Front Load vs. Top Load: Choosing the Best Washing Machine

In the world of laundry, the quest for clean, fresh-smelling clothes often begins with a fundamental choice: front load or top load? Traditional top-loading washing machines and front-loading washing machines both have their advantages, but your decision ultimately depends on several factors.

Whether you prioritize efficiency, convenience or the preservation of delicate fabrics, understanding the difference between top and front load washers is essential. Keep reading to discover the features and benefits of each to help you choose the best front-load washer or the best top-load washer your laundry area.

As the names suggest, laundry is loaded on top of the machine with a top-loading washer while laundry is loaded through a door at the front of the unit with a front-loading washer. Before deciding on either design, you should first measure your space to see how much room there is to work with. If you have limited space in your laundry area, a top-loading washing machine might be the best option since a front-loading model requires enough room for the door to open.

However, if there are cabinets or a low ceiling above the washer, you won’t be able to open the top door wide enough to properly load or remove laundry with a top-loading unit. In this case, a front-loading washing machine is ideal. Plus, you can always install a countertop surface above the washer for a place to fold clothes. As you might imagine, a laundry room’s layout directly affects your decision between a top load or front load washer.

What’s true for real estate is also true when comparing a top washer vs. front load washer: location matters. More and more people are choosing to move their laundry rooms to more convenient locations, such as a main floor bathroom or a bedroom closet. While you might be lucky enough to have ample room for a separate washer and dryer, that’s not always the case for some.

Fortunately, a stackable washer and dryer is a great option when square footage isn’t on your side. If this is your situation, the decision between a front load or top load washing machine is easy because stackable washers almost always load laundry in the front. However, some stacked laundry centers feature top-loading washing machines below the dryer above, which is ideal if there isn’t enough space to easily accommodate the door swinging open.

Households with multiple family members are going to need to fit as many items of clothing as possible into each load. While there are large capacity top-loaders, most front-loading washers offer more room because they don’t have a center agitator that moves the clothes around.

For those who strive for sustainable living, a front-loader is preferable because it tends to use less water than a top-loader. This is because even the best top-loading washing machines must fill to a certain level to submerge all the clothes, while front-loading washing machines use a smaller amount of water to saturate the clothes by tossing them around in the tub as it spins. 

Whether you choose a top-loading or front-loading washer, you can maximize space by adding a pedestal stand. While they are primarily used for raising the height of the machine, some pedestal stands have drawer space to store detergent and other laundry supplies.

No matter which type of washing machine you ultimately go with, you’ll want to make sure that you set up your new appliance correctly. First, adjust the feet to ensure the washer is perfectly level from side to side and front to back, which will prevent vibration and noise. Next, connect to the water supply and be sure to attach the hot and cold water hoses accordingly. Finally, connect the drain hose and position it to drain into a sink or floor drain. If you ever need any assistance whatsoever, feel free to look into appliance delivery, installation and repair services.