Tested & Reviewed: Whirlpool 2-in-1 Removable Agitator

By Sheri Kaz

Updated on Oct. 28, 2024

Whirlpool packs the features of the future into this 2-in-1 removable agitator washer.

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Sheri Kaz/Family Handyman

We’ve all found the string of a hoodie tangled around the washing machine agitator or tried to fit a too-large comforter in our machines only to be forced to make a trip to the laundromat. Both are annoying, right? I thought so, too. Hence, I decided to switch to a machine with a huge drum and a removable agitator: the Whirlpool smart top-load washer.

In this Whirlpool 2-in-1 removable agitator review, I walk you through some of the most notable features I tested, as well as the pros and cons of the washer. That way, you can decide if having a removable agitator is worth the investment for your laundry situation.

The 2-in-1 feature of this Whirlpool washing machine allows you to remove the agitator and use the impeller instead. We talked with Alexander Hill, appliance expert from The Appliance Depot UK, to explain the advantage of an impeller washer.

“Impellers are a newer technology that are used in washing machines,” Hill explains. “They are low-profile cones or discs that spin/rotate to create turbulent currents in the water. This action gently, but effectively, cleans clothes. Impellers are known for being gentle on clothes and allowing more space for larger loads.”

Hill further adds, “In the realm of washing machines, choosing between an impeller and an agitator model depends on individual laundry needs. Impellers are known for their gentle cleaning and larger capacity, making them suitable for bulky items and delicate fabrics. Agitators, on the other hand, offer a more robust cleaning action, ideal for heavily soiled clothes.”

With the Whirlpool 2-in-1 removable agitator washing machine I tested, you have the best of both worlds: an impeller and an agitator.

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Sheri Kaz/Family Handyman

The Whirlpool 2-in-1 removable agitator washer (model: WTW8127LC1) is an Energy Star-rated top-load washer, and the removable agitator is an industry-leading Whirlpool innovation, giving you the option to care for delicate fabrics and large bulky loads at home. This smart appliance is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi. Plus, it allows you to keep an eye on your laundry with the help of a curved slow-close glass lid and compatible app. It comes in a beautiful chrome gray finish or white. I chose gray.

Need to wash a king-sized comforter? No problem! The large tub is 5.3 cubic feet without the agitator and provides a gentle, tangle-free wash. And for heavily soiled laundry, pop the agitator back in for a deeper clean.

The sleek control panel on this user-friendly machine is simply organized by what to wash and how to wash it, including a secondary set of features that’s as easy as touching a button. From temperature settings to spin speed, the interface allows you to control every aspect of your laundry—or simply choose what and how to wash, then let the machine do the rest.

$1399 at Home Depot

$948 at Lowe's

$948.99 at Whirlpool

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This Energy Star-certified smart washer has all the features you need to care for your clothes, with an easy-to-use interface and optional smart app.

$1399 at Home Depot

$948 at Lowe's

$948.99 at Whirlpool

Shop on Best Buy

Sheri Kaz/Family Handyman

With so many models and brands to choose from, deciding on a new washer oftentimes comes down to the features that work best for your family. In addition to the removable agitator, the Whirlpool 2-in-1 is loaded with notable features and 36 ways to wash your clothes.

The control panel can be broken down into two main sections: what to wash (regular, delicates, bulky items, whites, colors, towels) and how to wash (normal, wrinkle control, heavy-duty, sanitize with oxi, cold wash, quick). With push-button ease, you can customize features like fabric softener, deep water, spin, temperature, soil, delay start, pre-soak, extra rinse and, if that’s not enough, there’s a “more options” button.

Sheri Kaz/Family Handyman

The Load & Go dispenser is a convenient feature that measures the exact amount of soap to dispense. Once filled with your favorite high-efficiency liquid detergent, you don’t need to worry about it for at least 20 loads.

Pre-treat stains with the built-in water faucet and included scrub brush that holds detergent. And for extra-dirty laundry, Whirlpool has you covered with a deep water wash or pre-soak setting in 15-minute increments. Make sure the agitator is in place for extra scrubbing power.

I especially like the quick-wash setting for lightly soiled clothes and towels. And I appreciate the delicate setting without the agitator while putting my spin cycle on low.

The Whirlpool 2-in-1 removable agitator top-load washer senses the size of the load and adjusts the water level needed for optimal performance without wasting water. The app works via Wi-Fi and can be voice-controlled using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Need to schedule your laundry to start at a specific time? Just set the cycle and delay the start for up to 12 hours.

I particularly like the slow-close glass lid on the Whirlpool 2-in-1 removable agitator machine. I tried not to waste too much time watching the machine do its thing, but I’ll admit I was mesmerized.

There are many benefits to a top-load washing machine. Hill explains, “They’re often easier to load and can be more comfortable for those who prefer not to bend down or for people who suffer with back problems. Additionally, top-load washers are generally less prone to mold and odor issues, which is a common problem we find for our customers who opt for front-load washers. Top-load washers can be paused mid-cycle to add laundry, which is a convenient feature for many users as people often miss an item. Finally, generally speaking, top-load washers are less expensive than front-load models.”

Sheri Kaz/Family Handyman

If energy efficiency is important to you, you’re probably wondering if an Energy Star rating matters. Well, it does.

“Energy Star-certified appliances, including washing machines, are a worthwhile investment,” he explains. “They offer significant energy and water savings, leading to reduced utility bills and environmental impact. The initial higher cost is often offset by these long-term savings,” Hill continues. “These washers typically have sensors that detect the size and type of laundry load. Based on this detection, they automatically adjust the water level, ensuring that just enough water is used to effectively clean the clothes without excess. This technology contrasts with older models, which often used a fixed amount of water regardless of the load size thus wasting energy.”

Sheri Kaz/Family Handyman

Upon arrival, I threw a basket of towels in the new Whirlpool 2-in-1 washer and was shocked at how much room was left. The tub in this washer is huge! The makeup-ridden washcloths came out cleaner than usual using my favorite powder detergent. I was instantly impressed. Next, I washed a basket of jeans and socks (plus another basket of sweatshirts) in the same load and still had room to spare. Awesome—two loads down at once.

When I was ready to toss the laundry in the dryer, much to my dismay, I needed a step stool to gather the socks out of the bottom of the deep tub. Tippy toes didn’t cut it. This may not be a problem for those with a long reach. But for an average-height woman standing 5 foot 4 inches, or anyone on the shorter side, this could be a deal breaker. Although the unit stands 43 inches tall, including the control panel, the top of the tub is 38 inches high and the tub is 26 inches deep. As a result, it’s a 32-inch stretch to reach the far end of the tub.

Sheri Kaz/Family Handyman

Next, I washed three queen-sized goose-down comforters. I removed the agitator, chose the delicate setting and hoped it would dispense the detergent I loaded into the Load & Go dispenser. It was fun to witness the action through the window. The slightly soapy water was showered on the fabric as the drum gently rotated. The water levels are designed to be surprisingly low, but the machine cleans like a dream.

Sheri Kaz/Family Handyman

For the next load, I downloaded the app and registered the product. The app was initially finicky and lost connection, but after multiple tries, I was able to connect the washer and the compatible dryer. I chose the “Remote Enabled” button, although it’s not obvious that it’s activated on the machine itself.

via iphone (3)

Now, it was time to wash those winter jackets and coats. I pre-treated the dirty cuffs and put them in the washer. Thirty minutes later, I was on the couch folding laundry and decided to start the load from the app. Unfortunately, I needed to go downstairs to push the Remote Enable button again. Hmm… user error? Connectivity issues? After further research, I discovered other users encountered the same problem.

For a world-class user experience, I wish the Remote Enable and Load & Go buttons would stay lit if engaged instead of having to mess with the machine to dispense the detergent or work from the app. Another minor thing that tripped me up was the three-second touch needed to start the washer—likewise with some of the feature buttons in manual mode. On the other hand, the screen conveniently shows a countdown to confirm your choice.

This machine allows you to choose manual settings and save your favorites in the app. Plus, it automatically remembers the settings from the last load washed. Personally, with all of the manual options, I haven’t found much use for the app. However, if you want to schedule your washer, get helpful tips, not worry about your kids adding too much detergent or want to keep an eye on the remaining time in the cycle, you’ll love having these smart features.

I’ll be honest: I found the slope of the top of these machines annoying. After putting some clean clothes on top of the dryer, I returned later to find them on the floor. So, if you prefer a flat-top appliance with a stable surface, you may want to look elsewhere (unless my floor is just weirdly sloped).

What I love about this machine is how thoroughly and gently it cleans my clothes. Each regular load takes about an hour, but the quick-wash setting gets my clothes just as clean in half the time. Plus, the large capacity tub is a time saver and gets through multiple loads of dirty laundry in half the time compared to a smaller capacity washer.

Sheri Kaz/Family Handyman

Sheri Kaz/Family Handyman

In my opinion, having a removable agitator gives you the best of both worlds. With the Whirlpool 2-in-1 removable agitator, you don’t have to choose between one or the other. This washing machine can be a rugged workhorse or a delicate chambermaid to care for your wardrobe.

Whirlpool 2-in-1 removable agitator is available in the 4.7 cubic feet size without the smart app.

Clothes wear out faster under the rigors of an agitator. By removing the agitator, it’s safe to wash delicates and casual wear without the fear of tangling, stretching or weakening the fibers, so clothes hold their shape and retain color longer.

Although great for loosening dirt, an agitator is rough on fabric. If you want to treat your clothes nice, having a removable agitator is a must. Removing the agitator makes washing sleeping bags, washable rugs and comforters a breeze, too. I have yet to get an unbalanced load warning, unlike my old machine that wasn’t able to handle bulky loads efficiently.

Real-life shoppers agree that this washer is upgrading their laundry game. Here’s what they’re saying in their Whirlpool 2-in-1 removable agitator reviews:

“Removable agitator is a game changer,” says a verified Best Buy reviewer. “Interior size is enormous—like you may need an extension if you have short arms to reach the bottom of the washer. We really love the top-loaders more than the front-loaders, and this is nice. The finish can scratch on the top of the dryer, but the washer glass is amazing and still looks bright and clear (albeit tinted) so you can see your load is processing.”

A verified Lowes customer writes, “This machine works great. I like many of the new features—Load & Go to add enough detergent for several loads, ability to add more water to a load, as necessary, and I was able to still match the steel gray color of our existing Whirlpool dryer.”

“The large drum size means I can wash bulkier items like comforters and blankets with ease, eliminating the need for multiple loads and saving me valuable time. Additionally, I’ve found that even with larger loads, the washing machine delivers consistent and thorough cleaning. It handles various fabric types and soil levels effectively, ensuring that my clothes come out clean and fresh every time,” shares a five-star Lowe’s reviewer.

I highly recommend this Whirlpool 2-in-1 washing machine for the intuitive interface and auto sensors that make it easy to use. The 2-in-1 removable agitator feature is the absolute best and, as a result, this machine is gentle on all of my clothes, blankets and washable rugs. When judging the performance and results, I give this washer five out of five stars.

I love the Load & Go soap dispenser and found that it worked well. Plus, I appreciate the quick-wash feature, and this machine is significantly quieter than my previous unit. I’d recommend this washer for large families, because the huge drum washes two to three baskets at once, saving a lot time. However, I don’t recommend this washer for a person who is very short, as it may be difficult to reach to the bottom of the machine.

With Whirlpool’s stellar reputation as a reliable brand for washers, coupled with the Energy Star certification and future-friendly features, you can’t go wrong with this washer. I have to admit, I became so enamored with this machine that I washed everything in sight, including my washable curtains, hand-wash sweaters, area rugs, pillows and dog beds.

$1399 at Home Depot

$948 at Lowe's

$948.99 at Whirlpool

Shop on Best Buy

No matter how dirty your laundry is, Whirlpool makes it easy to choose the best settings for optimal cleaning.

$1399 at Home Depot

$948 at Lowe's

$948.99 at Whirlpool

Shop on Best Buy

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