Top-loaders are the more traditional, less expensive route. While these can be your basic dials and two wash cycles, they can also be far more advanced, having touch screens and offering over ten wash cycles. Another plus is that they are easy to add forgotten items after the cycle has started and have faster regular wash and rinse cycles. Also, they require minimal routine care and cleaning and you load and unload from a standing position, with less bending and no kneeling. Some things to consider though, is top loaders use a lot of water and require longer dry times due to clothes retaining a good amount of water after the spin cycle. Also, they offer small capacities, usually about 4 cubic feet and more wear and tear on clothing due to the central agitator.
Front-loaders became popular a few years ago, mostly because of their larger wash capacity. Washers moved from having an average of 3.6 cubic feet of space to anywhere between 3.9 to 5.1 cubic feet. That seems like a minor improvement. But in some cases, it meant that you no longer had to go to a laundromat to wash your comforters or large blankets. You could use the large-capacity washer in the comfort of your own home. Many top-loading washers have expanded capacity now, but most still don’t have the amount of space as front-loading machines. Front-loaders are sleek and boast much of the newest washing technology like steam and advanced settings. Some front-load washers are stackable, giving you all of the space you could need or want. These washers are energy efficient and use less water when compared to top loaders. Also, there is additional storage space underneath the machine if placed on a pedestal and optional steam sanitation feature for a deeper clean.
High-efficiency top-loaders combine the utility-saving technologies of front-load washers with the familiar exterior design of a top-load machine. Although on the inside you won't see a large central agitator, you will find a dispenser for detergent and other agents. Most high-efficiency top-load washers position the settings on a raised panel behind the lid, but some models place them in a flat control panel in front of the lid for convenience. During the cycle, the wash tub doesn't fill entirely with water like a standard top-load machine would. Instead, sensors automatically determine the amount of water needed for that load (which will be shallow). Different brands then use different washing actions and a concentrated detergent solution to wash the clothes and high-pressure spray to rinse them for effective, water-efficient cleaning. These washers offer more capacity for your money than front-load washers and use less water than a standard top-load machine. They also have faster spin speeds which reduce time and energy spent drying clothes and have a greater capacity size than a standard top-load machine.They offer more gentle treatment of clothing than an agitator washer and you load and unload from a standing position, so no bending or kneeling. High-efficiency top-loaders have a higher initial purchase price than a standard top-load washer and may not be able to wash waterproof items, as they can cause the washer to unbalance (varies by brand). Also, high-efficiency detergent is required and some routine care and cleaning will be needed.
High-efficiency front-loaders turned the washtub on its side and introduced a major change to washer design, and first enabled a host of new technology and water / energy saving advances. Inside, the drum features short paddles or fins perpendicular to the sides, and spins vertically, much like a dryer. The control panel is positioned on the front for easy access, as is a pull-out drawer containing the dispenser for detergent and other agents. As the washer begins the cycle, it automatically determines how much water is needed for that load — which can be half that used by a standard top-load washer — and mixes the detergent with water to create a concentrated solution. As the drum begins to spin, the clothes are lifted to the top of the drum by the fins, and then fall back into the water to loosen and drive out soils. These washers offer the greatest potential for utility savings, less water usage than a standard top-load machine, faster spin speeds that reduce time and energy spent drying clothes, and greater capacity sizes than a standard top-load machine. Some other great things about these washers are they have the best cleaning capability, including bulky items and do the least wear and tear on clothing. Also, with the ability to stack the matching dryer, there will be tons of floor space saved. Although these washers do have tons of pluses, there are some negatives. Such as a higher initial purchase price than a standard top-load washer and high-efficiency detergent is required. Also, loading and unloading requires bending and/or kneeling, or the extra purchase of a pedestal to raise the washer up. Some routine care and cleaning is needed as well, more so than top-load washers.
Laundry centers are most commonly found in apartments and condos where space is at a minimum. They have a smaller wash capacity, averaging at about 1.5 cubic feet, and are an excellent option for people who want to be able to clean their clothes in their homes but don’t have the space for a designated laundry room.
Compact washers have small capacities and are designed mostly for those who have serious space limitations. They don't have the wide range of washing options that standard top-load washers do, but compact washers are utilitarian in that they will clean your clothes without taking up much space in your home. They can be stacked with some front-load compact dryers.
Washer-dryer combinations are much more popular in Europe than they are in the United States, so you have probably not encountered them. The washer-dryer combination is an all-in-one machine that washes your clothes and then dries them as well. It's convenient and takes up about half of the space a set of separate washer and dryer would. One possible downside is that some consumers complain that clothes feel damp, even after being dried.