Top Loader
Front Loader
Low Cost
On the other hand, top loaders consume considerably more energy and detergent when they operate, so in the long run they are not all that cheap to own.
They would typically cost at least a couple of hundred dollars more than their top-loading counterparts.
This is offset in the long run by lower energy, water and detergent costs.
Space Saving
This means that placing the washing machine under the kitchen's countertop or shelves is out of the question. It is also not possible to stack a drier on top of it (and stacking the washing machine on top of a drier is never practical).
Because you don't need space above it, you can place the washing machine under your kitchen countertop or shelves with no problem.
The front loading machines are also almost always suitable for stacking a drier right on top of them, thereby saving floor space.
Quick Washing
However, most brands have fast wash cycles that come close to matching the time top loaders offer for normal cycle.
Eco friendly
Because of the way top loaders work, the water needs to cover all the clothes in the drum, and soapy water must be emptied and replaced with clean water for the rinse cycle. Some of the newer brands of top loaders, however, are better at water conserving.
Top loaders also use significantly more detergents than front loaders. This not only contributes to their comparatively higher running costs but also makes them less friendly to the environment.
A front loader's washing cycle requires significantly less water that a top loader's, since water is required to fill only a third of the drum, and rinse cycles do not empty the soapy water completely.
Unlike the top loaders, the front loader's drum does not contain an agitator, and there is more room for dirty washing in every load, meaning less overall loads are required.
The front loaders also get higher spin speeds (1000rpm and more). This means the washing contains less water when you take it out to the drier, and less energy is wasted there as well.
On the down side, front loaders don't usually have 'real' cold wash. The cold washing temperature on front loaders is usually warmer than the top loaders. This makes them a little less efficient in this respect, since some energy is required to heat the water.
Detergent Variety
The brand and type variety is large, and your chances of finding a specific detergent to your liking are excellent.
This is especially important if you have sensitive skin or are looking for that special fragrance.
This greatly limits the detergent selection available, and may affect you directly if you usually shop at small outlets that do not carry a large variety of detergents.
Washing Delicates
This is excellent for removing dirt from your ordinary clothes, but means the top loaders are less gentle on delicates.
Additionally, washing with a top loader will cause more wear and tear to clothes on a normal cycle than front loading washing machines.
This is because they spin the clothes to remove the dirt rather than beating them like the top loaders do.
The gentler washing method makes the front loaders more suitable for delicate fabrics which will last longer, especially if you use a hand-washing cycle.
Top Loader
Front Loader
Top Loader
based on 12 customer reviews
Feel factor: 16
Please be aware of The Factory Depot's return
(Score 1/5)
I think I would love this unit. It has a huge tub and many options, however I can't be certain if I would love it as it has arrived broken!! I, like other owners, had the unit arrive with a broken rod. The item arrived late Monday and I inspected the outside of the item and down in the tub on Tuesday. There were a couple of dings/dents and scratches, but I was so excited about the size and look of the unit, I thought I could definitely live with these cosmetic blemishes.
There was a terrible storm that week and I needed my father to help me hook it up, so we didn't get around to hooking it up until Friday after work. The unit shipped in a box that lifts off the unit and the machine itself sits on a styrofoam base. As he lifted it off of the styrofoam, we noticed a rather large piece of metal fall from the bottom of the unit. That could have been the reason there was a dent that was pointing outward on the front (one of the blemishes I mentioned earlier).
I called several times and never received an answer Customer Service (they operate Monday-Friday Pacific Standard Time). On Monday, I emailed them. They said that they would exchange the item, but that since I didn't report the damage within 24 hours, I would be responsible for shipping fees. I already paid nearly $50 to have it shipped to my house broken, so I do not feel I should have to pay shipping on this item or a new replacement item. There is no where in their policy that states that YOU ONLY HAVE 24 HOURS. If I understand filing damage claims correctly, Fedex gives you 21 days, USPS gives you 60 days and Amazon and UPS give you 30 days... so if The Factory Depot is an Amazon reseller and ship through any of the above methods, then how do they get to make up (and not post) their own policy of 24 hours.
If you are like me and you are a single person or person with any physical disability, then do not buy from The Factory Depot unless you want to pay for shipping 2 or 3 times. So, unless you know that you will be able to open and install the unit within 24 hours of delivery, I highly recommend that you DO NOT USE THE FACTORY DEPOT. This is the first review I have ever written on Amazon and I'm quite certain that I've spent over a $1,000 on Amazon in the last 4-6 months, so I am only writing because I want to make people aware so others may protect themselves.
I've been emailing The Factory Depot (this started 6 days ago) and I still don't have a return mailing label. I've contacted Amazon to make them aware of the issue and asked that they help me get the item returned (at no cost to me). I'm hoping that they value me as a loyal Amazon Prime customer and make attempts to resolve this issue with The Factory Depot.
Posted on: 2010-02-14
By C. Jones
Helpful index: 100%
Made me sane again
(Score 5/5)
I don't normally write reviews, but I had to for this washer.
I live in an apartment, and as a first time apt dweller I learned that you have to go to the laundromat way too often when you don't have access to a washing machine. Each week I was spending at least $10 to wash clothes in a nasty laundromat while I sat around and waited forever and protected my clothes. It was both miserable and a huge waste of my time. So I decided that something must be done. I originally planned to get a regular washer and hook up to my kitchen sink somehow (it can be done), but then realized that might be a little trickier than it had to be.
After some research, I found the Danby portable. I was attracted to it immediately, but needed to make sure that it was going to be a good machine.
I had to drive a 6 hr round trip to get it; it wouldn't fit in my car, so I had them unpack it and jam it in. Then once I got back late at night, I carried it up to the 2nd floor MYSELF and set it up. I triumphantly washed a load and almost cried from happiness.
The set up is straight forward, you just have to fiddle with the aerator and make sure you get the hoses in the right place etc. If you don't have 2 facuets you'll have to switch temps in the middle of a load, so I just wash everything on hot.
It has made my life much happier and easier. I have clean clothes and can fit quite a bit in a load. I don't over do it though because I really don't want it to break.
My only complaint is that the hose leaks in the back on occasion, but I've tightened it several times and it doesn't leak anymore.
My advice? Buy it, use it, love it. But make sure you're home when you run it so that you don't potentially come back to a Noah's ark situation.
Posted on: 2009-09-26
By SayAnythingElse
Helpful index: 100%
Horrible, Danby Portable, LEAKS BAD
(Score 1/5)
Well, I must have gotten a LEMON, because this washer leaks everytime, if you want flooded floors each time you launder, this ones for you! Leaks around the cord coming out of the mcahine, leaks underneathe constantly during washing cycle. I have towels around it and a mop to keep wiping up, so neighbor below doesn't get their ceiling wet. Knob to raise and lower wheels fell off and won't go back on, so now I can't even move it to the sink to use it at all. The agitator knotted the clothes and towels, sheets up around it as it moves and shoves them up out of the water, so they are not even getting washed. The only good thing about it is the size and it looks cute, sitting there, but I do not need a usless piece of crap to just sit there to stack things on, for that is all this washer is good for. I was so excited to buy this and it was a hassel to get it up 5 flights, I was estatic to start using it, and the first time, water leaking all under it, clothes out of water climbing up the agitator, knob falls off to roll it and will not go back on. I only attempted to use it 4 times. A horibble, nightmare of a machine. Now it just sits there with kitchen stuff stacked on it, can't deal with paying someone to take it back down my 5 flights to junk it, no room with this in here to buy another brand. The cost of having a repair man out to fix it, was almost just as much as buying another different brand. DO NOT BUY THIS MACHINE. I don't know how the other reviewers GOT LUCKY, but this is the same exact machine I bought and it is not worth one dollar.
Posted on: 2009-07-07
By J. Myers
Helpful index: 100%
Great washer
(Score 5/5)
I bought this washer 2 years ago and it is still working great. I had no problems installing it at all despite of the fact that I am a woman:-) It is big enough for 2 people and I had even washed blankets in it. It is easy to wheel it all over the place as long as you don't have carpets in the bathroom or the kitchen:-) I thought that it will be noisy but is actually quiet and it is easy to connect to the sink. The only problem I had (which is more of a problem with my sink faucet than with the machine) is that sometimes it leaks from the faucet but once I replaced the rubber circle inside of the connector it was great. Before the replacement I just stopped the water flow once the machine was full and washing. And I have a portable dishwasher which connects to the same sink using the same adapter so there is no need to change it if you have more than one appliance.
Posted on: 2008-04-23
By Crazy shopper
Helpful index: 100%
Love it - great for one or two people
(Score 4/5)
I have had this machine for over six months and absolutely love it. In an apt. setting it is just great. It washes beautifully; I think it often does a better job than larger permanent washers when you use the long cycle. However, I always wash in cold water and air dry everything now on gull wing racks -= thus it is wonderful for saving energy. I do manually add softener for the last rinse, which is very easy to do if you set a digital kitchen timer as the cycles are consistent. It is usually quiet -- and the only time it isn't is if you overload it with too many heavy towels, which then makes spinning louder.
My suggested improvements would be to make the casters taller, the leveller lever more easily workable, and do something (or offer advice)on how to lessen occasional lint; Also, the faucet connector could be just a little tighter as I do get some drips.
I would DEFINITELY buy another if something happens to it. It is SO NICE not to go to the apt. laundry and fight the crowds... And it is SO NICE to have clean, nice-smelling, well-washed clothes.
In short, it's a flexible but tough little work horse. I live frugally in a smaller apt. so this is a real treat that has saved me so much time, stress and money. So glad I did it. If your model works as well as mine, I dont' think you'll regret it. I researched so many alternatives online and this sounded the best. I also had to order online and have it shipped but it was well-worth the effort.
Posted on: 2008-04-19
By FrancisXavier
Helpful index: 100%
Front Loader
based on 3 customer reviews
Feel factor: 2
2 Year Washer
(Score 1/5)
We bought this washer along with the counterpart dryer to stack and save space. It lasted 2 years until the motor went out. This will be our last front-loader as well. We will get a top loader for the same price to repair this one!
Posted on: 2009-11-10
By Brent Hawkins
Helpful index: 100%
Washers should last longer
(Score 2/5)
Someone told me that they won't buy a front loader because they don't last more than 3 years. I said, "Ours works great!" And, then it broke at 2 1/2 years. I won't buy a front loader again.
If you wash any large or heavier item (think blanket or small rug), the spin won't work anymore.
Posted on: 2009-08-07
By Melinda
Helpful index: 33.3333333333%
Great value!
(Score 5/5)
When looking to replace my washing machine, I started out looking at the traditional top loaders. The cheap ones were around $300 and more standard quality ones around $400, and I saw some that were another $100 or more beyond that. When the salesman asked me about front load washers, I didn't give it much thought because they tend to be more pricey and out of my range. In fact, the first one he showed me was about $700. When I asked him what the cheaper ones cost, he showed me the Frigidaire FTF2140FS for $550, and seeing as they had $100 off deal, it was only slightly more than the standard top loader. So I took him up on the deal, ultimately paying $475 after tax, and so far I'm very happy with its performance.
I usually have two or three people who rent rooms in my house. The old washer took 40 gallons of water per load. The Frigidaire takes just 15 gallons! So right off the bat I'm going to be saving a lot on my water bill, as well as a few bucks on electricity as this washer takes less of that to operate, too.
The controls are pretty simple to figure out. Ten cycles, four temperature settings, you can set how fast you want the basket to spin, and there's a few extra options, too. Shut the door, hit start, and let it go. Just be sure to remember that you must use HE (High Efficiency) detergent.
The wash is very quiet and the spin dry sucks the water right out of the clothes. I can dry my stuff in half the time!
I did encounter one problem twice. When washing my bed sheets and blankets, I heard a beeping noise. The washer was stopped and I thought it was done, but it turns out my sheets were still soaked. I looked at the manual and apparently if the load in the washer basket becomes uneven, it won't spin (that's why it was beeping). So I just pushed the blankets a few times, shut the door, and on the cycle dial there's an option for Final Spin, which is just that, the final spin dry. So I selected that, hit start, and it worked both times. I haven't had that problem with any other load of laundry before or after that.
This was my first foray into the world of front load washers and so far I'm very pleased with the results! It's quiet, efficient, my clothes are clean and smell fresh, and most important of all to me, it isn't tearing my clothes like my old washer was. And for the price I got it at, it's a great value!
Posted on: 2008-12-21
By Sparky
Helpful index: 96.7741935484%
