Two Whirlpool top-loaders, near-identical 27-inch footprints, the same Load & Go dispenser, and the same built-in pretreat faucet. So why does the Whirlpool WTW7120HW vs. WTW8127LC decision trip buyers up? Because the one real difference sits in the wash basket: a fixed smooth impeller on the WTW7120HW, a 2-in-1 removable agitator on the WTW8127LC. There is also an availability catch. The WTW7120HW is listed as discontinued at several retailers, and the WTW8127 series is shown as its replacement.
This comparison uses Whirlpool’s product information, retailer spec sheets, ENERGY STAR data, and one independent lab review. Where listings disagree or we couldn’t confirm something, we say so.
Table of Contents
What These Two Models Actually Are
Whirlpool WTW7120HW
A 27-inch smart top-load washer with a 5.3 cu ft capacity and a stainless steel basket with a smooth impeller. It has the Load & Go dispenser, Pretreat Station Plus, Adaptive Wash with Active Bloom, a Deep Water Wash option, and a glass slow-close lid. It is ENERGY STAR certified. The “HW” suffix is the white finish, and Whirlpool’s lineup also shows a chrome version (WTW7120HC). Retailers list it as discontinued.
Whirlpool WTW8127LC
A top-load washer with a 2-in-1 removable agitator. Keep the agitator post in for a traditional wash, or take it out to wash with the impeller. It has Load & Go, Pretreat Station Plus, Adaptive Wash with Active Bloom, Deep Water Wash, and smart features. The “LC” suffix is the Chrome Shadow finish. The same machine in white is the WTW8127LW. Reviewed.com lists a 2021 release year.
Whirlpool WTW7120HW vs WTW8127LC: Spec-by-Spec Head-to-Head
| Category | WTW7120HW | WTW8127LC |
| Wash action | Smooth impeller | 2-in-1 removable agitator (agitator in, or out for impeller wash) |
| Basket | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Capacity (US) | 5.3 cu ft | 5.2 cu ft agitator in / 5.3 cu ft agitator out |
| Capacity (Canada, IEC) | 6.1 cu ft | 6.0 cu ft |
| Wash cycles | 36 | 36 |
| Max spin speed | 850 RPM (retailer listing) | 850 RPM (retailer listing) |
| Load & Go dispenser | Yes. | Yes. |
| Pretreat Station Plus | Yes. | Yes. |
| Deep Water Wash | Yes. | Yes. |
| Automatic Presoak | Yes. | Yes. |
| Smart / Wi-Fi | Yes. | Yes. |
| Smart features cost | Home Depot lists them with a connected subscription. | Whirlpool-sourced listings say no subscription is required (set to remote enable; Wi-Fi and app needed). |
| Lid | Glass, slow-close | Edge glass, slow-close |
| Footprint (W x D) | 27 1/4″ x 27 7/8″ | 27 1/4″ x 27 7/8″ |
| Height to top of cabinet | 39 3/8″ | 39 3/8″ |
| Finish | White (HW); a chrome version exists (HC). | Chrome Shadow (LC); white is LW. |
| ENERGY STAR | Yes. | Yes (confirm exact figures on ENERGY STAR Product Finder). |
| Status | Discontinued at several retailers; the WTW8127 series is shown as a replacement. | Current series |
Retailers quote several heights for the same machines, but these are different measuring points, not disagreements. Listings show 39 3/8″ to the top of the cabinet, 42 1/2″ minimum and 43 1/2″ maximum height depending on leveling feet, and about 58 1/2″ with the lid open on the WTW7120HW. Check that last figure against any shelf above your washer.
| Insider point #1: capacity is reported under different standards, so the same machine shows different numbers. The WTW7120HW is 5.3 cu ft in US listings and 6.1 cu ft in Canadian ones, and the WTW8127LC is 5.2–5.3 cu ft in the US and 6.0 in Canada. Don’t use cubic feet to pick between them. Whirlpool says the 8127LC gives you extra room for bulky items once the agitator is out. |
The Basket Difference: Impeller vs Removable Agitator
This is the real decision. Almost everything else on the spec sheet is a tie.
Impeller (WTW7120HW): a low, smooth wheel at the bottom of the basket. Clothes rub against each other in the water flow, with no center post in the way.
Removable agitator (WTW8127LC): a traditional center post for a deeper scrub. Take it out, and the same washer uses its impeller instead.
That last point matters: the WTW8127LC has both washers in one. In Reviewed.com’s lab testing, it washed more gently as an impeller machine. With the agitator in, cleaning performance rose a little, but so did clothing wear. Reviewed and also counted it among the best pole-agitator washers it has tested.
One honest limit: that test covered the WTW8127LC only. We found no head-to-head lab test against the WTW7120HW, so we can’t say how its impeller compares with the 8127LC’s impeller mode.
| Laundry situation | Better fit | Why |
| Heavily soiled work clothes, towels | WTW8127LC (agitator in) | Slightly higher cleaning in Reviewed’s test, with more wear |
| Comforters, bulky bedding | WTW8127LC (agitator out) or WTW7120HW | No center post, more open tub |
| Delicate and everyday clothes | Either WTW7120HW or WTW8127LC with agitator out | Impeller action is gentler. |
| Several people doing laundry | WTW7120HW, if you can find one | One mode, nothing to remove or reinstall (our judgment, not tested) |
| You want flexibility. | WTW8127LC | Two wash styles in one machine |
Cleaning Performance and Fabric Care in Real Use
Both models use Adaptive Wash with Active Bloom, which senses load size and adjusts water level and wash action. Both also have a deep water wash option. On the WTW8127LC, Whirlpool’s user guide describes four depth levels (Auto, Medium, High, and Max Fill) and warns that fill times, and so cycle times, get longer.
Where the models actually differ:
- Stains and dirt: the agitator-in mode on the WTW8127LC is the one reviewed, measured as cleaning a little better.
- Fabric wear: the impeller mode is the gentler choice on either machine.
- Bulky loads: the WTW7120HW has no center post. The WTW8127LC needs the agitator removed first.
| Insider point #2: a removable agitator is a trade-off, not a free upgrade. You get two wash styles, but you also have to decide, and remember, which one each load needs. In our view, if several people share the laundry, a single-mode impeller is the more foolproof design. |
Shared Features vs Real Differences
| Feature | Both models | Only one model |
| Load & Go dispenser | Yes. | |
| Pretreat Station Plus (dual-temperature faucet and brush) | Yes. | |
| Automatic Presoak option | Yes | |
| Deep Water Wash option | Yes | |
| Adaptive Wash with Active Bloom | Yes | |
| Smart / Wi-Fi capability | Yes | |
| Glass slow-close lid | Yes | |
| 36 wash cycles | Yes | |
| Fixed smooth impeller | WTW7120HW | |
| Removable agitator with impeller option | WTW8127LC | |
| Smart features without subscription (per Whirlpool-sourced listings) | WTW8127LC |
On smart features, listings disagree on cost, so confirm with Whirlpool or your retailer before relying on the app.
A practical point on Load & Go: retail listings describe it as holding enough detergent for multiple loads. It only helps if you use the same detergent every time. If you wash small loads with specialty detergent, you’ll bypass it often, so don’t weigh it in either direction since both have it.
Noise, Vibration, and Footprint
Both machines share the same footprint, so size won’t decide anything. Allow for the lid-open height before putting a shelf overhead.
On vibration, the WTW7120HW lists a suspension with 4 springs, 4 dampers, and a liquid-filled balance ring. The WTW8127LC lists Advanced Vibration Control. Retailer listings mention a quiet wash action for both. We found no measured noise (decibel) tests for either, so we don’t rank them on noise. In practice, installation matters more than the model:
- Level the machine carefully, because an unlevel top loader can walk on spin.
- Wooden floors can transmit more vibration than concrete.
- Overloading is a common cause of off-balance spins.
Optional purchases:
- Whirlpool Corporation’s support pages recommend replacing washer fill hoses every five years. Check whether hoses come with your washer, since many retailers sell them separately.
👉 Stainless steel washer fill hoses for Whirlpool top-load washers (check fit for WTW7120HW and WTW8127LC) - Anti-vibration pads can reduce vibration transmitted to the floor, but they don’t replace proper leveling.
👉 washer anti-vibration pads for Whirlpool WTW7120HW and WTW8127LC
Reliability, Parts, and Service
We found no independent failure-rate data for either model, so we don’t rank them on reliability. Both are Whirlpool top-loaders in the same product family, and owner reviews on retail sites are anecdotal for any model, so read recent ones before buying.
Whirlpool’s own support pages cover these common top-loader symptoms:
- Lid lock and won’t start: Whirlpool’s help pages stress that the lid must be fully closed and latched.
- F8E1 (long fill or no fill): Whirlpool says the washer isn’t detecting the correct amount of incoming water. Typical root causes include closed valves, kinked or mismatched hot and cold hoses, and clogged inlet screens and drain hose setup.
The WTW8127LC adds one extra mechanical piece to think about, the removable agitator assembly. The WTW7120HW has no such part. On paper that is a small simplicity edge, but we wouldn’t buy it on that alone.
| Insider point #3: the bigger question for the WTW7120HW is availability. Retailers list it as discontinued, although Whirlpool’s own page has shown it as temporarily out of stock. We couldn’t verify long-term parts supply for either model. Before buying a discontinued washer, confirm that parts for it are still listed and that you get a valid warranty. Whirlpool appliances are listed with a one-year warranty. |
Total Cost of Ownership and Availability
Prices move with sales and clearance events, so check current pricing at your retailer. Over a long life, the costs that matter are:
- Energy and water: the WTW7120H is ENERGY STAR certified (2019) at 263 kWh and 6,761 gallons a year, with an IMEF of 2.06 against a federal standard of 1.57, and an IWF of 4.3 against 6.5. The WTW8127LC is also listed as ENERGY STAR certified, but we only confirmed exact figures for the 7120H. Look up WTW8127L** on ENERGY STAR Product Finder to compare.
- Repairs: costs vary widely by part, from small component swaps to control board replacements.
- Extended protection: compare the plan’s cost with the machine’s price before buying.
- Availability: the WTW7120HW may only be open-box, clearance or remaining stock. Make sure the warranty applies if you buy that way.
Which Household Fits Which Model
| Household | Better fit | Why |
| Muddy kids’ clothes and sports gear | WTW8127LC | Agitator-in mode cleans a little better |
| Bulky bedding often | WTW8127LC or WTW7120HW | Open tub with agitator out, or no post at all |
| Couple or single person, mostly everyday clothes | Either | Impeller action is gentle on both |
| Delicates and activewear | WTW7120HW, or WTW8127LC with agitator out | Impeller wash |
| Busy home where several people do laundry | WTW7120HW, if available | One mode, nothing to forget |
| Buyer who wants maximum flexibility | WTW8127LC | Two modes in one machine |
Common Mistakes and the Question Worth Asking
A useful question before buying is: “What’s my hardest load?” If it’s muddy work clothes, the agitator earns its place. If it’s delicate fabrics, impeller wash is the better match. Many buyers never ask it.
Mistakes to avoid:
- Buying the agitator model and never removing the agitator, so you never use its bulky-load advantage.
- Buying for the impeller and then expecting heavy scrubbing.
- Paying extra for smart features and never opening the app.
- Choosing a discontinued model without checking stock, parts and warranty.
FAQ
1. What is the main difference between the whirlpool WTW7120HW vs WTW8127LC?
The wash action. The WTW7120HW has a fixed smooth impeller, and the WTW8127LC has a 2-in-1 removable agitator that you can take out to wash with the impeller.
2. Which one cleans better?
Reviewed.com’s lab test of the WTW8127LC found slightly better cleaning with the agitator in, at the cost of more clothing wear. We found no head-to-head test against the WTW7120HW.
3. Can the WTW8127LC wash gently like an impeller machine?
Yes. Remove the agitator and it washes with the impeller, which Reviewed found gentler.
4. Do both have Deep Water Wash and smart features?
Yes. Both list Deep Water Wash and Wi-Fi smart features. Listings differ on cost: Home Depot shows a connected subscription for the WTW7120HW, while Whirlpool-sourced listings for the WTW8127LC say no subscription is required.
5. Is the WTW7120HW still available?
Several retailers list it as discontinued and show the WTW8127 series as the replacement. Confirm stock and warranty before ordering.
6. Which one is more reliable?
We found no independent reliability data for either, so we can’t say. Check recent owner reviews and warranty terms.
7. Which one should I buy?
Choose the WTW8127LC (or the white WTW8127LW) if you want both wash styles in a current model. Consider the WTW7120HW only if you find a new unit with a valid warranty and want a single, simple impeller wash.
Final Verdict
If you want honest advice on the Whirlpool WTW7120HW vs WTW8127LC: buy the WTW8127LC. It is the current model, it is easier to find, and it covers both muddy loads and gentle impeller washes in one machine. The WTW7120HW makes sense only if you find a new unit with a valid warranty and prefer a single wash mode with nothing to remember.
Ready to decide? Write down your three hardest loads, match them to the tables above, then check current pricing, stock and warranty at your retailer before you order.