The Best Top Load Washers We’ve Ever Tested

The Whirlpool WTW612HW Top Load Washing Machine is a straightforward and spacious washer that feels tailor-made to make your laundry life easier. The washer features a pretreat station, complete with a dual-temperature faucet and a handy brush, allowing you to quickly pretreat stains before you throw your laundry in. During testing, we were also impressed by the “load and go” detergent dispenser, which automatically senses the load size and dispenses exactly the right amount of detergent. 

Preset cycles allow for intuitive automation of your laundry, made even better with an accompanying app that lets you start, stop, and check the timings of your cycles remotely. We also found that the drum size strikes the perfect balance between ease of use and plenty of space. It’s large enough to handle a big load or bulky items like curtains, but it’s shallow enough that most people can still reach into the bottom. The one thing that would make this washer even better was if it were Energy Star certified, but it’s far from the only top-load machine to not hit this benchmark.

Size: 27.25” W x 27.7” D x 41.1” H | Capacity: 4.8 cubic feet | Wash Cycles: 36

When you’re on a budget, the GE GTW465ASNWW Top Load Washer provides plenty of power and space without breaking the bank. Its size is the big selling point here, as we found that the drum was large enough to load even large items, like a comforter, while still leaving enough room for the agitator to do its cleaning work. Additionally, choosing the right settings was straightforward and intuitive, with clear labels and a variety of options. In particular, we appreciated the duo of the Precise Fill and Deep Fill settings: The former saves water by auto-sensing the size of your loads, while the latter allows you to add extra water when you need it.

We also found that the spin cycle is very effective at getting excess water off the laundry, which is great for reducing your dryer usage. If you’re looking for a high-tech or sleek washer, though, this definitely isn’t it. There are no digital displays or smart home/app integrations, and it’s not much to look at. That being said, it’s a reliable and surprisingly capable machine that gets the job done without going over budget.

Size: 27” W x 27” D x 44” H | Capacity: 4.5 cubic feet | Wash Cycles: 14

With 5.5 cubic feet of space inside, the LG WT7900HWA Washer has the largest capacity of the washers we tested. In addition to its spacious design, we were particularly impressed by the array of cycle options, which include traditional cycles like delicate or heavy duty, alongside specialty options for speed wash, sanitizing, and even removing common allergens. For added convenience, the washer syncs with an app on your smartphone, alerting you when loads are finished, and allowing you to control features remotely. 

The washer is Energy Star-certified, but it also comes with the option to add extra water to individual loads when needed. We did find that the size of the washer can pose a problem for some users, as it’s so large that reaching all the way to the bottom is difficult unless you’re tall. Aside from that, however, it’s a highly efficient machine that pairs digital features and energy efficiency with the ability to clean large loads quite effectively. 

Size: 27” W x 28.3” D x 44.5” H | Capacity: 5.5 cubic feet | Wash Cycles: 15

Top load washers aren’t always high-efficiency, but the Whirlpool WTW5057LW Top Load Washer with 2-in-1 Removable Agitator tries to hit that sweet spot between minimizing water usage and effective cleaning. To that end, the washer’s signature feature is a removable agitator that can be easily swapped in or out, depending on the cleaning needs and size of individual loads. It also offers a variety of cycle options, including a “Quick Wash” designed to minimize water and energy usage on your smaller and lightly-soiled laundry loads. 

This washer does require using detergent specifically designed for high-efficiency machines. There’s also no digital display or app syncing, so you’ll have to monitor all your laundry manually. Although it does use less water by default, you can customize the water level of a specific load, add an extra rinse, or use the built-in faucet to pretreat dirty or stained items. Be sure to keep the items well-balanced in the drum, as the washer may begin shaking noticeably if overfilled.

Size: 27.75” W x 27” D x 41.5” H | Capacity: 4.7-4.8 cubic feet | Wash Cycles: 12

Laundry just got a little easier, thanks to the Maytag MVW7232HW Top Load Washer. Thanks to its smart features through the Maytag app, you can remotely set, monitor, or even schedule your laundry loads. Additionally, you can keep close control over your laundry with a variety of preset cycles, including a Heavy Duty cycle for deep cleaning and a Quick Wash to save time on your least-dirty items. For even more control, you can use the Deep Fill option to choose from four water levels instead of the automated selection.

All those bells and whistles do come with a cost, though, putting this top load washer on the high end of the price spectrum. Fortunately, you do get more for your money than just smart features and customizable cycles, as the machine also has a remarkably large capacity, making it easier to wash large pieces or a lot of items at once. Plus, its in-unit faucet is helpful for pre-treating stains. If you’ve been thinking of upgrading to a smart machine, this top load washer is a powerful and easy-to-use choice.

Size: 27.25” W x 27.875” D x 42.875” H | Capacity: 5.3 cubic feet | Wash Cycles: 13

Just as the name suggests, the Maytag Pet Pro Top Load Washer is specifically designed to get Fluffy’s fur off your clothes. The key is the signature Pet Pro mode which combines a wash cycle that uses extra water to effectively lift hair away from clothes, alongside a Pet Pro Filter that captures the hair for easy disposal after the load ends. Paired with other deep-cleaning features, like a Heavy Duty cycle and a built-in faucet for pretreating stains, it’s a true workhorse for stubborn messes.

Aside from those features, though, it’s a pretty standard washing machine. It only has ten wash cycles — fewer than many competitors — and it lacks any digital smart integrations. Moreover, like many other top-load washers, it’s also not an energy-efficient model. It does, however, have a relatively large capacity, at 4.7 cubic feet, which is great if you need to wash a comforter, curtains, or a pet blanket. 

Size: 27.5” W x 27.5” D x 42” H | Capacity: 4.7 cubic feet | Wash Cycles: 10

The GE Unitized Spacemaker accommodates the top lid of its washer with a slanted canopy, separating the washer from the dryer stacked on top. While it’s great for saving space with a smaller appliance footprint, it does take some getting used to the fact that the lid can’t open all the way. However, the settings cover all the basic options you expect, including delicates, speed wash, and heavy duty, along with auto-sensing water levels. 

While this stacked set does save floor space, it does lack in terms of capacity. This washer has 3.8 cubic feet of capacity, where most of the other washers we considered have 4.5 cubic feet or more. Additionally, it’s not an energy-efficient machine, nor is it WiFi-connected or smart-enabled. If you’re looking for a washer with lots of customization options and special features, this probably isn’t the right pick, but if saving space is your top priority, this should handle most common laundry needs effectively.

Size: 26.75” W x 30.875” D x 75.875” H | Capacity: 3.8 cubic feet | Wash Cycles: 11