Front Load Washer vs Top Load Washer

Front load washers are more energy efficient than top load washers. However, their initial purchase price is significantly higher, and they have a shorter life expectancy than top load washers. Top load washers are relatively more popular in the U.S. while front load washers have become more popular in Europe.

Comparison chart

Improve this chart	Front Load Washer Currently 2.13/5 1 2 3 4 5 Rating: 2.1/5 (8 votes)	Top Load Washer Currently 3.56/5 1 2 3 4 5 Rating: 3.6/5 (9 votes)
Energy efficiency:	More efficient	Less efficient
Load size:	Larger	Smaller
Spin:	Up to 1000rpm	650 rpm
Clothing life:	Less wear and tear	More wear and tear
Cost:	More expensive	Less expensive
Door lock:	Yes	No
Detergent:	Usually only HE low-sudsing detergent	Any
Add steam:	In some models	No
Wash time cycle:	Can be 30 minutes longer	Shorter
Reliability:	Less problems	Broken belts, leaky hoses, sensor problems.
Life expectancy:	11 years	14 years

"Take'em for a spin, baby"

1 Energy efficiency
2 Space
3 Wash cycle
4 Clothing Life
5 Cost
6 Reliability
7 Popularity
8 See Also
9 References

edit Energy efficiency

Front load washers use about 1/3rd of the amount of water used by top load washers. Front load machines can also spin up to 1000rpm, compared to a top load washer’s 650 rpm. This means less water is left in the laundry, leading to shorter drying times.

edit Space

Front load washers can be stacked, while top load washers cannot.

edit Wash cycle

Top load washers have shorter wash cycles than front loaders. This is because front load washers use less detergent and water and to clean more effectively, they usually take somewhat longer (20-110 minutes, depending on the size of the load) to wash a load. Front loaders are also equipped with computer controlled sensors which if set correctly can easily adapt the wash cycle to the needs of each load.

edit Clothing Life

The agitator in a top load washer can add wear and tear to clothes. A front load washer does not have this problem. Some delicate items can be washed in a front load washer on the hand wash setting.

edit Cost

A front load washer costs several hundred dollars more than a top load washer.

edit Reliability

Front load machines can cause a musty smell. They can also vibrate against the floor. They have an average life expectancy of 11 years.

Top load machines can have problems with their belts, hoses and sensors. They have an average life expectancy of 14 years.

edit Popularity

Top load washers are more popular in US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America. Front load washers are more popular in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and much of the rest of the world.

The market share for these washers is roughly:


Market	Front Load Washers	Top Load Washers
US Market Share	35%	65%
European Market Share	90%	10%

Comparison chart

Contents

edit Energy efficiency

edit Space

edit Wash cycle

edit Clothing Life

edit Cost

edit Reliability

edit Popularity

edit See Also

edit References

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