Can you add an agitator to an impeller

The debate on whether agitator vs impeller washers are more effective is central to many people’s buying decisions, and will shape the way you do laundry when you have eventually made a choice. There are many things to consider within this debate, including washing power, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, so make sure to extensively survey your laundry options before you settle on a machine. 

In the simplest terms possible, agitators are central columns that twist and turn during a wash cycle and are usually found within the best top load washers (opens in new tab). They are sometimes equipped with vanes in order to create friction, and aid in removing stains and dirt from clothes due to the vigorous motion they create. By contrast, impellers, which are ordinarily found within the best front load washers (opens in new tab), are disc-shaped devices that work to spin your clothes in a circular motion within the main body of the machine. 

In this feature we aim to bring you all the vital information in the debate between agitator vs impeller washers so you can invest in the machine that’s right for you. For more comparisons between washers, check out our feature on Maytag vs LG washers (opens in new tab).

Agitator vs. Impeller

Agitator vs. Impeller: Which washes better?  

Washing machines with an impeller tend to wash your clothes better than with an agitator. That means that, generally speaking, front load washers or top load washers without an agitator will do a better job at getting rid of tough stains and dirt off your clothes. 

Why? Well, when an impeller works it turns the clothes inside a washing machine in circles so that they are constantly spinning and using friction to rub the clothes against each other to get them clean. Agitator washers rely on just the agitator itself to do the cleaning and the clothes need to come into contact with the agitator to really be cleaned thoroughly. For stains and really dirty clothes, an impeller washer is the better option. 

Another thing to consider about washing machines with agitators is the potential damage to your clothes. Top load washers are known to cause damage over time to your clothes due to how rough the agitator is with fabrics. 

Can you add an agitator to an impeller

(Image credit: Home Depot)

Agitator vs. Impeller: Which is more energy efficient? 

When you use a washing machine with an agitator, such as a top loading washer, your clothes will be completely submerged in water while they are being cleaned. This makes agitator washers less efficient than washing machines with an impeller because they use more water. Washers with an impeller use less water because the clothes and water are spun around in circles, so the clothes are never fully submerged in a vat of water. Because there is less water used in impeller washers, you also won’t need as much detergent. 

There’s another reason why washing machines with an impeller are more energy-efficient than those with an agitator too. Impeller washers spin clothes at impressively high speeds which means that the clothes aren’t as wet when you take them out of the washer. What that means is that even if you’ve got one of the best dryers (opens in new tab), your clothes won’t take as long to dry as they would when washed in an agitator washing machine. 

Top load washers are still very popular though and they are nearly always cheaper than a front load washer. Due to their popularity, top load washers have come a long way and you can now get high-efficiency top loaders which feature high spin speeds and an impeller inside the drum too. However, these types of washers still don’t get your clothes quite as clean as a front load washer due to the lack of gravity making the clothes tumble around more. 

With any type of washing machine, it’s often more eco-friendly to wash at lower temperatures, however, higher temperatures are needed to completely kill off bacteria and sanitize your washing machine, as well at tackling detergent build-up regularly. 

(Image credit: Getty)

Can you replace a washer agitator?  

In short, the answer is yes. If you’ve bought a washing machine, it’s pretty likely that you’ll want it to last as long as possible so maintaining all of the parts in your washing machine will help with that. 

First though, you might be wondering how to tell if your agitator is broken. Aside from obvious things like visibly noticing that the washing machine agitator has snapped or is broken, telltale signs that something is wrong include your washer becoming unusually loud when it’s on. 

If your agitator is broken, they can be replaced fairly easily, however, we’d always recommend getting a professional to run diagnostics on the washer first as the issue could be concerned with something separate such as the washer lid. 

Do top load washers have filters?

Some top load washers do have filters that will need regular cleaning to stop your washing machine from smelling. Front load washers will not need cleaning in the same way, but there are simple steps you’ll need to take to keep it in top condition including using a hot wash regularly and leaving the washer door open to prevent smells. If you need tips and tricks on keeping your washer sparkling clean, check out our advice on how to clean your washing machine (opens in new tab).  

Personal preference plays its own part in the debate between agitator or impeller washers. Agitators have been around a lot longer, and have the benefit of being the more familiar option to some people. If you grew up with a washer with an agitator, you might be more comfortable with using one, though it’s thought that impellers do a better job overall. 

Luckily, whether you want to stick to what you know with an agitator or fit a model with an impeller, retailers still stock both.

Top load washers with an agitator

(Image credit: Home Depot)

1. Maytag MVW6230HC top load washer

Smart features and a Heavy Duty cycle makes this a great all-rounder

Specifications

Washer capacity: 4.7 cubic feet

Max spin speed: 750 rpm

ENERGY STAR certified: No

Width: 27.25 inches

Depth: 27.88 inches

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Can you add an agitator to an impeller

Reasons to buy

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Heavy Duty cycle for serious stains

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Smart features

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Deep Fill option

Reasons to avoid

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Some users complain of confusing operating

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Larger families may find it too small

The Maytag MVW6230HC top load washer has a power agitator designed to tackle laundry loads easily. An Extra Power button ramps up stain-fighting on any dual-temperature wash, while a Deep Fill option allows you to add more water for bulky items. These extra settings work well with the power agitator to break down stains and rinse away everyday dirt.

For convenience when time is short, the Maytag MVW6230HC top load washer also features a Quick Wash cycle of just 30 minutes. So you can get small, lightly-soiled laundry loads ready in no time. A slow-close glass lid is a nice touch; you can check on your laundry as it cleans. 

This washer also comes with several useful features, including a cycle memory that remembers your last setting choices, a built-in cleaning cycle to use every 30 days, and a remote start option (connected subscription required). Simply connect your appliance to the Maytag app to set cycles, start and stop your washer from anywhere in the world. You can even assign emptying the washer to family members so no one forgets about a damp laundry load. 

With a 4.6 star rating out of 5 on Home Depot, and a 91% recommendation rate, users are impressed with this washer, commenting on the wide range of cycle options and the alerts to empty the appliance when a cycle is complete. 

While the Maytag MVW6230HC top load washer may not be suitable for large families, its 4.7 cubic feet is a decent capacity, equivalent to 19 towels. A generous 10-year warranty also gives you peace of mind if any problems arise.

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2. Amana NTW4516FW top load washer

This top load washer is both compact and affordable

Specifications

Washer capacity: 3.5 cubic feet

Max spin speed: 700 rpm

ENERGY STAR certified: No

Width: 27.5 inches

Depth: 27 inches

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Reasons to buy

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Compact design

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Cycle for clearing bacteria

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Affordable

Reasons to avoid

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No Energy Start certification

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Relatively slow spin speed

The very affordably priced Amana NTW4516FW top load washer has not one, but two agitators that work together to move the laundry around in your washer for a much more thorough clean. However, don’t forget agitators can cause increased wear and tear on clothes. While the drum is porcelain coated to protect clothes and the washer has a delicate cycle, you may prefer to handwash particularly delicate items.

As well as the dual agitator feature, the Amana NTW4516FW features eight different cycle settings and five temperature settings. However, there isn’t a quick wash setting and the spin speed is a little sluggish, which may disappoint some users.

It’s fair to say that this washer is extremely affordable compared with premium models. You may spend a little more on energy bills, as it isn’t Energy Star Certified. But with a running rate of $19 per year, it’s not an energy guzzler either. 

Users who’ve purchased the Amana NTW4516FW love that it cleans well on high-efficiency settings and that you don’t need a lot of detergent to get great results. They also rate the fact that it has an auto-sensing water feature to help you save water, although some users didn't always find this worked as well as they’d hoped. 

Overall, if you’re looking for a reasonably simple, well-made washer that won’t break your budget, the Amana NTW4516FW top-load washer could be suitable. Just be aware that the 3.5 cubic feet capacity is more likely to suit couples or small households.

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3. Maytag MVWC565FW top load washer

Save money in the long run with this cheap-to-run washer

Specifications

Washer capacity: 4.2 cubic feet

Max spin speed: 700 rpm

ENERGY STAR certified: No

Width: 27.5 inches

Depth: 27 inches

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Reasons to buy

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Good range of wash cycles

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Cheap to run

Reasons to avoid

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Low spin speed

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Overly complicated controls

The generously sized Maytag MVWC565FW features Maytag’s power agitator, designed to give your clothes a vigorous spin for a stain-free, hygienic clean. The 4.2 cubic feet capacity makes it an excellent choice for larger households or small businesses, while five dials make the various controls easy to set.

The Maytag MVWC565FW has 11 wash cycles to choose from, while you can also select one of two spin speeds, allowing you to reduce the spin speed for more delicate items. A Deep Fill option is available for bulky items or tough stains, while an auto-sense water feature helps to save water by only using what’s needed depending on your laundry load. 

Although this washer isn’t Energy Star Certified, it is big enough for you to run two standard laundry loads, which may help you to cut down on running costs by reducing the number of times you have to use the machine across the week.

Users rate their Maytag MVWC565FW, giving it an average of 4.4 stars out of 5 on the Maytag website. Many praise the wide range of functions and large capacity, while others love how quiet the washer is during operation. However, a few complain that the auto-sense water function doesn’t work perfectly, leaving some clothes dryer than others after a wash.

If you’re looking for a large-capacity washer with a central agitator, the Maytag MVWC565FW could be a great choice. 

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Washers with an impeller

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4. Whirlpool WTW5100HW top load washer

The large load capacity will come in handy for big families

Specifications

Washer capacity: 4.8 cubic feet

Max spin speed: 760 rpm

ENERGY STAR certified: No

Width: 27.25 inches

Depth: 27.88 inches

Reasons to buy

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Great range of wash cycles

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Large load capacity

Reasons to avoid

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No Energy Star certification

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Users report washer being noisy on high-speed settings

The Whirlpool WTW5100HW Top Loading Washer features an impeller instead of an agitator. Designed so that your clothes have room to move around, the smooth impeller action drives clothes from the outer rim to the center, giving a deeper, more thorough clean while remaining gentle on even delicate fabrics. 

This top-loading washer doesn’t skimp on extras, either. You can automatically presoak your clothes for 15, 30, 60, or even 120 minutes before a wash, or if time is short, opt for a quick 30-minute cycle. A built-in faucet and pretreat brush help you target tough stains and marks, while you can customize up to 36 cycles to suit the fabrics you’re washing.

The roomy 4.8 cubic feet capacity means this washer is more than suitable for large families or smaller households who wish to do fewer washes. Delay your wash by up to 12 hours so your laundry isn’t hanging around in your washer. Or set the soil levels of your laundry from 1 to 5 for customized cleaning. 

The Whirlpool WTW5100HW Top Loading Washer gets an average of four stars out of 5 on the Whirlpool site, with over 500 reviews. Previous purchasers rate its ability to wash laundry well, roomy capacity and stylish design. However, some users report that it can be noisy and starts to shake when on the highest spin speed.

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5. LG Smart Top Load Washer WT7300CW

This washer has lots of great features and is ENERGY STAR certified

Specifications

Washer capacity: 5.0 cubic feet

Max spin speed: 950 rpm

ENERGY STAR certified: Yes

Width: 27 inches

Depth: 28.75 inches

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Reasons to buy

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Quiet

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Wi-Fi-enabled

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Lots of advanced features

Reasons to avoid

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Set-up may be confusing

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Expensive

The LG Smart Top Load Washer uses an impeller to spin your laundry using its exclusive LG TurboWash3D™ design. LG says this gives a thorough yet gentle clean and a faster running time on cycles. 

This Wi-Fi-enabled washer has a wide range of advanced features for a deeper clean, including up to 6 wash motions in just one cycle to allow detergent to penetrate deeper and give a more thorough rinse. It also features a generous 5 cubic feet capacity, designed for doing more laundry in fewer loads. 

It also features ColdWash™ technology to save money and help the environment by reducing the temperature. A connected app is also freely available, allowing you to receive completion alerts, schedule cycles and hook it up with voice-activated services such as Google Assistant and Alexa.

If your washer is in your kitchen, you’ll also enjoy the extra technology that’s gone into making this a washer that’s quiet and still in operation, with no shaking or noisy spin settings. 

The LG Smart Top Load Washer enjoys 4.3 stars out of five on the LG website, with thousands of happy customers giving it the full 5-star treatment. Users rate this Energy Star certified machine for reliability and performance. They like how the load sensor adjusts to suit your laundry, making small washes quicker. Negative reviews tend to mention that it hasn’t got an agitator, with some raising concerns about effective cleaning. 

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6. Whirlpool WTW5000DW washer

Great for smaller families

Specifications

Washer capacity: 4.3 cubic feet

Max spin speed: 660 rpm

ENERGY STAR certified: No

Width: 27.5 inches

Depth: 28 inches

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Reasons to buy

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Good capacity

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Requires less water

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Pre-soak functionality

Reasons to avoid

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Slow spin speed

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Not Energy Star certified

The Whirlpool WTW5000DW washer features an impeller instead of a central agitator, which moves the laundry around in circular motions and reduces the amount of water needed for a thorough clean. 

The 4.3 cubic feet capacity is a good size for smaller families, though larger households may struggle. This particular model from Whirlpool is affordable, though, and will suit many families on a budget. The fact that it has an impeller will also save on energy costs compared to a washer with an agitator.

It also has added energy efficiency with a load sensor that automatically adjusts the water level, saving water on smaller loads. A faster spin speed setting means you can reduce the time and cost of drying laundry, too, although we have to say the spin speed is one of the lowest in our recommended impeller washers.

Despite the slower spin speed, the Whirlpool WTW5000DW washer fares well in user reviews, with an average score of 4.4 out of five stars on Home Depot. Many have no problems with the water content in the finished laundry; others say the capacity is big enough to easily wash comforters. Some users do find it a little noisy during operation, though. 

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Agitator vs Impeller: What the expert says…

Can you add an agitator to an impeller

Joanne Lewsley

Customer Advisor for Cleaning

Joanne Lewsley is a freelance homes and lifestyle writer who specializes in evidence-based content. She is also a Top Ten Reviews Customer Advisor for vacuums, air purifiers, and cleaning devices. She evaluates the quality of home gadgets in these areas, putting them through their paces in a natural home environment for reviews, updating buying guides, and speaking to industry experts on the latest product advances.

Joanne Lewsley, Top Ten Reviews Customer Advisor for Cleaning, says, "The key difference between an agitator and an impeller washing machine is in how they clean. A washing machine with an agitator feature one or two central posts which move around or back and forth, rubbing against clothes to break up stains. A washing machine with an impeller rotates the clothes instead. This ensures the clothes rub against each other, which is gentler on laundry.

Washing machines with impellers tend to be more efficient in terms of water and energy. They can usually take a larger load of laundry than a washing machine with a central column. They may be better for you if you’re looking to wash lightly soiled clothes on a regular basis and want to cut down on your energy and water costs. 

However, agitators are known for their effectiveness in breaking down tough stains, so if you’re regularly washing clothes that are heavily soiled, you may get better value from a washing machine with an agitator. Bear in mind though that the constant movement of the agitator could cause damage to fabrics over time, and these types of washing machines use a lot more water."

Can I add an agitator to my Whirlpool washing machine?

You can easily add the 2 in 1 Removable Agitator to your load or just as quickly remove it and have extra room to wash bulky items. Shop Whirlpool® washers featuring the 2 in 1 Removable Agitator.

Do impellers work as well as agitators?

Washing machines with an impeller tend to wash your clothes better than with an agitator. That means that, generally speaking, front load washers or top load washers without an agitator will do a better job at getting rid of tough stains and dirt off your clothes.

Can I add an agitator to my GE washer?

Note: It is not possible to replace the Infusor with an Agitator. They are not interchangeable. Infusor models and Agitator models have very different stoke profiles to ensure optimal wash performance.