My Washing machine packed it in this week and now I'm in the market for a new one.
I'm undecided regarding front or top loader.
What are the pros and cons?
Which brand is the best from an economical point of view (energy, water & clothes wear and tear)
Also, which has the best service in case something breaks down?
Any deals out there? Was going to check the local good guys.
Any other considerations?
Thanks for your comments!
So funny. Loved your reference to my recent pizza post but yes that is why I'm looking for 7.5 kg washer!
Get an older machine. I have a 10 year old Whirlpool industrial machine of which I had serviced and heavy-dutied and it's never missed a beat, very reliable.
Don't worry about 'water' consumption, I use the brisbane water 'average' and my water bill is $18 dollars.
Top loaders wash better, it's as simple as that. Front loaders can go eat a fat one. (Not to mention every time someone buys a front loader you're killing off Australian manufacturing)
In my experience (having used various models of both) front loaders clean better and are gentler on your clothes. They're also more water and energy efficient. However, they can't clean as much at once and take longer.
Top loaders rip at your clothes and from my understanding do not wash better.
The "slapping" motion of a Front Loader is both gentler on the clothes and more effective at cleaning.
Don't buy based on water efficiency though. The difference is minimal and potentially, the more water efficient ones don't wash as well cause there's less water to carry away the dirt!
Damage to clothes in top loaders comes from not putting enough water in. Most people think that just enough to cover the washing is enough. It is not.
Doing that will damage your clothes and also result in a poor quality wash.
Never touch a front loader… trouble +.
I agree what was said about ignoring water efficiency… if you look at your water bill you will see that the water itself is very cheap… it is the service charges that are a rip off.
The twisting motion is still going to rip at clothes no matter how full a load you have, it's inevitable that a neck hole or similar) will get jagged on one of the paddles and is going to be stretched by the forward and backward twist.
My Whirlpool Front Loader is still going strong at 10 years with no maintenance. Can't ask much more than that!
With the range of questions you have, it might be worth buying the latest report from Choice magazine.
Last time I spent time on this (18months ago), my conclusions were:
- front loader (pros, low water & energy use if you use cold water. Cons, cycle take longer)
- Bosch
- Appliances Online
Yes I hear Bosch all the time. Will give it a go I think.
I had a bosch one and it was an absolute piece of cr*p. Never got a clean wash from it in the 2 years I had it before I gave up, regardless of what detergent I used.
Front loaders take forever, so you need to plan ahead if you're doing washing, which killed it for me (like 2.5 hours+ for a load vs 45 mins or less for a top loader).
No they don't. Maybe 10 years ago.
My Bosch cotton cycle is 48 mins.
My brothers LG is 30 for quick wash and 55 for cottons.
We have an LG WD12490FD. It's a front loading washing machine, also a dryer. So you can program it to wash then dry in the same tub. It also has a steam function, which my wife uses to steam clothes before she irons them. It wasn't cheap, around the $1700 mark if I remember correctly,(we have had it about 2 years). It has a 10 year warranty and hardly uses any water. It also has short cycles, main thing is that my wife is happy with it.
I have just reread this post and I sound like a sales person for LG. I'm not anything like that, I'm a chef and we bought it mainly for washing whites.
10 year warranty on the DD motor, and maybe two to three on the rest of the unit itself. Don't get carried away.
Speak to a Whitegoods appliance repair centre, all the older machines (certain types) kill any modern machine for longevity and repairability.
For a commercial grade machine you can buy new, Speedqueen is a company to check out if you're looking to spend over $1000.
I'd be more worried about electricity use than water use if it's steaming + washing + drying.
Had one of these for past 3 years… exceptional machine (when you put enough water in it… most people dont use enough)
http://www.binglee.com.au/lg-wt-h800-8kg-top-load-washer-217…
LG - WT-H800 - 8kg Top Load Washer
We had top loaders for years and years, always thought front loaders took forever, but when ours died about 5 years ago we thought it was time for a change. Went out and brought a Samsung front loader 1000 rpm spin, it has a quick wash of 28 mins and we use that 95% of the time, much gentler on the clothes, wouldn't have anything else now.Paid extra money for 1000 rpm over an 800 rpm probably a waste of money.
I've used twintubs, top loaders, and for the last 18 years, front loaders. I'm reverting to a top loader or a twin tub the next time round. Yes, the front loaders are supposed to be more economical with water, but I have no real way to measure that, since I have no idea what my usage would be with a top loader, but I find that loading/unloading clothes in a front loader to be a most awkward activity. I don't like it (never did, but I am getting old and decrepit and find it just bloody hard now).
Another thing I didnt consider was whether to get a machine which heated the water, or one which would use your HWS for its hot water. The former will cost in terms of electricity, and if you have an electric HWS then its not an issue. I have gas, however, and would rather use that, so will be looking for a machine with both hot and cold inlets.
I'd also prefer mechanical rather than electronic dials (guess I am going to be going second hand with mine) because they cost less to fix when things do go wrong.
but I find that loading/unloading clothes in a front loader to be a most awkward activity.
I've never understood people's alleged problems with loading/unloading a front loader..
Personally I find it easier than the top loader.
I literally underarm throw stuff into the front loader from a standing position and then I can drag everything into a basket on the floor with one sweep of an arm.
Top Loader is easier to load in that you can pour stuff in, assuming that you've already done separation iof colours etc, but to get it out you've gotta bend and lift and it takes a few actions to get everything out.
I've never understood people's alleged problems with loading/unloading a front loader..
Sadly we're not all blessed with perfect backs, and dealing with a front loader can be difficult for those who are not.
but don't you have the same problem bending over a top loader to get everything out of the bottom? Not only that, but you've got to lift the clothes up and out (which I would have thought would put more strain on your back), whereas with a front loader you just pull them into a basket. :)
Precisely my point Evil-Elmo
Did you accidentally chuck the other half of a person into the washer? :P.
I would recommend a front loader since it's more water economical and is more efficient at washing clothes, plus they come out semi dry. Stick to the main brands like F&P, Westinghouse, whirlpool etc.