hungryhorace

Samsung are overpriced junk. If you're paying the prices Samsung are charging on some of their top line models (even over those that Miele do!) then you're a fool.

Pulaski

Meanwhile someone else is peddling Mieles.

hungryhorace

I'm surprised you haven't invested in one yet, Pulaski

joto

We got a Whirlpool Duet front loading washing machine and matching dryer about 6 years ago. The washing machine is still working well, but we had to trade in the electric dryer for the gas version as there was no 220v outlet in the laundry room. It works well, has a steam setting, and is much cheaper to run.

We have had top loaders over the years, starting with a twin-tub that was DH'S gran's, then his Mum's hand me down, then our own when we moved here. Never again, just too many buttons missing, clothes torn and getting the clothes untangled.

RoadWarriorFromLP

Another pro for the top loader: A front loader will vibrate more and may require that you reinforce your floor. This issue alone may steer you toward choosing the top loader -- you will want to research this if you aren't installing yours on a concrete floor, such as in a garage.

Another pro for the front loader: The agitator in the top loader is bad for your clothes.

Re: capacity, that will vary. FWIW, the industrial high capacity machines are front loaders.

Consumer Reports is a good source of information. Your local public library should have a subscription; they'll probably be at the reference desk.

Pulaski

We will certainly consider them when the machines we have die.

Pulaski

The latest generation of front loaders vibrate a lot less than machines made even a few years ago because they weigh massively more, around 250lb. .... Of course the extra weight might cause "floor issues" too.

Nutek

There we go... Thread is firing on a few more cylinders now.

hungryhorace

?!?!? My washing machine is almost silent - there is next to zero vibration - when it's spinning at 1600rpm.

Nutmegger

I have a wonderful vision of you spending weeks testing out every single washing machine that is available on the market here in order to make your pronouncements!

I have the Consumer Reports top-rated LG small-size -- whisper it! -- top loader, and while I wish that I hadn't got rid of the Whirlpool that served me faithfully for over 25 years because it was so much quicker to just set all the parameters myself, rather than have to kowtow to the darn computer, it gets the clothes clean, doesn't rip them apart, has no center agitator, and doesn't shudder and shake.

hungryhorace

I see and hear other washing machines, both based on my ownership throughout the years as well as family / friends etc. Statements such as front loaders vibrate more is just junk. Maybe crappy ones do, but top of the line front loaders are whisper silent.

Guindalf

We have a Whirlpool Cabrio Platinum top-loading HE washer, which does a really good job (so my DW tells me!).

hungryhorace

Mumsnet even approves!

RoadWarriorFromLP

One basic reason that front loaders are more prone to vibration issues is that they spin at a higher RPM.

If this fact induces trauma amongst some of you, then you might require some repairs of a psychological nature. Otherwise, it might help to install the machine on a platform that will supplement the shock absorbers that are included with the machine, and to otherwise make sure that the machine is set up properly.

petitefrancaise

I've got a big "smart" samsung toploader. No agitator in the middle and after 18 months of using this I won't go back to using a front loader until all the kids have left home. I can get 3 loads of washing done and dried easily in a day, so I'm not having to put a load in every single day and I don't usually have to do more than maybe another load that week.

Clothes don't seem to be damaged, or maybe that's because the kids will wreck them before any washer can! Washes just as well as my AEG did in Europe but takes a fraction of the time.

The toploaders are cheaper to buy than the frontloaders and they do use more water but for me...4 washes a week in a huge toploader is probably less water than a frontloader used more frequently.