I have a top load no agitator water-conserving machine. It cleans fine, but I don't feel like things are rinsed really well, and you can't do things I used to do with the old machine like fill it and soak clothing . It won't let you do that because of the water saving feature. I can't say I've noticed a difference in our water usage, but if I were to have to replace it, I'd go back to the the kind you that you can control the water level. As far as the agitator, I have like not having that as straps and things don't get caught and wrapped around it.