The 7 Best Top Load Washers of 2023

Best Overall

Whirlpool WTW8127LW 5.2-5.3-cu ft Smart Top Load Washer with 2-in-1 Removable Agitator

4.9

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The Whirlpool WTW8127LW 5.3-cubic-foot Smart Top Load Washer is capable of pleasing fans of both agitator- and impeller-style washing machines. Open the lid to this washer, and you’ll find a snap-in center agitator that can easily be removed to meet various laundry needs, like making room for a bulky load of blankets or opting to gently wash delicate items using the impeller plate. No other top load washer on the market offers this 2-in-1 design, giving this model tremendous value. With the agitator in place, the washer provides 5.2 cubic feet of room inside the stainless steel wash basket. Once removed, the wash basket has 5.3 cubic feet of space.

Regardless of which washing mechanism you choose, the Whirlpool WTW8127LW is equipped to meet the care requirements of any laundry load. It has 11 pre-set cycle options along with selections for things like water temperature, spin speed, or a deep water fill. In total, there are 36 unique cycle combinations to properly care for your clothes. With built-in Wi-Fi, you can also use the Whirlpool app to schedule your next load of laundry to begin at a specified time or receive updates on the cycle status. A machine that has so many options like this can work wonders. "Choose temperature, time, agitation, rinse, and spin cycles that respect your fabric strength and durability. For example, if you have delicate fabrics, make sure you wash on the delicate, cold, and short settings," says Marilee Nelson, certified building biologist, environmental consultant, and co-founder of Branch Basics.

Another feature that is unique to top load washers is the built-in faucet to pre-treat stains. You’ll find this handy for giving stains extra attention before the wash cycle or for quickly cleaning items that require hand-washing only. 

Take it from us, this one-of-a-kind top load washer is known to sell out quickly, so if you find one in stock, order it immediately! (In fact, we like it so much that we wish there were more widespread retailer availability.)

Price at time of publish: $1,299

_{Capacity: 5.2 cubic feet (with agitator), 5.3 cubic feet (with impeller) | Washing Mechanism: Impeller or optional agitator | Cycles: 11 | Drum Material: Stainless steel | Smart Capabilities: Yes | Energy Star Certified: Yes}

Best Budget

Amana NTW4516FW 3.5 cu. ft. White Top Load Washing Machine

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We know a major appliance like a washing machine costs a pretty penny. So, if you're looking for a wallet-friendly option, you'll want to check out the basic but efficient Amana NTW4516FW. We think it offers simple features, but delivers a deep clean for small to large loads. This washer relies on a dual-action agitator and auto-sensing fill technology, but you can opt for a deep fill setting to ensure that large or bulky loads are completely saturated. There are eight wash cycles, plus five settings for water temperature. All options are selected using control knobs on the back panel.

Saving big on a top load washer means giving up a few extras, like a stainless steel wash basket or a dispenser for fabric softener. But the porcelain-enamel finish on the 3.5-cubic-foot wash basket will offer years of reliable service as long it remains chip-free.

Keep in mind that the maximum spin speed of this top load washer is 680 RPM, which is less than many other models. You'll want to avoid overloading it to ensure that it can efficiently extract water from your laundry load. Still, we think given the price tag, you'll agree the Amana is worth considering.

Price at time of publish: $605

_{Capacity: 3.5 cubic feet | Washing Mechanism: Agitator | Cycles: 8 | Drum Material: Porcelain | Smart Capabilities: No | Energy Star Certified: No}

Best Compact

Maytag MVWC565FW High-Efficiency Top Load Washer

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For a compact top-loading washer that won’t shortchange you on capacity, consider the Maytag MVWC565FW. With a width that's fewer than 28 inches and a depth of 27 inches, this washer is well-suited to small laundry spaces. Despite its trim dimensions, it offers 4.2 cubic feet of room inside the wash basket—making it one of the roomier compact top-loading washers we found.

Maytag equips this model with a center agitator to tackle dirt and stains along with a PowerWash cycle that provides extra cleaning action. There are 11 wash cycles in total along with the usual options for water temperature and rinse cycles. This small but mighty washer is also equipped with HE features, like auto-sensing load technology to fill the washer, but you can opt for a deep water wash if you prefer. 

Price at time of publish: $849

_{Capacity: 4.2 cubic feet | Washing Mechanism: Agitator | Cycles: 11 | Drum Material: Stainless steel | Smart Capabilities: No | Energy Star Certified: No}

Best High-Efficiency

Whirlpool 3.8 cu. ft. High-Efficiency Top Load Washer

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High-efficiency washers are designed to conserve water and energy usage without sacrificing cleaning ability. They typically are equipped with auto-load sensing technology, which uses the weight of your laundry to fill the wash basket with the right amount of water for the cycle. All of this is true of the Whirlpool WTW4955HW, a top-loading washer with 3.8 cubic feet of space for your clothes, bedding, and towels. 

Open the hamper-style door on this top-loading washer and you’ll find a dual-action agitator. The rotating action of the agitator is designed to effectively clean clothes and adjusts its intensity of action based on the cycle you choose. It’s worth noting that this high-efficiency top-loading washer is also available with an impeller plate washing mechanism, for shoppers who want to gain slightly more room in the wash basket. While high-energy washers generally do take longer to complete a cycle than conventional washing machines, a 30-minute speed wash cycle adds to the convenience of using the Whirlpool WTW4955HW. 

Price at time of publish: $749

_{Capacity: 3.8 cubic feet | Washing Mechanism: Agitator | Cycles: 12 | Drum Material: Stainless steel | Smart Capabilities: Yes | Energy Star Certified: No}

Best with Steam

LG Electronics WT7900HBA 5.5 cu. ft. HE Mega Capacity Smart Top Load Washer

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A washing machine equipped with a steam feature can provide extra stain-fighting power and can sanitize everything from grungy gym clothes to messy kitchen towels. While the majority of the steam-equipped machines are front load washers, the LG WT7900HBA Smart Top Load Washer is loaded with features and the latest in laundry care technology, including steam settings. It also happens to be one of the largest top load washers on the market, boasting a 5.5-cubic-foot wash basket with an impeller plate. The capacity of this washer is a big bonus, but keep in mind that it can be a challenge to retrieve socks or other small items from the bottom of the washer after the cycle is over.

Depending on the cycle chosen, this top-loading washer releases steam into the stainless steel drum, removing odors, allergens, and more. Like other LG washer models, the WT7900HBA is certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, making it a good choice for households with allergy sufferers.

It also features a sanitizing cycle to remove bacteria. Including these specialty cycles, this top-loading washer offers 13 preset cycles. But tech lovers rejoice! Because this washer is equipped with Wi-Fi, you can also use the LG ThinQ app to download additional specialty cycles.

Price at time of publish: $1,349

_{Capacity: 5.5 cubic feet | Washing Mechanism: Impeller | Cycles: 14 | Drum Material: Stainless steel | Smart Capabilities: Yes | Energy Star Certified: Yes}

Best with Agitator

GE GTW335ASNWW Top Load Washer with Agitator

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If your first step in evaluating a top load washer is to look under the lid, you’re not alone. Many shoppers base their buying decision in part on a washer’s mechanism—either an agitator or impeller. If you’re looking for a top loader with an agitator, the GE GTW335ASNWW is an excellent option. 

This frills-free washer has the familiar center agitator that was the mainstay of washing machine technology for decades. The plastic fins are designed to provide washing motion for loads ranging from delicate to bulky. With a capacity of 4.2 cubic feet, there’s room for sheets, blankets, towels, and more—but you’ll want to make sure you properly balance the load. The stainless steel wash basket offers a smooth, snag-free finish, and peace of mind against rust or chipping. 

There are 11 wash cycles on this machine along with a PreciseFill water setting to fill the washer based on load size. You can also choose a manual fill level along with options like a deep rinse. While this washer forgoes any smart features, it comes with a status indicator light bar along the back panel of the machine—letting you know where the machine is at in the cycle.

Price at time of publish: $699

_{Capacity: 4.2 cubic feet | Washing Mechanism: Agitator | Cycles: 11 | Drum Material: Stainless steel | Smart Capabilities: No | Energy Star Certified: No}