I highly advsie you get a top loading machine. They are way easier on your back. I tell from experience, as the front loading ones kill my back! Plus it seems like the front loading ones break more and cost more to be fixed. I advise you get machines from GE, Samsung. I prefer GE, as I never had issues with top loading ones from the brand. Samsung's front loading machines are a little annoying, but last for a while as well. Anyways, if you have bending and love your back pick a top loading machine.