Top load washing machine buying guide

When choosing a new washer, it’s important to think about what you need for your home, laundry habits and budget. Factors like size, capacity, energy use, features and cycles can all play a role in finding the right match for you. In the list below, discover six key features to consider before making your decision.

The cycles and settings on a washing machine determine how your clothes are cleaned and cared for. Most washers include a mix of everyday options and specialty cycles to match different fabrics, soil levels and laundry needs. Here are some of the most common settings found on many washers across the broader market:

• Everyday cycles: Standard options like Normal balances cottons, linens and mixed fabrics; Colors uses cooler water to protect darks and brights; and Whites uses hot water and higher spin speeds for heavily soiled white garments.
• Quick wash: A faster setting for small or lightly soiled loads. When you pair select Whirlpool^® models, like this one, with corresponding dryers, you can wash and dry in under 1 hour with the Quick Wash and Quick Dry Cycles, so you can keep up with laundry within your busy schedule.
• Delicate cycle: Lower spin speeds and cooler water for gentle care.
• Bulky/sheets cycle: Uses a higher water level for bedding, comforters and large items.
• Heavy duty: Hot water and a strong spin to power through tough soils.
• Sanitize cycle: Uses extra hot water to help remove bacteria. On select Whirlpool^® Washers, like this one, the Sanitize with Oxi Cycle removes 99.9% of household bacteria¹ with increased wash temperatures and oxygenated additives. Using oxygen bleach provides a gentle solution to sanitize colors.
• Presoak: Adds extra soak time before the main wash to help lift stubborn stains. On select Whirlpool^® Washing Machines, like this one, the Presoak Option gently helps release soils with a 30 minute Presoak and Wash all in one cycle.
• Cold wash: Uses lower water temperatures to help preserve fabrics and colors while saving energy. On select Whirlpool^® Washing Machines, such as this model, you can get a thorough clean and save up to 90% of energy by switching to cold water. The Cold Wash Cycle combines gentle temperatures with adjusted wash actions and time to help you save energy and get a thorough clean¹.
  
  Learn more about UV light washing that uses cold wash to help reduce bacteria.

• Sensor cycle: Many washers feature automatic sensors that adjust water levels, temperature and cycle time based on the load. On select Whirlpool^® Washing Machines, like this top load model, Adaptive Wash Technology with Active Bloom™ Wash Action senses the size of each load and adapts wash actions and water levels for optimal cleaning.

The cycles and settings available on your washing machine will vary depending on your model and manufacturer. Many washers include rinse and spin, drain and spin and clean washer cycles. Most also let you choose water temperature settings such as hot, warm, cool, cold or tap cold, giving you flexibility for different fabrics.

Getting the right fit for your washing machine starts with understanding both the dimensions of the appliance and the size of loads it can handle. Standard top load washers typically hold around three to five cubic feet of capacity, while large-capacity models can offer a little more than five cubic feet, enough to wash a king-size comforter and sheets in one load. Front load washers generally do not go above five cubic feet, making top load models a strong choice for families with larger laundry needs. 

When measuring for your new washer, remember to check the height, width and depth of your space, and leave extra room for installation and ventilation. Since a top load lid opens upward, be sure to check for shelves or cabinets overhead that could limit clearance. Be sure to also measure doorways, hallways and entry points to confirm the appliance can be moved into place.

Many top load washers include design elements and convenience features that go beyond basic cycles. These details can help protect fabrics, improve cleaning performance and make laundry day easier. Some of these features may include:

• Agitator: Traditional agitators are tall posts in the center of the basket that move back and forth to clean. On select Whirlpool^® Washers, such as this one, the 2-in-1 Removable Agitator lets you choose how you wash—easily swap in the agitator to help with soils or remove it for extra capacity to fit large and bulky items.
• Impeller: Impellers are low-profile cones or discs that create wash action to rub clothes against each other for cleaning. On select Whirlpool^® Washers, like this top load model, the Smooth Impeller provides wash action that cleans by rubbing the fabrics together, while its surface design drives clothes from the outer rim to the center, where the deepest cleaning happens.
• Flexible capacity: Some washers let you adjust how you use the basket to handle larger loads. On select Whirlpool^® Washers, such as this top load model, the 4.2-4.3 cu. ft. Flexible Capacity Design allows you to keep the agitator in for everyday loads or remove it for extra space to wash bulky items like king-size linens.
• Stainless steel wash basket: Many washers feature stainless steel baskets that are durable and gentle on fabrics. On select Whirlpool^® Washing Machines, like this top load model, the Smooth Spiral Stainless Steel Wash Basket helps protect fabrics by gently guiding clothes during the wash.
• Bleach Dispenser: Built-in dispensers help add bleach at the right time in the cycle for the best results. On select Whirlpool^® Washers, such as this one, the Bleach Dispenser adds and dilutes liquid bleach at the beginning of the wash cycle, so you don’t have to worry about adding it later.
• Detergent and Fabric Softener Dispensers: Many top load washers include separate compartments to ensure detergent and softener are dispensed exactly when needed. On select Whirlpool^® Washing Machines, like this one, the Single Load Dispenser Drawer lets you add detergent and fabric softener to their designated compartments so each gets dispensed at just the right time during the cycle.
• Glass lid: Some washers feature clear lids so you can check on laundry without interrupting the cycle. On select Whirlpool^® Washing Machines, like this top load model, the Soft-Close Glass Lid makes it easy to look in while closing gently and quietly.
• Smart features: Many washers now offer smart connectivity to help you manage laundry from anywhere. On select Whirlpool^® Appliances, Smart Features allow you to connect to more. You can enjoy smart features that help you streamline your laundry routine and keep your day moving.

When comparing washers, keep in mind that front load models generally use less water and often spin faster to help shorten drying times, while top load washers may use more water but can sometimes complete cycles more quickly.

To help offset water and energy use, look for models with eco-friendly settings. On select Whirlpool^® Washers, ENERGY STAR^® certified models exceed government standards to conserve natural resources, and the Cold Wash Cycle, also found on select Whirlpool^® models, can help save up to 90% on energy by combining gentle temperatures with adjusted wash actions and time.¹

Budget is an important factor when choosing a new washer. Top load washing machines can vary widely in price, depending on the features, cycles, color, finish, manufacturer and the capabilities you’re looking for. Features like larger capacity, a removable agitator and smart connectivity can sometimes raise the price.

The good news is that, with so many options available, you should be able to find a model that suits both your laundry needs and your budget. Whirlpool^® Top Load Washing Machines typically range from about $500 to $1,150.

Top load washing machines are available in a variety of colors and finishes depending on the manufacturer, making it easy to match your appliances with your laundry space.

Whirlpool brand currently offers top load washers in classic White, Volcano Black and Chrome Shadow finishes so that you can select the best fit for your laundry room aesthetic.

The best top load washer for you depends on your laundry habits, household size and preferred features. You can use the Whirlpool brand Top Load comparison chart or explore the use cases below to find the right fit for your home.

For larger families, higher capacity models can help you wash more loads of laundry in fewer loads and can handle bulkier items like comforters and king-size bedding in a single load.

Capacity can vary depending on whether a washer has an agitator or an impeller, since impellers typically take up less space in the drum, leaving more room for bulkier loads. A 2-in-1 Removable Agitator can add flexibility either way, letting you keep it in for everyday loads or remove it for extra room when you need it.

For washing sheets, blankets, comforters and other large bedding items, look for high-capacity models that offer a dedicated Bulky Items or Bulky/Sheets cycle. These cycles generally use warm water and a low spin speed to help care for sheets, blankets, comforters and other large bedding and bulky items. Higher-capacity models can give bulky loads more room to move during the wash. 

Select Whirlpool brand models with a 2-in-1 Removable Agitator let you remove it for extra space when you need it. Also select Whirlpool^® models, include the Deep Water Wash Option, which can give you more water to help break down loose soils.

For heavily soiled loads, look for washers equipped with a Heavy Duty Cycle. This type of setting targets tough cleaning on whites and other loads.

To further loosen set-in grime, select Whirlpool^® models offer a Presoak Option, which lets you skip soaking outside of the washer. This feature adds extra time inside the washer before the wash cycle, which starts automatically when the option is complete.

For delicates and mixed loads, washers with a Delicate cycle use gentle agitation and cooler water to help protect sensitive fabrics like silks and lightweight synthetics. An impeller wash can be a good fit for mixed loads since it can be gentle on fabrics while still providing a thorough clean.

Learn more about the differences between the Delicate and Hand Wash Cycle to find the right setting for your most fragile fabrics.

You can save time and effort on laundry day using a washing machine equipped with automatic load sensors. These sensors regulate the water level based on load size and can help take the guesswork out of selecting settings. For instance, the Auto Sensing Option on select Whirlpool^® Washers gives you a thorough clean with the right amount of water. This option engages the agitator, then automatically senses the load size to determine if additional water is needed.

On some Whirlpool^® models, smart features can also help by letting you start, pause and monitor cycles from anywhere through the Whirlpool^® App. Plus, small, lightly soiled loads will be clean in as little as 30 minutes when you use the Quick Wash Cycle on models like this Whirlpool^® Top Load Washer.²

Explore answers to commonly asked questions about top load washing machines to help you find the right appliance for your home.

Explore Whirlpool^® Washers and Dryers

Keep your family’s laundry routine running smoothly with Whirlpool^® Washers and Dryers designed to deliver the capacity, style and features you need in every load. Whirlpool^® Washing Machines come in top and front load configurations and with a variety of features to meet your laundry needs.