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The best top load washer for you depends on one big choice, agitator or impeller, and then on capacity and the features you will really use, like a built-in faucet for pretreating or steam for stains. Top loaders cost less than most front loaders, are easier on your back to load, run shorter cycles and do not have the door-gasket mold issues some front loaders do. We compared specs, expert testing and owner reviews to pick nine models for families, small households and buyers who just want a washer that lasts.
Part of our Home Comfort, Backup Power & Tool Guides.
Quick picks
Price ranges: $ under $800, $$ $800-$1,200, $$$ $1,200-$1,800, $$$$ $1,800+. Model numbers and finishes change often, so confirm the exact model before you buy.
| Product | Best for | Price range | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maytag MVW7230HW Smart Top Load Washer | Best overall agitator washer | $$ | See price |
| Samsung 5.4 cu. ft. Smart Top Load Washer with ActiveWave Agitator and Super Speed Wash | Big families, fast cycles | $$ | See price |
| LG WT7900HBA | Extra capacity with steam | $$$ | See price |
| GE GTW720BSNWS | Stain removal, gentle on clothes | $$ | See price |
| LG WT7305CV | Smart features, pole agitator | $$ | See price |
| Whirlpool WTW7120HW | Pretreating at the washer | $$-$$$ | See price |
| Speed Queen TC5 | Long-term durability | $$$ | See price |
| Maytag MVWC465HW | Small households, warranty | $ | See price |
| Samsung WA40A3005 | Budget pick | $ | See price |
1. Maytag MVW7230HW: Best Overall Agitator Washer
Maytag’s 5.2 cu. ft. MVW7230HW is built for people who want a powerful, traditional agitator washer with a few modern conveniences. An Extra Power button boosts stain-fighting on any cycle, a built-in faucet lets you pretreat stains right at the tub, and there are Oxi and quick-wash cycles among its 13 options. It is smart-capable through the Maytag app and carries Maytag’s long limited warranty.
Key specs
- Capacity: 5.2 cu. ft.
- Wash action: power agitator
- Features: Extra Power button, built-in water faucet, Oxi cycle, glass lid, app connectivity
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners like its cleaning power and the faucet for pretreating; the most common complaint is that the automatic water level can look low.
2. Samsung 5.4 cu. ft. ActiveWave Smart Top Load: Best for Big Families
This Samsung combines an extra-large 5.4 cu. ft. drum with an ActiveWave agitator, a built-in sink for pretreating and hand-washing, a Deep Fill option and a Super Speed cycle that finishes in about 30 minutes. Wi-Fi lets you start a cycle remotely and get alerts when it is done. The deep drum can be hard for shorter people to reach the bottom of.
Key specs
- Capacity: 5.4 cu. ft.
- Wash action: ActiveWave agitator
- Features: built-in sink, Deep Fill, Super Speed Wash, Wi-Fi
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Families praise the capacity and quick cycles; shorter owners mention stretching to pull out small items.
3. LG WT7900HBA: Best Large Capacity With Steam
LG’s WT7900HBA offers a 5.5 cu. ft. drum and seven steam cycles, including an Allergiene cycle that LG says helps remove common allergens like pet dander and dust mites. In expert testing, its Heavy Duty cycle was the standout for stain removal, and its Normal and Speed Wash cycles ran in about 30 minutes. It is not as efficient as LG’s best front loaders, a typical trade-off for top loaders.
Key specs
- Capacity: 5.5 cu. ft.
- Features: steam cycles, Allergiene cycle, speed wash
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners like the steam cycles for bedding and kids’ clothes; some say cycles with steam take noticeably longer.
4. GE GTW720BSNWS: Best for Stain Removal and Gentle Washing
GE’s GTW720BSNWS earned strong marks in expert testing for doing two things that are usually in tension: its Normal cycle removed stains better than its own Deep Clean cycle, and its Normal and Delicates cycles were among the gentlest tested on fabric. A built-in Tide PODS dispenser, Sanitize with Oxi and Deep Rinse round out a practical feature set.
Key specs
- Features: Tide PODS dispenser, Sanitize with Oxi, Deep Rinse
- Normal cycle: about 45 minutes
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners appreciate the pod dispenser and clean results; some find the cycle options more than they need.
5. LG WT7305CV: Best Smart Pole-Agitator Washer
The WT7305CV pairs a four-way pole agitator with LG’s TurboWash3D and ThinQ app, plus a soft-close lid and deep-fill option. Reviewers found its stain removal held its own, and the app’s ProActive Care alerts help with maintenance. It is a good pick if you want agitator cleaning with modern smart features.
Key specs
- Capacity: about 4.8 cu. ft.
- Wash action: four-way pole agitator
- Features: TurboWash3D, ThinQ app, deep fill, soft-close lid
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners like the familiar agitator feel and app alerts; bulky comforters can be a tight fit.
6. Whirlpool WTW7120HW: Best for Pretreating
Whirlpool’s WTW7120HW is designed around stain prep, with a built-in faucet and pretreat brush right at the tub, plus a strong final spin that leaves clothes drier for the dryer. It sits at a higher price than basic models, so it makes the most sense for households that deal with a lot of grass, mud or food stains.
Key specs
- Features: built-in faucet, pretreat brush, strong spin
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners with kids and pets love the built-in faucet and brush; price is the main drawback mentioned.
7. Speed Queen TC5: Best for Long-Term Durability
Speed Queen built its reputation on commercial-style durability, and the TC5 is its classic top loader. It uses a transmission-driven agitator with a 210-degree stroke for vigorous, old-school washing and a simple control layout. Capacity is smaller than most picks here at about 3.2 cu. ft., and it skips the extras, but buyers choose it to last.
Key specs
- Capacity: about 3.2 cu. ft.
- Wash action: transmission-driven agitator, 210-degree stroke
- No lid lock
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners often say it feels like the washers they grew up with and expect it to last; the smaller capacity is the trade-off.
8. Maytag MVWC465HW: Best for Small Households
This 3.8 cu. ft. Maytag is a straightforward high-efficiency top loader for one or two people. Its big selling point is the 10-year limited parts warranty covering the motor and wash basket, which is unusual at this price. It is too small for large families and can be noisy.
Key specs
- Capacity: 3.8 cu. ft.
- Warranty: 10-year limited parts on motor and wash basket
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners in apartments and small homes like the reliability and warranty; noise during spin is a frequent comment.
9. Samsung WA40A3005: Best Budget Top Load Washer
Samsung’s 4.0 cu. ft. WA40A3005 is an affordable way to get a modern top loader. Its ActiveWave agitator is designed to reduce noise, vibration and tangling, and a Self Clean reminder prompts you to clean the tub every 20 cycles. Some owners find its cycles run long.
Key specs
- Capacity: 4.0 cu. ft.
- Wash action: ActiveWave agitator
- Features: Self Clean with reminder
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Buyers like the value and quiet operation; long cycle times are the most common complaint.
How to choose the best top load washer
- Agitator or impeller. Agitators clean aggressively in shorter cycles but use more water and can be rougher on fabric. Impellers are gentler and quieter, use less water, fit bulky items better and spin clothes drier, but can have more unbalanced loads.
- Capacity. Under about 4 cu. ft. suits one or two people; around 5 cu. ft. or more suits families and frequent bedding loads.
- Pretreat features. Built-in faucets, sinks and brushes save trips to a utility sink if you deal with heavy stains.
- Efficiency. Look for Energy Star certification. Top loaders generally use more water and energy than front loaders, so efficiency ratings matter.
- HE detergent. High-efficiency washers need HE-labeled detergent to avoid oversudsing.
- Warranty. Compare coverage on the motor and wash basket; some brands offer much longer limited warranties than others.
- Measure first. Check width, depth and the height with the lid fully open, since top loaders cannot be stacked or tucked under a counter.
FAQ
Is an agitator or impeller washer better?
Neither is better for everyone. Agitators excel at heavily soiled clothes and quick cycles; impellers are gentler, use less water and handle bulky items better. Many families with muddy kids prefer agitators, while those washing lots of bedding often prefer impellers.
Are top load washers as good as front loaders?
Front loaders are generally more efficient and tend to clean slightly better in testing, but top loaders cost less, run faster cycles, are easier to load without bending, and avoid the door-seal odor issues some front loaders have.
How long do top load washers last?
Many washers last over a decade with normal use. Buying from a brand with a long motor and basket warranty and cleaning the tub regularly helps.
What size top load washer do I need?
A couple can often get by with about 4 cu. ft., but if you wash king-size bedding or have a family, a 5 cu. ft. or larger drum saves time and extra loads.
Related guides
- Best Washer and Dryer Sets
- Best Front Load Washer
- Best Dishwashers
- Home Comfort, Backup Power & Tool Guides
Sources
Specs and test findings were compared across Reviewed, BestReviews via KTLA, BestReviews, HomeGrail and manufacturer product pages. Owner feedback is summarized in our own words from public reviews. Photos courtesy of Unsplash.