If you're in the market for a new washing machine, you may have noticed that there are two types available — agitator washers and impeller washers. But what's the difference between these two types of machines? And which one should you choose? Here, we'll break down the pros and cons of both agitator and impeller washers so you can make an informed decision about which type is right for you.

Agitator vs. Impeller Washing Machines: What’s the Difference?

The main difference between agitator and impeller washing machines is their internal design. Agitators have a central post or spindle that creates a "wash action" by rotating back and forth within the drum. This rotation helps to move clothes through the water, creating friction for effective cleaning power. Meanwhile, impellers have a low-profile cone-shaped design that uses a low-speed current to move clothes through the water more gently than agitators do.

What Is an Agitator Washer?

Agitator washers use their unique “wash action” motion to scrub dirt from your clothing while they spin around in your wash cycle. They’re effective at removing dirt due to their larger capacity, but they can also be quite hard on your clothing because they produce more friction than other types of washing machines do. They’re generally less expensive than other types of washers, but they may require more energy to operate since they tend to use more water than other machines do.

What Is an Impeller Washer?

In contrast to agitator washers, impeller washers use a low-profile cone-shaped design with vanes inside the drum that generate currents within the water rather than just spinning it around like agitators do. This gentle cleaning action makes them ideal for delicate fabrics such as lingerie or swimwear as well as large items like comforters or rugs that need extra care during washing cycles. Compared to agitator washers, these machines are typically much gentler on your clothing while still being able to effectively clean them. Additionally, they are typically more energy efficient since they use less water per load of laundry than traditional machines do.

The Pros of Impeller Washers

Impellers are low-profile, meaning they take up much less space than agitator washers. They also provide more gentle agitation, so they are great if you have delicate fabrics or items like lacy lingerie that need careful handling. Impellers also use less water, making them more energy efficient than agitators.

The Cons of Impeller Washers

Impellers require more time to finish a cycle because their gentler agitation means longer washing times overall. This means that if you need to do a lot of laundry quickly, an impeller may not be the best option for you. Additionally, impellers can be harder to keep clean as small particles of dirt or debris may get stuck in its crevices over time.

The Pros of Agitator Washers

Agitating washers are powerful cleaners that are great for removing tough stains from clothes quickly and efficiently. The top-loading agitators get into hard-to-reach places on clothing and scrub away dirt with ease. If speed is important to you, an agitating washer is definitely the way to go since it finishes cycles quickly and efficiently compared to an impeller washer.

The Cons of Agitator Washers

Agitating washers take up more space than impellers do as they have a much larger drum size which will take up more room in your home or apartment. Also, since these types of machines use more water per cycle than an impeller machine does, they are not as energy efficient as their counterparts. Finally, due to their vigorous agitation process with heavy rotating arms inside the drum, agitating machines cannot handle delicate fabrics such as lacy lingerie without damaging them in some way or another.

Impeller vs. Agitator — Which is Better?

It really depends on what type of laundry loads you expect to be doing most often in your home. If you’re looking for an affordable option that can easily handle large loads quickly and efficiently, then an agitator machine might be best for you; however, if you want something with gentler cleaning power that won’t damage delicate fabrics or large items such as comforters or rugs then an impeller machine might be better suited for your needs. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference and budget when deciding which type is best for you!

Find the Best Agitator vs Impeller Washing Machines at Mesa TV & Appliance

At Mesa TV & Appliance we have a wide selection of both agitating and impelling washing machines available so no matter what kind of laundry loads you need to tackle we’re sure to have something perfect for your home! Our knowledgeable staff can help guide you in making an informed decision about which type of machine is right for your needs and budget so come visit us today! Fill out our contact form today or call us directly at (480) 969-2971 to speak with our team further!