Varieties of washing machines are getting massive attention from people. Myriads of adds are being released day by day in various media to attract people to buy their favorite type of washing machines. Of the two supreme types, let us have a precise analysis of the best model among the two, front load or top load type.
Top load washing machines have been prevalent in every part of the world since 2000. Most of the household needs are just within 2 to 3 cycles of washing. Different from the traditional type of washing machine, the revolutionary gadgets of today are equipped with many eye catchy features to ease our work. When it comes to choosing the best machine for the household, you must be picky enough. Several aspects must be enlisted out to fix up a suitable washing machine to meet your day to day needs that is compatible with the desirable features. Let us have a detailed analysis of the pros and cons of the two types of washing machines.
Top load washing machines
Cleaning clothes in a washing machine is a complex congregation of mechanical processes with chemical action happening inside. The temperature of the water, along with the removal action of the detergent, helps in ripping off the dirt from the cloth surface.
Types of top load washing machine
Though the design features and the inherent cycles in the machine differ among manufacturers. The basic difference between the types of top load washing machine is mentioned hereby.
High-efficiency top load washing machine
A high-efficiency washing machine is a replica of the front load washing machine with a horizontal drum rotating to clean clothes. Unlike the front load, the washing machine doesn’t have a front sealed closure. They are designed with a liftable top loader through which the clothes to be washed are loaded inside. The machine works like a front loader and uses only half of the water amount that is required for the functioning of a top load washing machine. They don’t possess rubber bellows that creates an odor in a front-load type of machines. This type of top load washing machine usually has reduced wear and tear.
The standard type of top load washing machines
The regular top load washing machine uses a central agitator and propeller to clean clothes inside the machine. The forceful agitation from top to bottom causes the wash water to move in and out of the clothes removing dirt stuck on the surface of clothes.
How top load washing machines work
The top load washing machines are generally composed of two main components, the mechanical system with agitator, pumps, drum, valve, belt, suspension system, coupling, and a control system with load size selector, timer, water temperature control, and other components. Once the user selects the cycle, water temperature, and type of load, the outer bucket gets filled with water wetting the clothes and making them float. Later the agitator pulls water in-between clothes. With its clockwise and anticlockwise motion, the agitator loosens the dirt on the clothes surface. The motor powers the agitator and helps in creating the required motion. The washing machine work on centrifugal and gravitational force. The non-retainment of the top load washers help to drain out water easily from the drum that eradicates bad odors and fouling in the machine.
Front-load washing machines
Front-load washing machines are the most current equipment with higher performance and functioning. They fill the bottom of the tub with the least amount of water and washes the clothes with more cycles than a top load washing machine. Front-load washing machines use the principle of gravity and drum rotation to initiate cleaning. The tumbling action in the inner tub will more wash water in and out of the clothes removing soil.
How front load washing machine work
The front-load washing machine is the sum of many simpler components in comparison with top load washing machines. The flexible bellow keeps the water and clothes in the drum itself, and the motor helps in initiating the tumbling in the machine. Although the internal system is simple, the electronic components of the front load washing machines is difficult and not that user-friendly. The system functions as a mini-computer, and thus any failure in the components will lead to the replacement of the whole electronic system.
Top load washing machines Vs Front-load washing machines
There are many differences in both the design and functioning of the two major types of machines. Let us have a detailed look at every factor that makes the two machines unique.
User-friendliness
The top load washing machine is more comfortable to use because of its ideal height. You are saved from the risk of bending and loading clothes like in a front-load machine. People of elder age or people with ailments find top load washing machines as more user friendly than the front-load type of machines. Top load machines are also easier when it comes to loading in between the cycles. The lint remover and the fabric softener helps in retaining the clothes as it is.
Cleanability
Top load washing machines sometimes when overloaded causes the apparels to get torn away. Front-loaders offer gentle washing. Top loaders are unable to wash denser and big items such as pillows, couches, etc. because of partial immersion.
Prompt washing
Conventional top load washing machines are the ones with agitators. The cleaning of laundry happens by the squeezing out of the water in and out of clothes to remove dirt. The movement of the agitators causes shaking in the machine or corresponding vibrations. The agitator type of washing machines is rapid in its action.The other type, the high-efficiency top load washing machine or the front load machine, works on the principle of impellers.They work on tumbling action.The gentle movement of the impellers helps in removing dirt, but it increases the number of cycles.The gentle action offers better cleaning and can wash more clothes in each cycle.
Cost of the washing machine
The front-load washing machine is comparatively high priced than that of top load washing machines. Though a lot of money is being spent on the purchase of the machine, the functions, the machine offers at this price are justifiable with a lot of many wash options, cleanability, water efficiency, etc.Front-loaders have a quieter operation.Although the initial investment is high, front load washing machines are quite durable.
Water efficiency
Front-load washing machines are water-efficient when compared to the other.It uses one-third of the water that is required for cleaning with top load washing machines.
The speed of extraction
A competing aspect that is needed to categorize the higher efficient model among the competitors is the speed by which the machines extract water. The final spin of a front loader offers 33% of high extraction speed than top load washing machines that make the cloth drier than top loaders.However, the front load machines make sounds during the final cycle, which is very unfavorable.
Space requirements
The front-load washing machines can be stacked with any other gadget, and it saves space. Therefore front load washing machines are the best option when you are living in an apartment or full rooms where space is an important factor.
Repair
The front-load washing machine though durable, and repair in the automatic system, will cost you much to replace the mini-computer on it.A broken seal will make the water drain into the spaces, which is yet another inconvenience of front load washing machines.The new machine should be taken with the utmost care not to let any damage to the intricate components of the machines.
Noise generation and overload
Many top load washing machines generate unpleasant noises during functioning, which is not seen prevalent in front load washing machines. The overloading of the top load washing machines sometimes creates wear and tear in the clothes.A front-load washing machine, in that case, can be overloaded, and the impacts are comparably less.
Miscellaneous issues
Front-load washing machines are more prone to mold or odor because of the clogging that happens in the bellows.So it is always necessary to make sure that there is no chance of clothes getting dragged to sides and clogging pertains to the machine.The gravity principle of top load washing machines doesn’t give a chance of clogging. Front-load washing machines require much maintenance when compared to top-load machines.
Conclusion
The choice of top and front load is fully dependant on a person’s preference and need. If the person is hoping for a budget-friendly machine, the top load washing machines are the best.People with the inconvenience of bending or with any ailments preferably go for top-load machines. If you wish for a superior performer, in short, a fresh purchase, then front load washing machines are the best to go for.It saves space and provides efficiency in terms of washing, cleanability, water, capacity, etc.If you already own a washing machine and waits for an up-gradation, the front load cannot be a better choice.The choice of a washing machine is a matter that is to be seriously handled with a precise analysis of needs, space, efficiency, and requirements.
In a nutshell, front load or top load
| Top load washing machine | Front-load washing machine |
|---|---|
Cheap | Expensive |
Rough cleaning | Smooth cleaning |
Reliable | More reliable |
Less prone to odor and mold |
Prone to mold and foul smell |
Convenient |
Inconvenient to some extend |
Not water efficient |
Water-efficient |
Less spin, less cleanability |
More spin and more cleanability |
Repair cost less |
Repair cost more |