Shop Washing Machines: Top Load & Front Load

Transform Your Laundry Routine with Whirlpool® Washers

Whirlpool washing machines come in front-load or top-load options, meaning all you have to do is choose what's right for you. Find the features that will help make laundry less of a chore. There's even smart washers, which let you control and monitor your washer from your smartphone or tablet even when you're not home. Browse our full line and compare models to determine which washing machine will best meet your needs and suit your lifestyle.

Choosing the Best Washing Machine: Things to Consider

Top load vs. front load: What’s the difference?

The first — and perhaps most important — consideration is washer type: top load or front load? As the name implies, the chief difference is in the way you load/unload clothes. Top loading washers clean in two ways: with an agitator or an impeller. An agitator is a tall central post that twists back and forth to break down stains and loosen soils, while an impeller is a low-profile cone or disk that rotates to get clothes clean.

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Agitator washers vs. impeller washers

Agitators Explained

A washing machine with an agitator is probably the style you’re most familiar with. Despite what some people think, advances in washer technology ensure that agitators can take on your toughest loads — without being tough on your clothes.

Impellers Explained

A washing machine with an impeller uses less motion, and water, than a washer with an agitator. Designed so laundry has more room to move, it drives clothes from the outer rim of the wash basket to the center, using a small amount of water to optimize the friction. This is what helps deliver a gentle, efficient, yet thorough clean.

Learn more about the difference between an Agitator vs Impeller