I have a top load without an agitator and I really like it for washing large quilts. Yes, it will twist the quilts kind of like a doughnut with the top stretched out and curled under (dare I say it but like a condom) but, it cleans great. My old machine would twist them around like they were being wringed out. The only thing I have noticed is that I do need to use "Refresh" about once every 3 months or it gets a musty smell. I guess it holds water somewhere. Ours made a terrible grinding noise and we called the repair man who showed us a little "nut" that unscrewed off the bolt and fell on the floor. It made it off balance. He found the nut in the bottom of the washer and told DH how to fix it in case it happens again.