Aussies have rated Samsung as a back-to-back winner in Canstar Blue’s latest top loader washing machine ratings, with the brand rated five stars for performance, features & functionality, design and overall satisfaction.
Our review compares top loader washing machines on customer satisfaction, so you can find out what other Aussies think about the compared brands before you go ahead with a purchase. Think of it as like asking hundreds of your closest mates which top loader washing machine they think is best!
Canstar Blue surveyed 1,034 Australians for their feedback on the top loader washing machine(s) they’ve purchased and used in the last five years.
The winning brand is the one that receives the highest Overall satisfaction rating once all the scores from the Overall satisfaction criteria are combined and averaged.
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included, so not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The brands rated in this survey are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.
Find more detailed information on our Most Satisfied Customer methodology.
Not sure which top loader washing machine to buy? Check out our buying guide below.
Samsung was rated five stars for performance, features & functionality, design and overall satisfaction, with four stars for ease of use and value for money.
A global leader in technology and home appliances, Samsung offers top loaders that generally boast very large capacities ranging between 9kg and 14kg. One of the features that sets Samsung apart from the rest is its Activ DualWash sink. The built-in sink is designed to offer a space to soak stained or extra-soiled garments before tossing them into the washer or to give certain items an extra scrub. You can also use the sink to hand-wash delicate items. The removable Magic Filters are boasted as being another unique feature, allowing you to collect lint and fluff after every wash. Plus, there’s the Magic Dispenser which supposedly dissolves detergent and water by creating what the company calls a ‘vortex’ to ensure even and consistent washing.
LG was rated five stars for ease of use, with four stars across all other categories, including design, features & functionality, value for money, performance and overall satisfaction.
South Korean appliance giant LG sells a fairly large selection of top load washers, with capacities ranging between 9kg and 14kg. Many LG washing machines don’t contain an agitator, instead, the top loaders feature an inverter control motor that mimics hand washing motions to move the water in the tub. LG washing machines also usually provide both hot and cold inlets, in addition to Motion Wash Technology (which uses a combination of six motions, based on handwashing to wash your clothes), multiple wash cycles, delayed start function and load sensors designed to reduce water consumption.
Westinghouse was rated five stars for design and ease of use, with four stars for features & functionality, value for money, performance and overall satisfaction.
Similarly to its front loader washing machines, Westinghouse has a small range of top loader models, with its EasyCare range offering capacities between 9kg and 12kg options. Offering the PreMix+ detergent blending technology, multiple washing types such as a quick 20-minute wash and auto water level sensor to help ensure that the correct water usage is being used for each load size, select Westinghouse models also feature a scratch-resistant flat top to provide a durable space for the laundry.
Fisher & Paykel was rated five stars for ease of use, with four stars for performance, value for money, features & functionality, design and overall satisfaction.
One of New Zealand’s most successful exports, Fisher & Paykel sells a variety of top loaders in plenty of capacities to suit different households. Like its front loaders, Fisher & Paykel’s top loaders generally fall into several series including Series 3, Series 5 and Series 7, with capacities ranging between 5.5kg to 10kg. With multiple washing cycles and modes, most models also feature a soft-close lid, flexible finned agitators inside the drum to help with fabric care while in the wash, along with multiple soil levels, spin speeds and temperature controls to help you get your clothes looking their best.
Kogan was rated five stars for value for money, with four stars for ease of use and overall satisfaction, and three stars for performance, features & functionality and design.
While arguably more known for being an online marketplace, Kogan offers a number of household appliances under its own brand name, with its top loader washing machine range arguably one of the more affordable options on the market. With capacities ranging between 6kg and 12kg, Kogan also offers a white or dark graphite finish to help bring some additional colour to your laundry, with other features including a child lock, preset timers, multiple water levels and wash programs to help get your clothes clean and fresh, along with an Ultrasonic Vibrating Pump to loosen dirt.
Haier was rated four stars for value for money and ease of use, with three stars for design, features & functionality, performance and overall satisfaction.
Major Chinese appliance brand Haier has numerous top loaders on offer, with the majority of models featuring a pulsating wash action, a soft-close lid to prevent accidents, a memory program for convenience, both hot and cold water inlets, and a Direct Motion motor that’s claimed to contain fewer parts to ensure the machine works with minimal noise. There are also many wash programs to suit a variety of fabrics and needs, including an allergen cycle to get rid of dust mites and other allergens, with its range of top loader washing machines ranging in capacities between 6kg and 12kg.
Whirlpool was rated four stars for ease of use, with three stars for all other categories, including design, features & functionality, value for money, performance and overall satisfaction.
Whirlpool is more well-known for its range of kitchen appliances, with its top loader washing machine range somewhat smaller than other brands, with capacities ranging between 7kg and 10kg. The standout feature in its top loaders is the ultrasonic pump, which is said to create vibrations into the washtub to help remove stains and dirt as well as reduce the time it takes to clean the clothes. There’s also a memory function you can use to get the washing started much sooner, and a 24-hour pre-set timer that allows you to set and choose the time when you want the cycle to finish.
Not all brands in the market qualify for our ratings (based on minimum survey sample size), but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth considering. Here are several more brands to check out before making a purchase decision.
While both types of washing machines will do the same thing – clean your clothes – is one type better than the other? Both front loader and top loader washing machines both have their pros and cons, but which one is better for you personally will usually depend on your budget, how much space you have to play with in your laundry, and who much washing you’re usually battling against.
Top loader washing machines can cost anywhere between $500 and $2,000 depending on the brand and model, along with how many features and how much capacity each model comes equipped with.
According to Canstar Blue’s latest research, shoppers were spending $696 on average for their top loader washing machine.
Cleaning your washing machine can seem like a pointless job, but can be a difference-maker if your machine just doesn’t seem to be getting the job done, or you start to notice a funky smell after a load has been washed. Thankfully, there’s a number of home remedies and commercial products available to choose from, with most washing machines coming with some sort of cleaning function or cycle that can be run to take care of any bacteria build-up.
There are a number of factors to consider when it comes to buying a front loader washing machine, with the main points outlined below:
This report was written by Canstar Blue’s Site Editor, Dean Heckscher. He’s our resident expert on all things automotive, health & fitness, streaming and more. Dean is also one of Canstar Blue’s customer research report producers, helping to turn complicated subjects into easily-digestible information for our readers. He’s passionate about helping consumers make better-informed purchase decisions on all manner of consumer goods and services.
Samantha Howse is Canstar Blue’s Consumer Research Specialist, coordinating the consumer research program behind our customer satisfaction awards across Canstar and Canstar Blue in Australia and New Zealand. Sam has earned a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Griffith University and, with seven years in market research and 2 years in marketing, she is experienced in survey design, implementation and analysis, coupled with an understanding of marketing principles and best practice.
Here are the past winners from Canstar Blue’s top loader washing machine ratings:
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