Front loaders are the darlings of the washing machine world: they deliver excellent results, they're efficient in terms of water and energy use, and they have plenty of programs.
Overall they're hands-down the best washing machine type – even the highest scoring top loaders in our review don't come close to the best front loaders.
But top loaders shouldn't be sniffed at.
There's a lot to love: they're generally more affordable, more reliable, easier to move and have shorter cycle times than front loaders.
And if you have trouble bending down, a top loader is much easier to load and unload than a front loader.
Aside from a few outliers, front-loader prices can run as high as $3000, while top loaders tend to top out at around $1500.
So if you want to get your whites relatively white while staying in the black, a top loader can be a good option.
If you want to get your whites relatively white while staying in the black, a top loader can be a good option
Here's what you need to know about top-loader washing machines if you're thinking about buying.
Plus, exclusively for CHOICE members, we'll reveal which ones are worth the money.
If you just want to get straight to the best products, you can jump to the results now.
Attention to detail is key in our laundry testing. Pictured: Our CHOICE expert testers ensure each wash is consistent.
How much should you spend on a top-loading washing machine?
First, the bad news: the three highest scoring top loaders in our test all cost upwards of $1400.
If you're on a budget, that could blow your dreams of buying a brilliant top loader for a great price.
But now the good news: there are some affordable operators that aren't quite at the top of the table but still deliver a great clean for your coin.
There are some affordable operators that deliver a great clean for your coin
Our testing often shows that bigger isn't always better. A larger price tag won't necessarily guarantee you a better machine – and a cheaper appliance won't necessarily perform worse than an expensive one.
But the only way to be sure you're getting good value for money is to do your research before you buy.
Our washing machine reviews include detailed information about washing performance, running costs, cycle times, features and more. You can sort by price, size and brand to find the right machine for you.
The cheap top loaders to avoid
We don't want you to end up with a dud buy, so here are the products that scored lowest in our lab tests. Consider becoming a CHOICE member to see the best performers.
The Haier HWT60AA1 is cheap and anything but cheerful.
These machines might be easy on your budget, but they perform so poorly that they'll just add to your housework load.
They're the cheapest in our review, but also some of the lowest scoring.
We recommend you avoid them, no matter how tight your budget is.
- Haier HWT60AA1: (Price: $609; CHOICE Expert Rating: 61%)
- Haier HWT75AA1: $659; 63%
- Samsung WA90T6250BW: $849; 61%
- Westinghouse WWT7084J5WA: $949; 64%
- Haier HWT08AN1: $999; 64%
The best washing machine brands in Australia
Each year, we rank washing machine brands, assessing them on their average test scores, reliability, customer satisfaction and how many of their products score the coveted CHOICE expert seal of approval.
The best top-loading washing machine brand for 2024 is: LG.
The best top-loading washing machine brand for 2024 is: LG
LG top loaders on average outperform competitors in our testing, with LG top loaders receiving an average CHOICE Expert Rating of almost 70%. The top two best performing top loaders in our test were LG models.
To find out which specific models we recommend based on our test results, and to make sure you buy the best, click on the 'Recommended' box in the filters section of our washing machine reviews.
… but don't buy on brand alone
While some brands have well-founded reputations, here at CHOICE we know that buying based on brand alone is sometimes a recipe for disappointment: even the best brand sometimes delivers duds.
And focusing solely on one brand in your search for the perfect appliance can mean you overlook other products offering comparable performance for a much smaller price tag.
Even the best brand sometimes delivers duds
Machines from the same brand can vary widely in terms of performance, features, capacity, energy efficiency, and more, so don't assume that all products from a reputable manufacturer will give you what you want.
The best thing to do is to focus on individual models by checking CHOICE's washing machine reviews to find the best before you buy.
What are the most reliable washing machine brands?
We sent out a survey to 1452 CHOICE members who own a washing machine to find out which washer brands are the most reliable.
We asked members about whether they've run into any problems with their washing machine in the past 12 months. We also take into account the age of the products so we can compare fairly between brands.
The most reliable washing machine brand for 2023 is Bosch, followed by LG, Samsung and Miele
The most reliable brand for 2023 is Bosch, followed by LG, Samsung and Miele.
(Note that the survey doesn't distinguish between top and front loaders; these results are based on washing machines more generally rather than specific machine types.)
Other factors to consider when buying a top loader
Expert tester Sean Lim in our laundry lab.
If you're choosing a top loader, it's important to be aware that you're likely going to be using more water and getting a less gentle wash than if you opted for a front loader.
Top loaders use an agitator drum that will always be harsher on your clothes than a front loader. This also means that the top loaders that are more gentle on your clothes are often the worst for dirt removal.
So there's often a compromise to be made when choosing the right model for you.
One final thing to consider with a top loader is their running costs – they're usually much cheaper to run than front loaders.
(If you want to see running costs for individual models, check the '10-year running cost' filter in our washing machine review).
What are the best top loader washing machines under $1000?
We independently test and review dozens of new washing machines each year in our onsite labs, and our experts know exactly what to look for to help you find the best product.
Our detailed washing machine testing data is available exclusively for CHOICE members. If you're not yet a member, join CHOICE to get instant access to all of our expert, independent reviews, from fridges and freezers, toasters and TVs, kettles and cots, and more.
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Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
