Traditional top-loaders. These fill the tub with water, then agitate the clothing. They use more water than other types of washers, and thus consume more energy to heat the hot water. They also extract less water from laundry during the spin cycle, which results in longer drying time and higher energy costs. Because they need to move the laundry around to ensure thorough cleaning, these machines hold about 12 to 16 pounds, which is less than large front-loaders and top-loaders without agitators in the center of the tub.
On the plus side, they make it easier to load laundry and to add items mid-cycle. You can also soak laundry easily. This type of machine has the shortest cycle times and is the only one that gives the best results with regular detergent. They also cost the least overall. But most top-loaders are noisier than front-loaders, and there's a risk of loads getting unbalanced. Price range: $300 to $650.
High-efficiency top-loaders. These newer designs incorporate wash plates, discs that lift and tumble laundry, and other replacements for the traditional agitator. Washing performance is usually better than with regular top-loaders, and capacity is generally greater as well. These top-loaders work somewhat like front-loaders, filling partially with water and spinning at very high speeds. Most are more efficient with water and energy than regular top-loaders, but the high spin speeds that reduce drying time (and energy consumption) can make clothing more tangled and wrinkled. These machines work best with low-foaming, high-efficiency detergent. What's more, they aren't cheap. Price range: $800 to $1,200.
Front-loaders. Front-loaders get clothes clean by tumbling them in the water. Clothes are lifted to the top of the tub, then dropped into the water below. They fill only partially with water and then spin at high speed to extract it, which makes them more efficient with water and energy than regular top-loaders. Most handle between 12 and 20 pounds of laundry. Like high-efficiency top-loaders, front-loaders wash best with low-sudsing detergent. But the best still outperformed the best high-efficiency top-loaders overall. Many front-loaders can be stacked with a dryer to save floor space. Price range: $700 to $1,600.
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