Which washing machine to buy.......confused???. Review on Front Loading Vs. Top Loading Washing Machines

I am Shiju from Bangalore.  I am taking time to write this article for all those who are under the dilemma of which washing machine to buy but don't have enough time to run around and study about washing machines.  I spent so much time in researching about washing machines that finally I had to just walk in to a showroom and just buy a particular brand.  Instead of going round and round, I will put it straight forward so that it helps whoever is taking a look at this.

Firstly, the confusion between front loader and top loader  -

Front Loader (Main Advantages)

1.  Wash quality  -  you can get a better wash quality than any top loaders (however, not as good as God-made washing machines  - our hands).

2.  Water/Detergent consumption  -  you can do a cycle of washing with comparatively less water and detergent compared to top loaders.  Though you have invested a lot of money on a front loader, you can afford to save some on water and detergents.

3.  Longevity  -  front loaders are expected to last longer than top loaders (up to 15 to 20 years of use).  Ideal for consumers who believe "old is gold" and are not interested in exchange offers and/or keeping themselves updated with latest technology.

Front Loader (Main Disadvantages)

1.  Price -  front loaders are far expensive than top loaders.  The lower-end version/model in a front loader is much more expensive than the higher-end version/model in a top loader.

2.  Complex mechanism -  front loaders run without a problem as long as they run, but once they land in some problem, it is forever.  Never you can expect the same performance after repair that you found when you bought it.  Also, bending down to load a front loader washing machine is considered inconvenient.

3.  Repair cost/service  -  the cost involved in repairing front loaders or getting on-time repair service is a real challenge.   You might have to wait as long as 20 days to 3 months to get a fault repaired and then shed a good amount of money for that repair.

Top Loader (Main Advantages)

1.  User friendly  -  top loaders boast the comfort and convenience of any common user (non-technical housewives)  who can operate the machine without any complications .  Another most noted advantage across the world, especially in America and Australia, is the convenience to stand and load the machine without having to bend down as in front loaders.

2.  Power consumption  -  power consumed by a top loader is comparatively less than a front loader, basically because of the time consumed in washing.  A cycle of wash lasts for 30 to 45 minutes in a top loader while the same cycle of wash in a front loader can run up to 1 to 2 hours.

3.  Maintenance  -  top loaders have quite simple mechanism compared to front loaders and involve more electronics than mechanical.  So, any repair here might not be as expensive as repairs in front loaders and the service is also quick and affordable.

Top Loader (Main Disadvantages)

1.  Wash quality  -  sources claim that top loaders' wash quality is not as good as in front loaders.  Since the drum in top loaders is vertical, chances are that clothes at the bottom of the drum and at the top of the drum fail to interchange positions to attain the same wash quality.  (SOME BRANDS HAVE TACKLED THIS PROBLEM NOW - see below).

2.  Water/Detergent consumption  -  top loaders consume more water and detergent compared to front loaders during a wash cycle.  This is mainly because the volume of water required in a top loader to wash a certain load is much more compared to a front loader to wash the same load, thereby utilizing more detergent also.

3.  Noise/Vibration  -  some top loaders might create vibration and some low-level noise during operation.  This is mainly because the body of a top loader is lighter than a front loader and occupies lesser ground space than a front loader.

Now, having differntiated between front loaders and top loaders, I hope the above information has helped us to decide between a front loader and a top loader.

For all those who have decided to go ahead with a front loader, there is no choice in brand.  In India, the obvious front loader market leader is IFB.  If at all you have decided to buy a front loader, you can wisely go ahead with an IFB.  However, please note that it is advisable to go for higher-end versions/models than lower-end versions/models since you might not get most of the features in lower-end versions despite paying such a huge amount.

For all those who have decided to go ahead with a top loader, there are two leading successful brands  -  LG and Whirlpool.  Also, these two guys have worked out their latest washing machines to match with the wash quality of front loaders.

LG has come up with TURBO DRUM technology, in which the drum rotates anticlockwise to the water ensuring a thorough wash cycle.  Similarly, Whirlpool has come up with 1-2, 1-2 technology, in which there is an agitator in the center of the drum, which holds clothes like in hands and rubs hard to remove hardcore stains and dirt.  (Please note there are some complaints that the agitator in Whirlpool twists and wrinkles the clothes leading to some wear and tear gradually).

Front loader  (IFB)   or  Top loader  (LG/Whirlpool)   -   I hope this article was useful for some at least.   One last word of caution, please bear in mind your budget before you buy.

We know that the more we pay the more luxury we get, but that doesn't mean we stretch beyond our capability.  Friends, relatives, Internet, media, advertisements, etc, may say a lot........but ultimately we are the ones going to using it and live with it!!!

Thank you.