Best High-Efficiency Top-Load Washers – Consumer Reports

HE top-loaders are a happy medium between top-load agitators and front-loaders, hitting the sweet spot in terms of price, size, and convenience. So if you’re looking to get an upper hand on inflation, a high-efficiency top-load washer could be a good choice for the following reasons:

They’re easy to load. Compared with cramped top-load agitator machines and front-loaders that require back-bending, these larger machines are easy to load from the top.

They’re reasonably priced. Most HE top-load washers cost $500 to $1,100, $200 to $300 less than typical front-loaders and only about $100 more than typical top-load agitator washers.

They’re efficient in water usage. Thanks to faster-spinning drums, HE top-load machines offer better water efficiency and water extraction.

They’re faster than front-loaders. Their wash times fall in between that of top-load agitators and front-loaders, generally 60 to 80 minutes using the heavy-soil setting.

They can tackle large loads. Like front-loaders, most HE washers have no problem with big loads of beach towels and comforters, thanks to a high-capacity tub of up to 5.5 cubic feet. Just know that if you stuff it full, you may sacrifice a little on washing performance.