i have one without the agitator and don't care for it, either.
the lack of agitator is not the issue.
it's the lack of water.
it flat does not wash as well.
i don't often need to soak, but - dagnabit! - that ought to be up to me ... not the machine.
i am sick of machines that make all our decisions for us.
that said, it's good to read that there
are modern makes and models that
do work well.
should i ever decide to upgrade i now have hope it wouldn't be a total waste of time as long as i do the research before i choose what to get. i relied on my satisfaction with the make of my previous machine. so much for that concept. LOL