6 Best Top-Loading Washing Machines, Tested by Cleaning Pros

Thanks to its large capacity, this top-loader can handle practically any kind of load you throw its way. According to the brand, it has enough space to wash 25 towels in a single load.

Despite using an agitator, this machine doesn’t skimp on space to effectively clean your clothes. We appreciate the variety of wash options this machine has, including specialty cycles for cleaning swimwear and activewear. It also allows you to create custom cycles and save them for use in the future.

We loved the Extra Power button, which can help lift tough stains with dual-temperature washing. There is also a deep fill option, which is great for extra dirty loads that call for more water than usual.

The machine has a responsive, user-friendly display that makes it easy to choose cycles and adjust the spin, temperature and soil level. You can start your laundry remotely through Maytag’s app, which will notify you when the cycle is over. Unfortunately, this unit’s high capacity comes at the expense of a deep drum, which makes the bottom harder to reach than smaller models — particularly if you're on the shorter side.

This unit from LG offers specialty cycles and a high-end glass finish for a budget-friendly price point.

The appliance comes equipped with all the usual cycles — normal, delicates, bedding and heavy duty — as well as some extras, including normal+prewash and deep wash. It even has a special cycle for laundering your waterproof items like rain coats. We particularly like the TurboWash cycle, which delivers a powerful clean despite its short 37-minute runtime. Plus, there is a four-way agitator and an app that can connect to the machine and other LG appliances.

While our test of this machine is still in progress, a similar previous model we evaluated did a good job cleaning our stained test swatches, while being gentle on fabrics. We really appreciate the option to add more water to the cycle in this machine, since the level that automatically filled for our test loads seemed a little low, particularly for heavily soiled items.

While larger items sometimes became a bit tangled during our test cycles, we liked the cavernous tub, as it can make easy work out of large loads of laundry.

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This top-loading washer won a place in the Good Housekeeping Cleaning Awards for its performance and efficiency. The dispenser can hold enough liquid detergent for 20 loads, so you don't have to refill it each time. Innovative features like an included scrub brush and a button-activated faucet make laundry day even easier by helping you treat stained items right before placing them in the machine.

What's also unique to this washer is that the agitator is removable, making it possible to wash bulky or oversized items like sleeping bags and comforters. While this feature is great for all households, it may be particularly helpful for families with young kids who more frequently encounter soiled bedding, whether from overnight accidents or bouts of the stomach bug.

We love that the app is both useful and easy to use. If there's anything to complain about, it's that some users say the washer is louder than they expected.

Newer machines with their rounded edges and curved profiles can hog space, making replacing an older model challenging when you don’t have much space to spare. Fortunately, this Speed Queen washer more easily squeezes into tight spaces, thanks to its traditional boxy design.

Its agitator helps it clean effectively but gently, but with a smaller capacity of 3.2 cubic feet, it may not be the best pick if you frequently launder oversized loads. In our tests, though, we found it can handle large and extra-large loads without much fuss. We were able to wash a bulky Queen-sized comforter without any issues or interference from the agitator, but you might not be able to squeeze in a King-sized comforter quite as easily.

Unlike other new units, this machine doesn't come with an app or other smart features. The control panel consists entirely of buttons which make programming temperature, soil level and load size easy. You can choose from eight special cycles and even customize preset favorites. We found the machine to be super quiet and appreciated the delayed-start setting so you can launch your cycle when it's convenient for you.

Unfortunately, it lacks Energy Star certification, which means that your energy costs may be a bit higher than with certified machines that use less energy.

This smart top-loader allows you to adjust the washer settings without setting foot in the laundry room. While we are still testing this unit, an earlier model impressed us so much that it earned a spot among our Best Cleaning & Organizing Award winners.

And if you have a stain that needs attention, the AI Voice Assistant is there to help. Simply speak or text into the Smart HQ app and problem solved! To make things even more hands-off, the detergent dispenser can hold up to 32 loads of detergent and dispense the right amount for you. (You just have to scan the detergent's barcode in the SmartHQ app.)

In our Lab tests, a similar model performed well and proved easy to use. We loved the Tangle Control setting that helps prevent sheets and clothing from getting twisted or bunched up, as well as the machine's large 5.4-cubic-foot capacity that makes it a great choice for bigger families. If features that can reduce wrinkles and sanitize fabrics are important to you, keep in mind that this unit doesn't have a steam cycle unlike some other newer machines.

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Usually, only front-loading machines are stackable. This unit from GE combines the best of both worlds. The dryer is conveniently stacked right on top, but you can load or empty your machine without bending down as you would with a front loader.

Featuring 11 wash cycles, six rinse temperatures and a standard capacity, this combo unit is ideal for anyone lacking the space to house a separate washer and dryer.

We have seen how difficult it can be to reach control panels when units are stacked, so we really appreciated this appliance's centrally located controls. While it lacks a display to show you minutes remaining in the cycle, lights tell you the part of the cycle your load is in. It also lacks some of the fancy features of other top-loaders, but it's a reliable pick for families seeking a compact combo unit at a great price.