It’s CES 2021, which means top brands such as Samsung and Panasonic are launching their smartest new tech. LG has certainly delivered on fresh ideas, with a new self-emptying vacuum cleaner and a UV-sanitizing fridge, but in amongst all this new home tech, LG has also randomly launched a top-load agitator washer. The new LG WT7305CV is designed for those who prefer an agitator in their washing machine. Featuring smart pairing and app compatibility, you’d think this new washer would have a shot at making it into our guide to the best top-load washers, right? Well, it’s not looking good for the new washer because of one simple feature - the agitator.
What was LG thinking when it created the LG WT7305CV? Probably that it would like to create the first smart agitator top-load washer on the market. There’s a reason nobody else has done this before, though, and that’s because the agitator is an outdated mode of washing that we were happy to let die. We’ve covered the whole agitator vs impeller debate before, and impellers won pretty decisively. The clue is in the name - agitators quite literally agitate your clothes by twisting them around a central column to remove stains and dirt. This can damage fabrics, and it won’t guarantee you a better clean because you need your laundry to come into contact with the agitator for it to work.
Let's take a look at the LG WT7305CV
LG claims that its WT7305CV washer won’t damage your clothes thanks to its four-way wash LG TurboWash3D feature, which is a welcome reassurance that we’d like to put to the test. For those who want a washer that doesn’t damage their clothes though, modern washers without an agitator are still your best bet. Most who buy an agitator washer do so to cut down on costs, because these models are less smart and up-to-date than many impeller counterparts, and therefore cheaper. So, is the WT7305CV an affordable washer too? Simply put, no. With an RRP of $999, you can expect to pay more due to its smart features, including smartphone compatibility and dryer pairing.
Agitators also use more water than the standard front-load washer, because they need your clothes to be entirely submerged in water to clean them. Modern washers increasingly spray clothes with water as opposed to soaking them through, which cuts out a lot of water from the laundry process. LG does boast a deep fill option in its new top-loader, so if you’re not concerned about the amount of water your washer uses, it could be worth considering. To LG’s credit, the WT7305CV is also Energy Star certified, and it also looks pretty slick. If you do want to buy the WT7305CV, you can find it at the LG site here. Reviewed.com claims that LG is coming out with a more recent agitator model in 2021, with a “competitive price” to boot. Stay tuned for that, or check out the rest of our CES news coverage here.
