Which is better in a washing machine impeller or agitator

Using an automatic washing machine is easier than beating your dirty laundry on a rock, but if you want to get your clothes clean, your machine has to somehow emulate the age-old motion of hand washing. Agitators and impellers are devices that top-loading washers use to move clothes during the wash cycles and, in the process, get rid of dirt and stains.

Agitators

An agitator is a spindle that sticks up in the center of an automatic washing machine's wash drum. The agitator is usually equipped with fins or vanes, and it twists and turns during the machine's wash cycle, moving clothes through the water and, ideally, removing dirt from them. The motion of the agitator varies depending on the selected wash mode, so a delicate wash cycle is gentler than a standard wash cycle. In general, agitators are hard on clothes.

Impellers

An impeller is a low-profile rotating hub that replaces the agitator in some washing machine models. The vanes of the impeller create turbulent currents in the wash water as the impeller rotates. In theory, these currents move the clothes through the water and clean them without the impeller making physical contact with the clothes. The impeller also takes up less space in the center of the drum, making impeller machines easier to load than agitator machines.

Efficiency

Impellers are often found in high-efficiency washing machine models that use less water than traditional models and rotate at higher speeds during spin cycles. The higher spin speeds extract more water from the clothes, so drying times are reduced. The combination of water and energy savings makes these washer models significantly more efficient than traditional models. However, the impeller itself does not add to the machine's efficiency, so unless it incorporates other efficient features, an impeller machine is not necessarily more efficient than an agitator machine.

Performance

Impeller machines are potentially less damaging to clothes, but because of the gentler motion, they may not clean clothes as effectively as agitator machines. Agitators are relatively brutal with clothes, but their twisting and turning tends to remove dirt quickly and completely. Some impeller models are also prone to tangling clothes as the impeller rotates, which can throw the machine out of balance, particularly during the high-speed spin cycle of high-efficiency machines.

Impellers and agitators are both present in top loading washing machines, but how they work and move the clothes differs greatly.

An impeller washer has a low-profile cone that spins or rotates, rubbing clothes against each other to get them clean. On the other hand, an agitator washer has a tall finned or vaned spindle in the middle of the washtub that agitates or twists against clothes, to help to break down stains and loosen soils.

So, which is better for you, agitator or impeller washers? Learn about the differences between these two types of washers to help you decide which machine is best for your needs.

Top Load Washing Machine With an Agitator

Agitator washing machines are the more familiar version of a top loader, having been in the market for many years. This washer uses a spindle to agitate clothes and twist them back and forth against it, delivering a good cleaning action.

These washers typically provide:

• Agitating – Rubs against clothes to help break down and remove stains and soils.
• Spraying – Reuses water from the wash/rinse cycle to soak garments.
• Wash Basket Rotation – Rotates for a thorough clean.

Top Load Washing Machine With an Impeller

Impeller washing machines use a different motion than agitator washing machines.

The impeller moves clothes from the tub’s outer rim to the centre, using water to optimize friction to gently rub clothes against each other and deliver a thorough yet gentle clean.

• Impeller Rotation – Low-profile cones, fins, discs, or wheels that mildly rub clothes against each other for gentler cleaning action.
• Spraying – Reuses water from the wash/rinse cycle to soak garments.
• Wash Basket Rotation – Rotates for a deep clean.

Find What’s Right For You

So which washer should you get for your home?

Whether you’re removing stains from your favourite t-shirt, making sure your child’s school clothes are spotless or sanitizing your infant’s new clothes, both agitator and impeller washers are ideal.

Both machines have high-efficiency cleaning and performance, energy efficiency, convenience, capacity, and innovation. However, impellers use slightly less water due to their function and high spinning speeds, yielding laundry loads that need less drying.

It all comes down to your personal preference when choosing which washer you’d like to purchase for your home. If you can’t decide, why not get the best of both worlds? Consider a model with our all-new Whirlpool 2-in-1 agitator, which allows you to remove the agitator and run the unit in impeller mode for large bulky items.

Check out our Appliance Finder tool here to help you make the right choice. Be sure to also check out Swash™ Laundry Detergent for all washers, including HE models. It comes with an 8x concentrated formula that boosts cleaning capacity and reduces the white residue on clothes.

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