The age-old question for washing machine buyers – should I get an agitator or impeller model? Both have their pros and cons when it comes to cleaning ability, gentleness, efficiency, and more. This guide breaks down the key differences to help you decide.
What’s the Difference?
Agitators
- Vertical pole in the middle of the wash tub
- Has fins or vanes that twist back and forth to move clothes through water
- Creates scrubbing action to remove stains
Impellers
- Horizontal disc or cylinder mounted on the bottom of the wash tub
- Rotates at high speeds to circulate water and clothes around tub
- More gentle, mimics hand washing motion
Cleaning Ability
Winner: Agitator
Agitators provide superior cleaning performance over impellers. The scrubbing action is ideal for working out tough stains and sediments from clothes. Impellers move clothes around more gently, which reduces their ability to tackle heavy soil.
However, there are some tradeoffs. The agitator’s scrubbing can also be harsh on fabrics over time, wearing them out faster. Delicates like lace may get damaged. Impellers are less likely to snag or stress fabrics.
Water Efficiency
Winner: Impeller
Impeller models typically use less water per wash cycle than old-fashioned agitator washers. They rely on the tumble of clothes in the tub to clean rather than filling it up with more water to submerge items.
New high efficiency (HE) agitator washers are catching up and also utilize less water. But standard versions still require more since clothes need to move freely amongst large volumes of water during agitation.
Noise Levels
**Winner: Impeller **
With no central pole grinding back and forth plus lower water volumes, impellers operate much more quietly than traditional agitator machines. Their smooth rotation creates very little noise or vibration.
Some premium agitator washers are equipped with noise dampening features, but the basic mechanics of how they work makes them inherently louder overall.
Gentleness Factor
Winner: Impeller
Doing laundry is always a balance between getting clothes clean and preventing wear & tear on fabrics. Impellers shine when it comes to being gentle, especially on delicates like silks or lace.
The smooth tumbling mimics hand washing motions rather than harsh twisting or spinning actions. So fabrics experience less stress or friction during cleaning.
Load Capacity
Winner: Agitator
Most top load agitator washers can handle larger load sizes than impeller models. Average capacities are:
- Agitator washer: 3.5 to 5 cubic ft drum
- Impeller washer: 3.3 to 4.5 cubic ft drum
The pole agitator takes up some interior tub space, but also allows vigorous back and forth motion that lets you pile clothes higher. Impellers need more clearance to rotate smoothly.
Durability & Reliability
Winner: Agitator
When it comes to reliability, agitator washing machines tend to be longer lasting and less prone to repairs than impeller versions. They win out with their simple, time-tested mechanical designs that incorporate very few electronic components.
Impeller models rely more on computerized controls, sensors, and motors to operate the precision wash/spin cycles. More complexity can equal a greater chance of needing service down the road.
Price Considerations
Winner: Agitator
Base model top load washing machines with agitators are generally cheaper than impeller machines at the same capacity levels. You’ll typically find more selections too in that classic agitator style versus the newer impeller design.
However, high efficiency (HE) agitator washers come with a price premium for the added water and energy savings. They end up costing just as much as many impeller washers.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately there’s no definitive “best” option. Agitator and impeller washing machines both have advantages and disadvantages that come down to individual priorities around cleaning power, fabric care, efficiency, noise, reliability, and budget.
Focus on deciding what performance factors are most important to your household’s laundry needs. Then you can better judge whether an agitator or impeller washer aligns better with what you value most.
References
[1] Fisher & Paykel – Agitator vs Impeller Washers. https://www.fisherpaykel.com/us/
[2] Consumer Reports – Impeller vs Agitator Washers. https://www.consumerreports.org/washing-machines/impeller-vs-agitator-washers-whats-the-difference/
[3] CNET – Top Load Agitator vs Impeller Washers. https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/top-load-agitator-vs-impeller-washers-whats-the-difference/
Laura has had an enthusiasm for laundry ever since she was a teenager experimenting with wash cycles. She went on study textile science in college before working in product testing.
Soon, Laura found friends and family constantly asking her laundry advice, realizing she had become an unofficial laundry guru. The questions kept coming in, so Laura decided to start sharing laundry tips online to help more people. The enthusiastic response led her start the blog “Laundry How”.
Now in her late thirties, Laura uses Laundry How to tackle all kinds of laundry topics – stains, fabric care, detergents, and more. She provides advice from both her studies and experience testing techniques out firsthand. Laura continues to grow an engaged community of laundry learners, feeling fulfilled empowering people to make laundry an easy, confidence-building ritual rather than a dreaded chore.