[BOSSGTE]

There are 3 things required to wash clothes. Chemical activation (detergent), thermal energy (Hot water) and friction (clothes rubbing against each other). Front Load Washing machines do all of these better. They use less water/energy, do less wear and tear to your clothes (no agitator), but take longer and a big capacity unit is more expensive than equivalent size top loader washing machines. eg 8.5kg FLWM = $1100 for reputable brand where as same brand 8.0/8.5kg TLWM = $800.

FLWM can heat their own water, TLWM cant. This means that the hottest your TLWM can wash at is 50-55deg, depending on your hot water service and assuming the unit doesnt draw any cold water during this time. FLWM can heat their water up to 95deg. You wouldnt normally wash at this temp, but it's good to be able to do a very hot or even 60 deg wash to clean heavily stained items. ie rags, overalls, jeans etc... Also, whilst a FLWM may take longer to wash, it can spin faster than a TLWM which means your drying time is reduced.

FLWM can be stopped during the cycle to add the"dropped sock". - only some brands offer this feature all LG/selected Miele/selected Bosch.

Buy a unit with a Direct Drive motor - less moving parts, less noise, less vibration, increased spin speed, increased durability, increased warranty, increased wash performance. Dont be confused by DC inverter motors - these still run a belt and pully system.

Buy from a bricks and mortar retailer, not online. It keeps more people employed and any major retailer will match any genuine online price.