Agitator or no Agitator?

[Born2Travel]

I'm looking for opinions from those who've purchased a new washer since I have (25 years ago!) I think I need to replace mine and thought I didn't want an agitator but now I'm having second thoughts. I need a top loader and a drop down door on the dryer so my choices are pretty limited. Thoughts? Experiences?

 

[Talent312]

High Efficiency washers save water + energy, self-adjust water levels, and are easier on clothes. However, from what I've read, agitator models do a better job of actually getting things clean. So there's a trade off. I'd say, if you do a ton of clothes and want to conserve water + energy, go HE. But if you don't use your washer much, you may as well stay traditional.
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[Jan M.]

We had to replace our washer last year and I was surprised at how few models still have an agitator. The ones I saw that did mostly weren't the better name brands or were basic models. When I'm visiting our son, his wife and 2 little girls I do their laundry as it is a job I don't mind and one our DIL dislikes so she really appreciates it. They have a washer that doesn't have an agitator so I wasn't unfamiliar with them. I have no complaints at all about how well they get the clothes clean. The only thing I can recommend is you make sure whatever you buy has a second rinse option and use it. My husband and son will both get detergent rashes if the clothes aren't rinsed well and these new washers use minimal water.

It sounds like you are replacing both your washer and dryer and are trying to buy a matched set. I would be more concerned about the quality of the washer and be willing to buy a dryer that was a different model to be able to have the best washer. We bought the Samsung 5.0 cubic foot model. But if you are shorter reaching the bottom of the washer to get everything out may be a challenge. If you don't have a lot of bulky comforters and blankets to wash you may want the 4.5 cubic foot model.

 

[dmbrand]

I would agree with both Talent and Jan. I switched to a Cabrio top loader(no agitator) three years ago when my washer quit. Initially I was really disappointed in the cleaning ability vs the traditional washer, but I have found the tricks to make it work the way I like. The installer explained that this washer will use more water in the cycle if Delicate is selected, so I use that for most of my regular loads. The idea being that the clothes don’t bounce off each other as much if there is more water, so less wear and tear. If I am washing bulky items, I always select extra rinse. I love that I don’t use nearly as much detergent anymore.

 

[Luanne]

I have a front loader with no agitator. I do not miss having clothes get wound around the agitator and having to untangle them.