what is the best kind of washing machine? Front load or top load?

Personally, I prefer toploading washers. I hate using a frontloading washer, especially if the spin doesn't do it's job. Wet clothes dripping down the front of the washer, etc...not to mention the extra bending down to load and unload.

I have been using the front loading machine for the past 9 years and it is absolutely trouble free.

I just purchased a set 2 weeks ago. There are bases available that the washer and dryer sit on so that they are higher up and you don't have to bend down. The bases also have drawers for storage. These are optional. My husband built me a base for the set with the drawers and only spent maybe $40 doing it. The front loaders in my opinion are well worth the cost because for one, you are using way less water and energy, you are able to do bigger loads of laundry and that means less time doing laundry too. I don't know how I managed without mine! The model that I got has an internal heater for the water so you are not using the hot water out of your hot water heater, this also saves you money. The dryer dries the clothes very quickly and if you set it for more time than it actually needs, it will shut off when the clothes are dry instead of going through the whole dry cycle and wasting your money. The dryer has a sensor that senses how dry the clothes are. I could go on all day about all the cool featers. Even though they are a bit more they are well worth it and will save you money in the long run.