6 Best Top-Loading Washing Machines, According to Expert Testing
These top-loaders earned top scores in our tests.
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
Editor's Note—May 2026: The recommendations in this story were most recently updated in May based on testing for Good Housekeeping's 2026 Cleaning Awards program. We added the Cleaning Award-winning Midea Top Load Washer as our best value pick in this roundup. We are constantly watching the market for new machines and updating our recommendations as we test them.
Top-loading washers may be more traditional than front-loading washing machines, but they’re far from outdated. While they can’t be stacked to save space, they offer their own advantages: easier loading with less bending, fewer issues with mold and odors since there’s no door gasket, and modern models are much more energy- and water-efficient than older versions.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: Speed Queen Top Load TR7 Washing Machine
- Best impeller: LG Impeller 5.5-cu ft Top-Load Washer
- Most innovative: Whirlpool Top-Load Washer with 2-in-1 Agitator
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab, I put washing machines through tough, real-world tests to see how well they actually perform—everything from cleaning power to how gently they treat fabrics. I also look at things like energy and water use to give each model an overall score. Below, you’ll find the top-loading washers that impressed us most, plus some helpful tips on choosing the right style and what to keep in mind when shopping for your next machine.
Best Deal
Pros
- Easy to use
- Quiet
- Gentle on fabric
Cons
- No detergent dispenser
- Smaller capacity
In Lab tests, this Speed Queen stood out for its consistent performance across both cleaning and fabric care. It’s one of the few agitator machines I’ve tested that delivers strong stain removal while still being gentle on fabric. It also ran quietly throughout each cycle, and it comes with a seven-year warranty.
The controls are simple and clearly labeled, with buttons for cycle selection and straightforward adjustments for temperature, soil level, and load size. There’s no app or smart functionality, but I didn’t miss it. The delay start setting is useful for scheduling loads.
At 3.2 cubic feet, it has a smaller drum than many other models, so it’s not the best choice for oversize loads. Still, I was able to wash bulkier items like a Queen-size comforter without too much effort. It doesn’t have a dispenser, so detergent is placed directly into the drum.
Features at a Glance
| Capacity | 3.2 cubic feet |
| Mechanism | Agitator |
| Smart Features | No |
| Energy star certified | No |
Pros
- Has a smaller footprint than standard front-loaders
- Has a glass lid for viewing laundry while washing
- Control panel is easy to use
Cons
- Lacks smart features and app connectivity
If you’re trying to fit a lot of laundry into a tight budget, this Midea is a strong option. It packs a feature set typically reserved for larger, more expensive washers into a smaller, more affordable package. In fact, its unique combination of performance, size, and drum size helped it win a place in our Cleaning Awards.
Despite being 2 inches narrower than the standard full-size washer, it still fits a central agitator in its drum, with 4.1 cubic feet to spare. That makes it a practical choice if you’re working with a tighter laundry space but still need to wash larger loads. When I tested this model, it earned high scores for soil removal and gentleness, and the control panel was easy to navigate. The glass lid is also a standout, since it lets you check on cycles without opening the machine—something still pretty uncommon in top-loaders.
It also includes both automatic and manual water-level settings, along with quick-wash and tub-clean cycles. One limitation is that it doesn’t have other advanced smart features or app connectivity, but I found that it cleaned perfectly fine without them.
Features at a Glance
| Capacity | 4.1 cubic feet |
| Mechanism | Agitator |
| Smart features | No |
| Energy star certified | No |
Pros
- Large range of cycles
- Can handle large loads
- User-friendly controls
Cons
- Some larger items tangled during the wash
If you prefer your washer without an agitator, this LG was the top performer in my testing. Out of all the impeller models I tested, it delivered the strongest cleaning results of any impeller and was also one of the easiest to load and unload. It consistently lightened tough stains across cycles and spun out excess water more effectively than other machines, leaving clothes noticeably less damp.
The wide opening makes a noticeable difference in everyday use. Even with its impressive 5.5 cubic foot capacity, no one in our Lab had any trouble reaching the bottom, unlike with larger-capacity top-loaders. The control panel is clearly laid out, and making adjustments to cycle settings, such as water temperature and soil level, was straightforward.
The glass lid is a practical touch that makes it easier to keep an eye on cycles without interrupting them. With its spacious drum, it handled bulky loads without issue, though I did notice some tangling with larger items during testing. Overall, it stood out for combining strong impeller performance with a sleek, user-friendly design.
Features at a Glance
| Capacity | 5.5 cubic feet |
| Mechanism | Impeller |
| Smart features | Yes |
| Energy star certified | Yes |
Pros
- Removable agitator for more space
- Dispenser holds up to 20 loads of detergent
- Smart features included
Cons
- Louder than some other models
This top-loading washer won a place in the Good Housekeeping Cleaning Awards for its performance and efficiency. The bulk dispenser can hold enough liquid detergent for 20 loads, so you don't have to refill it each time. Innovative features like a button-activated faucet and integrated scrub brush make it easier to pre-treat stained items at the machine before dropping them into the drum.
This washer also has a removable agitator, allowing it more flexibility than traditional models. With the agitator installed, the washer delivers a more traditional wash action, but removing it creates more space for bulky items like comforters and sleeping bags. That dual setup makes it a practical choice for households that occasionally need to handle larger loads.
The companion app is easy to use and allows you to monitor your laundry remotely. While running, this model was a bit louder than some others in the Lab, but its combination of features and adaptable design helps set it apart.
| Capacity | 5.2 cubic feet |
| Mechanism | Agitator |
| Smart features | Yes |
| Energy Star certified | Yes |
Pros
- Faster than other top-loaders
- Automatic detergent dispenser
- Includes an option to minimize tangles
Cons
- Not as gentle as other models
This GE Profile top-loader stood out for its speed: it had the fastest cycle times of any top-loader I’ve tested. It completed both 8- and 12-pound loads on the Normal cycle in 42 minutes, and it finished a 3-pound load in just 25 minutes with its fast cycle. Even with those shorter cycles, it still demonstrated strong performance in other areas.
It did a solid job removing excess water at the end of each cycle, helping to shorten overall drying time. While it wasn’t as gentle on fabrics as some other models, its combination of speed and cleaning power was consistently impressive. It also has a Tangle Control setting, which helps prevent sheets and shirt sleeves from getting twisted or bunched. To make things even more hands-off, the detergent dispenser can hold up to 32 loads of detergent and dispense the right amount for you. (You just have to scan the detergent's barcode in the SmartHQ app.)
With its fast cycle times, strong performance, and user-friendly design, this model may be a great fit for anyone looking to get laundry done more quickly without sacrificing cleaning power.
| Capacity | 5.4 cubic feet |
| Mechanism | Impeller |
| Smart features | No |
| Energy star certified | No |
Pros
- Good value for a combo unit
- Ideal for limited space
- Easy-to-reach controls, especially compared to other stacked options
Cons
- Lacks premium features
Usually, only front-loading machines are stackable. This GE unit combines the best of both worlds. The dryer is conveniently stacked right on top, but you can load or empty your machine without bending down as you would with a front loader.
Featuring 11 wash cycles, six rinse temperatures, and a standard capacity, this combo unit is ideal for anyone who lacks the space for a separate washer and dryer.
We have seen how difficult it can be to reach control panels when units are stacked, so we really appreciated this appliance's centrally located controls. While it lacks a display showing the minutes remaining in the cycle, the lights indicate which part of the cycle your load is in. It also lacks some of the fancy features of other top-loaders, but it's a reliable pick for families seeking a compact combo unit at a great price.
| Capacity | 3.8 cubic feet |
| Mechanism | Agitator |
| Smart features | No |
| Energy Star certified | No |
How we test top loading washing machines
Since 1907, the pros at the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab have been testing the best washing machines, basing our tests on industry standards by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM).
We test cleaning performance by recording how effectively each cycle lifts stains from six-panel pre-soiled fabric strips. We follow a specified loading order and folding procedure when placing the strips into the machine, then wash them with an industry-standard detergent. Once they've air-dried, we measure how much of each stain remains using reflectance (how light or dark the fabric appears) to calculate a cleaning score. Across all stains and cycles, this results in over 60 individual readings per machine. We also time each cycle and weigh our test loads as they emerge to determine how effectively the spin cycle removes excess water.
We also test specialty cycles, such as heavy-duty and sanitizing, to verify that they perform as expected. To determine gentleness, we wash cotton swatches with five pre-cut holes and assess the machine’s gentleness by counting the number of frayed threads at the end of a cycle.
We then score each washer’s ease of use by assessing the control panel and general intuitiveness, ease of loading, and ease of opening and closing the door. Finally, we assign scores based on the model’s energy efficiency and water use.
What to look for when shopping for a top-loading washing machine
✔️ Capacity: If you do laundry often or have fewer people in your household, you should opt for a standard-capacity washer. If you have a larger family, you might benefit from a large-capacity washer that can handle heavy loads and bulkier items, such as bedding. On average, standard-capacity top-loaders are around 3 to 4 cubic feet, while extra-large-capacity units are about 5 cubic feet or more.
✔️ Cycles: Before buying a top-loading washing machine, check to see which cycles it is equipped with. Laundry items such as delicates, lightly soiled clothing, and towels can all benefit from dedicated cycles, so it is worthwhile to look out for settings designed to handle them. For extra control, many units even allow you to customize the preset temperature and spin options.
✔️ Ease of use: Make sure the drum of the washer you choose isn't too deep for you to reach the bottom, so you don't struggle to load and unload it later.
✔️ Smart features: Some laundry machines leverage AI technology to automatically adjust cycle settings based on soil level or load size. If you want to schedule laundry loads from your phone, receive notifications when a cycle is complete, order detergent, and more, look for a machine with a companion app.
✔️ Detergent dispensing: Some top-loaders have bulk dispensers that automatically dispense the correct amount of detergent for each load. Others lack detergent dispensers entirely, requiring you to place detergent into the bottom of the drum. While our tests haven’t shown a clear performance difference between these different styles, auto-dispensing goes a long way in making laundry more hands-off.
What's better: a front-loading or a top-loading washing machine?
There were once larger performance and efficiency differences between the two styles, but today, whether you want a top-loading or a front-loading washing machine is a matter of personal preference.
Top-loading washing machines have come a long way. Older machines would fill up completely with water, using nearly 40 gallons per cycle. Newer models use far less water, with most top-loaders requiring closer to 12 or 13 gallons per load.
One main difference between the two styles is that front-loaders typically require more maintenance, but they still have a slight edge when it comes to saving water.
Another consideration when choosing between a top-loading and a front-loading washing machine is ease of use and convenience. Top-loading washers have a traditional design that’s extremely easy to access and doesn’t require much bending, though they can be so deep that shorter folks may struggle to reach the last few items at the bottom of the drum. Also, keep in mind that only front-loading washing machines are stackable, making them a popular choice in homes with limited floor space.
Is a top load washer better with or without an agitator?
Every top-loader relies on one of two mechanisms to clean clothes: an agitator or an impeller plate. An agitator is a central post that twists back and forth to remove soil as it pulls clothes through the water. An impeller plate is a disc at the bottom of the machine that either spins or bounces to clean clothing.
The main difference is that agitators swish clothing in a water bath and require a bit more water to fully clean it. At the same time, impeller plates cause clothing to rub against itself under a shower of water, removing stains and grime. In our experience, both options clean effectively.
Remember that agitators take up more space in the tub, making it harder to fit large items like blankets and duvets. That said, some models feature removable agitators for this purpose.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Noah Pinsonnault has tested over 20 different laundry appliances, including washing machines, dryers, and combination units. To pick the best top-loaders, he laundered countless test loads, recording thousands of data points along the way. The resulting dataset was so large that he had to write code to analyze it.
The Best Way to Remove Blood Stains from Clothes
Is Laundry Stripping Worth It?
The Best Clothes Dryers
The Best Washing Machines
