionals in our thirteen stores (addresses on the front page of our website just to the left of the blog link). We will be happy to help you choose that "right" washer!
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