Credit:
Reviewed / Kyle Hamilton
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Credit:
Reviewed / Kyle Hamilton
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
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The Whirlpool WTW8127LC is a one-shop stop for all your laundry needs. You can scrub stains, soak them, and even hand wash them all from this machine. Read More
For those looking for an old-school agitator pole washer, the GE GTW585BSVWS is a solid option with good cleaning performance and upgraded features. Read More
The Maytag MVW6500MBK top-load washing machine is a solid pick. Its PetPro System filter is effective at removing the majority of pet hair. Read More
This Maytag model offers pretty average performance, but it comes with some impressive features and a 10-year warranty. Read More
The Frigidaire FFTW4120SW has an understated design, a clear top so you can look in and see all stain-scrubbing action, and a soft-close lid. Read More
Top-loading washing machines with pole agitators have been around for roughly a century. Your parents and grandparents used them. Now, as a homeowner, you may like to use one too: There's something comforting about doing household chores the same way you saw them done growing up.
That being said, time hasn’t stood still for pole-agitator models: Many major brands have improved on the time-tested design by adding stainless steel drums, soft-close hinges, and dual-action agitators.
Over years of lab testing, we’ve put hundreds of washers to the test to see how well they remove stains, what their water usage is, and how gentle they are on clothing. We’ve found that the Whirlpool WTW8127LC (available at Lowe's) is the best top-load washing machine with an agitator, blending modern features with old-school cleaning. If you're set on buying a top-load washing machine with a pole agitator, it should be this one.
Editor's Note: Appliances purchases are a large investment of both money and time. We’ve not only compiled lists of the best washers to shop, but also the best places to buy in-stock appliances right now and the best times of year to buy appliances to take advantage of sales and new releases.
The Whirlpool WTW8127LC has a removable pole agitator.
Good cleaning
Built-in faucet
Removable agitator
Rougher on clothes with pole in place
Affordable yet updated, this contemporary agitator washer does a great job cleaning and offers a delicate touch if set correctly.
Solid cleaning performance
Adjustable water fill
Intuitive buttons
Flimsy parts
Heavy duty cycle is tough on clothes
Catches a lot of pet hair
Decent cleaning power
Slow-close lid and built-in faucet
Delicates cycle is rough
Spin cycle doesn't get out much water
Built-in faucet
10-year warranty
Expensive
Low cleaning power for its price
Tough on clothes
Transparent, slow-closing lid
Intuitive controls
Subpar cleaning
Poor value for its price
Great warranty
Intuitive controls
Below average cleaning power
Leaves laundry a little soggy
Good cleaning performance for its price
Harsh on clothes outside of the Gentle cycle
We've got some bad news for top-loader and agitator fans.
While top-loaders with pole agitators are still popular, they’re pretty old-fashioned. While personal preference is always going to factor into your choice, our data shows a clear winner in the agitator vs. impeller competition.
The top-ranking washers are almost universally front-loaders, with some top-loading impeller washers appearing once you’re outside the top 10. The highest-ranked pole agitator washer we’ve tested still ranks below over a dozen front-load washing machines—and that’s primarily because you can remove the agitator and use its built-in impeller instead.
While the pole can add some torque to the scrubbing action, it also restricts movement inside the drum to “clockwise” and “counter-clockwise.” Other top-loaders use impellers to get laundry tumbling throughout the whole drum, which is gentler on your clothes and also scrubs them more completely. Even better? Front-load washers use a lot less water and really get your laundry tumbling around.
The older design may feel familiar, or newer designs might not make as much intuitive sense, but stain strips don’t lie: As of right now, top-loaders with pole agitators can’t get your laundry as clean as front-loaders. They can get them almost as clean, but over time your clothes will look dingier, faster.
You don’t! Outside of some very specific models, like the Whirlpool WTW8127LC, that pole agitator needs to stay in the washer. Without it, the washer won't be able to create any sort of turbulence in the water to move your clothes around.
This is one of the most frequently asked questions about top-loaders with agitators, but it’s fortunately got a pretty easy answer. There’s nothing special to consider when loading clothes into your top-loader. You just distribute your clothing more or less evenly around the central pole agitator.
While you could check out a more in-depth guide on how to clean a washer, the short answer is to do it with baking soda and vinegar. Mix some baking soda with warm water and give the machine a scrub down, then pour in two cups of vinegar and run a normal load at high heat.
Every washing machine that comes into Reviewed’s labs gets put through the same testing regime, which addresses both performance and user-friendliness. Performance tests include:
Stain removal — on a strip of AHAM-approved stains (which includes cocoa, sweat, pig’s blood, red wine, and oil), how much of each stain can this washing machine remove?
Wear and tear — during a given cycle, how hard is the mechanical action of the washing machine on your clothes?
Water retention — how much water does your washing machine spin out at the end of the cycle?
Cycle time — how long is each washing machine cycle?
The best agitator washers have solid stain removal abilities, do not damage your clothes, retain little water, are Energy Star certified and efficient, and have short cycle times.
We also assess the usability of each washing machine, based on our experience during testing and during more casual use (bringing our laundry to work is one perk of working at Reviewed!). Our main goal is to learn how easy it is to use each washing machine. This involves evaluating the control panel, the door, the detergent dispenser, and any smart features or Wi-Fi connectivity.
By combining the performance data with our own observations, we can make solid recommendations for someone looking for any type of washing machine at any price point.
Mark Brezinski works on the Home Team, reviewing refrigerators, minifridges, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, air purifiers, and fans.
Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.
Gabriel Morgan
Staff Writer, Home
Gabriel Morgan is a staff writer on Reviewed's home team, where he covers consumer education topics such as earthquake preparedness, radon in the home, and concerns about health and wellness in product design. He also writes product reviews and how-to articles on appliances, smart home technology, and goods for the home.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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