Stop Overpaying For Laundry Features You Won't Use
Last updated January 27, 2026
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Source: townappliance.com
In this Guide:
Key considerations
Buying a washer used to be simple. Now you have to choose between front loaders that clean better but require maintenance to stop smells, and top loaders that use more water but finish faster. It is easy to get distracted by steam cycles and dozens of presets. Most people overspend on 'smart' features they use once and forget. Focus on cycle speed, capacity, and whether you can actually reach the bottom of the drum. Reliability beats Wi-Fi every time.
The Standard Front Load Washer
For most homes, a front loader is the right move. They tumble clothes rather than thrashing them, which gets stains out better and uses way less water. The spin cycles are faster, meaning your dryer doesn't have to work as hard. You just have to leave the door open between loads to prevent that gym-sock smell.
Black+Decker
BLACK+DECKER Front Load Washing Machine
$916
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Choosing A Top Loader With An Agitator
If you believe clothes aren't clean unless they are submerged in twenty gallons of water, this is your machine. They are generally cheaper, finish cycles faster, and you don't have to bend over to load them. Just know that the central post beats up your fabrics faster than other styles.
$639
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top load washer agitator
High Efficiency Impeller Models
These look like traditional washers but swap the center pole for a bottom plate called an impeller. You get a massive tub capacity that fits king-size comforters easily. However, without the agitator or the gravity of a front loader, clothes can sometimes tangle or float without getting a deep scrub.
$1071
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Do You Actually Need Smart Features?
Wi-Fi connectivity sounds gimmicky until your laundry room is in the basement and you can't hear the buzzer. Getting a phone notification when the cycle ends saves you from checking a damp pile of clothes three times. Useful if your laundry setup is far from your living space, but unnecessary for everyone else.
Maytag
Maytag Washer
$668
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