Why Are Top Loader Washing Machines So Expensive?
Washing machines have become a staple for nearly every home in the United States. While there are still many that must go to laundromats, most people, if afforded the opportunity, choose to have their own laundry room with a washer and dryer. One of the most popular and expensive types of washing machines on the market are top loaders.
Top loaders are expensive because they are efficient, fast, easy to maintain, and durable. Top loaders have a reputation for washing clothes extremely quickly and for being very user-friendly and easy to maintain. Top loaders also have less potential of leaking and causing mold damage than other types of washers.
Top loaders are very popular in the United States and around the world. While they aren’t as expensive as their front-loading counterparts, they are still quite pricey. In this article, we’re going to look at some of the reasons that top loaders cost as much as they do. We’ll also look at some of the main differences between front loaders and top loaders.
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Why are Top Loading Washers so Expensive?
Top-loading washers are expensive for a number of different reasons. They are large machines with lots of different components, and they also have many advantages over front loaders.
The Components of the Machine
Washers are complex machines that have a lot of moving parts while they’re in operation. Each of those parts costs money to make and even more money to put together into a working machine. Here are the main components of a top-loading washer. For a new, high-efficiency top-loader, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $1,000, but there are cheaper options available for as little as $300.
- Digital consoleÂ
In newer washing machines, a digital console is the standard operating procedure. This type of console makes it easier and more user-friendly to choose your washing setting and control the machine. Digital consoles are also more expensive than older consoles with knobs and dials.
- AgitatorÂ
The agitator is the vertical part in the middle of the washer that helps clean the clothes in the machine. Front-loaders don’t have an agitator, which makes it one area that the cost of making a top loader is more expensive.
- TubÂ
The tub is the main interior of the washer where the clothes get tossed into and cleaned. Tubs aren’t overly complicated to design, but the material it takes to make them costs money.
- MotorÂ
The motor is what allows a washing machine to operate. The motor is the most complex and expensive part of any washing machine.
- Water Pump
The water pump or drain pump is what makes it possible for your washer to drain itself. Because the water sits at the bottom of the washer, it has to flow uphill through a hose that connects from the washer to your house’s drainage system. It wouldn’t be possible to do this without a water pump that pushes the water up.
As you can see, top-loaders are complicated machines with a lot of moving parts, all of which cost money.
The Service They Provide
Washing machines are a long-term investment where you save money by not going to a laundromat. They provide a service of convenience by allowing you to stay in your house to clean your clothes. Because it’s such a convenient investment that saves people time and money, they are willing to pay a hefty price for top-loading washers.
The Advantages They Offer
Top loaders also have several advantages over front loaders. I’ll go into more detail about what those advantages are, but it makes all the difference for some people when they’re choosing their washing machine.
What are the Main Differences Between Top Loaders and Front Loaders?
The main differences between front loaders and top loaders are how they’re loaded and unloaded, their shape and size, and how they operate. Top loaders are usually taller and slimmer than front loaders because they have a deeper and narrower tub. Front-loaders are better for tight spaces because you can actually stack your dryer on top of it if you’re pressed for space.
Top-loading washers are also easier to load clothes into because you literally open the lid and drop them in. The difficult part comes when you have to unload them, however. People with back problems or short people struggle with top loaders because they have to bend over inside the washer to remove their clothes. On the other hand, front-loaders are slightly tougher to load but extremely easy to unload.
Which One is More Efficient?
The answer to this question largely depends on how new your washer is and how good the quality is. Modern washing machines, whether front loading or top loading, are designed for efficiency. This means that they use less water and electricity than older models. No matter what your preference is, you have the option of choosing a high-efficiency model.
However, front loaders tend to use slightly less water than top-loaders. Top loaders have a standing tub where water gets dumped into, but there has to be enough water to encompass all the clothing. Front-loaders have more of a barrel-shaped tub where water sits at the bottom of it, and the clothing spins in circles and cycles through it. Therefore, front-loaders need less water to clean their clothing than top-loaders.
Which One is More User Friendly?
Both types of washers are fairly user-friendly, but top washers win out in the end. They’re extremely easy to load and aren’t overly difficult to unload unless you’re too short. It’s also possible to add clothing to a top loader in the middle of a cycle, where this isn’t possible in front-loaders.
Top-loaders are also less likely to have leaks or mold issues because of how their tub is set up. Front-loaders rely on a special gasket to form a seal between the door and the tub so that water doesn’t leak out while the machines are in operation.
Which One Lasts Longer?
The quality of your washing machine and how much you’re willing to spend on purchasing one greatly affect this question. Higher quality washing machines will almost always last longer than cheaply-made ones. Having said that, high-quality top-loaders typically last longer than high-quality front-loaders. There are fewer things that can go wrong with a top-loader, and they have a more straightforward design.
Which One is Easier to Repair?
Top-loaders are much easier to repair than front-loaders. The biggest issue with front-loaders is the rubber gasket that seals between the door and the tub. Many things can go wrong with it, and they are complicated to repair. With a top-loader, they are easier and more accessible to repair because of how they’re designed.
Front-loaders are also more complicated in their design because of how the tub is structured and where the moving parts are located. A top-loader has the tub on top and everything else underneath it. It’s simple, straightforward, and a skilled repairman will have little trouble fixing anything on a top-loader.
Front-loading washers are also notorious for having a wet or moldy smell, once again because of the gasket and how the tub is structured. Top-loaders are easy to clean and drain better than front-loaders, which also makes them less of a liability.
Which One Cleans Clothes Faster?
Another distinct advantage that top-loaders have over front-loaders is that they have the ability to clean clothes extremely quickly. The use of the agitator in top-loaders results in a faster cleaning operation than front-loaders. Top-loaders have run times ranging from 35 minutes to 80 minutes, whereas front-loaders have run times ranging from 60 to 120 minutes. If time is of the essence, then a top-loader is your best bet.
Which One Cleans Clothes Better?
This is one area where front-loaders have a definite advantage. Because of how they cycle clothing through a pool of water, they have the ability to gently and thoroughly clean any piece of clothing. They also perform better at getting stains out of clothing, and you often don’t even have to add bleach or other stain treatment.
Additionally, front-loaders have less wear and tear than top-loaders. The agitator in top-loading washers is the main component to helping them clean clothes quickly, but it can also lead to beating your clothes up. Certain items made from poor-quality fabrics are prone to breaking down over a long period of time in a top-loader. On the other hand, a front-loader gently spins and tumbles your clothing around, which makes for a gentler cleaning operation.
Related Questions
Are front-loaders more expensive than top-loaders?
In general, front-loaders are usually several hundred dollars more than top-loaders. Where you can get a top-loader for as little as $300, the same quality for a front-loader will cost closer to $500.
Are top-loaders easy to install?
Top-loaders and front-loaders are relatively easy to install, and if you have the right tools and know how to use them, you can install your top-loader in under an hour.
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Final Thoughts
No matter what type of washing machine you choose to buy, they’re going to be expensive. Top-loaders and front-loaders both have many moving parts in them, and they cost several hundred dollars to make, at a minimum. Higher-quality washers cost much more to make because of the better parts and materials involved. However, if you’re willing to spend the money upfront, top-loading washers are a great way to save time and money in the long run.
Before I started writing, I worked for 6 plus years in the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC business. I was primarily an HVAC installer but also worked as a plumber and electrician. Now I'm a copywriter, focusing on home improvement content and guides.
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