I have a 32 year old Maytag top loader with agitator. I love it. I prefer the agitator. I love a good sloshy wash! Edie

Agitators clean better. I had the fancy Magtag Neptune. lasted 10 years. I went back to a basic model.

I'll go against the grain, I have a front loader and wouldn't trade it. It uses less water, less detergent and spins the clothes drier. It then takes less time for the dryer to work. Good luck finding what you want -- there is something for everyone!

The new washers that swish is the greatest for washing fabric. No raveling. I have a handwash cycle and I can wash precuts with no mishaping or raveling. If you wash oily, dirty, stained clothes I wouldn't recommend it. But for everyday laundry no agitating will keep your clothes looking new longer. Mine is a top loader, I wanted to be able to open the lid while washing to check if my quilting fabric was bleeding or not. It uses as much water as you set it too. From auto by weight or by volume. I use the detergent pods and just toss one in per load. I don't wash more then a small load. I don't like having a big load of laundry to deal with at one time. Just makes me go agggggg to see a big load of laundry to fold and put up. Life is too short to have agggggg in it.

I bought a Samsung top loader without an agitator a couple of months ago. Absolutely love it. Best washer I have ever had.

The one that has the tidal wave action.

I decided to go with the non-agitator Maytag Centennial. According to their info it shoots water into the drum from the bottom. I never soak anything and for the most part, our clothes are "clean" except for DH clothes from his outdoor activities. (Lawn work, etc). I am excited to give it a whirl. I did not think to reach in to see if I fall in! LOL! I am 5'2"! I have a small stool if the depth is an issue. We are on well/septic so the less water used made sense.

The set gets delivered on Monday. We shall see!

thanks for all of the great input !

sandy

I just bought a Maytag top loading energy efficiency machine(one with no agitator). I really like it ,I did not want anything fancy. That is almost impossible, but I got mine with minimal gadgets. I do like that it has a hand wash cycle on it. I had my other Maytag washer and dryer 26 years, so I hope this one last that long, it will out live me. Also we only gave $100 more for this set than we did for the one we purchased 26 years ago and we got it from Lowe's they were the only ones that would deliver for free also. Also if you want you can fill it up instead of using just the small amount of water

I downloaded and read the owners' manual on my new machine. You CAN soak clothes and there s a PAUSE button to interrupt the cycle and unlock the lid. Reading the Troubleshooting section really expains a lot of scenarios and how to remedy some of the "challenges" mentioned in this thread. I actually look forward to doing laundry! Well.....maybe.;)

it is a Maytag Bravo with "Centennial" on the control panel....for what it is worth.

sandy

I prefer to set the water level higher on most all my loads, I just can not see how a couple gallons of water will actually clean a load of bedding. A relative had a washer repairman tell her to stay with the 'real' agitator.