Agitator Vs. Impeller: Which Is Better In A Washing Machine?
When it comes to your washer, you have a ton of different options that you can choose from. Front-loader or top-loader. Brand A or Brand B. Perhaps most strikingly, you can also choose between an agitator or an impeller mechanism. Both agitator and impeller washers have their perks. Before you pick one out, it’s good to know what you’re getting. But, what should you expect, really?
Agitators are known for being taller, with “swivel” wings that stir your laundry as it’s in the washer. They are aggressive, though not dangerous, with clothing. Impellers use less water, less motion, and more gravity for laundry processing. Some may find impellers to be a bit weak, but they’re gaining favor thanks to their water conservation abilities.
Both agitators and impellers have their own sets of perks and pitfalls. Our guide will give you an introduction to each type of washing machine movement mechanism.
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What Are Agitators And Impellers?
Agitator and impellers are two different mechanisms used to stir and rotate the laundry while it’s in the washing machine. Here’s what each type looks like and does.
What’s An Agitator?
Agitators look like tall cones with swirly wings sticking out of them. They are the most common type of washing machine mechanism. With an agitator, you fill-up the tub with water and the agitator pushes the water around. Agitators directly stir and wash the laundry themselves, which means that those wings have to be TOUGH.
What’s An Impeller?
An impeller looks a lot like a lemon juicer. It’s shorter and flatter, but still has “fins” on the edges of the top. It has a base at the bottom that contains holes that let the water filter through. This makes them good for fast draining and drying. Impellers are better when you want to push water around instead of push laundry around.
What Are The Pros And Con Of Agitators?
Today, agitators are generally considered to be the standard choice among washing machine designers. Let’s look at the pros and cons of these mechanisms.
The Benefits Of Agitators
Agitators are the standard type of washing machine mechanism for a reason. Here’s why people love them…
- Agitators are better for heavier loads. They are able to push the laundry around more effectively, giving you a better scrub. If you are a mechanic or have kids that play football you already know how heavy those loads can be. Agitators can handle them better.
- They’re more common. Most washers use agitators. They’re standard and that means they are easier to find parts for. This can occasionally lead to lower repair costs, though that’s not always the case.
- The agitator works by rubbing directly against clothes for a deeper scrub. This is a washer style that works directly on the clothes, which means it’s good for tough stains. Agitators are particularly good with denim, by the way.
- It’s easy to detect problems with the agitator. Agitators literally stick out of your washer and tend to make a bigger noise when they are
The Pitfalls Of Agitators
While they’re the go-to, the demand for impeller washers is increasing. That’s because agitators have serious issues.
- They can use a lot more water. Agitators have to have tons of water filling up their barrel in order to work well. This can be bad for areas with water advisories.
- Draining and drying your laundry will take a while longer. This can be an annoying issue for some people
- They can be a bit too rough for delicates. True stories, agitators have destroyed my bras on more than one occasion. (Back when I could still use them.)
- Agitators take up more space. This can make fitting bulky items in your washer harder. So, you might end up having to take your comforters to the laundry spot near your home.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Impellers?
Impellers are not as common as agitators, but they definitely have their place in the world of washer design. Here’s the scoop on the perks and pitfalls of this increasingly popular option.
The Perks Of Impellers
Impellers are beginning to get popular on the market. You’ll understand why when you read the benefits that come with them…
- Impellers are gentler on clothes. It’s rare to hear of an impeller “eating” clothes. This is because this mechanism rubs clothes against each other, rather than hitting them with tough blades.
- They are eco-friendly. They use way less water and power than a typical agitator will. This makes them the best choice in areas where you might be unable to get water at reasonable rates. (Looking at you, California.)
- You get easier draining and drying. Draining and drying your clothing can take a while with regular agitator washers. With impeller washers, you will be able to have a faster rinse cycle.
- You also get more room in your washer. Impellers are smaller, after all. This means that you can fit bulkier items like pillows, comforters, and coats, easily.
The Pitfalls Of Impellers
Impellers are great, but they are far from perfect. In fact, a lot of people don’t really like them that much. These drawbacks will make you rethink getting a washer with an impeller:
- They’re not exactly the best stirrers. Impellers are not as actively capable of stirring your clothing as agitators, to a point. They can rub clothes against each other, but not rub the clothes directly. If your load is too large, your clothing might not actually be able to hit the water in some cases. They’re starting to improve upon this issue, but it’s still problematic.
- It can be pretty hard to find an impeller washer in certain areas. If you are in a part of the country that isn’t known for having a lot of stores, you might need to special-order them. This is starting to change but it’s still an issue.
- They can break without you noticing them. This is a huge issue that people tend to have with impellers. Since they are low-profile, it can be hard to tell when they’ve broken. Most of the time, you will be able to tell when they’re not working well, though.
Which Are Better, Agitators Or Impellers?
Honestly, they are both about the same when it comes to quality. It’s all about the type of clothing that you want to wash and how you want to wash them. Larger, more delicate loads that need gentle stirs need an impeller. Agitators are better off for people who have smaller loads but need extra scrubbing action.
Because the two tend to be used in somewhat different households, only you can figure out which is the better style of washer for you. In many cases, you can usually tell which type of mechanism will work best for your particular lifestyle and needs.
What Type Of Washer Is More Expensive?
Both agitator and impeller washing machines will have the same range of prices. A typical top-loading washing machine will cost anywhere from $400 to $1,000 depending on the size of the machine as well as the amenities it has. It is possible to find both impeller and agitator washers for that price range.
Are There Any Building Codes That Relate To Washing Machine Choices?
When it comes to the matter of the “impeller vs agitator” issue, there are no federal building code standards that require you to buy one over the other. In fact, I personally have never heard of a town making a building ordinance requiring people to buy a specific type of washing machine. However, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. It’s always good to check.
Truth be told, the current water shortages hitting the West Coast are cause for concern. Many municipalities are increasing their water restrictions. This may end up being permanent. If you live in an area where water advisories are starting to take hold, it’s possible that a mandate might come out asking people to get impeller washers over agitator washers.
Should this happen, you’ll be able to use machines that are “grandfathered” in. However, it’s still something that you may want to consider when you’re shopping. You never know what might happen in the future.
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Related Questions
What type of washing machine gets clothes the cleanest?
Believe it or not, it’s not an agitator or impeller-based machine that will get your clothing the cleanest. According to several studies performed on the subject, the best washing machine style for clothing cleanliness is actually a front-loader. This is because the barrel rotates, ensuring that you get all clothes scrubbed heavily. Since it has a totally different mechanism than top-loading machines, it’s an “apples and oranges” type of deal.
How should you wash delicates in an agitator washing machine?
Agitators run the risk of harming your delicates simply because they are so forceful. They tend to be too rough, particularly on clothing that’s very lacy. The best thing that you can do is invest in a delicates bag. Delicates bags are meant to hold your delicate items together, which prevents them from getting twisted up in the agitator. It also can help prevent them from getting rubbed out by rougher materials like denim or canvas.
Which type of washing machine uses the least detergent?
If you want to save cash on detergent, then you will be happy to know that buying an impeller washing machine can do the trick. Impeller machines use noticeably less water, which means that you can use less detergent and still get the same level of cleanliness on your clothing. This makes them a more environmentally-friendly option when it comes to matters of greywater and conservation of water.
Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.
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