We have a set of Fisher and Paykel top loaders (both washer and dryer top load) in our 2nd floor laundry. Love them and don't feel any vibration. We made our decision based on prior experience with an F&P set, the fact that the loads go through faster in the top loader, and I can add to it after it's started, which we do often. So didn't do any research about vibration or suitability/insuitability for the 2nd floor.

After having my front loader for about three years, I did my mom's laundry in her top loader - and I could NEVER go back. The FL is totally worth it! I can wash more, the clothes get cleaner, its easier on the fabrics, I could go on and on.

This could just be these two machines, but they are kind of normal - nothing fancy, either one. Both are Maytags.

Check Consumer Reports. Their last washers review, which I think was in early 2009, included ratings of vibration. We got Frigidaire model front loader, which was rated less vibration than others, and are very happy with it. It is on the 1st floor, but not much vibration.

I have the Samsung front loader in my 2nd floor laundry room and have owned it for almost a year now and I love it. I purchased it because of the vibration technology and it really does seem to vibrate less than my old Whirpool top loader and much quieter!

The were a topic in the appliance forum talking about all the advantages of a front loader. I think most people said they were quiet. Do a search there--it was pretty recent.

Also try the laundry forum!

(Don't ask me. I love my 7-year-old top loader.)

After much research I just ordered the compact Asko washer and dryer (front load washer) for my 2nd floor condo. Lots of condos in my area, and a lot of people have these. If properly leveled there seems to be no problem with vibration. However, most of the people I know have them in solidly built older homes.

This topic has been discussed a lot on the Laundry Forum. Post there, or do a search there for threads.

I have a front loader and would NEVER go back to a top loader.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gardenweb's Laundry Forum

I had a front loader washer in my old 2d floor condo, and there were no problems with vibration.

But if it was my current home, which isn't nearly as well built (I feel vibrations for everything) I wouldn't have any washer on the 2d floor. If you really want the fl but are worried about structural issues, talk to a contractor about steps you can take.

I have a Kenmore front loader for over 10 years on the 2nd floor - no problems. I would never go back. I don't notice extra vibration or noise. The main reason I bought them is so that the kids would do the laundry - the controls are easy to reach in the front (at the time I had only my son who was 2). Today my 9 and 12 year old do all the laundry except folding. They fold their own clothes, towels and napkins (we use cloth napkins everyday). They separate out the colors and use the correct temperatures.

I LOVE my LG front loader, but it's in my basement so I can't comment on the vibration you would get on the 2nd floor.

I have the Kenmore Elite HE3t. Our house has a crawl space and the FL is in the laundry room on the first floor. When I first used it with the spin cycle on high, I thought it was going to shake the house apart. It is level, it is on special vibration pads, no avail. I have to use the spin cycle on low, but it still feels like it is going to shake the house apart. Wish I would have known that before I purchased. But I do love a FL.

I've got the FP toploading washer and dryer (the top load dryer is AWESOME!) just like rhome. We've got them on the 2nd floor and no issues. Love 'em, energy efficient, great capacity, less expensive than many of the front loaders, better for a tighter space due to doors not opening into the room, no problems with stinky mold issues!

I have had the Samsungs with the VRT now for 2 1/2 months and love them. Mine are on the first floor, but the only time I hear it is when if fills with cold water (for some reason I don't hear the hot water going in). Even on the highest spin speed I NEVER hear it spinning. I think these were designed specifically for 2nd floor laundry rooms. I had Maytag Neptunes before these and it thumped loudly when it was trying to balance itself. Oh, and my Samsungs are on pedestals which usually makes the vibration worse, but as I said these are way quieter than my Maytags which were not on pedestals. If I was concerned about the vibration I would have ceramic tile put in the laundry room which would limit the vibration. My sister has her laundry on the 2nd floor with ceramic tile which slopes toward a drain in case her machine would flood. Very smart idea by whoever built that house.

PS - mine are the 328 Samsung models. Do a search on the laundry forum and you will get lots of responses!

Thanks everyone for your replies. I am definitely leaning towards the front loaders-I'll just make sure I buy a good set with VRT. :-)

Thanks for the link to the laundry forum. I had no idea there was one. Coming to this forum is automatic for me so I never stop and notice that there are forums for other things too! :-)

As part of our addition we did a second floor laundry. I love it. I had Whirlpool Duet machines on my first floor laundry and went with them for my second floor laundry. My laundry sits over my kitchen. I have been using them for about 6 months. I love them. No problems so far and I have 2 wash machines and 2 dryers in my 2nd floor laundry. I
am getting new machines for my first floor laundry(mine are 7 years old and going to a rental we have). I will either go with Samsung( just to try something different) or Whirlpool.
I have 6 kids and would NEVER go back to front loaders.
Here is a pic of my almost finished laundry.

Here is a link that might be useful:

michellemarie - Are your Duet machines top loaders? I did not know they had front loaders called Duet. Just wondering. I would love to have a front loader but also worried about the vibrations. Not that my old top loader doesn't vibrate.

My Samsungs are on the first floor, but over a crawl space. I've had NO problems with vibration . . . the laundry room shares a wall with the master bedroom, and I can start a load of laundry before going to bed and the washer doesn't keep me awake. I'm very satisfied with them.

also another consideration might be the HE toploaders that have no agitators and are large capacity. The Whirlpool Cabrio are pretty popular. I personally don't know how they clean but apparantly they do and are energy saving too. But again I love my Samsungs and don't think you can go wrong with them. Lowe's had a rebate for the pedestals so I got them free and will never do without them again.

Here is a link that might be useful: whirlpool cabrio