The Sheets cycle (video) and the Bulky items cycle do fill up pretty high, the bulky might even be a bit higher. I did a whole bunch of bedding last weekend in these two cycles and was pretty impressed with the results overall.
I have used some of the other cycles but they are lower water levels and while they seem to be effective, lack the fun water-drama hoo-ha we like to see while standing over the washer.
The cleaning has been very good, I'm using Tide HE powder - regular flavor. I have a load of whites to do tonight and will try the whitest whites cycle with Tide HE w/bleach.
The washing action isn't as harsh as I thought it would be, the actual agitation is a fairly short part of the cycles, depending on which program you use. There is a lot of "Catalyst" action - spin and recirculating spray (that was the water spray in the video) so the prolonged contact time with the detergent solution before agitation begins likely helps to cut down on the need for longer agitation times.
As with any of these HE washers, it always flashes through my mind while watching their many machinations and ritual dances, 'just fill up and wash the damn clothes already' but speed is not the goal.
I've not tried the quick cycle, delicate cycle, etc. so have some more experimenting to do. I've thought the same thing, Tom, why not just buy a tumbler washer? I think cost as well as familiarity are big factors for most potential buyers. I can imagine many don't want the glitzy washer that seems as large as a refrigerator - they just want a washer that looks like the one that is broken for less than one paycheck. If the clothes are wet and stuck to the tub when they open the lid, they're done with washday.
There is (at least) one other video on my YouTube channel, a bit longer. I have a couple more short vids I will try to get up tonight.
