Toploader

Toploader refers to a type of clothes washing machine that loads from the top rather than the front. A top-loading washer opens via a lid on the top panel and typically houses a vertical drum. Traditional top-load models use a central agitator to move clothes through water, while newer high-efficiency designs use an impeller at the bottom to tumble garments with less water.

Design and performance vary by model. Top-load washers commonly offer capacities from about 3.5 to 5.0 cubic feet. Agitator-based machines can wash quickly but may use more water and be rougher on fabrics; impeller-based top-loaders generally use less water and can be gentler on clothes. Energy efficiency varies, with many contemporary models meeting or approaching Energy Star standards. Features may include auto-load sensing, multiple wash cycles, and digital controls. Compared with front-loading machines, top-loaders often provide shorter cycle times and easier loading for some users, but front-loaders typically excel in long-term water and energy efficiency.

Other uses: Toploader is also the name of a British rock band formed in London in 1997. The group is best known for its cover of Dancing in the Moonlight and released the album Onka’s Big Mok a (2000).