 Show
Updated September 21, 2022 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 as you saw them done while growing up. What's more, some high efficiency front-load washers, though newer, have issues with odor build-up and loud vibrations. Time hasn’t stood still for pole-agitator models. Many major brands have improved on the time-tested design by adding stainless steel wash tubs, 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) is the best top-load washer with an agitator, blending modern features with old-school cleaning. If you're looking for a pole agitator, this is the one to buy. These are the best top-load agitator washers we tested ranked, in order:
Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan The Whirlpool WTW8127LC has a removable pole agitator. Other Top-load Agitator Washers We TestedHow We Test Top-load Washers with an AgitatorThe TestersHi there! We're Reviewed's appliance testing team. Between the three of us (Jon Chan, Kyle Hamilton, and Julia MacDougall), we've spent many years testing major appliances including washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, and robot vacuum cleaners. We have plenty of experience testing these products in the lab, but we've also used them like normal people would in their daily lives, so we have a great sense for what appliances are bargains at their price points, and which extra features are actually useful. The TestsCredit: Reviewed 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. 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. What You Should Know About Top-Loading WashersCredit: Reviewed.com / Jackson Ruckar 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 is #34 on our list of all washing machines—and that’s primarily because you can remove its agitator. 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 washer with agitator?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 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. More Articles You Might Enjoy
Meet the testersMark Brezinski Senior Writer @markbrezinski Mark Brezinski is a senior writer with over ten years of experience reviewing consumer tech and home appliances. Jonathan Chan Senior Manager of Lab Operations @Jonfromthelab1 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. Julia MacDougall Senior Scientist @reviewed Julia is the Senior Scientist at Reviewed, which means that she oversees (and continually updates) the testing of products in Reviewed's core categories such as televisions, washing machines, refrigerators, and more. She also determines the testing methods and standards for Reviewed's "The Best Right Now" articles. Kyle Hamilton Product Tester Kyle Hamilton is a product tester at Reviewed, specializing in home appliances and technology. Checking our work.Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians 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 Do top load washers clean well without agitators?Washing machines with an impeller tend to wash your clothes better than with an agitator. That means that, generally speaking, front load washers or top load washers without an agitator will do a better job at getting rid of tough stains and dirt off your clothes.
Is it better to buy a washer with an agitator or without?The lack of an agitator frees up a lot of room in the drum, creating the opportunity to clean larger loads and big comforters. Non-agitator machines use much less water which leads to less waste, cheaper water bills, and “greener” laundry.
How does a top load washer work without an agitator?Top-loading, high-efficiency washers replace the agitator with low-profile wheels, discs, fins, cones or plates known as impellers. These moving parts cause the tub to spin or juggle the clothes gently at high speed in much less water.
Is it better to have an agitator or impeller?A washing machine with an impeller uses less motion and water than a washer with an agitator. Designed so laundry has more room to move, it drives clothes from the outer rim of the wash basket to the center, using a small amount of water to optimize the friction. This is what helps deliver a gentle, yet thorough clean.
|
Top load washing machine without agitator reviews
Related Posts
Copyright © 2024 toptenid.com Inc.
