Whether the Whirlpool 3.8-3.9 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer with Removable Agitator is one of the best washing machines depending greatly on if you’re on a budget. Our top picks for the best top-load washers tend to be a bit higher, closer to a $1,000+ price tag, but that’s a lot to ask of people, especially in this economy.
If your budget is closer to this washer’s $529 asking price, you’ll find the Whirlpool 3.8-3.9 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer to do a very good job washing. You'll appreciate the removable agitator and its ability to fit in large loads and big items like comforters without trouble.
As a more mid-range / affordable pick, it misses the kind of displays that tell you how long a cycle is and is a bit loud. But I don’t need many extra features that more expensive models come with, like app support. Plus, I appreciate its form factor. As discussed in our article on top load vs front load washers, there are arguments for both form factors. However, after using a front loader that developed a persistent mold issue after a while, I appreciate this top loader and the fact that it requires less maintenance, though it offers a self-cleaning cycle.
The Whirlpool 3.8-3.9 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer won’t necessarily wow, but it’s a competent and reasonably priced washing machine with a useful trick with its removable agitator.
James Holland has spent the last three years testing, reviewing, and writing about all sorts of tech, from computers and related peripherals to smart home devices, robot vacuums, and kitchen appliances.
His work has been published in Top Ten Reviews, TechRadar, T3.com, and Homes and Gardens. When he’s not working, he plays music or at least pretends to. He also likes to eat questionable fusion-type foods.
He spent over a month using the Whirlpool 3.8-3.9 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer to get a better understanding of its performance and how it compares to the competition.
Whirlpool WTW4957PW: Key specs
| Agitator Type | Single-action |
| Capacity | 3.9 cubic feet |
| Spin Speed | 680 RPM |
| Wash Programs | 12 |
| Noise Level | up to 60dB |
| Vibration Control? | Yes |
| Smart Features? | No |
| Energy Star? | No |
| Dimensions | H44 x W28 x D27 inches |
Whirlpool WTW4957PW: Price & availability
The Whirlpool 3.8-3.9 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer with Removable Agitator reviewed here, which also goes by the model number WTW4957PW, is available directly through Whirlpool for $529.00. It’s available through Best Buy, Lowe’s, and The Home Depot, though the latter list it with an MSRP of $749.00. Of course, both outlets have it discounted to the same price as its direct price.
Make sure to factor in any extra charges, as hauling away the previous washing machine usually costs extra – for example, Best Buy and Lowe’s both charge $50 – and installation can come at an extra price. Best Buy charges around $90, while Lowe’s offers free installation if you pay for a $36.98 installation kit.
While its price tag is certainly attractive, its availability is pretty limited. Whirlpool doesn’t offer any top-loading washing machines in the UK and doesn’t offer this model in Australia. This is a US-only model, for better or worse.
Whirlpool WTW4957PW: Setup
Like most large appliances, the Whirlpool 3.8-3.9 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer is too big for most people to transport personally, so it will most likely get delivered. So, as long as you clean your space and make sure the water hookups aren’t leaking, the setup will consist of the couriers unloading the truck, removing the old washing machine (if applicable), bringing the new one to the laundry room, and connecting it, which consists of connecting the inlet and drainage hoses.
This is a pretty simple process, but it requires a wrench if you plan on doing it yourself. The couriers also removed any outer packaging, so using a delivery to set up the washing machine also saves dealing with the box. However, some packaging needs to be removed before use.
If the washer is delivered, it will be installed for you and probably take half an hour or so. If you do it yourself, the hardest part is moving it (unless you’re unfamiliar with using a wrench), which is 119 pounds.
You might have to use a wrench on the adjustable leveling feet to ensure the washer is securely on the floor and doesn't shake about during use. The couriers who delivered the Whirlpool 3.8-3.9 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer didn’t seem to check that, and it still needed a bit of adjusting.
Whirlpool WTW4957PW: Design
The Whirlpool 3.8-3.9 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer is, on the face of it, fairly standard. It’s white, 27 x 28 x 44 inches, and straightforward. There aren’t a ton of tricks up its sleeve – there’s no slow close lid, viewing window, or app support, and it isn’t Energy Star Qualified (if you care about energy usage). The most significant omission is the fact that there’s no display.
There is only a line of indicators above the lid and under the controls that tell you what part of the cycle the load is on and whether it’s paused or done. But nothing indicates how much time is left on a cycle—a feature I miss from the washer it replaced.
At least the controls are pretty robust. On the left side of the top panel, you have dials to choose soil level with four options from extra light to heavy and wash temperature that let you choose cold or tap cold to hot. In the middle, you have the dial to select the type of load. There are all the usual options, including for whites and colors as well as bulky, but you also get a quick wash, which can do a load in just over 30 minutes, and a clean washer with Affresh.
That last one is useful insofar as many people don’t tend to put a lot of effort into maintaining their washers (I experienced this firsthand with the previous front-loading washing machine and its persistent mold problem). While I’m sure you can use something besides Affresh, being able to run a self-cleaning cycle is a useful and necessary feature.
To round out the controls, there are two more dials to the right. The first is for choosing rinse options, and there is an auto-sense choice. The second is for the water level, also with an auto-sense option.
There’s also a start button that needs to be pressed twice to run a load. It also acts as a pause button.
Last but not least, let’s take a look inside the drum. The washer drum is made of stainless steel, which looks durable. The removable agitator, which has a lever to remove, also seems durable but is made of plastic. Removing and replacing it is straightforward—just hold the lever and twist it.
The ability to remove the agitator opens up the amount of fabric the Whirlpool 3.8-3.9 Cu. Ft. Top-load washer can hold, perfect for bulky items like a comforter. In this case, the washing machine does what front-loaders do: It uses the rotation of the washer drum to make the fabric of whatever you’re washing rub against itself to clean.
I also want to mention that when opening the lid, there is a little holder for bleach, but not for anything else. You’ll have to throw any detergent and fabric softener directly into the drum, so you must keep an eye on your load if you want to introduce fabric softener halfway through.
Whirlpool WTW4957PW: Performance
When it comes to performance, the Whirlpool 3.8-3.9 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer is competent. It’s not amazing, but it will get the job done. Having used it for a month with all sorts of clothes and fabric, I found it to leave clothes smelling fresh. However, pieces of clothing that were heavily soiled sometimes required a second washing.
To put a finer point on it, I tested this washer by taking a white shirt and staining it with a bunch of different substances, specifically wine, coffee, oil, cherry juice, pasta sauce, and mud. I ran the shirt by itself on the ‘whites’ setting with settings for heavy soil and warm water. Everything came out except a little bit of the wine and more pasta sauce. I reran the shirt with some bleach, changed the temperature to ‘cold,’ and removed the rest of the stains.
I also removed the agitator to wash bed sheets, queen-size comforters, and even larger loads with fine results. For instance, I put in a full load weighing almost 11 pounds without any issues. I was also able to put in six full-size towels and only fill up a third of the drum.
While there’s no agitator, the drum moves the fabric enough for it to gently rub against other fabric, still ensuring enough agitation for clean results. This is also a great option for more delicate clothes.
Also worth noting is that it does a pretty good job of spinning out most of the water in its spin cycle before finishing up, which lessens the amount of work a dryer needs to do. Plus, there is a rinse and spin cycle if you need to wash something off quickly.
The one thing to note, though, is that since this is more of a mid-range washer, not only are you missing out on some features, but it also runs a bit louder. I measured it, getting up to 60 dB. That’s not bad if you can close a door, but it’s not the quietest operating machine. I’ve regularly seen models advertised as being able to run as quietly as 53 dB. They’re also a bit pricier.
Adjusting the controls and removing and reinstalling the agitator are easy enough. Controlling the machine is fairly easy as long as you realize that the first press on the power button just turns it on, and it requires a second press to start.
Whirlpool WTW4957PW: User reviews
It looks like the user reviews somewhat align with my rating here, as users have left a 4.1 rating on Whirlpool. While the removable agitator is universally loved, users find this washing machine a bit loud and are a bit annoyed at how the power button works (pressing once does not start a load).
Plenty is also annoyed that there’s no specific compartment to put fabric softener in or that because the indicators light up, you have to watch out for or guess when to stop a cycle by adding fabric softener.
However, most people have been very happy with the Whirlpool 3.8-3.9 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer's cleaning prowess.
Would I buy the Whirlpool WTW4957PW?
In terms of installation, rinsing efficiency, and spin cycle performance, the Whirlpool 3.8-3.9 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer is a great mid-range option. It's a bit louder than some models and lacks advanced features, but it still does a great job. There's also a removable agitator and robust controls, so it's a good choice for many households.
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | process involves connecting inlet and drainage hoses and possibly adjusting the leveling feet with a wrench | 8/10 |
| Control Panel and Usability | basic but functional; robust dials for selecting soil level, wash temperature, and load type; absence of a display for cycle time is a drawback; start button requires two presses; removable agitator adds versatility | 7/10 |
| Washing Performance | performs competently, effectively cleaning most loads and leaving clothes smelling fresh; heavily soiled items may require a second wash; handles a variety of fabrics well | 7/10 |
| Rinsing Efficiency | rinse options, including an auto-sense choice, provide flexibility; does a good job of removing detergent and residues | 8/10 |
| Spin Cycle | effectively removes most of the water from clothes; operates at a moderate noise level (up to 60 dB) | 8/10 |
Buy it if
Don't buy it if
How does the Whirlpool WTW4957PW compare?
If you were to quickly scroll through the top-loader washers on Best Buy or Lowe’s (or any other retailer, for that matter), you would see that the cheapest options are not much less than the Whirlpool 3.8-3.9 Cu. Ft. Top-Load Washer. For instance, the cheapest one on Best Buy is this model from Insignia, which goes for $449.99 (about £350), and that’s about as stripped down as it gets.
A lot of the best washers are quite a bit more. Take the Maytag MVW7230HC 5.2 cu. ft. Smart Top Load Washer, for instance. It has a larger capacity and a wide range of customizable settings, not to mention it can be used with an app or voice assistants. Yet, you’re paying much more for it – its retail price is $1,125. And you can tackle some pretty big loads with the Whirlpool reviewed here, thanks to that removable agitator, a feature you won’t find with the Maytag.
How I tested the Whirlpool WTW4957PW
To test the Whirlpool 3.8-3.9 Cu. Ft. Top Load Washer, I used it for over a month washing all different sizes of loads, as well as at different temperatures. I ran with and without the agitator. Clothes stained in all sorts of manner went into the wash to see how this washing machine performs.
Read more about how we test.
