Having used one for the past 10 years, I’m very happy with my current front load washing machine vs top loader machine that I’d previously used. In terms of the washing quality, it’s on par if not better than the top loaders I’ve used in the past. Other than being much quieter though, a front loading washing machine offers other benefits.
The main benefits of a front load washing machine vs top loader machine are less water and detergent, lower energy usage and gentler handling of clothes. Top loading washers also tend to take up less space and can be stacked with a dryer.
Front load washing machine vs top loader
While both types of machines offer various benefits for washing your clothes, each have some benefits and considerations to think about.
| Feature | Front load washing machine | Top load washing machine |
| Water use | Less water used, typically up to 13 gallons per load. Clothes don’t need to be submerged in water since they are rotated up and down like a tumble dryer. | More water used, typically up to 40 gallons per load if you choose the High water setting. Enough water has to be pumped in to submerge all clothes otherwise they won’t get cleaned properly. |
| Energy use | Less energy used. May consume around 150 kilowatt hours (kwh) per year at a cost of around $18 for an average family. You can find a range of models that use 53 – 153 kwh per year. | More energy used. May consume around 400 kwh per year at a cost of around $48 for an average family. You can find a range of models that use 110 – 400 kwh per year. |
| Wash quality | Better. Tends to wash clothes better. | Good. Can wash clothes well as long as the machine isn’t over packed and all clothes are submerged in water. |
| Wash time | Longer. While you can choose the wash time, its gentler washing style tends to require more time than a top loader. | Shorter. Whether it has an agitator or impeller, it tends to wash clothes faster due to the aggressive agitation. |
| Clothes handling | Gentler on clothes given lack of agitator and vertical spinning like a tumble dryer. | Harsher on clothes given the agitator that tends to rotate quite violently. |
| Spin cycle | Generally spins up to 33% faster and can therefore extract more water. You can find models that spin up to 1,300 revolutions per minute (RPM). | Spins slower. If wet clothes get accumulated on one side of the washer, can cause the washer to shut off during spinning and require you to manually adjust clothes. Models generally range from 700 – 900 RPM. |
| Price | More expensive to buy. $600 – $1,800 for various models and sizes. | Less expensive to buy. $400 – $1,600 for various models and sizes. |
| Noise | Relatively low. | Louder especially during agitation. |
| Dimensions | Smaller. Tends to be smaller than a top loader. | Bigger. Tends to be about 5″ taller requiring more space including head space above to open the lid. |
| Maintenance | More maintenance required. Rubber gasket around the door can get moldy and should be cleaned. | Less maintenance required. Might require occasional wiping off of mushy detergent residue. |
| Installation | Can be stacked with a dryer or put side by side. | Generally side by side only unless you have a compact stackable unit. |
Advantages and disadvantages of top load washers
Based on the table above, you see some of the comparisons between front load and top load washing machines but certain aspects require a closer look.
Cost: Although the price range is similar, front load washing machines tend to be more expensive. Expect to pay more than for a comparable top loader.
Water used: While a front load washer can consume 1/3 the amount of water per load than a standard top load washer, the cost savings on the water may take a number of years on its own to pay for the extra up front cost of the machine. Also, a High Efficiency (HE) top load washer also uses less water than a standard top load machine and costs less than a front load machine.
Energy used: As mentioned in the table above, you can expect to consume less energy with a front load washer than a comparable top load. While a top loader tends to consistently agitate the clothes which uses more energy, a front load washer tosses the clothes circularly similar to how a clothes dryer operates, in less water, providing more of a tossing and soaking method. Energy savings will depend on your local price of electricity.
Stress on clothes. When you lift up the lid of a top load washer, you can hear how loud it is and how aggressively it tends to agitate clothing, especially if you chose a low water level. A front load washer doesn’t have an agitator and tosses clothes in a more gentle manner.
Repair costs: Front loaders tend to be more sophisticated and you can expect to pay more for repairs and maintenance as they require someone who has specialized knowledge of these modern machines.
Bottom line: If you are willing to pay more up front but value the benefit of using less water and electricity, want a quieter machine that takes up less space and can be stacked with a dryer that is also easier on your clothes, a front load washing machine may make sense.
Other front load washer intangibles and considerations
- If you are in a wheelchair or aren’t particularly tall, a front load machine may be handier to load and remove clothes from as opposed a larger top load machine.
- Conversely if you have difficult bending down, a front load washer does require you to get low to the ground to fill it and empty it, although it has the same height opening as your dryer.
- You can stack a front load machine on top of a dryer which comes in handy if you have space requirements i.e. you live in a condo or apartment.
- Front loading machines are fairly quiet, about the same noise level as a matching dryer.
- You do need to spend more maintenance time on a front loading machine in terms of ensuring the rubber gasket is kept clean. Once it’s discolored, it can be hard to clean.
- A top loading machine uses gravity to keep water down whereas a front loader doesn’t have that benefit. Because of the lack of an agitator as with many top load models, there is generally more space in a front load machine to put clothes in.
Front load washing machine mold
Because a front load washing machine requires a locking door to keep the water in, it also requires a rubber gasket around the door to seal it tightly. This gasket can get moldy and caked with detergent if it is not cleaned from time to time.
In my experience this is a legitimate complaint or at least something to be aware of. As I tend to do most of the washing in our household and use the machine the most, it wasn’t until we’d had the machine for perhaps one year that I pulled back on the rubber gasket and saw some discoloration and a film on the base of the washer gasket. Please see the photos below.
Higher end washers such as GE High Efficiency Front Load models come with an antimicrobial additive and odor control feature such as Microban which is added to the rubber seal to prevent odor and mold growth.
Top load washing machine capacity
Front load washing machines have similar capacities as top load machines.
Top load washing machines are measured in cubic feet (cu. ft.) to describe their capacity. In Europe and other parts of the world the capacity is measured in kilograms (kg). In both cases, they refer to the amount of clothes that the machine will fit. Weight is an easier measurement since it simply involves estimating (or actually weighing) the clothes you’re adding to the machine.
Check your owner’s manual as it gives instructions on the maximum weight in pounds of the clothes that you can add to the machine. Over time you will figure out the maximum load by eyeballing it and from experience.
Summary
You generally have four types of washing machines to choose from these days: Front load, top load, front load High Efficiency (HE) and top load HE models. HE models generally use less water and less detergent too but at a price.
In the case of front load washing machines, you can benefit from owning one if you value using less water and energy than a comparable top load machine. If you have clothes that are delicate, a front load machine will be gentler on the them. A front load machine also operates quieter and takes up less space than a typical top load model.
A front load washing machine does require extra maintenance in terms of cleaning the door gasket and you will tend to spend more money up front on the unit. As you can see from the price ranges above though, you don’t necessarily have to spend much more as the options for front load machines increases over time and the price difference potentially lessens.
Interested in a related topic? Check out The Dangers of Putting Running Shoes in Your Washing Machine.