Agitators and impellers are both found in top-loading washing machines, but they move — and clean clothes — in two distinct ways. Traditional agitators are tall spindles, vaned or finned, in the center of the wash basket that twist (or agitate) back and forth, rubbing against clothes to help break down loose soils.

Are washers with agitators better?

Performance. Despite the potential risk in damaging clothes, top load washers with agitators provide a better cleaning performance. Whereas, top load washers with no agitator may be more gentle to clothes, they really arent as effective at cleaning clothes compared to top load washers with an agitator.

What is the advantage of an agitator in a washing machine?

A washer with an agitator gets its cleaning power from the central post that twists back and forth, while washers with impellers use the low-profile disc to rub the clothes together in order to remove stains.