Advice on buying HE top load washer

[itutorfortravel]

Our washer died about 6 months ago and we had to get a new one...I really didn't want a front load washer but didn't want one with an agitator again either. We bought the GE Profile top load HE washer from Lowe's and I absolutely LOVE it! There is not one bad thing I can say about it...after 6 months I would think I would have run into any issues, let's hope so anyway!

 

[itutorfortravel]

Some things I love about the top load:

Top loaders allow you to "pause" the cycle too...so if you start a load and remember that you forgot to throw something in, you can pause it to add an item. You can't do that with a front load.

Also, we have no smell whatsoever from our top load.

I like it that I do not have to bend over and struggle to reach into the machine. I'm tall, though, so it's a big deal to me.

In terms of water issues that other have mentioned, we have had none with our GE. I've done very small and very large loads and the machine works great. It senses the size of the load and adjusts the water level accordingly.

 

[i*heart*minniemouse]

I have the Maytag Bravos and am pleased with it for the most part. The only thing I have problems with is when I wash the heavy blankets. I have to check it to make sure it spins correctly...most times this is the only time I have an unbalanced load that I have to open and rearrange for it to spin correctly.
With the regular laundry, as long as you load it just like you would any other top loader, it is fine....just make believe the agitator is there and load around the sides (don't just dump the laundry in).
....never ending!!!

 

[crjack]

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.

I also have the Cabrio HE Top Loader set and I havent had a bit of trouble either. I love mine and specifically picked top load over front load.

I think you will always find mixed reviews for every brand and even Consumer Reports can have mixed ratings on brands from year to year.

My top load holds more (cu ft) than my sister's front load and she had to buy pedestals to raise her set up or they make a terrible noise on the floor. (Plus they are very low without it) Other people may not have that problem but our set is on the second floor and vibration was a factor for us.

 

[SalandJeff]

Another vote for LG from me. Our dryer stopped working, and I did not like my washer, so we got both the washer and dryer. My previous washer was an HE Whirlpool Duet frontloader. It did not do a very good job with cleaning the clothes and the capacity was not very large. Also tough on the back.

The LG is huge and cleans very well. It has a lot of cycles on both the washer and dryer. Love it!

 

[twinboysmom]

We have the Kenmore 2130 (that's what the manual says) and I do NOT like it. Have had it for 8 months or so. Just don't think it cleans very well. I much prefer my older Maytag regular washer that we moved to our camp in the woods. I purchased this washer after a recommendation from my mil who loves it. Go figure.

My mother has 3 homes, 3 different washers. A fisher paykel which she and I both love, a whirlpool duet front loader which we both hate, and a new very fancy LG front loader (has a computer screen and too many cycle options) that we both hate. I do not find that either of her front loaders clean any better than my top loader he but I do think that her fisher paykel (not he) and my older may tag both do a superior job.

 

[herdtoDisney]

I got the Maytag Bravos top-loader, this summer. It replaced my Kenmore HE3 front loader which DIED after only 6 years

So far, I am happy with it. I am glad to not have to worry about the gasket or check under it for stray socks anymore

I feel that it cleans well-but like another PP said, I do make sure to load the heavy stuff evenly! Or else it will not spin well. Other than that, it's easy. It actually spins MUCH quieter than my front loader did-that thing sounded like a jet turbine engine!

 

[dhcoffey]

We just bought the Maytag Bravos XL top loader this past month and so far I love it! Of course, my old washing machine was at least 23 years old and could only wash on medium loads, so this thing holds a ton!

Heather

 

[WVMomof3]

Some things I love about the top load:

Top loaders allow you to "pause" the cycle too...so if you start a load and remember that you forgot to throw something in, you can pause it to add an item. You can't do that with a front load.

You can also pause a front loader up to a certain point to put things in. I have done it many times. Not sure how long that point is, but I have gone all the way upstairs, found something in the kids room and back down again to add with no problem.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

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.

This is the set that I have. I have had it for about 6 months and I it. No complaints at all. Gets clothes clean and have saved a few dollars on my power bill.

 

[williamson_ja]

All I can say is that I wouldn't get an HE machine at all again. We did our research before buying the front loader that we have. It was the top rated machine on Consumer reports and we got it for 1/2 price. I'm still not a fan. We've had it for 3 years. It smells all the time no matter how much we air it out. We end up having to buy washing machine cleaner at $7 a pop. You have to use this stuff like once a week to keep it from not being a completely gross mess (we keep the door open on ours all the time when not in use). Frequently, I have to spin the load 2-3 times to make sure it's not soaking wet before putting it in the dryer. You have to use special HE laundry soap which cost quite a bit more than the regular laundry soap, but doesn't work any better. If I had it to do all over again, I would just buy a regular top loading machine. Those things last like 15 years, use regular soap, don't stink, and when you do have problems with them, they are super easy to fix. I'm not sure why we all thought these HE machines were all that great to begin with. I guess I bought into the hype with everyone else. uggh. I hope you don't buy into the hype and just buy an economical regular machine.

 

[ilovemk76]

All I can say is that I wouldn't get an HE machine at all again. We did our research before buying the front loader that we have. It was the top rated machine on Consumer reports and we got it for 1/2 price. I'm still not a fan. We've had it for 3 years. It smells all the time no matter how much we air it out. We end up having to buy washing machine cleaner at $7 a pop. You have to use this stuff like once a week to keep it from not being a completely gross mess (we keep the door open on ours all the time when not in use). Frequently, I have to spin the load 2-3 times to make sure it's not soaking wet before putting it in the dryer. You have to use special HE laundry soap which cost quite a bit more than the regular laundry soap, but doesn't work any better. If I had it to do all over again, I would just buy a regular top loading machine. Those things last like 15 years, use regular soap, don't stink, and when you do have problems with them, they are super easy to fix. I'm not sure why we all thought these HE machines were all that great to begin with. I guess I bought into the hype with everyone else. uggh. I hope you don't buy into the hype and just buy an economical regular machine.

Something is very wrong with your machine. It is certainly not draining the water properly. The odor is probably the stagnant water in your machine.

We have a front loader. On high speed the stuff is extremely dry. We have never once had an odor from our machine and we have had it longer than you.

You use just a small amount of the HE detergent. It goes a long way. The reason for the special detergent is the suds generated by the regular detergent and that the regular detergent can gum up the machine.

 

[luvmesometigger]

We just bought the Samsung washer and dryer about 6 weeks ago. Top loading washer. I LOVE it! I can get my wash done so much faster now. No issues at all.

My only complaint would be that the signal is very low and there is no way to turn it up. You can barely hear it which sucks because it is in my basement so you cannot hear it anywhere in the house.

 

[Muushka]

We also have a Fisher and Paykel top loading HE washer. Does a good job.
Excellent spin cycle (read:sounds like a jet engine) so that the clothes are barely damp when they come out of the washer.

 

[furb & dez]

Something is very wrong with your machine. It is certainly not draining the water properly. The odor is probably the stagnant water in your machine.

We have a front loader. On high speed the stuff is extremely dry. We have never once had an odor from our machine and we have had it longer than you.

You use just a small amount of the HE detergent. It goes a long way. The reason for the special detergent is the suds generated by the regular detergent and that the regular detergent can gum up the machine.

I would agree, something is wrong with the machine.

And when you put in HE detergent, you need to put in HALF. HE detergent is not twice as expensive as regular detergent, so it is a cost savings.

 

[talulabelle]

I HATE my Fisher and Paykel HE top-loader. I payed as much for it as a high end front loader, but was scared away from the front loader for reasons others have stated.
First the thing has broken down twice in 3 years. IF you can find someone who knows how to repair the darn thing, it costs an arm and a leg for repair.

Second - I don't understand how it is enviromentally friendly...yeah it uses less water, but ya know, my water bill isn't that high, and water is a self-renewing source...however, it takes WAY longer than my old washer to complete a load, so it uses way more electricity, which is more expensive than water. If I have to use more water or more electricity to wash my clothes - I choose more water, because it would actually get the clothes cleaner. In my opinion, less water and laundry is just not a good thing and rather gross actually. I think a front loading HE washer washes the clothes better because it tosses the clothes through the water, rather than the clothes just sitting in a tiny bit of water and swishing in the dirty water.

Last, my clothes are just not as clean as they used to be. The whites are all grey. If I use just a tiny bit too much detergent, the clothes feel "soapy" and don't rinse well. My kids get a rash if this happens.

I am just waiting for the sucker to break again, and it is out the door!!!!

 

[North of Mouse]

Wow, after reading all these posts I cannot understand the negative reviews on the front loaders. We, too, did our research before buying a Kenmore front loader 11 years ago. It was terrific - our clothes were much cleaner, less, water, less wear & tear on clothes (not twisting) also spinning got them much dryer than top loader, which then takes less energy to dry them. Loved it so much two months ago bought a higher end Samsung that has larger capacity for comforters, etc. Before buying, we went in several appliance stores and asked (regardless of price) which top loader was the best - without hesitation each one said Samsung. Our older machine was not broken, but it was older and did not have the pause button to add clothes, but this one does. As far as odor, NEVER had any odor at all - I always crack the door open so it can dry/air out and have never had a problem. The ones on here that mentioned that, either are not letting theirs dry out or there is a machine problem because this should not be an issue - would never go back to top loaders - ours is much quieter and spins so dry, and if leveled correctly vibrates very little.

 

[herdtoDisney]

It doesn't take way more electricity, because it is only moving the drum, not the drum AND an agitator, like the old-school machines. Plus, some of the savings in electricity is using less hot water (if you have an electric water heater, you're using less) and wringing the clothes out better so they use less time in the dryer (saving elec. or gas, depending-of course, clothlines are free )

I think my top and front loaders cleaned about the same-I didn't notice a difference. It seems to me that they work the same way except turned upwards or forewards. That's been my experience. *I'm referring to HE top loaders*

luvmesometigger-I know what you mean about the end signal! My old machine had a loud beep. The new one, I didn't even KNOW it had a signal for like a week, until I happened to be standing in front of it when it finished. It sings a quiet little ditty I have some hearing loss anyways but my kids tell me it really IS quiet, lol.

 

[Muushka]

I HATE my Fisher and Paykel HE top-loader. I payed as much for it as a high end front loader, but was scared away from the front loader for reasons others have stated.
First the thing has broken down twice in 3 years. IF you can find someone who knows how to repair the darn thing, it costs an arm and a leg for repair.

Second - I don't understand how it is enviromentally friendly...yeah it uses less water, but ya know, my water bill isn't that high, and water is a self-renewing source...however, it takes WAY longer than my old washer to complete a load, so it uses way more electricity, which is more expensive than water. If I have to use more water or more electricity to wash my clothes - I choose more water, because it would actually get the clothes cleaner. In my opinion, less water and laundry is just not a good thing and rather gross actually. I think a front loading HE washer washes the clothes better because it tosses the clothes through the water, rather than the clothes just sitting in a tiny bit of water and swishing in the dirty water.

Last, my clothes are just not as clean as they used to be. The whites are all grey. If I use just a tiny bit too much detergent, the clothes feel "soapy" and don't rinse well. My kids get a rash if this happens.

I am just waiting for the sucker to break again, and it is out the door!!!!

I don't know which washer you bought, but mine has so many options on washing, I can speed it up or slow it down and on either setting, my clothes have always come out clean. Plus in mine, there is enough water covering the clothes, but I always put it on large load (which it always is) and again, no problem. I've had it for about 5 years now and no repairs. Now I'm jinxed!

 

[mommyrosa2]

We did our research when our machines died a couple of months ago and after reading so many reviews we purchased the LG HE top loader along with the matching elec. dryer at Best Buy. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my machines. My laundry time is cut in half with the amount of clothes these machines can handle. They are very energy efficient, the clothes comes out so clean and they are QUIET - a huge plus as my last washer sounded like a 747 jet was landing in my laundry room with every cycle change. I can't say enough about my new set.