Recommend A Washing Machine For Me

[Lone Wolf]

Must haves:

• Top loader
  
• Agitator driven
  
• Needs to be at least 3.2 cu. ft. load capacity. Bigger would be better.
  
• Stainless steel tub
  
• Budget is $400-$600

Don't need a lot of bells and whistles beyond temperature, water level/load size, and wash speed choices. I send my shirts out so mainly I'm washing socks, underwear, gym clothes, towels and (king size) sheets, etc. Priorities are reliability and performance.

I'm seriously considering joining Consumer Reports to see what they have to say but thought I'd post here first.

Thanks in advance.

 

[DerekS]

do what i did. get a wife.

hard to beat hand washing.

 

[MikeDT]

Originally Posted by Lone Wolf

Must haves:

• Top loader
• Agitator driven
• Needs to be at least 3.2 cu. ft. load capacity. Bigger would be better.
• Stainless steel tub
• Budget is $400-$600

Don't need a lot of bells and whistles beyond temperature, water level/load size, and wash speed choices.
I've got a Haier in my apartment, it's very similar to your requirements. From what I've seen Haier machines are always solid, reliable and quite well made as well.

 

[Unregistered]

Why a top loader?

 

[Kai]

Agitator driven top loaders kind of suck compared with front loaders.

 

[lee_44106]

Originally Posted by Lone Wolf

Priorities are reliability and performance.

.


Was going to recommend a Miele, until I saw this:

Originally Posted by Lone Wolf

Budget is $400-$600

 

[WUKILLABEEZ78]

Originally Posted by Kai

Agitator driven top loaders kind of suck compared with front loaders.

I agree. I have front loading Whirlpool Duets (washer and dryer). Front loaders are a lot gentler on your clothes (less wear and tear on your clothing) and they are generally much more efficient (less energy to run/quicker washing and drying/less detergent per load, etc...). Their are many different brands and models but I would price some front loaders and compare them and their ratings to the top loaders you were considering. Front loaders are usually rated higher. If you just have to have a top loader for some reason I'd get one that isn't agitator driven (although if you do this you might as well get a front loader).

 

[Kai]

Originally Posted by lee_44106

Was going to recommend a Miele, until I saw this:
I have a Miele washer and drier. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them based on reliability and performance. (but they might be outside of the OP's price range.

 

[Lone Wolf]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Why a top loader?

From what I've read, front loaders have problems with mold building up in the door, have smaller capacity, and are generally more expensive and vibrate more than TL's. Also, I think I read something about they dry better in the spin cycle but the clothes are more prone to wrinkling as a result. Plus, the one I have is a TL so it's what I'm used to.

As I said, I'm not looking to spend big bucks on this - I'd be more inclined to put money towards kitchen appliances quicker than I would laundry. If I can get something that will last 10 years, get my stuff clean, and be relatively quiet (my laundry room is on the 2nd floor down the hall from my bedroom), I'll be more than happy.

 

[SUPER K]

Fisher & Paykel

 

[edmorel]

I think the $400 budget puts him strictly in the top loader/cheaper brands category.

 

[Cary Grant]

Originally Posted by Lone Wolf

From what I've read, front loaders have problems with mold building up in the door, have smaller capacity, and are generally more expensive and vibrate more than TL's. Also, I think I read something about they dry better in the spin cycle but the clothes are more prone to wrinkling as a result. Plus, the one I have is a TL so it's what I'm used to.

As I said, I'm not looking to spend big bucks on this - I'd be more inclined to put money towards kitchen appliances quicker than I would laundry. If I can get something that will last 10 years, get my stuff clean, and be relatively quiet (my laundry room is on the 2nd floor down the hall from my bedroom), I'll be more than happy.

I've had top loaders for ~12 years.
Never had a mold problem, and have lived in humid summer climates.

You get much MORE laundry in the modern front loaders, at least the bigger US models as a front loaders allows you to pack in much more bulk than a top loader can handle. What was two loads in the top loader in one in our most recent front loader.

Properly balanced, there are no vibration issues.

Water savings are significant and dryer time is greatly reduced, another bonus.

Unfortunately, if you are buying new, your budget allows you mostly basic top loaders.

 

[edmorel]

This is a front loader and I don't think it has the 3.2 cf capacity you are looking for, but it is agitator driven and will definitely fit in your apartment.

 

[Cary Grant]

^^BASTARDO!!



You now owe me one pair of Panta.

 

[alliswell]

Did I miss the 'Recommend A Dryer For Me' thread?

OP needs to buy a front loader combo washer/dryer or a stackable washer dryer pair. Assuming he is single (which is a good assumption, because he's not thinking of the dryer) and that he will not be doing multiple loads at once (which is a good assumption, because he's single) - he'll get away with the combo. Budget's blown, but he doesn't want clothes hanging around his apartment.

Originally Posted by Lone Wolf

From what I've read, front loaders have problems with mold building up in the door

The solution to this is to leave the door open after you're done using it. True story.