Front loaders are the darlings of the washing machine world: they deliver excellent results, they’re efficient in terms of water and energy use, and they have plenty of programs.
Overall they’re hands-down the best washing machine type – even the highest scoring top loaders in our review don’t come close to the best front loaders.
But top loaders shouldn’t be sniffed at.
There’s still a lot to love: they’re generally more affordable, more reliable, easier to move and have shorter cycle times than front loaders.
And if you have trouble bending down, a top loader is much easier to load and unload than a front loader.
Aside from a few outliers, front loader prices can run as high as $3000, while top loaders tend to top out at around $1500.
So, if you want to get your whites relatively white while staying in the black, a top loader can be a good option.
If you want to get your whites relatively white while staying in the black, a top loader can be a good option
Here’s what you need to know about top-loader washing machines if you’re thinking about buying.
Plus, exclusively for CHOICE members, we’ll reveal which ones are worth the money. If you just want to get straight to the best products, you can jump to the results now.
Attention to detail is key in our laundry testing. Our CHOICE expert testers ensure each wash is consistent.
How much should you spend on a top-loading washing machine?
First, the bad news: the highest scoring top loader in our test costs upwards of $1400. If you’re on a budget, that could blow your dreams of buying a brilliant top loader for a great price.
But now the good news: there are some affordable operators that aren’t quite at the top of the table but still deliver a great clean for your coin.
There are some affordable operators that deliver a great clean for your coin
Our testing often shows that bigger isn’t always better. A larger price tag won’t necessarily guarantee you a better machine – and a cheaper appliance won’t necessarily perform worse than an expensive one.
But the only way to be sure you’re getting good value for money is to do your research before you buy.
Our washing machine reviews include detailed information about washing performance, running costs, cycle times, features and more. You can sort by price, size and brand to find the right machine for you.
Each year, we rank washing machine brands, assessing them on their average test scores, reliability, customer satisfaction and how many of their products score the coveted CHOICE expert seal of approval.
The best top-loading washing machine brand for 2024 is LG.
The best top-loading washing machine brand for 2024 is LG
LG top loaders, on average, outperform competitors in our testing, receiving an average CHOICE Expert Rating of almost 70%.
To find out which specific models we recommend based on our test results, and to make sure you buy the best, click on the ‘Recommended’ box in the filters section of our washing machine reviews.
While some brands have well-founded reputations, here at CHOICE we know that buying based on brand alone is sometimes a recipe for disappointment: even the best brand sometimes delivers duds.
And focusing solely on one brand in your search for the perfect appliance can mean you overlook other products offering comparable performance for a much smaller price tag.
Even the best brand sometimes delivers duds
Machines from the same brand can vary widely in terms of performance, features, capacity, energy efficiency, and more, so don’t assume that all products from a reputable manufacturer will give you what you want.
The best thing to do is to focus on individual models by checking CHOICE washing machine reviews to find the best before you buy.
Other factors to consider when buying a top loader
Expert tester Sean Lim in our laundry lab.
If you’re choosing a top loader, it’s important to be aware that you’re likely going to be using more water and getting a less gentle wash than if you opted for a front loader.
Top loaders use an agitator drum that will always be harsher on your clothes than a front loader. This also means that the top loaders that are more gentle on your clothes are often the worst for dirt removal.
So there’s often a compromise to be made when choosing the right model for you.
One final thing to consider with a top loader is their running costs – they’re usually much cheaper to run than front loaders. (To see running costs for individual models, check the ’10-year running cost’ filter in our washing machine review).
What are the best top-loader washing machines under $1000?
We independently test and review dozens of new washing machines each year in our onsite labs and our experts know exactly what to look for to help you find the best product.
Alice Richard is a Content creator and marketer. Alice writes on a range of topics, from health insurance to heaters and BBQs to bargain-hunting, always with the aim to help consumers find the best products to buy, and which to avoid.
Alice can take vast amounts of data from CHOICE product tests and turn it into content that is easily digestible and fun for readers.
Alice has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland. LinkedIn
Alice Richard is a Content creator and marketer. Alice writes on a range of topics, from health insurance to heaters and BBQs to bargain-hunting, always with the aim to help consumers find the best products to buy, and which to avoid.
Alice can take vast amounts of data from CHOICE product tests and turn it into content that is easily digestible and fun for readers.
Alice has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Queensland. LinkedIn
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