Advice on buying HE top load washer

[crazymama]

Hi everyone,
Our current washer/dryer is gasping its last breath so we are looking at purchasing a new set asap! We want High Efficiency but not a fan of the front loads. Does anyone have the top load version and are you happy with them? We saw a decently priced pair at Sears (Kenmore) but my husband wants to research it's reliability etc. I have looked online but haven't found much. Thought I would turn to the vast knowledge of the DisBoard... Thanks!

 

[jmac323]

We have the GE Profile top load HE washer and the dryer too. I bought them in 2007 when we bought our house and they are going strong. I love them. can't offer any negatives on the washer at all. Nice big capacity, gets clothing clean, I use Tide HE sensitive soap, downy sensitive softener and clorox 2 for messy loads.

 

[Aidensmommy22]

We were in the same boat. Our washer & dryer were in our house when we moved in so we have been using them for 3 years. The dryer didn't dry very well. I decided it was time to get new ones but I read bad reviews about front loaders so I decided I wanted a top loader. I also wanted one that didn't have the big agitator so I could fit more & my king sized comforter in there. I decided on the Maytag Bravos series. The washer had a see-through lid so I watched the entire cycle. That is when the disappointment set in. The water didn't even touch the things on the top. The HE washers only use about 3 inches of water in the bottom. When it started agitating, only the clothes on the bottom got cleaned, the clothes on the top never moved. Soap never touched them. They did finally get rinsed in the rinse cycle. I have 2 boys & when I pulled out the clothes, there were food crumbs still on shirts & dirt spots that I didn't even know were there. I was SO upset. I was hoping it was just one load so I kept them for a little while. Every single load I pulled out seemed to not get clean. My old washer & dryer did a much better job. I had paid way too much for them not to work so I returned them. I ended up getting the only washer Home Depot still has with an agitator. I was told all washers are HE now so they don't use much water. That low amount of water wasn't the problem. The top clothes not getting any detergant was the problem. In the beginning, I only wanted a washer with no agitator but now I see the agitator insures that that get cleaned well. The ones I have now seem to do a great job. Hope this helps some.

 

[StephMK]

We have a top loading HE set but stay away from Whirlpool Cabrio! We love the capacity but the set is falling apart after just coming up on 5 years in January. The electronic panel was replaced once under warranty and it's breaking again. Half of the cycles wont' work. The dryer door latch broke but thankfully we can still use it if we wiggle it. My dad rigged up a fix so we'll see if it holds up.

So disappointed because this was not a cheap set. We will definitely do the top loading again but not this model!

 

[kayrosek]

I'll second staying away from the Whirpool Cabrio set. We bought ours in 2008 when we bought our house and the computer for the washer went out last year. That particular part is not covered under warranty and at almost 400 dollars we opted to get a new washer as I found a lot of reviews online stating they had replaced the computer once and it went out again 6 mo. or a year later. The dryer is still going strong but I'd stay away from that set completely if I was you.

 

[icicle]

Definitely do your research! I would reconsider front loaders. When I was researching washers recently, Consumer Reports ranks front loaders better than top loaders for cleaning. I can't really remember the specifics because I wanted a front loader. See if you can get CR at your library.

 

[LorieDisneyLover]

I have the Kenmore HE top loader and would NOT buy another top loader again.

I've had problems from the beginning with a loud knocking sound. They replaced the rodders twice so far and they need to be replaced again. At first I was told it was a normal sound for this machine -- it is not.

I also find I can only fill the basket about half full if I want properly cleaned clothes. There just isn't enough water to do the job well.

Also, bedding/sheets tend to 'balloon' out over the entire load and therefore not become clean. Sometimes parts of them are not even wet when the cycle is finished.

 

[PrincessNoelle'sMom]

I just purchased an LG top loader set. It will be delivered tomorrow and I will post my review. ITM... this set and company gets RAVE reviews so I am hoping it is OK - the pp's scared me! I researched both front-loaders and top loaders and found there to be many more problems with front loaders (smell, leaking, etc) so that is how I decided to get a top loader plus it was what I was used to. I really hope I like the set as it wasn't cheap by any means. I will let you know.

 

[ICF]

We purchased a new washer about 3 months ago. Also wanted a top loader. We found a good deal on the LG HE top load. It works very well, isn't very loud and the clothes come out clean. Would recommend this one. We didn't buy the dryer as the one we had worked just fine so no need to replace.

 

[sdchickie]

We also just replaced our set with a new LG top loader in the fall, I love how much I can put in there, it even holds my king sized comforter. No problems with noises or anything else. I didn't want a front loader because of the smell problem, they never really totally empty because the drum is turned on it's side. I know several people that have them and hate the smell, my aunt has to leave the washer door open between washes because it gets really bad if she doesn't.

 

[cjnix29]

I have a maytag bravos top load. Had them about three years. LOVE THEM! I have had a front loader, and hated it. But I have had no problems at all with this set. they have even been moved to two different houses. I love the capacity, never have a musty odor, they wash and dry quickly. I would buy them again.

 

[juliebug]

we just got one but read on cr that front loaders are much better and my mom hated her top loader. so we went with a whirlpool front load it was number #1 on CR

 

[Debbie7452]

Y'all are scaring me about my Whirlpool Cabrio top loader set! It is about 4 years old and I have used it HARD...I mean it is going almost every day full of clothes. It is the regular agitator model, though. Maybe, that one is better than the HE variety. I haven't had a hint of trouble from them, but now I'm nervous.

 

[Sadie22]

Our HE toploader broke down and it cost more than half the price of new to repair it, so we went with an HE frontloader. I tend to rely on Consumer Reports which seemed to say that any frontloader I was interested in would clean better than a toploader. I've been very happy with the frontloader. You do have to actually read the manual and follow the directions about using the correct amount of HE detergent and leaving the door open to let the drum dry out.

 

[furb & dez]

The only reason a front loader would smell is if you didn't let it dry out after a load and it started growing mold.

Love our front loader, would absolutely recommend it to others.

 

[Jedana]

I have an LG top loader HE washer, and love it! I leave the lid open between washes, so it airs out.

 

[WVMomof3]

I also wanted the HE toploader because I was adamant I did NOT want a front loader after reading about all of the problems with them. We ended up with a Samsung Front loader though, because like others mentioned, I did my research with Consumer reports and none of the top loaders were very good with cleaning. I did not want a washer that did not clean good, that is what I was getting rid of with my old 15 year old model. We just got it week after Thanksgiving, so still fairly new, but I like it soso. Not as much as I thought I would, but I can fit alot more in than my old washer, which is great. I do keep the door open when not in use. Got a great deal on it, $499, I think regular $999 maybe.

 

[niccikatie]

We have a Fisher and Paykel top loading HE washer. I love that I can do either HE loads or regular loads. It's nice for things like sheets and towels. We have no complaints at all!

 

[crazymama]

Wow! I just got back to this thread. Thanks for all the great input everyone! I did not realize that there may be some cleaning issues with the HE top loads but I guess that makes sense given the low water volume used. Some of you love your top loads too which is reassuring. My DH does tend to rely on Consumer Reports for guidance so maybe I will have a look at the library for a helpful issue!!! Thanks again!

 

[abcboys]

We purchased a new HE top loader about a year ago. yes, it is weird how little water it uses. I'm like how in the world are those clothes going to get clean. Alot of time I will actually add water to the washer, cause heavy things like jeans are not getting pulled down to the bottom to get washed. I understand the low volume of water but there needs to be more water than that!!