Best Top Loading Washing Machines

Hotpoint is unquestionably one of the most recognisable brands in the UK. For several decades Hotpoint have been producing excellent and reasonably priced products. This is no different with the recently released WMTF722H Aquarius top loading washing machine. This washer delivers comparable performance to some of the best front-loaders around. With the added convenience of a slim design and an easy-to-access door.

If you live in a flat or a small apartment where space is a premium, this machine may just be what you’re looking for! For starters, you get a standard 7kg load capacity, which is enough space to wash to fit enough laundry for a small family or a couple. You can also choose from 18 programmes which makes the machine incredibly versatile. Whether you want to disinfect your delicate baby clothes or clean a few shirts before rushing out to work, there’s  a suitable programme.

When it comes to economy, the Hotpoint WMTF722H does quite an impressive job thanks to its A++ energy efficiency rating. The company estimates that this model will use just 194kHw per year (approximately £30) and about 9200 litres of water based on standard usage. A few other notable features that caught our eye include the 24-hour timer delay, a great-looking LED display for easy setting and a fast 1200rpm spin speed.

To top it off, Hotpoint gives a 10-year parts and one-year labour warranty. Overall, a solid choice if you’re searching for a compact and affordable freestanding top-loader.

ElectriQ is a fairly new brand but one that seems set to give its more established competitors a run for their money. Especially if they continue to manufacture machines as impressive as the EIQWMTL75.

The first thing we liked about this washer was its slim design. With a width of 39.5cm this machine can fit into the tightest of spaces. The EIQWMTL75 can handle loads of up to 7.5kg. The equivalent of 40 shirts or a queen-size duvet. This is enough capacity to power through laundry for a medium-size family with a couple of playful/messy children.

This top loading machine is rated the maximum A+++ for energy efficiency and will cost you only about £26 per year in electricity. Its estimated annual water consumption rate of 9900 litres is also quite commendable for a machine this size.

There aren’t many standout features but it does its job efficiently and without fuss. One of the features I like is its fast 1200rpm spin speed which ensures your clothes come out dry enough to iron. You also get an excellent range of features, including a delicate program to keep your sensitive fabrics gentle and soft, a sportswear mode for those sweaty jogging pants that need a more exhaustive wash and a 15-minute fast wash cycle when you’re pressed for time.

On the flip side, you might struggle to find spares in case of breakdowns, given that the brand is still relatively new. There is a 1-year service warranty included, so that offers some comfort in case you’re still on the fence. All told, the EIQWMTL75 is an excellent pick if you’re low on budget but still want a slim top-loader with numerous functions that is big enough for a family.

Are you searching for a commercial washing machine for your laundrette or hotel business? We bet you won’t find many more brilliant models than the Maytag 3LMVWC315FW, a popular top-loading washer in America and Asia. Its manufacturer Maytag has been around for more than a century and it shows in the quality of 3LMVWC315FW.

For starters, you get two machines in one when you buy this device; a washer with a whooping 15kg capacity and a tumble dryer that can handle up to 10.5kg per load. With such a capacity it can handle even the largest duvets.

The dryer also comes with a powerful Autodry system to reduce the time your laundry takes to dry on the line. The Autodry feature is why Maytag settled for a spin speed of 800rpm. A little underwhelming on paper.

You can choose from nine wash options including the “Bulky/Sheets” for heavy duvets and bed sheets. “Powerwash” for the overly soiled clothes and “Delicate” for the sensitive fabrics that require more care. Like most commercial washing machines, Maytag doesn’t have its own heating element so you’ll have to supply it with hot or warm water as needed. Even so, you’ll be required to set it to one of its four wash temperatures – tap cold, cold, warm and hot – depending on the type of fabrics you’re cleaning.

Here at Washing Wizard, we love machines that save big on water and power bills. This is why we were delighted to learn about the Intellisense Technology that this machine uses to save up to 70% of energy and water consumed in a cycle. With this tech, you don’t need to worry about cleaning half loads as the washer automatically adjusts the amount of time, energy and water it needs to complete the cycle.

The Maytag 3LMVWC315FW washing machine measures H108 x W68.5 x D65cm, making it the widest and the tallest of the four washers we recommend. On the noise front, it’s the loudest putting out 99db, although this is expected for machines this size. Overall, we found this to be an excellent choice for anyone looking for a freestanding commercial washing machine that does the job and is also reasonably priced.

Whirlpool is another popular brand. Their Atlantis 3LWTW4705FW large washer comes with a 15kg dry load capacity, which makes it suitable for large families and commercial premises too. Whirlpool also equips this device with 11 different washing functions. The options include “Jeans”, “Delicate”, “Quick Wash”, “Whites” and “Bulky Items/Sheets”.

Like most modern Whirlpool washing machines, the Atlantis 3LWTW4705FW features the company’s proprietary “Sixth Sense” technology. As the name suggests, this is a super-intelligent technology that detects the weight and type of fabrics in a load and makes adjustments to the amount of water, time and energy needed to wash them.

When it comes to the hardware and overall design, this machine is impressively designed and boasts several best-in-class features. For starters, its Quiet Spin suspension system helps to keep noise levels low. Whirlpool uses a high-end white porcelain drum that offers strength and durability, whilst ensuring your clothes always come out unscathed. I also like that safety is well taken care of with an automatic lid lock to keep the powerful washer tightly closed until the cycle is over.

Other features you might find useful are the three automatic dispensers for bleach, detergent and fabric softener, an LED control panel for easy tracking of cycle status and a spray rinse feature for flawless cleaning.

The only two significant downsides with Whirlpool Atlantis 3LWTW4705FW are its steep price and a comparatively slow spin speed that’s capped at 660rpm. Other than that, it’s an excellent pick if you have a big family or need one for commercial purposes.