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Published October 18, 2026. Prices and specs checked October 17, 2026.
Front load washers use less water and energy, while a top load washer costs less and loads from the top. The front-load pick is LG’s WM4000HWA, $929 at Home Depot. The top-load pick is Samsung’s WA51DG5505AW, $749 at Home Depot.
I have done laundry in a farmhouse in summer. I have also done it in humid coastal houses, where a shut washer door meant a musty drum by the weekend. That musty drum is what a front loader’s savings cost you. Leave the door open, wipe the gasket, and it uses less water and power than a top loader. Skip those habits and a top loader, cheaper to buy anyway, is the easier machine to live with.
Three current washers stand in for the two formats. LG’s WM4000HWA is the front loader. Samsung’s WA51DG5505AW and Whirlpool’s WTW5057LW are the top loaders, one with an ActiveWave agitator and one with a removable agitator. Already set on a front loader? Our comparison of front-load washers from LG, Samsung and Maytag has the brand-by-brand detail.
Top Load vs Front Load Washer
Home Depot lists all three washers today. The table below uses its prices and capacities, plus the height each listing gives.
| Washer | Type | Capacity | Home Depot price | Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG WM4000HWA | Front load | 4.5 cu. ft. | $929 | 39 in. |
| Samsung WA51DG5505AW | Top load, ActiveWave agitator | 5.1 cu. ft. | $749 | 44.68 in. |
| Whirlpool WTW5057LW | Top load, removable agitator | 4.7 to 4.8 cu. ft. | $699 | 42.25 in. (per Lowe’s) |
Height decides where each one fits. The LG stands 39 inches tall and is listed as stackable, with the stacking kit sold separately. Home Depot says the Samsung needs 58.3 inches with the lid open. Measure the shelf above your laundry spot before you order.
What Does Each Washer Cost per Cubic Foot?
Dividing each Home Depot price by its listed capacity shows what you pay for tub space. I used 4.7 cubic feet for the Whirlpool, the low end of its range.
| Washer | Price ÷ capacity | Cost per cubic foot |
|---|---|---|
| LG WM4000HWA | $929 ÷ 4.5 | $206.44 |
| Samsung WA51DG5505AW | $749 ÷ 5.1 | $146.86 |
| Whirlpool WTW5057LW | $699 ÷ 4.7 | $148.72 |
The LG costs about $58 to $60 more per cubic foot than either top loader. These are sale prices. Home Depot shows the LG marked down from $1,249, the Samsung from $949 and the Whirlpool from $932. LG’s own site has the white LG at the same $929, and Best Buy lists the Samsung at $929.99.
Front Load vs Top Load Washer Water Usage
ENERGY STAR puts numbers on the gap. Certified full-size washers use 14 gallons of water per load, against 20 for a standard machine. That is about 30% less water. ENERGY STAR also says certified front loaders use about 50% less energy and water than a top load agitator washer.
An impeller washer has a low cone or disc instead of an agitator. Against that kind of top loader, ENERGY STAR says front loaders are still about 25% more energy and water efficient. So the format matters most against an agitator machine. The Samsung and the Whirlpool here both have agitators.
Home Depot lists the LG WM4000HWA and the Samsung WA51DG5505AW as ENERGY STAR certified. It puts the Samsung’s estimated energy use at 120 kWh a year. Its page for the Whirlpool WTW5057LW shows no ENERGY STAR mark. None of the three pages gives a water factor. Read the yellow EnergyGuide label or ENERGY STAR’s certified product list before you buy. If water and sewer are expensive where you live, the front loader’s savings are the strongest argument for it.
Front Load vs Top Load Washer Lifespan
No one publishes a clean lifespan number for each format. Top Ten Reviews quotes the president of Mr. Appliance putting a typical washing machine at 10 to 13 years. Be wary of any source that names a firm winner by format. The checkable part is the warranty terms.
| Washer | Parts and labor | Motor | Drum or tub |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG WM4000HWA | 1 year | 10 years, direct drive motor | 3 years, drum |
| Samsung WA51DG5505AW | 1 year | 10 years, digital inverter motor (motors bought 7/1/2022 or later, receipt required) | 3 years, stainless steel tub, parts only |
LG’s own page also lists a 2-year limited warranty on select appliances bought April 9 through December 31, 2026. You must register through the LG ThinQ app and connect the washer to Wi-Fi. Confirm the WM4000HWA qualifies before counting on it. Lowe’s links Whirlpool’s warranty guide for the WTW5057LW instead of printing the terms, so read that PDF first.
For how the big brands compare more broadly, see our post on washer warranty by brand. As with any plug-in appliance, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and look for a UL or ETL listing. Home Depot lists the LG as UL Listed.
Do Front Load Washers Smell?
They can, when moisture sits in the drum and gasket after a cycle. Whirlpool says to leave the door open after laundry so the drum and gasket can air out. It also says to wipe the gasket with a dry cloth after each cycle. Every few loads, use a damp cloth first to lift soap residue.
Whirlpool recommends a deeper gasket clean about once a month or every 30 cycles. Its mix is 3/4 cup of liquid chlorine bleach in 1 gallon of warm water. Leave it about 5 minutes, then wipe and rinse. On select models it also recommends the Clean Washer with affresh cycle every 30 washes. Use only HE detergent in an HE washer, and measure it, because too much causes suds and residue.
A top loader has no door gasket to wipe, so there is less to maintain. The advice about measuring HE detergent and airing the drum still applies. Dosing also affects what you spend, and our breakdown of detergent cost per load shows what a heavy pour adds.
Prices are approximate, current as of publication, and change frequently — confirm the latest price with the retailer before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions About Front Load vs Top Load Washers
Which Is Better, a Front Load or Top Load Washer?
It depends on what you pay for water and how much upkeep you will do. A front load washer wins on water and energy, per the ENERGY STAR figures above. A top load washer wins on price: $749 for the Samsung WA51DG5505AW against $929 for the LG at Home Depot. Buy front load if you will keep up the habits. Buy top load for the lowest price and the least upkeep.
Are Top Load Washers Cheaper?
Yes, in this comparison. At Home Depot the Whirlpool WTW5057LW is $699 and the Samsung WA51DG5505AW is $749, against $929 for the LG WM4000HWA. The gap narrows per cubic foot but does not close. The LG runs $206.44 per cubic foot, and the two top loaders about $147 to $149.
Do Front Load Washers Use Less Water?
Yes. ENERGY STAR says certified front loaders use about 50% less energy and water than a top load agitator washer. Against top load impeller models, the gap is about 25%. Certified full-size washers of any type use 14 gallons per load, against 20 for a standard machine.
Can a Front Load Washer and Dryer Be Stacked?
Often, with the maker’s kit. Home Depot lists the LG WM4000HWA as stackable. The KSTK4 stacking kit is sold separately, as is a WDP6W pedestal if you would rather raise it. Home Depot says it pairs with the LG DLEX4000W electric, DLGX4001W gas and DLHC4002W heat pump dryers.
Are Any of These Washers Under a Recall?
None of the three models appears in a CPSC recall. CPSC’s 2012 LG recall covered older LG top-loading models WT5001CW, WT5101HV and WT5101HW. Its December 2022 Samsung notice covered the WA49B, WA50B, WA51A, WA52A, WA54A and WA55A series, not the WA51DG5505AW. Whirlpool’s only clothes-washer entry is a 2002 washer and gas dryer combination. Check any used machine’s model number in the CPSC database before you buy.
