Best top loading washing machine

If we compare the popularity of automatic washing machines, front-loading washing machines (with a hatch in the front) will win hands down. But there are cases when people choose top-loading washing machines (hatch on top). There are many reasons for this, but today we will not talk about the reasons for choosing such machines, but about how to make this choice. What should the best top loading machine look like? We’ll talk about this in the article.

How to evaluate?

Having decided to purchase a top-loading washing machine, the consumer is almost immediately faced with the fact that the market offers him a huge number of models with different characteristics and at different prices. Even without going to the retail outlets in your city or town, by looking at the offer on the Internet, you can be convinced that the choice is huge, but what to actually buy “so as not to get screwed” is not clear.

A savvy consumer immediately begins to study the ratings of selling sites, looking at models of top-loading machines that have received high ratings from people. This approach should not be considered correct, since sellers very often create and use “fake” ratings in order to orient consumers not to the best product, but to the one that needs to be sold quickly.

Our site does not sell or advertise washing machines. We are interested in finding objective information, and believe me, we will find it!

A top-loading washing machine should not be evaluated based on the opinion of a group of people, but on the basis of an objective assessment of a group of criteria, preferably a professional assessment. Our machine repair experts, specialists with extensive experience, have identified a number of criteria that you can rely on when evaluating this or that top-loading machine. Such criteria, coupled with a professional opinion on each worthy model, will help determine which washing machine is better than the rest and worthy of your choice. Let's list these criteria.

• Cost of the model and its technical characteristics.
• How well does the machine wash clothes?
• How long can the machine last?
• Is it easy to repair and how expensive are the parts?

At first glance, nothing complicated, but in fact, each of the above criteria has a rather comprehensive content, which we will try to reveal in the subsequent paragraphs of our article. Let's start with the most difficult part: price and technical specifications.

Specifications and price

Having examined dozens of top-loading washing machines, it is not difficult to choose several models that are affordable and have more or less decent technical characteristics. This is what an amateur thinks. In reality, you can quickly decide only on the price; everything else sometimes baffles even a professional. By revealing the selection criterion “technical characteristics” related to a top-loading washing machine, we mean.

1. Dimensions. They are especially important to consider when you have little space, look at the height, depth and width of the model.
2. Capacity of the drum or washing tub. This parameter allows you to find out what kind of drum the washing machine has, how much (in kilograms) you can stuff laundry into it so that it is washed well enough.
3. Number and composition of washing modes.You need to look not only at the number of washing programs, but also at how popular and effective they are.
4. Useful features. Modern top-loading washing machines have a bunch of useful features that help speed up washing, make it more efficient and safer for your clothes.

Don't go for models with advertised dubious features like "bubble wash" or "intelligent wash". Firstly, you will have to overpay for them, and secondly, it is not a fact that they are as effective as advertising makes us believe.

5. Information content and functionality of the control panel. Valued much more by users models of top-loading washing machines that have a clear and informative control panel with a good display and responsive toggle switches and buttons.
6. Noise. A top-loading automatic washing machine is traditionally quieter than its front-loading counterparts, however, you need to look at this parameter so as not to run into some growling monster.
7. Spin speed. It is generally accepted, and not without reason, that the faster the drum rotates during spinning, the drier the laundry will be. Our experience allows us to say: if the maximum drum rotation speed of a certain washing machine model is less than 1000 rpm, it is better not to buy such a machine.
8. Height adjustment. A good modern top-loading automatic washing machine should have 4, or at most two, adjustable legs that will help you level the washing machine. If you have problems with your legs, you definitely don’t need to take the washing machine.
9. Protection. A modern top-loading automatic washing machine must have at least partial protection against leaks. It is better if the protection is complete, but to be honest, in some cases, even seemingly complete protection of the washing machine from leaks will not protect against flooding.
10. Long hoses and adapters included. It is advisable that the washing machine comes with sufficiently long hoses and adapters to allow it to be connected to the water supply and sewerage system. If there aren’t any, it doesn’t matter, but it would still make your life easier in the future.

The hoses can be extended if necessary, but you will have to buy additional adapters and other components, which will increase the overall costs.

We’ve sorted out the main technical parameters taken into account, now let’s find out what the normal price for a “home assistant” is currently? How much money will you have to allocate for the corresponding purchase?

The price range is quite wide, but on average the best top-loading automatic washing machine will cost $300-400, good models can be found in the range of 20-30 thousand. Everything that is cheaper often does not stand up to criticism. It’s unfortunate to admit this, but the price still affects the quality of the product, because good spare parts and reliable electronics, coupled with high-quality assembly, cannot be cheap. But let's not talk about sad things, but let's move on to the most interesting thing - washing machine models and determining which one is better in terms of technical parameters and price.

• Electrolux EWT1266FOW. The best in its class in terms of technical parameters is a free-standing automatic washing machine with vertical loading. It has everything you need and even more: load 6 kg, spin speed 1200 rpm, average noise level, complete protection against leaks, child protection, low water and electricity consumption. In addition, there is an excellent digital display and a clear control panel.Dimensions W x D x H 40x60x85 cm. The only thing that scares us away is the high price - $670, but, as you know, a good thing costs money.
  
• AEG L 86560 TL The best in its class in terms of technical parameters is a free-standing automatic washing machine with vertical loading. In terms of technical characteristics, it even surpasses the Electrolux EWT1266FOW. For example, the AEG spin speed reaches 1500 rpm, there is automatic drum positioning and an energy-efficient motor. Dimensions are 40x60x89 cm, price: $780.
• Whirlpool TDLR Another top-loading automatic washing machine with the best parameters in its class. It is noteworthy that this washing machine can hold 7 kg of laundry at once, and it spins at 1200 rpm. Size 40x60x90, direct drive, super-efficient engine and complete protection against leaks. An excellent model in all respects and the price is amazing - only 460 dollars.

Washing quality

We have decided on the three best washing machines in terms of technical characteristics. Now let’s highlight our favorites in terms of wash quality. It should be noted that this was not an easy task, however, our specialists succeeded. Here are the models that took the lead in this parameter.

1. Electrolux EWT1367VDW. An automatic washing machine with vertical loading, a special drum, optimal washing programs and the ability to spin at a speed of about 1300 rpm. This machine has great advantages and is capable of excellent washing: wool, jeans, sportswear, cotton and delicate fabrics. It has a program that prevents things from creasing, as well as a “steaming clothes” mode.
2. Whirlpool TDLR We have already touched on the characteristics of this model, we will only note that the washing machine of this model perfectly washes calico bed linen, even from heavy soiling. Of course, provided that you use high-quality washing powder.
3. Indesit ITW E 61052 G. At first glance, an unremarkable washing machine with mediocre technical characteristics: load 6 kg, spin 1000 rpm, 14 standard washing programs, showed itself very well during tests, flawlessly washing a mountain of laundry.

Even relatively cheap top-loading automatic washing machines can show excellent results in terms of washing quality, but in order to correctly evaluate the model, you need to pay attention to all the main criteria.

Durability and maintainability

Now about washing machines that have proven to be the most durable and repairable. To evaluate washing machines according to these parameters, we turned to statistics published by leading service centers for repairing washing machines. In general, we can say that most verticals are quite strong, but if they break, this will lead to significant problems.

AEG L 86560 TL4. The model we described above is considered one of the most reliable in the world. Judging by the quality of the assembly and components, such a model can work without problems for at least 10-15 years, but if it breaks, repairs will be very expensive. So it’s worth pointing out that this model is reliable, but there are obvious problems with maintainability.

Bosch WOR 16155. This washing machine turned out to be one of the most reliable and repairable. It’s a pity that its technical characteristics are very ordinary, even low, and its price is exorbitant.In particular: loading – 6 kg, drum rotation – 800 rpm, partial protection against leaks and no protection against children. You will have to pay $646 for this model, which is clearly too much even for a washing machine that even a non-professional can repair.

Important! The reliability of top-loading washing machines is influenced by the country of assembly. European washing machines serve excellently, Chinese ones are worse, although not by much, but the Russian assembly is considered the worst.

We come to a common denominator

So, we talked about all the most important criteria and identified several models of top-loading automatic washing machines that meet these criteria. Now the most important thing is the verdict of the experts: which washing machine turned out to be the best based on a set of criteria?

The final decision was not easy, there was a heated discussion, and the opinions of our experts were divided. Everything was decided by the final vote, in which the washing machine won by one vote Whirlpool TDLR70220. It is noteworthy that this model cannot be called outstanding, but it is quite a solid piece of equipment with average reliability, average maintainability, an attractive price and good performance.

The washing quality is somewhat inferior to the Electrolux washing machine, but not by much, which allows us to make the Whirlpool TDLR70220 the absolute favorite in the competition. The bottom line is that the Whirlpool TDLR70220 top-loading, according to our experts, is the best washing machine widely sold on the Russian market in 2016. If you want to see our author's rating of top loading washing machines, read the article of the same name posted on our website.

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