Front-load versus top-load,
and now, the popular hybrid top-load,
is a difficult decision.
So in this video, you'll learn the pros and cons of each type,
including one style washer you should never buy.
Plus reliability based on over 40,000
service calls completed by our service department just last year.
Stay until the end, and I'll show you a simple hack to detect water leaks in your newly
installed washing machine or any other appliance.
It'll cost you less than a dollar.
First, let's talk about reliability.
Based on over 40,000+ service calls,
the average top-load washer will need 5.7% service in the first year.
Well, the average front-load will need service 6.3% of the time.
Both are far below the service rate of an average appliance of about 9.5%.
Now, 0.6% is statistically not significant.
So, contrary to what you've heard,
reliability differences are not a reason to consider a front or a top-load washer.
However, it is more costly to fix a front
versus a top-load on average, especially the motor and assembly.
For example, if you buy a five year
warranty from us and have a motor issue, we automatically replace the machine even
at year five, because it's so intensive to fix. You always want to be sure you
have adequate service in your area before you buy any appliance.
So from a service perspective, a top-load would be a better choice.
Top-load washers typically won't have issues with mold like front-load washers.
Mold, mildew and odor are a function
of standing water, which can happen in a front-load washer,
especially in the gasket and the dispenser.
However, mold development in front-load washers is preventable and controllable.
You should dry the gasket in the back of the machine after every use.
Leave the door open to allow air to circulate and dry any residual moisture.
You can also run the machine in a hot wash or a tub clean cycle once a month.
Now, GE has solved the problem.
They've introduced microband anticiprobial
surfaces, preventing the build up of mold along with GE's Ultrafresh fan.
The fan inside the drum dries the residual moisture after the cycle is complete.
So from a mold perspective, top-loads are much better.
Front-load washer size is average about 4.5-5 cubic feet.
They can be as large as 6 cubic feet.
The largest size isn't as popular due
to the higher price tag, which can be up to $1,000 more for one cubic foot.
You now have three types of top-load washers to consider a regular top-load
washers, which is roughly 3.2 to 3.5 cubic with a larger agitator.
Then you have the newer high efficiency type hybrid washers,
combining the convenience of a top-load
washer with the capacity of a frontload washer.
At least they're supposed to.
The impeller or no agitator models are
supposed to clean the clothes like a regular top-load.
As much as I like the idea, we've never seen this type of work
to clean clothes for any manufacturer. You can't add a bigger drum and
subtract the mechanism that actually cleans the clothes.
We don't sell this type of washer at Yale.
However, the hybrids with agitators seem promising.
They have a good capacity of 4.7-4.9 cubic feet,
decent spin speeds and even advanced features like automatic dispensers.
Let's look at how these compare for price
a bit more about real usable capacity, efficiency, and overall features.
Traditional top-load washers are the least expensive, starting at roughly $400
less than front-load washers. A good hybrid, with the agitator, should start
about $679 or a front-load will start typically at $799-$899.
I'll show you a way to get the best price on any brand or type later in the video.
But at least for price, top-loads will be the less expensive choice.
Usable capacity of any top-load is
about 3.2-3.5 cubic, for a regular top-load,
as we said previously, is 4.8
to 5, for a hybrid will actually be 0.6 to 0.8 cubic feet less than
advertised because of the agitator. Front-loads
don't have agitators. From my new experience with top-load,
that agitator makes it harder to load larger items like blankets and sheets.
So from a capacity standpoint, the front-load is a better choice.
Top-load washers use about 348 kw yearly, while front-loads use less than half
at 159 and hybrids are in the middle at about 212.
It's not just electricity, it's water.
The average top-load uses 40 gallons
of water and can fill up to 70 gallons on deep fill cycles.
While, front-load washers use about 10
to 14 gallons of water, with a hybrid again in the middle at about 17 gallons.
Having a high spin in your washer is
significant and extracting water from your clothes for less drying time.
Front-loads average 1160 to 1300 rpm
spin speed. Top-load averages about 700, with hybrids at about 850 rpm.
You'll notice the difference if you're washing a full load of laundry.
I now have to dry my bed sheets,
bulk your items and even sweatpants twice in my new top-load set.
From an efficiency standpoint,
front-loaders are much better even when you consider the larger capacity.
Even though front-load washers spin
faster, they're also gentler on your clothes because the clothes effectively
wash themselves by rubbing against each other in the wash cycle.
Top-load washers are tougher on clothing because of the agitator.
Oftentimes the clothes can be knotted around the agitator in my top load.
While this never happened in my front load I had in the previous 20 years.
Interesting, the new GE profile hybrid top
load has a knot cycle to prevent knots from occurring.
So from a washing and drying standpoint, a front-load will wash and dry better.
Every machine in any configuration has enough cycles.
The average machine has ten cycles and eleven options.
Even my new older top-load has plenty of cycles. Front-load and
now the better hybrids offer some more advanced cycles worth considering.
Steam loosens up tough stains so they can be powered out.
It's almost a standard for front load washers and a few pricey top-loads.
Speed cycles are also becoming popular in both styles.
In most front-load machines,
you can now wash a small load in about 15-30 minutes.
But now LG has their turbo 360 cycle with five high-pressure wash jets
in their front-load and now their top-load washers.
Automatic dispensing detergent is a feature you should consider.
You can add 8-40 loads of detergent depending on the brand.
It's not just a convenience.
An automatic detergent dispenser will
prevent you from placing too much detergent in the wash.
And too much detergent is a problem for front-loads
because you only need a cap full. All the detergent becomes foam,
that foam can create an expensive future service
call. It's only available on better front
load washers and a more basic automatic dispenser is available on a GE hybrid.
For cycles, it's a draw.
Some of the better features are only
available on front-loads and new hybrids. Wait for a holiday.
Although promotions stopped during the pandemic and subsequent supply shortages,
there were once 10-35% off, offers
and that's not just for washers. That's for all appliances in any holiday.
This is the best hack ever and it will work with any type of appliance.
It can save you from a potential nightmare
and it's so simple.
After any of our deliveries
on a dishwasher, washer or refrigerator with a dispenser,
we place specially designed laminated paper underneath to detect water leaks.
So if our clients see any water on the paper
within 24 hours, they can call us to reinstall or fix.
So after your appliances look, just cut a piece of wax paper and place it
underneath your appliance in order to detect any water issues.
After 24 hours, if you don't see any water, just remove the paper.
There is no single best washing machine.
Front-loads are larger and less expensive to operate
but there are other considerations. You should buy based on what you value.
Top-load washers are cheaper to buy and easier to fix.
I don't bend as much as I once did for my front-load to retrieve my clothes
and you and I don't have to worry about mold or any other dispensing issues.
I never even have to remember to leave the door open.
However, with a front-load you'll be
doing less laundry and even save money per load with greater water efficiency.
Front-loads are gentler on your clothes and have
more updated features like auto dispensing and steam.
After a wash cycle, your clothes need less
time in the dryer due to the high front-load wash spin speeds.
But the middle ground will be the new HE top-loads or hybrids that are less
expensive and have some of the features of both, lower prices and the convenience
of a top-load with some of the capacity and efficiency of a front-load.
So it comes down to whether you want a more basic, less expensive machine like
a top-load, or more modern machine with greater efficiency and features like
a front-load washer or the hybrid compromise in the middle.
Which would you pick?
If you want to learn more, for the best front-load washers click here,
for the best top-load washers, click here.
Thanks for watching.