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Front-loading washers may be surging in popularity for their ability to be stacked with a dryer, but if you have space in your laundry room, a top-loading washing machine is one of the easiest to use — no need to bend down to load it! And, today, these more traditional models are just as energy-efficient as their front-loading counterparts. They're also less likely to develop mold and odors that threaten to make laundry day a dirtier job.
The experts and analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab regularly test home appliances, including the best washing machines. In our Lab, we evaluate each machine’s cleaning performance, ability to remove stains, gentleness on clothes and ease of use. We also carefully review specs like energy claims and water usage.
Ahead, you'll learn more about the top-loaders that have aced our tests, plus get the low-down on whether a top-loading or front-loading washing machine is best for you and find out what to look for when shopping.
This top-loader can handle every kind of load you throw its way thanks to a large capacity that, according to the brand, boasts enough space to wash 25 towels at once. Even though this machine uses an agitator, you don't have to sacrifice space to effectively clean your clothes. We love the variety of cycles the machine offers, including specialty ones for swimwear and activewear, as well as ones that can be customized and saved for future use. We're also fond of the Extra Power button, which can help get rid of tough stains with dual-temperature washing. There's also a deep fill option for extra dirty loads that require more water than usual.
In a hurry? Just set the Quick Wash cycle for 30 minutes. On top of an intuitive, responsive display, this washer comes with smart features so you can start your laundry remotely through your smartphone — don't worry, you'll be notified when the load is finished. The only downside? Because this unit is so large, it can be difficult to reach the bottom, particularly if you're on the more petite side.
Capacity: 5.2 cubic feet | Mechanism: Agitator | Smart features: Yes | Energy Star Certified: Yes
At well under $1,000, LG's TurboWash is easily one of the most budget-friendly washing machines we've tested recently, but it doesn't lack features users want in a modern machine. The appliance comes equipped with the usual cycles — normal, delicates, bedding and heavy duty — as well as some specialty ones, too, including normal+prewash, deep wash and even a special cycle for washing waterproof items like rain slickers. We particularly like the speed wash cycle, which is only 28 minutes long. The controls are all very clear and easy to use, so you'll have no trouble selecting the one you want.
In tests, the top-loading machine did a good job cleaning our stained test swatches and was gentle on fabrics. We like the option to add more water to the cycle, since the level that automatically filled for our test loads seemed a bit low, particularly for heavily soiled items. Larger fabrics did emerge from the test cycles a bit tangled, but we liked the cavernous tub, as it can easily handle the largest loads. This does, however, make it a bit hard for shorter individuals to reach the bottom of the tub when the cycle is complete — a few of our more petite Lab pros had trouble.
Capacity: 5.5 cubic feet | Mechanism: Impeller | Smart features: Yes | Energy Star Certified: Yes
We love this top-loading washer, a Good Housekeeping Cleaning Awards winner, for its performance and efficiency. The detergent dispenser holds enough for up to 20 loads so you don't have to refill each time, and stain removal is easy with a dual-temperature faucet and access to tools like a pretreating brush.
What's also unique to this washer is that the agitator is removable, making it easier to wash big, bulky items like sleeping bags and comforters. This feature is great for all households but particularly for families with young kids who more frequently encounter soiled bedding, whether from overnight accidents or bouts of the stomach bug. We love that smart features come included too, and the app is both useful and easy to use. If there's anything to complain about, it's that some users say the washer is louder than they'd anticipated.
Capacity: 5.2 cubic feet | Mechanism: Agitator | Smart features: Yes | Energy Star Certified: Yes
Replacing an older model can be challenging if you don't have much room to spare. Newer models with rounded and curved profiles can hog space. Look no further than this Speed Queen washer. Because of its traditional boxy design, it should squeeze more easily into tighter spaces. It cleans gently but effectively with a traditional agitator, but with a smaller capacity of 3.2 cubic feet, it may not be the best pick if you frequently have super jumbo loads. In our tests though, we found it can handle large and extra-large loads easily. We were able to wash a bulky Queen-sized comforter with no issue or interference from the agitator, but you might not be able to squeeze in a King-sized comforter as easily.
Programming temperature, soil level and load size is easy, and we like that you can choose from eight special cycles and customize pre-set favorites. We found the machine to be super quiet and appreciated the delayed start setting so you can launch your cycle when it's convenient for you. Unfortunately, it lacks Energy Star certification, which means that your energy costs may be a bit higher than with certified machines that use less energy.
Capacity: 3.2 cubic feet | Mechanism: Agitator | Smart features: No | Energy Star Certified: No
This smart top-loader impressed us so much that it earned a spot among our Best Cleaning & Organizing Award winners. Just ask Alexa to start the load when you're ready, or have her adjust the washer settings without stepping foot in the laundry room. To make things even easier, the detergent dispenser can hold up to 32 loads of detergent and dispense the right amount for you. (You just have to scan the detergent's barcode in the SmartHQ app.)
The washer performed well in Lab tests and proved to be easy to use. We appreciated the built-in tech that helps prevent sheets and clothing from getting tangled up or knotted, as well as the machine's large 5.4-cubic-foot capacity that makes it a great choice for larger families. But because it doesn't feature a self-cleaning setting, you'll have to select the cycle yourself and make a mental note to keep up with regular maintenance of your machine.
Capacity: 5.4 cubic feet | Mechanism: Infusor | Smart features: Yes | Energy Star Certified: Yes
Wish you could find a stackable washer and dryer but prefer top-loaders to front-loaders? This unit from GE combines the best of both worlds so you don't have to bend down to load or empty your machine as you would with a front loader, and the dryer is conveniently stacked right on top. Featuring 11 wash cycles, 6 rinse temperatures and a standard-sized capacity, this combo unit is ideal for anyone who wants to say goodbye to trips to the laundromat or has limited space.
We especially like the appliance's easy-to-reach center controls (something that can be problematic in stacked models), high-end cycle options and lights that tell you the part of the cycle your load is in. While it lacks some of the fancy features of other top-loaders, it's a reliable pick for families seeking a compact combo unit at a great price.
Capacity: 3.8 cubic feet | Mechanism: Agitator | Smart features: No | Energy Star Certified: No
Since 1907, the pros at the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab have been testing the best washing machines, basing our tests on industry standards by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM). In our most recent evaluation of 12 washers, we tested cleaning performance by gauging how effectively six pre-stained fabric squares were whitened after a cycle. We placed the fabric strips into each load and once the strips air-dried, we measured each stain’s reflectance to calculate a cleaning score. This amounted to over 850 measurements after three cycles on each machine.
Specialty cycles like heavy-duty, delicate and quick wash were also tested in addition to sanitizing cycles. To determine gentleness, our experts washed cotton swatches with five pre-cut holes and assessed any fraying once the cycle was complete. We then scored each washer’s ease of use by assessing the control panel and general intuitiveness, ease of loading and ease of opening and closing the door. Finally, our analysts verified water and energy usage claims and reviewed each owner’s manual to confirm the presence of clear, thorough user instructions.
Whether you want a top-loading washing machine or a front-loading washing machine is a matter of personal preference. According to Carolyn Forté, Executive Director of the Home Care & Cleaning Lab, top-loading washing machines have come a long way since the days when the entire machine would fill up completely with water and use nearly 40 gallons per cycle. These days, top-loading washing machines with or without agitators require closer to 12 or 13 gallons per load. She points out that one main difference between these two models is that front loaders typically require more maintenance but do have a slight edge when it comes to consuming less water.
Another consideration when choosing between top-loading or front-loading washing machines is ease of use and convenience. Top-loading washers have a traditional design that’s extremely easy to access and doesn’t require any bending down, though they can be so deep that petite folks may struggle to grab any lingering socks left inside. Also, keep in mind that only front-loading washing machines are suited for stacking with a dryer, making them a popular choice for rentals and small spaces.
There are two main types of top-loading washing machines, ones that use agitators and ones that use impeller plates. Agitators twist back and forth via a central post, removing soil as clothes are pulled through the water. Impeller plates feature a disc at the bottom of the machine that spins or bounces to clean clothing. The main difference is that agitators swish clothing in a water bath and require a bit more water to get everything clean while impeller plates cause clothing to rub against itself under a shower of water to remove stains and grime. In our experience, you can’t go wrong with either option. Remember that agitators take up more space inside the tub, potentially making it more difficult to fit large blankets and duvets in a smaller capacity washer, though some models feature removable agitators for just such a purpose.
✔️ Capacity: If your average laundry loads tend to be on the smaller side, opt for a standard-capacity washer. However, if you have a big family or several messy teenagers, you might benefit from a large-capacity washer that can handle bulkier items like bedding and other large loads. On average, a standard capacity top loader is around 3 to 4 cubic feet, while an extra-large capacity is about 5 cubic feet or more.
✔️ Cycles: Before purchasing a top-loading washing machine, make sure that it has a variety of cycle styles programmed. This is useful when laundering different items, such as delicates, lightly soiled clothing and towels, which can all benefit from unique cycles. You may even want to choose a washer that allows you to customize the preset temperature and spin options.
✔️ Ease of use: Reach inside the drum of your laundry machine to make sure it’s easily accessible to you and that you can easily reach the bottom.
✔️ Smart features: Look out for smart features if you want to be able to schedule laundry loads from your phone, receive notifications when a cycle is complete, order detergent and more. Some laundry machines even leverage AI technology to help choose cycle selections and care for fabrics.
✔️ Detergent dispensing: If you’re never sure how much detergent to use, opt for a machine with built-in dispensers that you fill once to serve multiple loads. Machines with this feature dispense the correct amount of detergent into each load automatically based on the cycle and size of the load.
Carolyn Forté has been testing washers, dryers and other laundry room essentials, like laundry detergents and stain removers, for more than 40 years in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Products Lab. She often consults with the appliance industry, especially washing machine manufacturers, about appliance testing protocols and consumer laundry habits, researches and writes our laundry how-tos and personally tests or oversees all of the testing done for all of the Cleaning Lab's product guides.
GH Institute analyst Olivia Lipski closely collaborated with Forté to write this guide based on our Cleaning Lab’s extensive testing data.
Olivia (she/her) is a media and tech product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, covering tech, home, auto, health and more. She has more than five years of experience writing about tech trends and innovation and, prior to joining GH in 2021, was a writer for Android Central, Lifewire and other media outlets. Olivia is a graduate of George Washington University, with a bachelor's degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
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