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Large capacity washers guide: Top and front load options
A large capacity washing machine can help you get through your family’s piles of clothes, comforters and towels faster on laundry day. Use this guide to learn more about large capacity front load and top load washers, matching dryer considerations and more to answer all your questions about large and extra large capacity washing machines.
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What is considered a large capacity washer?
A large capacity washer is generally considered 4.5 cubic feet capacity or more and can sometimes be taller or wider than a standard washer. A standard washer usually offers a capacity of 3.3-4.4 cubic feet, while small washers are typically 1.5-3.4 cubic feet in capacity.
For an idea about how much laundry a large capacity washer can hold, consider a Whirlpool® 5.0 Cu. Ft. Front Load Washer cleans over three baskets of clothing in a single load.1
Large capacity washers compared
While there is no one industry standard for what a small, medium or large capacity washer is, this is one way to look at it:
| Washing machine sizes | Capacity in cubic feet | Approximate towels/load | Household size | Dimensions* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 1.5-3.4 | Up to 9 full-sized bath towels |
1-2 people |
24" (W) x 33"-36" (H) x 24"-26" (D) |
| Medium | 3.5-4.4 |
Up to 9-15 full-sized bath towels |
2-3 people |
27" (W) x 39"-44" (H) x 27"-34" (D) |
| Large | 4.5+ |
Up to 11-21 full-sized bath towels |
3+ people |
27" (W) x 39"-44" (H) x 27"-34" (D) |
*General estimates. Some models may vary.
Learn more about washing machine capacities and washer and dryer dimensions.
What is the largest capacity washing machine available?
The largest capacity washing machines on the market can run 7.0 cubic feet or more. However, 5.3 cubic foot washers for residential use would already be considered an extra large or oversized washing machine.
Whirlpool brand offers select washing machines with 5.2–5.3 Cu. Ft. Flexible Capacity to help you wash more than two baskets of clothes in a single load.
Need help finding your new washer?
Learn more about stackable laundry sets
Shop extra large capacity washers from Whirlpool brand
What is the largest capacity front load washer?
Front load washers tend to offer less capacity than top load models. However, you can find some of the largest capacity front load washers at around 5.5 cubic feet. More commonly, anything 5.0 cubic feet and above is considered a large capacity front load washer.
Although they usually offer less interior space than the largest capacity top-load models, large-capacity front-load washers are ideal for smaller laundry rooms. Front load models are designed for stackability to take up less floor space, helping you wash bulkier loads no matter your laundry room layout or size.
Learn more about top load vs. front load washing machines.
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What is the largest capacity top load washer?
The largest capacity top load washers available may offer as much as 7.0 cubic feet of washing capacity or more; however, this would be considered especially large for residential use. Anything over 5.0 cubic feet can be considered a large capacity top load washer.
Top load washing machine capacity can vary depending on whether the washer has an agitator or an impeller. Impellers typically take up less space in the washer drum, leaving more room for bulkier loads like comforters.
The largest capacity washers from Whirlpool brand are top load models and offer up to 5.3 cubic feet of washer capacity, thanks to the 2 in 1 Agitator that allows you to remove the agitator for the extra room to wash bulky items.
Shop Whirlpool® Large Capacity Top Load Washers with Agitators
Shop Whirlpool® Large Capacity Top Load Washers with Impellers
Large capacity washer FAQs
Still not sure whether a large capacity washer is right for your family? Explore frequently asked questions below to learn more.
A larger washer with 4.5 cubic feet or above should typically be able to handle king-sized duvets and comforters. Large and bulky items like king size comforters need room to agitate or tumble in the washing machine in order to get clean.
However, you don’t want to overfill your washing machine as it can impact cleaning performance and damage your appliance over time. To avoid overloading your large capacity washer, consult your comforter’s laundry care label before washing, as the weight of the fabric and filling may require commercial-sized machines.
Learn more about how to wash a comforter or how to wash a blanket in your large capacity washing machine.
A large capacity dryer is generally considered one with over 7.0 cubic feet. Standard dryers tend to offer between 5.0 and 7.0 cubic feet of capacity. A 7.0 cubic foot dryer can usually fit about 9-15 full-sized bath towels per load. Exact capacity varies by model so be sure to check the manufacturer’s recommendations.
When you’re shopping for a large capacity washer and dryer set, you’ll notice that the dryer capacity is often larger than the washing machine capacity. This is because a load of laundry expands as it dries, requiring more space. Learn more about large capacity dryers to find the perfect match for your large capacity washing machine.
Select dryers from Whirlpool brand offer a 7.4 cu. ft. capacity dryer drum, so you’ll have plenty of room to easily handle large or bulky loads.
Shop Large Capacity Dryers from Whirlpool brand
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1. Based on 7-lb per basket.
