The new HE top loaders are a very different animal. I just can't see how they even turn over a comforter. Where a front loader will turn over hundreds of times.

I'm still reading bad reviews with the Maytag Maxima line.

If you like the front loaders then get them and just put them side by side.

Check top load HE machines on Youtube, you'll see there isn't much turnover.

The LG front loaders have a magnetic prop on the door that leaves it cracked for ventilation without swinging open. You should leave the top open on a top loader too to make sure it's dry and mold free. My big LG front loader is also in a mud room. It's no problem to leave the door propped . If I were you I would avoid the HE top loaders and I would have a problem going back to a conventional top loaders with the center agitator.

Front loader over HE top loader any day.

I had a Maytag Epic front-loader for five years and loved it - it was easy on clothes but got them clean and reduced my water, detergent and electricity usage. Unfortunately after five years of 20 loads per week (cloth diapers, military uniforms and fitness wear, plus dog and family laundry) I killed it and was looking at an $800 repair, so I opted to buy a new $450 GE top loader instead. I miss my front loader SO much! My recommendation is to stick with a front loader if you like it. I am definitely unhappy with the extra wear and tear on clothes as well as sub-par stain removal and higher water and detergent usage. I'm a single mom and a new front loader is not in my budget so I'm counting the days until I sell my house and can hopefully get one for my next place.

It depends on what you want to wash. I had a Maytag HE top loader which functioned well but I was unable to wash comforters and dog bedding without it becoming unbalanced. I traded it in for a Maytagfront loader which is able to handle all of my laundry needs. So the first thing that you need to decide is what do you wasn't to wash.

Yes - I need to wash comforters and pet bedding and tons of soccer uniforms. I wash everyday. I am sticking with a FL. Thanks all!

These days I would not trust any product made by Whirlpool. Just look at the problems members on this forum and the appliance forum are having with them; and the lack of caring service. As someone posted on the other forum I would go for the Speed Queen if you want a top loader. As far as front loaders go, I don't see many affordable, trouble free makes so I'll let others here give opinions. I have been lucky with our 6 year old Samsung, but others have not.

I have an LG HE top loader, and it does manage to turn the laundry including large down comforters over. I've been using it for several years and I think it's the best washer I've ever had.

I had a front loader for a couple of years before it and I hated it. No matter what I did, leaving the door cracked and always leave a dry paper towel in the seal to dry up the water and wiping it out with bleach, it smelled of mildew and so did our clothing. And, I don't think this was just an issue for me as I've got several friends who also have front loads of different brands, including LG and everyone of them complain that they can't keep the mildew smell out of the machine.

What water temp did you wash in? Did you leave the dispenser door open or remove it? Did you leave wet clothes in the washer after it completed the cycle? Did you do regular maintance clean cycle?

@Corie Hall

Have you been doing regular HOT washes weekly (and Sanitary cycles every few weeks) in your front loader?

My Electrolux is coming up on a year old and it's still fresh as a daisy.

I never use any temp. lower than warm (warm is the new cold) because high efficiency washers have "dumbed down" the water temps. (they now run much cooler). These lower temps. don't dissolve body oils (they literally cling to the insides of the machine).

Did you ever use bleach in your every day cycles?

Did you try powder detergents?

In the five years I had my front loader I never had mildew or smelly laundry. IMO it's important to do regular hot washes, switch laundry promptly, use powder detergent on at least half your loads, leave the door open and use Oxy, or a washer cleaner monthly. You also need a lot less detergent to get clothes clean, using too much can lead to build up which can stink.

Never had a problem with mold,mildew, or odors in any washer I have ever owned. TL and FL. Not washing in Hot water, refusal to use bleach occasionally, use of liquid enzyme based detergent all attribute to the problem. You regional locale, weather, humidity will also play a factor.

I'm glad that so many of you have gad success with your front loaders. And, I fully agree, it's important to follow the manufacture's care instructions; which I always do with all appliances.

I have four children and as a result, I wash frequently. All white are washed in hot water with bleach. I'm am fastidious as well and my laundry never sits in the washer or dryer. Everything is washed, dried, folded and back where it belongs within a couple of hours of entering the process.

This is my experience and I've had several friends with front loaders who also have the same issues. I can not speak for their process, but I know it's been an issue for them as well. Another friend just got rid of her front loader and went back to a top loader because of the issue.

I've had two front loaders and never an odor issue. Always washed in warm or hot. Never even cold. Powder detergent only. And I use fabric softener, still no problems. Always left door ajar and dispenser drawer pulled out to dry out. I hope to never have to use a top loader again.