Since its conception, washing machines have historically been top-loading. Like the tub of hot water that people have been soaking then scrubbing or even paddling their clothes since the age of the Roman Empire, it just made sense to emulate the same design when it came to the automatic washing machine.
Toss the clothes into the tub from above and let the washer do all the work. Top load washers were the norm for nearly 150 years.
Even though front load washers have since become a hot item on the market - and we’ll get into that in just a moment - top load washers still hold a place in the market, and with good reason.
Here we review 6 of the best top-loading washers in 2022 to help you find the perfect top-loading washer for you!
When front load washers like you see at the laundromat enter the residential market, suddenly owning the latest washing machine became a total social status. People were ecstatic to spend 3 times the cost of a top load washer for a new front load washer just to say they did.
The only problem is those first-generation washers hadn’t quite worked out the kinks yet. People complained about the washers vibrating so bad that they practically walked across the laundry room while others complained about the mildew smell. Suddenly front load washer sales dropped as people moved back to top load washers.
Of course, these kinks have since been worked out and now you have washers like the GE UltraFresh Vent System which uses Microban technology to reduce odor-causing bacteria while circulating fresh air to eliminate mildew, there was still a movement back to top load washers and these conventional washers have held their place ever since.
When front load washes became a hot item, top load washers had to keep up through some upgrades. Front-load washers were known for using less water and being more energy efficient, so top-load washers had to do the same.
Now we have energy-efficient washers that give you the option to use less water when you want but can also use more water with features like Deep Fill when your load calls for it.
Top load washers can also be easier to load since they don’t require bending over quite like front load washers do (though a high enough pedestal or washers like the GE RightHeight can put the washer more at your level).
Additionally, since the lid is at the top, you can keep adding items throughout different stages of the cycle, unlike front load washers which typically lock after the cycle starts.
Lastly, top-loading washers are generally less expensive than their front-loading counterparts which is a benefit your wallet will thank you for.
Now that we’ve made a solid argument for why top-loading washers can be a great option for you, it’s time to review which are the best washers in 2022.
Why We Love It: Smart Capable Appliance
The first thing you will notice about this top load washer is its looks. The sleek metallic finish featuring a glass lid makes this washer look just as cool as any of its front load competitors.
Plus the Maytag top load washer features a whopping 4.7 cubic feet to wash around 20 pounds of clothes or can handle a king-sized comforter. The PowerAgitator cleans clothes by gently churning them against each other while the Extra Power Button uses hot water to dissolve detergent for maximum cleaning power.
This washer is also a Smart Capable Appliance and works seamlessly with voice-enabled devices including Google and Alexa.
Shop the Maytag Smart Top Load Washer with Extra Power Button at Mountain High by clicking here.
Why We Love It: 5-Year Warranty, No Fuss Features
For the consumer who prefers durability over bells and whistles, Speed Queen washers are a great option. The Speed Queen TC5 is the brand’s middle option with the 5 representing a 5-year warranty.
It features the Speed Queen® Classic Clean™ that is touted as the classic washer at grandma’s that always delivered great results but now with more aggressive wash action.
With No Lid Lock, you can pop the lid at any point to add an item.
Shop the Speed Queen TC5 Top Load Washer with Speed Queen® Classic Clean™ at Mountain High here.
Why We Love It: Removable Agitator
It’s not hard to see right away what makes this top-loading washer unique. This washer features an industry-first 2-in-1 removable agitator that lets you customize any load so you can care for your clothes the way they need.
It also features a built-in water faucet to easily pre wash your clothes and remove loose soils right in the washer without needing a sink.
This washer offers 4.7 cubic feet (or 4.8 when you remove the agitator) to handle your biggest loads and comforters. Plus you can get a Presoak option and Deep Water Wash to add more water to your load so that heavily soiled clothes get an optimal clean.
Shop the Whirlpool 4.7-4.8 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer with 2-in-1 Removable Agitator from Mountain High appliance online here.
Why We Love It: Dual-Action Agitator
This GE washer features a Dual-Action Agitator that uses a powerful reversing wash action to rotate laundry around the stainless steel tub for a more thorough clean every load.
For items that need that deep clean, add more water or fill the entire tub with the Deep Fill button. Now you can tackle 5 of the most common stains with GE's Stain Removal Guide featuring preprogrammed settings that modify the wash cycle to remove tomato, wine, blood, grass, and dirt.
Plus you can remove 99.9% of bacteria from your clothes, towels, and fabrics with a dedicated cycle that applies an Oxi additive to boost detergent's cleaning power while maintaining your fabric’s integrity.
Shop this GE 4.5 cu. ft. Capacity Washer with Stainless Steel Basket from Mountain High Appliance here.
Why We Love It: TurboWash Wash Cycle
The largest of all the washers we chose, this LG washer features an impressive 5.0 cubic feet of space to tackle more clothes, towels, and comforters in just one load.
The TurboWash cuts your big load cycle time by up to 30 minutes while providing the same great clean. With the LG SmartThinQ app, you can choose your cycle, start or stop the wash, and even get notifications about when your laundry will be done from your smartphone device.
Next time you have to wash a soccer uniform or your favorite yoga pants, don't worry about starting an entire load. With the LG SideKick Pedestal washer, you can wash small loads that just cannot wait.
Shop the LG 5.0 cu. ft. Large Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Front Control Top Load Washer with TurboWash® here.
Shopping for the right top load washer can be overwhelming. Our appliance specialists make it easy with expert knowledge to take the work out of appliance shopping. We are eager and willing to help you discover the appliances to perfectly match your style and daily routine.
Visit your local Mountain High Appliance in Colorado to Chat with us, call us, shop online, or visit us today.