Sorry this is so long.

I think both machines are great choices. My grandmother has the Bravos and loves it!! It is not very different in terms of the way it performs mechanically from a conventional TLer except it has a glass lid and no agitator, although I feel cleaning performance is better. It also rinses a bit differently thatn a conventional TLer in where it does this series of sprays and spins as opposed to a deep rinse (unless you select the extra rinse option),but my grandmother and I feel this rinsing method is way more effective than a conventional TLer. Cycle times are not much longer than a conventional TLer unless you select a whole bunch of options. So that's our experience with the Bravos......

BUT......based on some of the reviews here on this forum and elsewhere, these machines, which are a sibling to the Kenmore Oasis and Whirlpool Cabrio, seem to be a love it or hate it type of machine. I have heard others report about tangling and twisting of clothes in these machines, as well as electronic/control board problems, particularly with the Oasis model. So I figured I'd give you a heads up on that. However, I really believe that no matter what machine you buy, there will always be complaints on it. It's just a matter of what best suits your needs.

Anyhoo, here's a little tidbit on the Bravos. When loading clothes into it, my grandmother or I (when I visit her) do not wrap them around the bottom edge of the basket as you would load clothes into a conventional TLer w/ an agitator, or just dump the entire load of clothes in all at once. These methods may contribute to tangling, twisting and wrinkling. We just simply drop our clothes in piece by piece around the center of the impeller and that seems to get good (and untangled, untwisted and unwrinkled) results. I learned that technique from Jcrowley who is a frequent poster on this forum and owns a Cabrio HE. I also would not recommend putting a fitted sheet in with a pair of jeans in this machine. My guess is that you may have a tangled mess after that load is complete, which is why the washer has a separate cycle for sheets and another one for jeans.

Other HE TLer's you may want to look into are GE Harmony, which I have heard wonderful things about, and all Fisher and Paykel machines.

As for the Epic, when washer shopping, grandma was also looking into this machine because of the rave reviews of the machine from others on this forum and elsewhere. I have no experience with this machine so I cannot comment on it's performance, but I do have a friend who recently bought an Epic pair and she LOVES them!

As for prices, we got the Bravos at Home Depot for my grandmother at $854 and change plus extended warranty, tax and delivery fees. I have found that the Bravos tends to be priced the lowest vs. it's other two siblings. And I believe the Epic is coparable in price to Bravos. Chime in and correct me if I'm wrong, Epic owners.

I hope this info helps and was clear to you! Good luck washer shopping!! :o)

Kevin

Kevin thank you so much for your post.

Do you mind one more (you know there will be more then that) question?

I just came back from a local store and now wonder if I am considering toploads if I should be comparing apples to apples. Of course you say?!

Bravos or Cabrio or Harmony or FP? Differences?

Sorry again for another long post.

I'm glad my post helped you a bit!! And I certainly do not mind any more questions! :o)

I believe you are asking me of the four machines, Bravos, Cabrio, Harmony and FP, which one do I cast my vote for? Well I have decided that when I buy a townhome in the near future that I would choose the Bravos for myself since I've seen it do it's thing and I like what I see. I already have experience with this machine when I visited my grandmother, the price is right, the capacity is the largest of any washer, and it's sharp looking machine, especially with the window on the lid! But that's just me. All of those machines that you listed I have heard good things about and I don't think you will be dissapointed with any of them.

As for differences b/w Cabrio & Bravos, the only differences between them are minor cosmetic trim and the lack of a wool cycle on the Bravos. The Oasis probably has maybe a couple more choices than the other 2 and looks just a tad different than the other 2.

The difference b/w these Oasis/Bravos/Cabrio and the FP Aquasmart is that the Aquasmart allows you to use a non HE mode. In other words, if you want to fill the tub all the way with water for a cycle, the Aquasmart will let you choose that option, whereas the Cabrio, Oasis and Bravos will not. They automatically detect how much water you need and never fill the entire tub w/water. Other than that I believe they are all the same machine except that the Aquasmart may have a smaller capacity than the other 3, but I could be wrong about that.

The FP Intuitive and Ecosmart are agitator HE TLer's and the GE Harmony may be similar to the Cabrio/Oasis/Bravos in terms of how it works mechanically being that it's also an HE TLer w/impeller instead of agitator but I'm sure there are many other differences. GE Harmony owners would know that better than I in terms of how it performs.

The one thing that the Harmony has that I wish the Bravos had is an internal heater. I've found that that makes a big difference in wash performance at least in terms of FLer's. I now have a Maytag MAH2400 FL washer without a heater that came with the apt. I live in now that cannot hold a candle in terms of wash performance to the Danby FL washer w/heater that I had in a previous residence.

I hope this info helps some and again, good luck on your choice!! :o)

Kevin

Kevin fabulous info.

I really like the Bravos but around here the Cabrio are less expensive. I know I want a TL with an impeller so my choices are narrowed down...a little anyway.

hedygs,
may I ask why you are no longer considering the Epic? You said you have been wanting a FL for a long time, so why did you change your mind?
The HE TLs are probably a lot better than traditional TLs, but FLs are still more energy and water efficient and clean at least as well. I don't have any personal experience with the Epic, but I believe it is a very good washer.
Just curious why you focus on TLs now...

looser I have been finding the FLs a little difficult for my poor aching, aging back because they are low to the ground. I know I can buy pedestals but I'd rather not invest the extra money. I'm 5'8" so that maybe part of the problem.

As far as the Epic, I like it alot but wish it had a Bulky Load wash (although from reading I know it can be done).

Heydygs,

I'm glad my info was helpful to you!!! :o)

Have you bought a washer yet?

I'm surprised to hear that the Cabrio was cheaper than the Bravos. Of course I am thinking in terms of models w/glass lid and impeller. I am in Seattle area and I've never seen a Cabrio w/glass lid and impeller for $948 or lower. The Bravos w/glass lid, impeller and white exterior paint is $899 at Home Depot. Are you getting one w/out the glass lid or w/glass lid? How much was the Cabrio where you live? Just curious.

Also, if you have not made a purchase yet, another thing to consider is maybe building a homemade pedestal for a FL if you do not want to buy the pedestals at the store. I know others on this forum have bought FL's and done that. Perhaps they could chime in with their experience if they happen to be reading this.

Looser definitely has a point regarding considering FL's because ther are a lot of excellent ones out there. I'm always hearing great things about the Whirlpool Duet and the 9400 model has the bulky cycle. There are others that also have bulky cycles as well. I think Samsung and LG's have them on their machines as well but not positive on that one. Just an FYI.

Kevin :o)

One difference I discovered about the Bravos, presumably as compared to the Cabrio (can't say about the Oasis) ... the Bravos includes a sheet of sound insulation that attaches under the bottom during installation, which I assume is to help reduce operational sounds.

Hi, I'm in the hunt for the right top-loader as well. Did you choose the Bravo or something else? Any experiences to report?

Thanks!

Hey Jim no purchase on my end. I'm entangled in a poor wood installation dispute and various other home improvement headaches.

Post if you make a decision.