WASHING MACHINES WITH AGITATORS VS. IMPELLERS
Dishwasher hard food disposer vs. filtration Options
Dishwasher hard food disposer vs. filtration Options
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AGITATOR VS. IMPELLER WASHERS
Agitators and impellers are both found in top-loading washing machines, but they clean in two different ways. So what’s the main difference between agitators vs. impellers?
Washing machines with agitators use a central post that twists back and forth, rubbing against clothes to help break apart stains. In contrast, washing machines with impellers use a low-profile cone or disc that spins/rotates to rub clothes against each other to get them clean.
View this side-by-side comparison to learn how washing machines with impellers stack up against washing machines with agitators.
TOP LOAD WASHING MACHINES WITH AGITATORS
Agitators are tall vertical spindles, vaned or finned, in the center of the washer. Washers with agitators are all about the motion in the wash basket; and, despite what you may have heard, advances in agitator technology ensure they’re not hard on clothes.
They typically move in multiple ways for optimal cleaning, including:
SPRAYING ACTION
Soaks clothes with water recirculated from the wash/rinse cycle.
WASH BASKET ACTION
Rotates for a hard-hitting clean.
AGITATOR ACTION
Rubs against clothes to help break apart stains and loosen soils.
TOP LOAD WASHING MACHINES WITH IMPELLER
Don't let low water levels fool you: Washers with impellers use a small amount of water to optimize the friction of the clothes rubbing against each other. This is what helps deliver gentle, efficient and thorough cleaning.
They also typically clean with multiple wash motions, including:
SPRAYING ACTION
Soaks clothes with water recirculated from the wash/rinse cycle.
WASH BASKET ACTION
Rotates for a hard-hitting clean.
IMPELLER ACTION
Uses low-profile cones, wheels, fins or discs that rotate to gently rub clothes against each other.
Agitator vs. Impeller Pros and Cons
The pros of a washer with an agitator include: |
The cons of a washer with an agitator include: |
|---|---|
| Agitator rubs against clothes to remove and rinse away loose soils | While a high spin speed cycle is in progress, your clothes may get twisted, which can throw off the machine’s balance. |
| Familiar functionality |
Since it employs more of a gentle washing motion, impeller washers might not get clothes as consistently clean as an agitator washer. |
The pros of a washer with an impeller include: |
The cons of a washer with an agitator include: |
|---|---|
Rubs clothes against each other to deliver a thorough, gentle clean.
|
Items could get stuck on the agitator and tear. |
| More room in the basket for bulky loading/unloading. |
Because there is an agitator column, these washers may offer less room than impeller washers. This makes washing bulky items like blankets and pillows more difficult. The good news is that there are some high-capacity agitator units available. |
| Efficient models are available on both agitator and impeller washers — just look to see if it’s ENERGY STAR® certified. | |
FIND WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU
You’ve got options when it comes to the wash action and cleaning power of these two top-load designs. Whether you want an agitator or an impeller washer, Maytag brings hardworking models to tackle any load.
RECOMMENDED AGITATOR WASHER
Move mountains of laundry with large capacity agitator washer available at 6.0 cu. ft.
RECOMMENDED IMPELLER WASHER
This extra-large capacity washer features the Deep Water Wash cycle that adds more water for heavily soiled loads and works with the Power™ impeller to attack everyday tough stains.
FIND YOUR NEXT WASHER
See what Maytag has to offer and zero in on the right washer for you.
Learn about the differences between front- and top-load washers to help narrow your search.
Discover what HE washers are and the benefits of washing with one.
