Not quite sure which washing machine you should opt for? Here is an ultimate guide of the pros and cons of both front and top loaders.

Of course, there’s no right or wrong answer when picking a washing machine – it all depends on your lifestyle and personal preference. Nevertheless, there are pros and cons to each design, ones that may influence your decision more than others depending on what matters to you.

We’ve comprised a list of the good and not-so-good of both front and top loader washing machines to help make your decision easier.

It’s good to keep in mind that if your laundry is small or if you live in an apartment with no clothesline, a washer dryer combo is a space-saving option that will provide you with the 2-in-1 functions!

Front loader

PROS	CONS
Gentler on clothes	Longer wash cycles
Generally uses significantly less water	Generally more expensive
Generally uses less energy due to the horizontal drum benefitting from gravity	Potentially more creased clothing due to the higher spin speeds (unless there’s an anti-crease cycle)
Uses less detergent	Most won’t let you add forgotten items once the cycle has started
More specific setting options	Heavy to move
Higher temperature wash options	Generally have a smaller capacity than top loaders
Cost less to run	Some may rinse poorly in comparison to top loaders due to low water usage
Higher spin speeds, which gets more water out and speeds up drying time
Best for small spaces
Stackable to put a dryer above it

Top loader

PROS	CONS
Faster normal program wash cycles	Generally harsher on clothes
Generally cheaper to purchase	Uses up more water
Generally has a better rinse performance	Uses more detergent
Easy to add more clothes in once the cycle has started	Costs more to run
Lighter to move	Creates more lint due to the friction of clothes during the cycle
Slightly more reliable in comparison to front loaders	Not stackable
More energy efficient when using cold water
Less bending to retrieve clothes – a good option for people with back problems