01
Best overall
Whirlpool WTW4107SW
Top-load · Has agitator, 4.3 cu ft — $497 at STL Appliance Outlet.
★ 5 (1 owner ratings)
See price at dealer
8.1VerifiedScore
8.8ValueScore
The best top-load washing machines
19 tested, 6 ranked · Last verified: Aug 31, 2026
TL;DR — the short answer
Whirlpool's WTW4107SW at $497 is the best traditional top-loader — simple, cheap, parts everywhere. Samsung's WA45T3200AW adds a 4.5 cu ft tub at $544, and LG's WT6100CW is the high-efficiency top-loader to beat at $545.
Top-loaders split into agitator traditionalists and high-efficiency impeller designs. Both are here, priced live, with capacities from 4.0 to 5.5 cu ft.
Our top picks
Ranked by:
02
8.1VerifiedScore
8.1ValueScore
03
Best high-efficiency
LG WT6100CW
Top-load, 4.3 cu ft, Smart (Wi-Fi) — $545 at Shop Appliances.
See price at dealer
8.1VerifiedScore
8.1ValueScore
04
Also great
Whirlpool WTW4307SW
Top-load · Has agitator, 4.3 cu ft — $527 at STL Appliance Outlet.
See price at dealer
8.1VerifiedScore
8.3ValueScore
05
Worth a look
LG WT6105CM
Top-load · Has agitator, 4.1 cu ft — $595 at Shop Appliances.
See price at dealer
8.1VerifiedScore
7.5ValueScore
06
Solid alternative
LG WT6105CW
Top-load · Has agitator, 4.1 cu ft — $606 at Town Appliance.
See price at dealer
8.1VerifiedScore
7.4ValueScore
Compare the top picks
Prices and stock load live from each merchant. Specs are from our verified editorial database.
Highlighted cells differ between models.
| Spec | Whirlpool WTW4107SW | Samsung WA45T3200AW | LG WT6100CW | Whirlpool WTW4307SW | LG WT6105CM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dealer price | — | — | — | — | — |
| Capacity | 4.3 cu ft | 4.5 cu ft | 4.3 cu ft | 4.3 cu ft | 4.1 cu ft |
| Configuration | Top-load · Has agitator | Top-load | Top-load | Top-load · Has agitator | Top-load · Has agitator |
| Finish | Not disclosed | White | White | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Smart / app | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | Smart (Wi-Fi app) | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| ValueScore | 8.8 | 8.1 | 8.1 | 8.3 | 7.5 |
| VerifiedScore | 8.1 | 8.1 | 8.1 | 8.1 | 8.1 |
| Buy | Check price → | Check price → | Check price → | Check price → | Check price → |
Best top-load washers: the full review
How this ranking works
Every listing is a live Shopify dealer catalog entry — the price you see is the price the dealer is charging right now, refreshed at page view. Scores are seed drafts: a published rubric applied to listing specs, ENERGY STAR status and owner ratings, pending our bench protocol.
Dealer stock moves fast in this category. If a pick has sold through, the profile page will show it — and the next candidate is usually $50 away in the same ranking.
Frequently asked questions
Front-load or top-load?
Front-loads clean more gently, use less water and spin clothes drier (shorter dryer time). Top-loads cost less, load without bending, and let you add clothes mid-cycle. Agitator top-loads are the most mechanical and the cheapest to fix.
What capacity washer does a family need?
4.5 cu ft is the family standard — a king comforter fits. Below 4.0 cu ft you're doing more loads; above 5.0 you pay for the tub whether it's full or not.
Are smart washers worth it?
Remote start and cycle notifications are genuinely handy; the diagnostic notifications that warn about unbalanced loads save service calls. Don't pay $300 extra for Wi-Fi alone.
How long should a washer last?
10-11 years on average for current machines, less for budget agitator units pushed hard. Front-load door gaskets need a monthly wipe to avoid the mildew smell.
Changelog
- Aug 31, 2026: Launched ranking from live Global Catalog dealer listings; scores are seed drafts pending bench protocol.