Agitator vs Impeller | Which is Better?

If you're in the market for a washing machine, you might have seen that some top load machines have an agitator and some don't. Why is that? Which is better? In this video, Blake compares washing machines that have agitators to those that have impellers/washplates, and helps you decide which is best for you.

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0:00 - Intro
0:30 - Agitators
1:03 - Impellers/washplates
2:06 - What about front loads?
3:42 - Recap

[makavelitt]

I love how clear and easy this presenter is to understand. Thank you for sharing this useful info. 👍

[Daniel_Ho_Status_]

When I switched from a top load agitator to front loader, the first test I did was throw in my microfiber cleaning rags used for cleaning and drying the cars. I kept the HE detergent as a controlled variable (but lower dose of course). They went from grungy but clean to practically brand new. I’m never going back to a top loader

[Tallgrkguy]

I'm going to add my 2 cents. I am an agitator -> impeller convert. I've never looked back. I LOVE MY Maytag Top Loader (no mess to clean, no mold build-up, no washer filter to clean with top loaders). I've heard that the front loaders are all that in their "cleaning power". Frankly, that's a matter of opinion. In Europe and Greece, all my aunts have front/side loaders. They have no choice. I LOVE my top loader with an impeller. With automatic water sensing, I throw my pod(s) in, toss my clothes in, close the lid, and pick a cycle (occasionally I alter the water temp). Done and done. Never had a cleaning issue with it in 20 years of using one. For those that can't live without an agitator, there's a washer that you can optionally place the agitator in on demand in the tub (quick connect). All said and done today's detergents are not of those 30 years ago. Laundry detergents are highly effective in ALL water temperatures (as a matter of fact most laundry detergent makers tout cold as the choice of temperature). They don't need as much agitation as they used to. Detergents now break down stains without an agitator to stir the pot. As far as the pods, absolutely LOVE them. Premeasured so you're not using too little, or too much in a load. Gone are the days of lugging around a 5-gallon detergent jug (I know they still exist). I'll give Blake credit that pods may not be the "thing" for side loaders as mechanically they are different in how they dispense the washing liquid and wash. For that, I would defer to Blake's suggestion of using a liquid. It boils down to preference. Happy washing!

[ramntm]

I bought the Speed Queen TR7003WN after hating the Maytag and Frigidaire washers that I owned the past 10 years. The Maytag and Frigidaire both were noisy, unreliable and shook violently, banging around loudly on the spin cycle. The speed Queen is so smooth and quiet, we don't even hear it running or spinning. It was pricey, but WELL WORTH the cost.

[TigersAbba]

We had a front loader (LG) for nealry 15 years and the machine itesslf was solid but we hated cleaning that seal all the time and draining it. It was a pain for us. And the older the machine got, the more we had to clean it out. But i give credit to LG for designing a modern machine with all the electronics that lasted 15 years! Its actually still going strong but we got tired of the cleaning maintenance so we switched to an impeller. For impellers, just follow the directions and theclothes will get cleaned and it's MUCH safer on delicate fabrics than agitators.

[vincentrobinette]

I finally got my first front loader, after having top load with agitators. Love it, I won't go back to top load, with or without an agitator! It cleans the best, and uses the lowest amount of water per cycle. Front load seems to be the best. After all, I've never owned a cloths dryer that wasn't front load.
The direct drive motor has permanent magnets. It has a tendency to "cog". You hear that. The belt drive motors come in 2 flavors. Induction, with a variable frequency drive inverter, or, series wound carbon brush, with a thyristor speed control. The motors usually use a 11:1 turns ratio, so the motors spin 11 times faster than the drum. In spin, those motors rev up to a whopping 18, 000 RPM! The small motors don't use permanent magnets, and they don't cog. They are generally much quieter, with the induction being quieter than the carbon brush version, especially when in spin.

[ellengordon]

I have a machine with an impeller and I absolutely hate that it doesn’t wash as well; especially large blankets and bed spreads. That means a trip to the laundromat. UGH!

[michaelwaller]

Each person has their own opinions and viewpoints. Personally, we are on our second impeller washer. We left our last set in the home we so
D. The hime we purchased came with a Maytag washer and dryer. The washer was your standard unit and did not do a great job. We purchased GE Profile washer (impeller)/and dryer to replace. They both do a good job. If you need more water in the impeller unit, you can set this up at the start. The washer does a very good job for us and, I would nit hesitate to buy again. Thx for your reviews.

[kamakazecrxsi]

@1:43 Why sell it at all if you know it doesn't clean good

[fredwiley]

LG agitator is designed to move the water through the fabric not like the old days when the clothes were surged through the water up and down the tub. My daughter has a new LG that is a piece of junk. It may last five years as there are only two of them. The operators manual is also skimpy on details of operation. Cycles are long as the washer just sits or the tub just whirls around. Clothes on the outside tub just sit with no roll over. As far as fabric life, the average consumer will never notice the difference between any type of washer. Clothes are made cheap, kids will out grow or ruin the clothes before the washer will. For reference, in the old days, a high quality American made cotton shirt would last through 50 washings and wearings. I am a 45 year veteran of the laundry industry. Buy a Speed Queen if you value your time, want clean fabrics, and no repair bills. Get the one with the high agitation.

[dev-the-hammer]

Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge with us!

[Modoc]

Thanks. This is hard info to find out.

[buzzlightyear]

Don't forget many Samsung agitator models had out-of-balance problem, some blew up the top half of the washer. Main control board overheats too. I have one, unfixable.

[markstewart]

I have a Maytag impeller model and it cleans just as well as the old
Maytag I had. If you need more water you can always select a higher water level

[Clevelandsteamer]

Old school Maytag, kenmore, speed queen with agitator

[fortunatedad]

I had a maytag top load high efficiency years ago and within a few months it started to stink. I ran multiple cleaning cycles and would still leave the clothes smelling like mildew.
I later found out that it was a problem with them that some of the old stinky water would stay at the bottom and not get pumped out.
I wonder if maytag fixed that problem. Because of this i went back to a front load.

[wellivea]

I don't get all the hate on impellers, they work fine for 99% of what people use their washers for while using less water, and do not shred your clothes. Really front loaders are the superior choice but the seal makes them high maintenance. Even with large blankets, I haven't had any trouble getting them clean in a 5.5 cu ft impeller washer. Maybe with heavily soiled large items, an agitator is better but I would just go to a laundromat for that.

[davidperry]

High end washers have agitators in them too like speed queen

[Caswagna]

I have a whirlpool impeller and it cleans fine, imo

[mrboat]

The impeller models don't fill up with nearly enough water, even on deep setting. The impeller essentially just rubs against a blanket in one spot. I ended up buying a used timer to fix my old '80s Kenmore with an agitator (new ratchet dogs for the agitator too) and now the new whirlpool sits in the back yard like some derelict appliance. Total crap design. This is the problem with modern engineers. All they have is computer skills and none of actual hands on and practical mechanical knowledge. Dorks.