Two washing machine models dominate the laundry technology market – the top loader and front loader washing machines. There are variations in how they work, their specific designs and features, their impact on your clothes, and prescribed maintenance schedules.
Choosing between the top loader and front loader washing machine depends on individual choices. This article will explore the characteristics of both devices, how they work, and the pros and cons of using them so you can choose which meets your preferences.
Top Loader Vs. Front Loader Washing Machines
| Comparison | Top Loader | Front Loader |
| Energy Efficiency | Not HE washers but are efficient with energy | HE washers more efficient with energy |
| Ease Of Operation | Can easily be operated without much difficulty | It cannot easily be operated; more technical |
| Location of the loading point | Loading point at the top of the device | Loading point at the side of the device |
| Placement of the drum | Drum vertically built top-down into the device | Drum horizontally built; left-right into the device |
| Accessibility to the disabled | Not easily accessible to people of disabilities | Easily accessible to people of disabilities |
| Amenability To DIYs | Easily fixed with DIYs | Not easily fix with DIYs |
| Action On Clothes | Tough, hard, and rough on clothes | Acts gently on clothes; ensures durability |
| Efficiency In Cleaning | Less efficiency with the cleaning process | More efficient with the cleaning process |
| Cost of purchase | Less expensive | More expensive |
| Accessibility of spare parts | Easily accessible | Not easily accessible |
| Water Usage | Efficient with water usage | More efficient with water |
| Available Auxiliaries | Fewer auxiliaries to support the laundry process | More auxiliaries to support the laundry cycle |
| Drum Space | Smaller drum space | Larger drum space |
| Loading laundry During Operation | Supports midway laundry load | It does not support midway laundry load |
There are peculiar features differentiating top load washing machines from front loaders. One dominant feature separating both machines is the loading point. While top loaders have the loading point at the top of the device, front loaders have the loading points on the side.
Top Load Vs Front Load Washers: How They Work
Top loaders process laundry activities in basically two ways – through an impeller or an agitator. Agitator Top loaders are not different from regular washing machines that use agitators to process your laundry.
Your agitator top loader has a built-in central spindle with vanes designed to act harder on your clothes to remove stubborn stains. The agitator rotates and spins around during the laundry cycle with the vanes and fins, enabling the water and the detergents to be effectively mixed with and remove dirt from your clothes.
The agitator is always rough and tough on your clothes. It can sometimes result in wear and tear in your clothes. Agitator top loaders are not fabric-friendly, especially when the fabrics are delicate and soft.
Impeller Top Loader Washers
Some top loader washing machines use impellers instead of agitators. Unlike the agitator top loaders, its design allows for a gentler and soft approach to your fabrics. Impeller top loaders rival their agitator counterpart in various aspects with a characteristic cleaning mechanism different from the agitator top loader.
How Impeller Top Loaders Works
The impeller top loader is peculiarly different from the agitator top loader in its cleaning mechanism. It is made up of wheels, cones, and discs, which act gently on clothes, rubbing them against each other to remove dirt and stains.
How Front Loader Works
Front-loaders share similarities with top loaders in how they operate during a laundry cycle. Front load and top load washing machines consist of motors, washtub, a spinning mechanism, and a drainage system. However, there are marked differences in how they operate during a laundry cycle.
In front-loaders, the spinning mechanism performs the bulk of the laundry function. As the tub rotates, the load moves through the water and the force generated in the process of the tub rotation forces the load through the water in the tub. There are built-in paddles that lift the clothes in and out the water as the device continues to function, exerting a mechanical pressure on your load to clean and extract dirt.
Top Loader Vs Front Loaders: The Pros And Cons
Front load and top load washing machines have their comparative advantage over each other. The difference in performance and efficiency between the two is hinged on the design and other in-built features
Agitator And Impeller Functions
Top loader washers can be your all-in-one device with both impeller and agitator functions. The impeller and agitator top loader models come with leverages to enable you to leap over certain deficiencies that come with other machines. This is unlike the front loader washers which are largely dependent on impeller functions.
Amenability To DIYs
Your top loader washers can be easily fixed and installed. Simple DIYs can attend to problems and also fix dysfunctions. However, this does not apply to complex impairments and breakdown of the device. If this happens, consult your technician.
If your top loader develops faults and breaks in operations during a wash cycle, you can easily fix and restore it without much difficulty. A quick and easy fix are not always feasible with front loaders. More strenuous DIYs may be required to fix a simple or minor breakdown.
Top loaders have several parts that are amenable to DIYs if they break down. Front loader machines come with more sophisticated and complex components which may not be amenable to DIYs.
Cost Of Repair
Also, the cost of fixing your impaired top loader components and the accessibility to these parts are relatively easier than the front loader washer. Chances are you are more likely to get cheaper labor to fix it if you can’t fix it yourself, and you can also quickly access the parts, unlike the front loader counterpart.
Operational Advantages
During operation, there are various leverages you can enjoy depending on whether you are using the top loader or front loader washer.
Mechanical Action
A wash action requires the rotations of the tub, and lifting clothes in and out of the tub is very efficient in water usage. You need not fill the tub with much water to process your laundry. Less water usage in your front load means less detergent will be needed in the wash cycle. The mechanical wash approach in your front loader reduces the likelihood of your accumulating suds and residues in your device due to excess water
Water Efficiency
Unlike your top loader washers, front load washers are more efficient with the use of water during operation. They tend to compete favorably with top loaders on the quantity of water used during a wash cycle. According to experts, your front loader washer reduces water usage by 50% when compared to the top loader. Water efficiency translates to a reduction in the amount of expenses you incur when using your device.
Simple And Less Complex Internal Components
The design of your front loader is relatively simple when compared to the top loader. Unlike the top loader, your front loader does not have a clutch or gears. It has the rubber, wheel and pulley belt which connects the drum to the motor. The rubber functions as a bellow system keeping the load in its place during a wash cycle.
NOTE: It is only the mechanical component of the front loader that is simple. The electronic components of the front loader are more complex. A failure of any of the electronic components may require total replacement of the whole electronic system for the device to function again.
Ease Of Operation
Your top loader (impeller or agitator) is easier to run and operate than your front loader. The loading point in your top loader – impeller or agitator, is at the top of the machine. This positioning makes it more reliable when you want to load your washer. It is just to open the lid at the top and insert your clothes, unlike the front load washer where you have to bend and stretch your muscles.
A top loader offers one-stop positioning, which allows the load to be easily inserted into the drum without much stress. This positioning contrasts with the front load washing machine where you have to ensure that the load is properly placed and arranged in the washing machine before beginning operation.
Your top load washer drum easily collects load. Just open the lid of your washer and throw in your load. You cannot just throw your load into your front load washing machine. It requires extreme care before inserting your load due to the positioning of the loading point.
Inserting Load During Operations
If you use a top loader washer, you can insert your clothes into the washer even in the middle of operations. A vertical wash drum running down the washer makes this possible. Just pause your device, locate your forgotten washer and add it to the washer, and you are good to go.
Inserting your clothes when the device is still operating is impossible with a front load washer. The reason is simple. Your front loader washer drum runs vertically through the belly of your washer. Inserting load during a wash cycle is not possible because of the chances of water leakage.
Energy Consumption
Another key advantage of your top loader over the front loader is energy utilization and conservation. This is another critical factor when choosing any washer. Top loaders are more efficient than front loaders in energy consumption.
Detergents Usage
Unlike front load washers, top loaders use regular detergents in the laundry cycle. Usage of regular detergents is made possible because of the machine’s efficiency with energy. High sud detergent is not required for your top load washers, unlike the front load washers. Having a good and efficient energy management system, it saves you the stress and costs of going for high sud and costly detergents.
Safety Of Lid Cover
With less water consumption and a vertical distance between your wash tub and your lid cover, the chances of water swishing up to build mildews are very low. In your front load washers, every wash cycle makes the water swish up to the hinges of your lid due to the positioning of the drum. When water is swished and charged towards the lid, it builds up mildew and residues, which could be damaging to your device.
Effectiveness Of The Wash Cycle
Generally, front loaders tend to be more effective with the entire cleaning process. Based on the vertically designed wash drum, as your front loader tumbles over and acts on your clothes, it clears dirt, stains and other unwanted substances that stick to your clothes. Your front loader provides a superior and perfect cleaning touch to your clothes than your top loader.
Optimization Of Laundry Accessories
How do your front and top loader compare water usage and optimization during a wash cycle? All front loading washing machines are HE machines. Your front loader is programmed to make more efficient use of laundry accessories such as power, water, optimizing hot water wash cycles, less drying time for your treated laundry and other features.
Accessibility
Unlike top loaders, front load washing machines seem more inclusive and germane to minority populations. A potential user of a device who is disabled may have problems utilizing top loaders as the opening of the wash is located at the top of the device, unlike the front loader, which a user on a wheelchair can access because the opening of the wash drum is located on the side of the device.
Availability Of Auxiliaries
Front load washers are high tech washing machines with more advanced washing accessories than top loaders. It comes with high-tech features such as self-cleaning, wifi, automatic detergent dispensers, sinks, pedestals, and other features. These features add to the cost of your front load washing machine. But it is perfect for your laundry activities.
Action On Clothes
Another outstanding advantage of the front load washer over the top load washer is its ability to provide that delicate and soft touch on your clothes. Unlike the top loaders, which are rough and tough on your clothes, front loaders provide a perfect cleaning solution for a soft and delicate wash that preserves both the quality and durability of your fabric
A Comparison Of Deficiencies Of Top Loaders And Front Loaders
It is pertinent to clearly outline deficiencies one may face when using either washer. It will enable you to choose the best model that matches your preference.
Susceptibility To Damage From Overloading
Unlike the top load washer, the load distribution in your front load washer makes it easily susceptible to damage if you overload the device.
Drum Space
Agitator top-loaders occupied more space in the wash drum than the front load washers. It, therefore, receives less quantity of load than front loaders, especially agitator top loaders.
Location Of Drum And Ease Of Evaporation
A front loader has a horizontally hewn drum that does not allow water to evaporate easily, making your device amenable to grime and mildew. The drum of your top loader is vertical, moving from the top of the device to the bottom. It makes for easy evaporation and prevents mold, mildew, and other residues.
Top Loader Or Front Loader?
Having elaborated on the advantages and deficiencies of each of the two washing machine models, choosing your washer model is a matter of individual choices. Cost, wash mechanism, accessibility, impact on clothes, additional accessories, durability, and other factors are essential when choosing between the two models.