Front Load vs Top Load Washing Machines – Explained

Choosing between a top load and a front-load can be critical as the features might not be preferable to everyone for anyone washing machine. Based on the following factors, if one makes a decision then the decision will not be regrettable.

 Front Load vs Top Load Washing Machine

Front Load vs Top Load Washing Machine

Front Load vs Top Load Washing Machines

Easier to use

Since the headache of bending over to load and unload clothes is not there, top-loading washers are normally more convenient. Top-loading washers stand typically at an ideal height to save the trouble of bending down for old buyers or for those joint issues. Installing the units of laundry pedestals that raise the units from 12-15 is highly recommended to front loaders. The ability to add clothes in mid-cycle is also a convenient advantage of top-loads. Front loading washing machines cannot collect lint and distribute fabric softener as good as top loaders so here too, top load is a step ahead.

Time of washing

It is also important to note that all top loaders do not work equally. Two top-loaders are being circulated in the market today, one of which has an agitator and the other does not have one. A motion is created by shaking and forcing water with the help of an agitator which is a mechanism within the washer. A vibrating washing machine is created with the shaking of water due to the agitator. Top loaders without agitators clean better than the top-loaders with agitators which clean faster. Machines without agitators use less water and can clean more clothes at once.

Better Cleaning

Apart from all the benefits, top loaders are not really gentle on clothes especially when the load on the machine is more. Whereas, front loaders are gentle with fabrics. Due to incomplete immersion, top loaders cannot clean heavier items like comforters or pillows.

Cost

Now coming to the price. Just because front loading washing machines offer quality cleaning and tend to be more water and energy-efficient than top loaders, so the price of the front loaders are justifiably high. To accommodate all fabric types and soil levels, the front load washers pack more wash features than top load. The advanced motors and suspension enable the font loaders to wash quietly without making much noise which is not the case of top loaders as they are pretty noisy.

Your total expenses will even out in the long run as the upfront cost of the front loader is generally more.

Less water usage

Top loading washing machine generally uses more electricity and requires quite a lot of water to wash clothes. Front-loaders do not require much water and electricity consumption is not much. The environment can be sustained with the help of an efficient front-loading washer.

Flexibility in installing

A dryer is stacked with front loading washing machines. The stacking of two appliances causes the space occupied for laundry to be reduced to a smaller footprint. Stack washer-dryer layout is preferred by most homes for a valid reason. The home rental units, where vertical space is the only space available, have laundry sets located in small closets. This is the commonest reason for choosing the layout. Other homes where this problem is not there, are making use of the stacking laundry units for utilizing other spaces to store kitchen stuff or use it as a cabinet.

When choosing a washer or dryer, space tends to be a more deciding factor than any other details.

Water extraction- Spin speed

Front loading washing machines spin 33% faster than typical top-loading washing machines during the spin cycle. Before transferring the clothes to the dryer, front loaders will draw more water out. From the two units, the clothes will not be too heavy to remove because the clothes will dry faster. Many people will avoid the extra noise that front load washing machines make while vibrating which is one drawback that it has. The spin speed of any washer can be found in the specification document laid out by revolutions per minute (RPM). The spin quality will be higher if the RPM is higher.

Mold/smell issue

Around the door’s rubber gasket of front load washing machines, overtime mold can be built up, which is one of the biggest problems of front loaders. The maintenance of front load washing machines is the most crucial requirement as compared to top load washing machines if the problem of overtime mold needs combatting. In an area with good airflow, front load washing machines need to be placed in order to minimize issues with mildew and mold. To pull water down, top load washing machines rely on gravity so they do not face the issue of mildew and mold. The water in top loaders does not get confined in any seals.

To conclude, many might draw a line by saying that front-load has better specifications but top loaders are the clear winners.