Which is best: a front loader or a top loader?

Front loader is the hands down winner as it uses less water . The clothes fall from the opening without having to lift the wet heavy clothes up and then down to the basket dripping on the way and the best of all is that if you design the laundry with a full room length bench top with an inset sink the area is easy to clean as there is no gaps and more bench top space. The unit looks good along side of the under bench front loading dryer.
You can tell that I am a single male house designer.

by kstew

Got my vote! :-)

If clothes have been 'spun dry', on final cycle, why are you lifting heavy, wet. clothes out of washing machine?

I've had both. They both do a good job. Front loaders use less water. Top loaders can be stopped to soak your clothes for a cleaner result. At the moment I've got a front loader. It was the biggest washing machine I could get (10kg capacity) so that was the deciding factor. I'm very happy with it. Our electricity bill went up and our water bill went down when I got it, so it's pretty much even from a cost point of view.

by Sarah Bell

I've used front loaders before. It doesn't bother me anymore as someone else washes and dries my clothes for me.

by Justine Crowley

That's what I truly need; someone to do it for me :-)

I definitely prefer a top loader, as I usually forget to put in a pair of socks or a t-shirt, so it's great to be able to add it in once the cycle has started.

by Ivana Katz

I can add clothes to my front loader at any time . . . .are they not all like that?

I prefer top loader just because I have experience a front loader's door flying open and water was everywhere!

by Road Runner

Definitely a top loader. It seems to have more space.

by dream

Top loaders have an agitator . . front loaders don't. My front loader takes most of the household washing in one fell swoop.

I much prefer a front loader. I always wanted a top loader but when I got one I hated it. Front loaders wash much better.I do not think top loaders wash the clothes well at all.

by corne

I much prefer a front loader after always having top. They use less water and are gentler on your clothes. Clothes don't get all twisted and tangled. Bras last a lot longer. Not so creased.

by grinningchook

Personally, my knees are shot. So the best one for me is a top loader as I can't bend down to get the clothes out of a front loader. I had no problems with either for getting clothes clean.

by pfuit

I prefer a top loader , allows you to add clothes during the cycle.

by Zen

I can add clothes to my front loader at any time . . . .are they not all like that?

I think my last top loader was about 30 years ago and when it died we bought a front loader. I have had 3 front loaders and two of them are still going strong. I use the smaller one for the dogs' bedding only.

by Rice

Have had top loaders' for FORTY years!
Very easy to use, can see


that no clothes left behind, don't have to bend over to the extent you'd have to with front loader.
My dryer is at same level as top of machine, so just throw nearly dry washing into it!

by donjo

I have used both a top loader and front loader. Front loader machines win hands down. They use a lot less water and wash clothes thoroughly, pushing them through the water on every turn of the drum. Clothes come out washed, not in one tangled mess.

by ant.j

You can get front loaders that actually load from the top. I prefer front loaders and I hate to say this but some of my T shirts are 34 years old.

by bill.

I've always owned top loaders and wouldn't have anything else. My Simpsons have lasted for that many years I wouldn't change. The times I've been on holidays and used front loaders I've found excruciating to bend down and load/unload and not easy to read the controls.

by helga