Front-Load or Top-Load Laundry: Which is Best for Your Family?
As part of a friendly debate that has been ongoing for decades within the luxury appliance industry, the question remains as to whether top-loading or front-loading laundry systems are more advantageous to consumers.
Much like other controversial topics, there is no cut-and-dry answer to this question. The truth is each configuration has advantages and drawbacks. Choosing the right laundry system is like choosing other appliances found in the home – it all comes down to personal preference and lifestyle.
Because of this, we’ve built a team of experts that can help you identify your needs and sift through the seemingly endless options available to you. When it comes to choosing the right laundry system, we’ll look at each configuration including their pros and cons. Next, we’ll highlight a few of our favorite models for each configuration to give you a better idea of what is available and what will fit perfectly in your unique lifestyle.
Reliability
There is a preconceived notion that top-loading washers are more reliable because generations before us relied solely on them. This assumption ultimately affects the decisions that we make when shopping for appliances such as washing machines.
Despite the common notion that quality and reliability looks like our grandmother’s old top-loading machine, many are instead drawn to the space-saving ability of stackable front-load laundry machines. Not only are they more efficient in their use of a room’s space, but these stacked units look more organized in a well-kept laundry room. Furthermore, memories of our parents’ top-loading machines dancing across the floor contribute to the appeal of stackable units.
While a machine’s ability to remain stationary may contribute towards one’s preference for stackable units, the reality is that this is no longer an issue for any modern appliance. The top-loading models of today are without the “shakes” we became accustomed to growing up. These units are built better and more efficiently. But more reliable? That’s where things get interesting.
The truth is, statistics point to front-loading units as more reliable than their top-loading counterparts.
Where Front-Loaders Shine
While front-loading laundry units are proven to be more reliable, top-loading units are still a more popular option on the open market.
Despite this fact, front-loading laundry is gaining ground fast, which should come as no surprise to anyone who has done their research. Through adding new features and providing a better overall clean, anyone who has shopped laundry in the last five years knows that the front-loading washing game is getting tough to beat. Below are a few noteworthy features helping front-loading laundry systems gain ground on the traditionally preferred models.
Efficiency
In a world where efficiency is prioritized in everything we do, front-loading laundry units tend to be favored. Most notably, these machines outpace top-loading models by a wide margin when it comes to water use. With a decreased volume of hot water being drawn from your hot water tank, your water and electric bills both get a break!
Front-loading units also tend to have a more aggressive spin cycle. This allows them to draw out much more water than a top-loading machine, resulting in shorter drying times and more laundry cycles per day.
We would be remiss to not mention the fact that front-loading units are also efficient when it comes to space. We’ve all been in awe of a well-organized laundry room featuring a stackable laundry unit or tower. Such laundry units operate as the room’s command center for clean clothes, and are incredibly versatile. Depending on your preference, such laundry towers can serve as a centerpiece in any laundry room or can be hidden in a closet!
Performance
If you have children or just need something that will get the job done, the performance of your laundry machines is top priority. No one cares for rewashing clothes or, even worse, losing clothing to fading or destruction caused by faulty laundry performance. Having been pushed through several controlled tests (remember, front-loading models are still the underdog), Consumer Reports has continually awarded front-loading units with an excellent mark for wash quality. In one test, front-loading models outperformed top-loading systems by an astounding ratio of 30:1 in terms of their ability to remove soils from fabrics.
One of the driving factors behind the success of front-loading washing machines is their tumbling motion. Not found in top-loading units, the tumbling motion sets the clothes in motion, while optimizing the chemical action of detergents and thermal action of the water. The results, as you can see from the report, are remarkable when it comes to performance!
Where Top-Loaders Shine
It might sound as though top-loading machines are a choice of the past, but the truth is that they are still great units and serve a purpose for millions of people. As we stated, these continue to be the most popular configuration — and for many great reasons!
Ease of Use
In terms of everyday use, many agree that top-loading washers are easier to use daily. If you suffer from physical ailments or are simply not as young as you used to be (it happens!), you’ll likely find reprieve in a top-loading washing machine.
Without bending down, reaching in, or reaching up (if stacked), most top-loading washers are easier to operate physically. However, it must be stated that many front-loading users have mounted their units on raised platforms or pedestals to negate the implications of bending and reaching.
Efficiency
Sure, from the perspective of energy and water usage, front-loading machines have a slight advantage. However, a top-loading unit can gain additional points in its ability to accommodate larger loads. Overloading front-loading machines has a tendency to wear out the components faster. The bearings that allow the drum to spin freely can become worn out overtime with large loads of laundry — something top-loading units need not worry about. Rather than doing multiple small loads, top-loading machines are able to contain larger loads. The bearings on these units are not under as much pressure due to their upright design.
Cleanliness
Perhaps one of the most common issues found in front-loading laundry units is their susceptibility to mold and mildew. They can be finicky and, by leaving too much detergent, fabric softener, water, or any combination of the three, the drum gaskets can remain wet between cycles.
When leftover liquids remain in the drum gaskets of a washing machine, the result is mold and mildew growth. The presence of these growths is not only a concern when it comes to the maintenance of your clothing, but can also be accompanied by foul odors. For owners of this style of washing machine, the problem is often mitigated by quickly wiping down the unit after each use and ensuring that the door is left open rather than sealed tightly closed. For top-loading laundry machines, the concern for the growth of mold and mildew is less significant.
Which Style is Best for Me?
As you can see from above, both configurations are viable options for any household. When selecting a laundry appliance that is best suited for you, the choice is determined by what fits your space, washing habits, and lifestyle. As a result of this conclusion, we have handpicked our favorite front-loading and top-loading models below. Take a look at the features of each model on our website, and feel free to book a private showroom tour at one of our four South Florida locations for a closer look!