You’ve probably seen the sleek, shiny displays at Home Depot or Best Buy lately. Everything looks like a spaceship. High-efficiency impellers—those little discs at the bottom—have basically taken over the market because they're "modern." But then there’s the LG top load washing machine with agitator, standing there like a stubborn reminder of how we used to do things.
It feels like a throwback. Honestly, a lot of people think buying an agitator model in 2026 is a step backward, like buying a flip phone.
They’re wrong.
The reality of modern laundry is that "high efficiency" doesn't always mean "cleaner clothes," especially if you’re dealing with actual dirt. If you’ve got kids in soccer, a partner who works construction, or just a dog that thinks your bedsheets are a towel, you know the struggle. An impeller moves clothes by rubbing them against each other. An LG top load washing machine with agitator moves clothes by actually grabbing them and pulling them through the water. It's a mechanical advantage that matters.
LG did something pretty smart a few years ago. They realized that the old-school agitators were tough on stains but brutal on fabric. So, they engineered a four-way wash action. It’s not just a plastic pole spinning in circles. It’s a specialized motion that combines the force of the agitator with the drum’s independent movement.
Why the Agitator Comeback is Actually Happening
For a long time, the industry tried to kill the agitator. They told us it was too loud. They told us it wasted water. They weren't entirely lying, but they missed the point of why we wash clothes in the first place: to get the grime out.
LG's WT7405CW and the newer 7000-series models changed the conversation. These aren't your grandma’s 1992 Whirlpools that would rip the buttons off a polo shirt. Modern LG machines use TurboWash 3D technology. It sounds like marketing fluff, but it basically means the water jets work in tandem with the agitator to penetrate deep into fibers.
Think about it this way.
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An impeller machine relies on friction. If you overstuff it—and we all do—the clothes in the middle barely move. They just sort of shimmy. With an LG top load washing machine with agitator, that central post forces turnover. It’s physically impossible for the clothes to stay static. That’s why people who switch back often say their whites look brighter. It’s not a placebo effect. It’s mechanical physics.
The Water Level Myth
One thing that drives people crazy about modern HE (High Efficiency) washers is the "auto-sensing" water level. You look through the lid and see your clothes damp, but not submerged. It feels wrong.
LG handled this by including a "Deep Fill" button. It’s a simple addition, but it’s a game-changer for those of us who want to see a tub full of soapy water when we’re washing heavy towels or denim. Most brands restrict your water usage so aggressively that the machine struggles to rinse out the detergent. LG gives you a bit more manual control back, which is probably why their reliability ratings from Consumer Reports stay consistently high compared to Samsung or GE.
Speed is the Real Luxury
We talk a lot about "smart features" and Wi-Fi connectivity. LG’s ThinQ app is fine—it'll ping your phone when the cycle is done—but the real luxury is not spending two hours on a single load of laundry.
The TurboWash 360 system is where LG wins. By using high-pressure nozzles to spray water while the drum spins at high speeds, they can cut a standard cycle down to about 29 minutes.
That’s fast.
Most agitator machines are slow. They’re methodical. But because LG uses an inverter direct drive motor—where the motor is attached directly to the drum rather than using a belt—they can achieve torque and speeds that cheaper brands can't touch. This motor is also why these machines are surprisingly quiet. You’ll hear the water splashing more than you’ll hear the motor humming. It’s a weirdly peaceful experience for a machine that’s basically tossing 20 pounds of wet fabric around.
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Dealing with the "Agitator Takes Up Space" Argument
Critics always say, "But the agitator takes up the room where my comforter should go!"
Sure, if you’re trying to wash a king-sized, down-filled duvet, that center post is in the way. But LG’s 4.5 to 5.3 cubic foot tubs are massive. Unless you’re running a small hotel out of your guest room, you’ve got plenty of space. The agitator is slim. It’s designed with a low profile so you can still fit a "queen-plus" comforter without needing to go to a laundromat.
Maintenance: The Stuff Nobody Tells You
Every washing machine is a damp, dark box. That is a recipe for mold.
Impeller machines are notorious for getting "the smell" because water sits under the pulsator disk. Agitator machines aren't immune, but they’re often easier to clean. The LG top load washing machine with agitator features a stainless steel tub, which is way more resistant to odors than the plastic tubs found in budget models.
Here is a pro-tip that isn't in the manual: leave the lid open.
Just do it.
If you close that lid right after a wash, you’re trapping moisture. Even with the "Tub Clean" cycle that LG provides, nothing beats airflow. Also, stop using too much detergent. The agitator creates plenty of suds on its own. If you use those massive Costco-sized caps of Tide, you’re just coating the outer drum in a layer of slime that will eventually smell like a swamp. Use two tablespoons. Seriously.
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Reliability and the 10-Year Warranty
LG puts a 10-year warranty on their Direct Drive motor. That's a strong vote of confidence. However, the warranty on the rest of the machine is usually just one year.
In the appliance world, "Expert" advice usually leans toward Top Loaders for longevity. Why? Because the bearings don't have to fight gravity the same way they do in a Front Loader. In a front-loading machine, the drum is heavy and hangs off the back. In a top loader, the weight is distributed evenly. An LG top load washing machine with agitator is built to take a beating.
The Verdict on Soil Levels
If you work in an office and your clothes just need a "freshening up," an agitator might be overkill. You could get away with a gentle impeller.
But if you have a life that involves dirt, sweat, or kids, the agitator is the only way to go. LG’s implementation of it is arguably the best on the market right now because they didn't just stick a 1970s part into a 2026 machine. They modernized the movement.
The "6-Motion" technology is the secret sauce. The machine can tumble, scrub, swing, and roll the clothes. It’s like having a professional hand-wash your clothes, but with the power of a jet engine.
Actionable Next Steps for the Smart Buyer
If you are ready to pull the trigger on an LG top load washing machine with agitator, do these three things first:
- Measure your laundry room depth. People forget that these machines need a few inches behind them for hoses. LG tops are deep, so make sure you can actually open the door to your laundry room with the machine in place.
- Check your water pressure. These high-tech valves are sensitive. If your house has low pressure, the "TurboWash" won't be as effective because it relies on that high-pressure spray to rinse soap out quickly.
- Look for the WT7405CW model. It’s widely considered the "sweet spot" of the lineup—it has the agitator, the 4.5 cu. ft. capacity, and the ColdWash technology that actually works without needing hot water to activate the detergent.
Stop worrying about whether an agitator is "old fashioned." If it works, it works. LG managed to bridge the gap between "tough on stains" and "gentle on clothes," which is a balance most other brands are still trying to figure out. It’s a solid investment for anyone who tired of their "high efficiency" washer leaving dirt on their favorite jeans.