So you've finally made the decision to shop for a new washer. You certainly have your work cut out for you. Which type of washer will best fit your needs? A high-efficiency front load? Wait, maybe a top load unit would be better. But which top load? A high-efficiency unit without an agitator, or one with the agitator that can switch from high efficiency to deep water washing? Surprisingly, the answer is much easier than you might suspect.
*The Maytag MHW8630HC and the MVWB766FW are top performers in their class
Obviously, You Want Your Clothes Clean...
Thankfully, all new washers will get your clothes clean. The big difference is HOW they get your clothes clean. Let's take a quick look at the three types of washing machines and how they compare...
Front Load Washers: It's Like Having a Laundromat in Your Home
There's a lot to like about a front load washing machine. Front-load washers, based on both industry and independent testing, do a great job of washing your clothes. They use up to 40% less water than more traditional machines and can spin at speeds up to 1300 rpm, which makes for clothes coming out of the washer nearly dry! That is a HUGE saving for consumers because of how little time clothes need to spend in the dryer. BIG SECRET: your washer isn't the energy hog, it's your dryer. Both electric and gas dryers, for the typical family, can cost well over $100 a year to run (compared to about $13-$15 a year for a front load washer). For a typical family of four, the cost savings of having a high-efficiency washer will pay for the cost of the dryer within five to six years.
So if front load washers are so great, why doesn't everyone have one? There are several reasons. First, they do require more maintenance. One of the big complaints from front load owners we receive is that they stink. This can be avoided by leaving the door open. Also, they require periodic cleanings to prevent smells from lingering. You will also need to check the detergent dispensers to make sure they are dry. That sounds like a lot of extra work but it only takes a few minutes. If it sounds like too much hassel you may want to go with a top load unit. Second, front load washers are typically more expensive than top load units. Finally, for convenience, many people prefer to add pedestals to their units for easier accessibility. Pedestals can up the price of buying a front-load of $200-$300 per pedestal.
Top Load Washers: Do I Need an Agitator or Not?
Technically, top load washers are one category and not two. However, due to how these washers function, we at Don's Appliances tend to think of them as two different breeds of the same appliance.
High-efficiency non-agitator washers:
These washers have been the mainstay of the laundry business for over 10 years. Ever since the federal government set new water and energy standards for washers this has been the piece many people have purchased. The problem: you need to rethink how you will be washing your clothes. Just dumping a large load of clothes in and walking away from the machine won't work. In order for these machines to function properly, you need to place your clothes in a ring at the bottom of the washer leaving the center exposed. Clothes will then wash in a small pool of water (approx. 6-8" high) for an extended period of time (typically 65 minutes or longer). The good news: your clothes will come out clean. The not so good news: your clothes will come out a little wetter and more wrinkled than they would in front load machine. Because of the vertical axis on these machines, they have a tougher time of keeping balanced so they cannot spin at the same high speeds as front load units (Maytag gets top honors for their high spins speeds at 900rpm). Finally, you cannot put large loads in these machines and get a truly effective wash. That means more loads and more time spent washing. If you are willing to adjust how you wash to cater to these machines functionality then a non-agitator top load is a sound choice.
High-efficiency washers with agitators:
For the most part, this is a newer category in top load washers that have been received very well by our customers. It combines the efficiency of a non-agitator model with the capacity and performance of an older style agitator. Simply put, if you want to do a smaller energy efficient load of laundry, these units can handle it. However, unlike most non-agitator units, the central agitator column turns and moves the clothes more efficiently allowing large loads of clothes to get as clean as the smaller loads. The tradeoff? Large loads use significantly more water and tend to come out a little less dry than in other top-load models. The good news is that you can get more clothes clean in fewer loads saving time and effort. Customers have been very receptive to these newer models. Sales for high-efficiency units with agitators have surpassed the non-agitator models by a significant amount. Having the freedom to choose your load size and shorten the amount of time you spend washing clothes has been a welcome change for many customers.
OK, Now What Should I Buy?
That's easy: whichever best suits your needs and lifestyle. Are you a traditional washer owner missing the old days when you had an agitator? Look no further, we have models that will suit your taste. Want a high-efficiency unit that will save you money without spending more money on a front-load unit and having the extra maintenance associated with it? Go for an agitator-free top load. Do you want the best wash performance and the lowest long term expense? Consider going with a front load washer (just remember to take a little extra time to keep your unit odor-free).
Stop by one of our Don's Appliances showrooms and talk to one of our friendly and knowledgeable sales associates. We promise to make the buying process easy and enjoyable.