Most of us wash our clothes once a week. When we want to wash our clothes, we are going to need a good detergent and a good washing machine. Many criteria can be used to select a washing machine that is better to use. Most of us wonder what the difference is between the top-load washers and the front-load washers. Mostly, we have seen top-load washers at our home, and front-load washers being used commercially.
In this article we discuss the main pros and cons of top-load and front-load washers. Read on, if you would like to learn more about what kind of washer to choose for your needs.
Top-load washers
The top-load washers are the type of washing machine with an opening at the top. You fill it from the top, and the tub rotates horizontally.
Pros
The top-load washers are easy to use and require less maintenance. This is why the top-loaders have longer lives. Details are given below.
1. Easy to use
Top-load washers are easy to use because one can stand and put the clothes inside. This is also easier to handle because one can put water and detergent directly in the machine and run it according to the need. There is no need for technical expertise or automaticity to run the top-load machines.
2. Less maintenance
The top-load washers are time-tested washing machines. Any problem with this type of machine is going to be less technical so the problem can be resolved easily. This type of machine has fewer electrical circuits so it will not breakdown often.
3. Long life
Long life is another parameter of top-load machines. This washing machine usually lasts more than 10 years. This is a preferable choice for homes because they are going to use these machines for or a long time.
4. Less space requirement
The top-load washing machines are usually compact and require less space as compared to the front-load washers. There will be no need to keep some space in front because the door is going to be on the top. Most of the top-load washers are compact so less space will be enough to keep these washers.
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Cons
The top-load washers produce irritating noise and these machines can damage the clothes. Details are given below.
1. Agitator damage
The top-loading washing machines have a base plate called the agitator. The agitator is going to strike the clothes with full force so the clothes can get rid of dirt. The agitator blades are damaging to the clothes because these plates can weaken the fiber inside the clothes.
2. Irritating noise
The latest type of top-loading washing machines will not produce much noise. The old models of the top-load washers will produce extremely irritating noise. This is one of the biggest drawbacks of these machines because nobody likes this kind of machine.
Front-load washers
These are the washing machines that have an opening on the front side and not on the top. People can put the clothes inside the front-load washers from the front side and not from the top.
Pros
The most amazing benefit of these washing machines is better cleaning, better capacity, and less noise. Details of these parameters are given below.
1. Deep detergent penetration
The top-load washers have agitator plate while the front-load washing machines have a special mechanism to get the dirt out of the clothes. These machines use a tumbling force to penetrate the clothes. By tumbling force, the clothes are tumbled between the air and the detergent water. This way the detergent will penetrate deep inside the clothes. Front-load machines will give better cleaning results.
2. Huge capacity
Different machines have different capacities. The front-loaders and top-loaders can have a capacity starting from 5 kgs. The capacity is compared when the same type of machine is used. A 7 kg top-load washing machine can wash fewer clothes than the 7kg front-load washing machine. These machines are reliable so these are used commercially.
3. Less damaging
Front-load washers are less damaging to the clothes when compared with the top-loaders. This is because the front-load washing machine does not have an agitator. Tumbling motion is used to clean the clothes in front-loading machines. This method is less damaging to clothes.
4. Silent working
Top-loaders produce irritating sound. Front-loaders are silent. This is because most of the front-load washers are using the latest technology to reduce the noise. Working silently put the front-load washers at a higher place for home use.
Cons
Front-load washing machines require more maintenance. The price of these machines is higher and life is short. The detail is given below.
1. More maintenance
Front-load washing machines have multiple electrical circuits inside. There are many program based boards installed in the front-load washers to adjust the time and washing power. This type of washers requires more maintenance when compared with the top-loader. The parts of the front-load washer are also expensive as compared to top-loaders.
2. Short life
These machines will not last as long as the top-load washers. Top-load washers are available for ages while the front-load machines have recently come to the market. The front-load machines have a shorter life as compared to the top-load machines.
3. High price
Front-load washers come with a higher price tag. The cost of running this machine is also higher because this machine requires more maintenance.
4. More space requirement
Front-load washers require more space because of their size. There is also a need to open the door in the front so there must be some space in front of the machine so you can open the door easily. If you have a small apartment, you should avoid getting the front-load washers.
Conclusion
When you want to choose a machine for your home, you should look for your preference. If you want better cleaning with less noise, you should go for front-load washers. If you prefer a machine that is more durable and you can buy it in a lower budget, you should go for the top-load washing machine.
Source: NY Times