What Reddit says about Speed Queen

“Shallow depth. speed Queen TC5”

“As am I. I agree with this message. Sq or lg only imho”

“I believe speed queen top load washer and dryers is the only brand right now that still uses mechanical timer and the least amount of digital electronics.. which means they’re serviceable in the future. Every other brand practically relies on a digital board. And most of the times if the tech can’t diagnose it. They’ll push a new washer on to you... just my personal preference. Although we have Electrolux front loaders in my house against my will. Whatever makes my wife happy I suppose”

“Repair guy here, if you can get speed queen. If not LG front load washer & dryer is ok. Whirlpool is decent. I don’t like the newer GE stuff that much”

“Appliance repair guy, they are all terrible every brand is built to last max 7 years, coinciding with the length of time they have to maintain parts. If you don’t want to spend for the speed queen or Bosch, go cheap and use the extended warranty, higher end LG/Whirlpool/Samsung all use the same parts as the low end just more useless functions. But I rarely saw the latest version of the basic Samsung whereas I would see at least 2 a day of the basic whirlpool front load.”

“Either spring for a Speed Queen or get a No frills Hotpoint or Amana. They're the same internally as a Whirlpool/Maytag or GE”

“Speed Queen. Everything else is pure garbage”

“Speed Queen”

“Speed queen. So worth it!”

“Find a good used appliance store it's a better value New stuff is over priced and mostly junk. Or buy Speed Queen”

“Speed Queen, sincerely a residential and Commercial installer. Don't buy anything with "smart technology". Generally what happens with smart laundry sets is the boards fail long before the machine. The boards are expensive to replace.”

“Anything but Samsungs. They’re the worst of the worst. We just replace our Samsung washer with a speed queen and it’s a night and day difference. Just waiting on the Samsung dryer to die now”

“A basic Speed Queen set. Like the T3 or T5”

“Speed queen! The absolute best! It’s all I would ever buy.”

“Speed queen and lg are the best choice”

“speed queen TR series are direct drive, but they have weak agitation as a result. "rough on clothes" is mostly a myth, just select proper water level for your load. old style agitators were around for half a century and no one complained.”

“Love our new Speed Queen!”

“Do not buy either. Whirlpool is garbage now. LGbis much worse. The only good washer made new is the Speed Queen TC5. Simple and short from an appliance tech!”

“I know this is a year later, but for anyone who stumbled into this thread I thought my information might be of use. See what appliance stores are in your area. Find a good one that sells used refurbished ones. Chances are they will have an older model washer that comes with a limited warranty. The older ones are far more reliable, and are ridiculously cheap. Like, 200 dollars cheap. If I were unable to find one, I'd probably go with a commercial speed queen top load, and cry about it after emptying my bank account. I've had the same 1994 Kenmore top loader for 4 years now, and I think I'll cry when it dies. The damn thing is reliable, serviceable, and doesn't have all the environmental restrictions that modern washers have.”

“Man looking at GE units, I’ve heard the microban is just all marketing have no clue if that’s the case or not. After even more searching if you have the money for it get a speed queen, if I had the budget I’d for sure get one of the higher end LG machines or speed queen. Are you looking at top load or I’m assuming front load?”

“We bought a GE Ultra fresh. To the boards went out one week past the warranty. Not very happy. Bought a Maytag instead. The repairman said he had 4 GE with similar board problems in a month. Recommended Maytag for a moderate priced washer. More expensive model Speed Queen a lot more reliable.”

“We got a new GE profile dishwasher and its amazing. We got a new maytag and it had 7 warranty calls in 3 years and home depot aftermarket warranty gave us about 80% in giftcard back . So I'm buying speed queen since that's what every camp site We have visited uses. We found snapoj sockets in a speed queen wash machine in Osceola forest so they gotta be good wash machines..lol”

“Front load. I got a set of the GE GFW655 for washer and dryer. Reversible door on the washer also helped sell it. I wanted Speed Queen but could not justify not being able to wash bedding easily.”

“Get a speedqueen.”

“So, this may be moot in your situation, but I present this: Spend an extra few hundred dollars now, buy a Speed Queen, use it for the next 15-20 years. Buy a GE or Whirlpool (Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, Amana, Jenn-Air, Consul), and spend a couple hundred on service calls every other year for the 5 or 6 years it works. Buy a LG or Samsung for even cheaper, and put it on the curb in three years. That's a generalization, of course, but it's fairly accurate. GE, Kenmore, Maytag...twenty years ago these were premium American made brands. This is no longer the case.”

“Might be a buy once cry once sort of thing. But to calm your nerves about the purchase, I think you’ll be fine with this. It won’t last you 20 years like a speed queen. I’d expect 5 and be happy when it lasts longer than that. I got 3 out of a Maytag before the transmission rusted out. I’ve had a GE front loader with auto dispensing detergent and it’s been great for over 5 years.”

“Refurbs are basically just a belt, a motor, felt seal, maybe a thermistor. Wildly, you can find parts for these pretty easily and for decent pricing. I have 40 year old speed queens running in my apartment building. Just needs a belt every once and a while. On rare occasions they'll need a little more work but it's all simple as all hell.”

“if you have the money, get a speed queen.”

“If you are buying new, go with Speed Queen's TC5 for the washer and the DC5 for the dryer. Speed Queen has been owned by Alliance Laundry Systems since 1998, sells their washers and dryers to independent appliance retailers, and best of all, makes ONLY washers and dryers. Speed Queen washers and dryers are designed to last 25 YEARS if used 8 hours every day. All other modern washers and dryers are designed to last only 3 to 6 years. If you can't afford that, then go with an older Whirlpool direct drive (made from the 1980s until 2010-11). Any Maytag made after 2006 is not really a Maytag, but a higher end Whirlpool. Older Non-HE Maytag washers and dryers made in Newton Iowa are a good vintage alternative to all other modern washers and dryers. DO NOT buy any household appliances made by Samsung. From 2010 to 2017, my parents bought a Samsung front load washer and matching dryer, which quit working in June of 2017. The washer was already on its last legs by then. I told my parents to buy Speed Queen and that is what they have. The dryer had some overheating problems, but the washer has worked flawlessly since they got it. Whatever you get, be sure to leave the washer open when not in use so bacteria doesn't grow inside, which lead to a bad odor. Replace the inlet hoses every 5 years especially if they're made of rubber”

“I bought the "Commercial" Maytag washer and dryer set, thinking they really were more heavy duty and longer lasting. No such luck. 5 years to the month, and the transmission went out. The repair guy said it happens a lot, but that nobody fixes it because it costs $800-900 to fix a transmission and the machine only cost $1000. I replaced it with a Speed Queen, which is what I should have bought in the first place.”

“If you have the money; go to an appliance store and buy Speed Queen. They are everything and more what that salesperson sold you on Maytag.”

“Honestly if you look at reviews of almost every washer and dryer you will find lots of negative reviews. About the only brand that is universally loved is speed queen — and if you dig you will even see negative reviews of speed queen. 80% of people who have a negative experience with a brand will post a negative review somewhere and maybe 5% of people with a positive experience will post a positive review. It’s a heavily skewed system. While there are brands that have had some genuinely bad components and should have been avoided until those components were obviated/redesigned those are few and far between. I’m not expert enough to tell you which brand or components were which . . . as long as you are not seeing multiple reviews that all say the linear actuators (or whatever) of brand X failed after Y months . . . it’s safe to assume that many negative reviews are just one offs.”

“I'll never do Maytag again. They USED TO BE top of the line, they haven't been for over 30 years. Speed Queen or something commercial is your best bet.”

“I had a matched Maytag set delivered 3 years ago, I had them returned as the dryer didn’t work on delivery. Went with Speed Queen, although my 30 year old Kenmore was a better washing machine.”

“How much laundry are you doing? If you aren’t going with a speed queen, you should be looking at a front loader tbh. Also avoid big box and buy from an independent store that services the appliances in house. These are maytags entry level machines. They are garbage for lack of a better term. You would do well to spend an extra hundred bucks and get LGs entry level front loaders. Just keep the seal gasket clean and the washer door cracked after use”

“Maytag is junk just like all of the new machines, don’t buy !!!”

“Speed queen instead.”

“Buy yourself a new or used Speed Queen washer. The washer that your showing is crap. The dryer is good. If you can't afford a new Speed Queen, then look on Craigslist or FB marketplace for a used/refurbished/scratch-and-dent. You may have to expand the search to include the nearest large city. If you really want new, then buy this dryer but change the washer to the cheapest LG front loader.”

“If you can afford a Speed Queen get it. Even my appliance repair guy said so. I’ve had a Maytag set for 8 years now and they are ok. But when they go in I’m definitely going Speed Queen.”

“LG is actually the second most reliable brand behind speed queen (expensive) when it comes to appliance repair technicians ratings. I recently got an lg and it’s been great. I bought a set of Maytag washer and dryers in 2016 and had constant control board failures costing $250 each time. Replaced the washer after the third failure in 3 years. LG is essentially the best brand of sub $1,000 washing machines and dryers don’t really matter as much as they’re not as complicated as washers. Samsung is trash and LG is trash for every appliance except washers and dryers where they are actually one of the best.”

“Speed Queen. Enough said.”

“Speed Queen Classic is the best. Hands down!”

“This is a year after you posted but… I am replacing a dead 5 year old Maytag with a speed queen. It’s smaller but built better. As for cost… think of it this way. I bought a $1200 Maytag (CAD). 5 years later it’s dead. Something stuck between the drum and tub… or something with the transmission. I can’t even get it repaired because they use dissimilar metals to join the trans and drum spline. So it’s basically brand new and unrepairable. Parts warranty also doesn’t cover the trans which is what breaks. New trans is $575 bucks plus $150 install fee. So fixing the Maytag now has cost me more than the price of the speed queen. I wish I spent the money up front and not had to deal with installing a brand new machine after 5 years. Fuck Maytag. Fuck companies making throw away appliances to save money. Buy it once. Buy speed queen or heubsch. You’ll save money in the long run.”

“Repairmen said the Speed Queens are the best!”

“Speed Queen”

“You’re paying for quality that’s all not fancy buttons”

“As far as features… best feature line up on the market. Smartboost pull detergent in and premixes it with water, which allows for faster wash cycles, no soap stains. as well as reduces the need for bleach to keep whites white (thus the Broght Whites cycle). BalancedDry is an actual humidity sensor… almost every other auto cycle on the market is determined by a touch sensor which activates cooldown as soon as a dry piece of fabric hits it… so mixed loads end up wet. Pod buster in the dispense tray. And I really like their solution to keep the washer door open, which is that you just can’t close it unless you intentionally do so. I wish it had an auto dispense for detergent… but outside of that its feature are top notch. LG is top for residential front loaders for longevity. I just can’t really call the Speed Queen front loaders residential machines… they are not. 25lb capacity (officially a bit less than that at 22 I think but it’s the same machine as discussed later so… ) while everything else in the market maxes out at 18 lbs. They are ugly laundrymat machines that you happen to be able to put in your home. Alliance lightet use commercial machines are the identical machines to the residential front loaders inside (25 lb) - same exact parts as the true commercialism until. Speed Queen stuff is, by far and away, the best stuff built on the market as far as toughness… But honestly, most people really don’t need that. But if you were going to start doing like laundry service for someone… it is the only option before spending x2.”

“Electrolux is number 2 only to speed queen hands down in the laundry department.”

“We purchased the Wave Touch front loader set in late 2021 and my washing machine is done. Had a tech out today and shared the tub on our washer is not round, give yours a spin and keep your eye on the bottom and see if it’s a bit off as it goes around. This caused out of balance in our washer which gradually got worse as the shock absorbers and bearings began to take the toll. Electrolux is willing to send us a drum but will not cover any other parts or labor. The repair would cost more than what it would cost to replace it. I’m welcome to any advice or feedback, as of now I am not an Electrolux fan and would advise you to not try Electrolux and planning to try Speedy Queen.”

“I have a SpeedQueen FF7 front loader, with matching pedestal. It was extremely expensive compared to other options, but I don't regret my purchase. Yes, it is ugly compared to the other brands, but no one ever sees my laundry room except me so I don't care. It is truly built like a tank, and I've had zero problems with it. It is capable of doing loads very quickly depending on the settings chosen. An Electrolux front loader would have been my second choice and I did consider it. I would have gotten a SpeedQueen top load TR5 or TR7 model, but a member of my household is very short and struggles to reach the bottom of the basket, hence the reason for the front loader. I also work in an industrial setting, and I get nasty stuff on my clothes, including oil, coolant, and other chemicals. It handles them just fine, and my clothes come out clean. I don't think the SpeedQueen dryer is much better than the one I already owned, so I did not purchase it, and don't recommend it unless you just HAVE to have a matching set.”

“Our repair guy said the best are speed queen”

“Appliance tech here. Electrolux have finicky conveyors for there soap dispensers I have replaced two conveyors within two months on two different models of Electrolux washers. They really don’t like hard water. They are also really picky about what kind of soap you use and require “clean washer” cycles to function properly. Also there control boards have been crapping out recently. Speed queens are the best they function great and are easy to repair if they do malfunction. LG is straight crap,they had a design flaw with there washer pumps and never acknowledged it, you will continue to have problems with any LG washer regardless if you replace the pump. Whirlpool GE are tied for the best bang for your buck. Overall Electrolux aren’t the worst but they aren’t in the running for the best either.”

“3 months late, but for anyone coming here in the future. Just get used one or a banged up one. Scratch and dent new Speed Queens are absolutely worth it since the scratch and dents are typically just a beauty blemish and not a practical one.”

“Yes. Speed Queen TC5 and DR5. Period”

“Ive had better experience with it than with its competitor, Size Queen.”

“Bearing wore out on my LG. I'm done with front loaders. Buying the TC5”

“My mom has had the TC5 for about 2 years and wont shut up about how much better they are and how much cleaner her clothes are. I’ve noticed a difference when I’ve done laundry at her house as well. I’m sold on the washer but I don’t know that the dryer is worth the premium cost since I have less of an issue on the dryer side of things.”

“I bought a Samsung lasted 5 years then now wont spin a load without getting unbalanced, takes 2 hours min 1 hour to wash a load of clothes. I had modern technology. It does not belong in a dishwasher or washing machine. They are making things so complicated. I dont want all my appliances talking to each other. I just want them to do their job. Do it well. And not break. That's it. I am about to buy a speed queen. I miss having an agitator. It will wear your clothes out is you stuff it to full of clothes. And if your water is hard and your detergent sucks stains wont come out. I use borax with what ever I use. I buy different detergents based on what smell im feeling that day at the grocery store. Teaspoon of baking soda will make the water alkaline, and you dont have to use a lot of soap, just fyi”

“Dryer: Bought the 2021 used sq for $300 Open box new maytags whirlpools $400 Lets see how long this goes 20-25 yrs? We will see. Math says 7 yrs pays 4 itself Previous lg & whirlpool 8.5-9yrs”

“I got the SQ TC5 a few years ago. Still loving it. Newer laws require washers to be HE. The SQ TC5 is HE, but you can override to full fill, extra rinse etc. we have a hobby farm and garden a few acres of land in addition to tending all the animals. Needless to say the lack of water in high efficiency doesn’t work when your clothes are literally caked in mud. The speed wired tc5 does a fantastic job in actually cleaning our farm clothes. It is a simple, hard working machine that has proven itself time and time again.”

“Just got a " scratch and dent " today...a beautiful machine. From a scratch and dent place. On FB.”

“It’s been a good choice since the Cold War”

“It's a GREAT washing machine, perhaps only bested by a Miele but for American made units, it is hands down #1 in my experience. It's the Toyota 4Runner of washing machines.”

“Still outlasts the competition. Just keep away from the covid built years of 2020 - 2022.”

“Let me put it this way. I work in a locomotive shop where we have a few hundred people fixing locomotives every day. We get DIRTY. I’m talking REALLY DIRTY. They have a few washers/dryers in the locker room for us to use, and a lot of people do, to wash their work clothes. Guess what? They are Speed Queens. And I’ve never seen them broken or not working.”

“Hope you went speed queen. All models built to the same quality same parts.”

“Got a TC5 and a gas DC5. I love them. My clothes actually get clean now. I set up grey-water to the landscape, so no problem about running in deep fill mode.”

“The only thing I’ve “missed” with my Speed Queen is not being told, “honestly, it would be cheaper to buy a new washer and dryer than try to repair this,” which was what I was told with my prior, non-SQ set. To me, the question of washer and dryer pros and cons has two parts though- brand and front or top load. I’ve taken my Speed Queen dryer apart and put it back together again with tools I already had on hand. I didn’t know what I was doing, and disassembled a bunch of things I didn’t need to but didn’t know better. When I figured out what I needed and went to the appliance parts warehouse, I asked the guys who worked there what washer and dryer they would own if they had children and lots of laundry. It was unanimous and they didn’t bat an eye - Speed Queen. They said they were just better made. When I asked the repair man who came out to fix my dishwasher what clothes washer and dryer he thought were the best - Speed Queen. In my experience, Speed Queens are tanks. Sturdy, straightforward, reparable tanks. As to the front or top-loading part: my washer uses more water than a front loader. It takes more water to fill a vertical tub than to fill only the bottom of a horizontal tub and toss it about. Depending on where you live, that additional water usage could be a significant factor. And, if you think about the act of washing clothes on a washboard, or any other “old fashioned” method, you are counting on a combination of friction and soap to bond with and dislodge the dirt/oil/grime and carry it away when the garment is rinsed. The friction of clothes tumbling against each other, with detergent, is the attempt at replication of that mechanism with an electric machine. That friction that dislodges dirt also wears the fibers of clothing fabric. An agitator causes more of that friction. Whether that is a positive or negative thing is a matter of perspective, I think. For me, I prefer the increased friction. Something else I prefer about my top loading washer is the ability to soak something like a duvet or quilt overnight. All of the duvet is completely immersed in water, and whatever detergent I’ve added, all night long. I wash the king-sized quilt from my bed in my top-loading Speed Queen every week. If I leave the laundry room and realize I forgot to wash the hand towel from the bathroom, and then find where I dropped a dirty sock on my way down the stairs, I can grab both, go back to the laundry room, raise the lid, and toss them in. I don’t have to wait for another load, or drain this load, add them in, and restart the cycle. And, maybe most important to me, what you “miss” when you get a top loading washer is the maintenance and risk that comes with the front-loading seal. I don’t have to think about my washer smelling musty or my seal growing mold. But more than that, I don’t have to worry about a seal failing and flooding my house with that many gallons of water. The seals on front loaders are better now, and there aren’t as many issues as there were at first, but there is still far greater risk that the seal on the door of a front loading washer will fail and dump gallons and gallons of water on the floor than that some hole is going to open up in the steel tub of my top loader and cause major damage to my flooring, subfloor, drywall, and trim. Laundromats are made for that sort of event; my house is not. I’d much rather have a top loader. So for me, I haven’t missed a thing by switching to a top-loading Speed Queen. But I think it comes down to what factors are most significant to any given person.”

“I just purchased a SQ front loader. I can’t say enough good things about it. first and foremost, for some reason my clothes are coming out cleaner than they did with my previous machine. (Also a front loader) Haven’t changed detergent, so that doesn't explain it. All I know is that hubbies stinky work clothes come out clean and odor free the first time. secondly, this machine is so well balanced that I can leave the door open an inch or two, and it stays there. I have never had issues with a front loader as long as I kept door open, but they do tend to want to swing closed or open. It is stackable if I need to do that in the future. Not sure why someone commented that they are not. So, I get all the advantages of a front loader (less water, easy on clothes) with the durability of a SQ. ). Also, I rather like that it’s made in the U.S. I don’t have a huge family, but am still glad I’m not worrying about repairs all the time. And it does a great job at cleaning clothes. Which is why I bought a washing machine In the first place. 🙂”

“They're the best, but I'd argue probably not worth it for the price for the average person. It's very much a premium product, but if money is not a concern, yeah, go for it.”

“Yes. Mechanical switches, no LEDs/touchscreens, every part serviceable.”

“I have a Speed Queen dryer, and I love it - if my Maytag washer ever kicks it, I will definitely replace it with a Speed Queen washer. It's simpler than other dryers, but it just works. I would compare it to the whirlpool workhorse dryers from the 80s - it feels substantial and dries without ruining anything. Uses just enough heat, but not too much - you know what I mean?”

“ALL of the military bases I've been to use SQ. They're a beast.”

“I have a speed Queen set and the washer is crazy fast, like 25 minutes. Where it really shines as if you need to wash a bunch of bedding and you can just power through the loads. That and with little kids we're just constantly doing laundry. My parents have had a couple high efficiency front loaders and they seem to take forever.”

“Mechanical model washer with agitator is rough on some clothes (pinholes, stretching - especially women’s clothes). But it’s fast and reliable and can handle large loads without going out of balance. Dryer dries in record time too. Only replaced a timer and heating element on the dryer in 10 years of near daily use. Folks I know with more energy efficient models that use less water wish they had SQ. Takes them all day to handle their washing which takes us only a few hours.”

“I have a Speed Queen washer (agitator, six years old) and dryer (2 years old). No problems, both work great. None of my clothes have been damaged in the slightest. I have the same sheets, towels, jeans, etc. since I bought the washer. People who say "clothes last twice as long" have not don't a controlled comparison, they are talking out their ass. I have never had a Samsung so I can't say what it would be like. I prefer a top loader - easier to load and I don't have to worry about mold and musty smells, but some people might be willing to do the maintenance to prevent the mold.”

“repair bills that are so high you might as well just replace it. I had a Samsung oven go on me and there was one repair guy and he said, "I'm not even going out there. go buy a new one. the part is $700, and then my labor on top, and I like money, but I know what's wrong already." If I had the space for a speed queen top-loader? not even a question. yes front loaders save water but there is so much you *can't* do with a front loader if you're a bit of a laundry maven (spoiler alert: hi I'm a laundry maven)”

“1.) Never ever EVER get a Samsung appliance. Be it a washing machine, dryer, refrigerator, stove, or microwave. They're complete pieces of shit. They're not made to be repaired and they aren't built to last. 2.) Speed Queen is a commercial duty unit, usually seen at laundromats, hotels, apartment shared-use laundries, and other high-use facilities. They have decent wash quality, but their claim to fame is longevity and ease of repair. They're also good on utility usage. They will lack some features like internet integration. But do you really need your washer to send you a twitter or Facebook message saying your underoos are done?”

“My dad has worked as an appliance delivery/repairman for his entire life. He always recommends speedqueen.”

“We replaced our Samsung with a stackable front loading SQ and it is not even a fair competition. SQ is in an entire different class. A lot of modern washers boast an XL capacity. However, SQ uses a smaller drum, which means it can use more water and can spin faster, resulting in cleaner and less damp laundry, which then reduces drying time. SQ gets clothes cleaner, faster. Can’t comment on durability as we’ve only had ours a few years. But as I understand it, SQ designs with repair rather than replacement in mind. Though to be honest, I’d probably still buy another SQ if I had to. It’s just a much better machine.”

“I have had a speed queen top loader and it has been an absolute tank. The clothes seem to come out plenty clean and I have not noticed any issues with excessive wear. I still have an older Maytag dryer that I intend to just keep fixing until you can’t get parts for it”

“My Speed Queen top loader has a "fill tub" option for all you saying that they it use more water. It doesn't, unless you select this mode. Love it so much. And askd several repairmen what to buy, and it was unanimous, SQ are rarely worked on bc they function so well for so long.”

“We have three SQ washer/dryer sets in one of our businesses. All 20+ years old with the exception of one dryer. That was only because shortly after covid (2020) we couldn't get parts but could get a new unit. Kept the old one for parts for the other two. They get used every day for 6-8 months out of the year and at least a couple times a week for the other 6 months. Truly BIFL material. What are we missing? Not having to worry about a down unit.”

“I had an 8 year old Samsung and the motherboard died. Well guess what, they're not required to stock replacement parts longer than 7 years, so they don't. It should have been a simple fix but it was a giant piece of trash instead. I don't know what bells and whistles you have, but my SpeedQueen has every function that I think I could want. I still have a Samsung set in my second home and it's fine . . . I don't prefer the washing or options in either.”

“Bought a speed queen after having multiple washers have problems over the years. I love this thing. It does its job properly every time no more no less.”

“They’re measured differently. The speed queen fills all the way up, but the others don’t. So the capacity is actually not that different for the speed queen. They’ve done tests on this on youtube”

“Yes. We most bought an agitator-less SQ at work about 5 years ago and it’s the absolute best. It’s the best of both worlds with being gentle on clothes, but is a top loader, so you don’t have the front loader issues.”

“Best to steer clear of the “ new touch screen” models. The old display dials that turn by hand are easy to repair. This and variations of this have been told to me over the years. I love Speed Queens.”

“Yes, in my opinion, 2 decade old Maytag Dependables are the sort of machine in the category of Speed Queen. Hopefully they can keep repairing those for many years to come. I think some machines are far more repairable than others. Instead of being able to replace a wire harness or an electrical board, one has to replace an entire module or sealed kit. Then that module is sold for several hundred dollars, so that with the cost of labor, one can easily spend $400-600 on the repair. The thing about a Speed Queen, and many older machines, is that if a $10 part fails, you can replace the $10 part.”

“My grandparents used them (commercial version) in their apartment building for the tenants and they never broke down.”

“I am a former Marine Engineer and spent over 10 years living on cargo ships. Every ship I worked on had SQs. The not only stood up to the abuse of blue collar workers washing their filthy coveralls, but they also withstood the vibration and rocking of being on a ship. Sometimes they failed and needed repair. The parts were almost always easy to order, easy to find in the repair manual, and simple to replace.”

“Sorry this happened to you. There is always an exception to the rule. I have the exact same setup and they’ve been absolutely flawless for the last ~6 years. So much so my neighbors bought the same pair and they still rave about them to this day.”

“And someone's Rolls-Royce Cullinan is in the shop right now, but that doesn't make it overpriced or need others to think twice. EVERY item on the planet has a failure or three. Just because it happens to you, don't mean you need to sound the alarm or even mention it. The consensus is that SQ is BIFL and that's all we can go by here.”

“I don't know, mine has lasted almost 15 years- dryer belt broke yesterday. Thinking of just getting new ones....”

“I bought very basic models of the speed queen washer and dryer now about 9 years ago, not a single problem. I’m sorry to hear about others experiences. I would purchase again.”

“Compare these to a brand new Whirlpool or GE, not one from ten or twenty years ago, and I think you will find your Speed Queen is still a good choice when compared with new machines you can buy today. Unfortunately , pretty much all of your options are bad at this point. If I had my way, I would like to purchase a brand new Maytag Dependable Care washing machine, or a Whirlpool Direct Drive washing machine... But those haven't been made for almost twenty years now. You gotta work with what's available.”

“I spent 2.6K on a Speed Queen pair (the TR and DR models, not the TC and DC) one year ago, and they are a huge improvement on our past machines and very reliable. They handle large loads with no trouble and our clothes are very clean. We have had zero maintenance issues, although we did have to have an approved appliance tech vent the dryer to the side because our laundry nook was too shallow to have the ducting vent from behind as designed, so that was an up-front cost before being able to use it. I was able to remount the door on the dryer myself to swing the opposite direction -- always nice when a machine is intuitive enough to easily make small fixes yourself. I can't say until we've had them for a long time, but so far they are living up to the promise of longevity. I'm sorry to hear yours have been a hassle.”

“Mine either. And we do have the simpler SQ ones. Zero issues.”

“Speed Queen washer and dryer here. Not a single issue after 8 years. Just my experience.”

“I bought a pair of speed queens 12 years ago and haven't touched them once. I do suspect a belt might be going bad in the washer cause of some new squeaking. Any chance you might share that number to their direct repair line?”

“As a counterpoint, I own several apartment buildings and have speedqueen washers and dryers in all of the laundry rooms. Have had zero problems in the last 10 years and the tenants are quite hard on the machines”

“Old post but had to add my two cents…everyone talking about their 10-15-20 year old sets still working fine is missing the point. Modern ones don’t and won’t last that long. SQ is designed to 1) be easily serviceable and 2) last longer by being a simpler design. Are they going to break? Absolutely. Are there going to be bad ones? Absolutely. They’re man made machines. The difference is in 15 years those SQ’s will still be chugging along unlike the garbage from other brands. And yes, it makes the most sense to buy a cheap dryer than pay the premium for a SQ. I have the matching SW to my TC5 washer….but I lucked up on it for $100 brand new as it was damaged in shipping- fixed it for $10. It dries as good as the 20 year old rusty or more that it replaced.”

“Hotpoint is a GE brand. Of the washers available at big box stores, we like the most basic GE and Hotpoint models the best. They have a better wash system (IMO) than other brands. They are still disposable, so plan on a 3-6 year life span, not the 15-20 years you used to get from any washer you bought pre-2010. Your anti-fancy stuff instincts served you well on that washer. Edit: I just saw they have been good for 7. You got the tail end of longer lasting ones. Keep them until they die, unless you are getting Speed Queen. The FTC decided since then that Durable Goods only have to last two years, so most modern washers last 2-6 years.”

“Perhaps a little overhyped. But I just left my SQ behind with a move into a new house. I already hate my Samsung washer and dryer. Everything is digital, sensors aren’t working, and why does it have to make music? I miss my Speed Queen.”

“The problem is there is no “no digital set” other than Speed Queen left. They are it if you don’t want a motive board somewhere on the machine.”

“I just weighed this decision myself and ended up buying the Speed Queen. I’m SO happy with it!”

“Based on your requirements, you want a speed queen TR5. It has the "new" wash action where the agitator doesn't spin counter to the wash drum line the old school agitating washers. It is a much gentler wash. A lot of people claim that the wash action is inferior, but unless you've got REALLY dirty clothes it works just fine.”

“Miele is more advanced and energy-efficient than Speed Queen. These brands can easily last 20–25 years, so the more efficient option will save you a significant amount of money in the long run. Both brands are very durable, but personally, I would choose Miele.”

“It really boils down to the SQ cleans better, Miele uses less water. Miele parts and service is questionable stateside. IMO go with SQ.”

“I prefer Speed Queen as they are made in Ripon, Wisconsin and I live there. And most importantly, they make a quality washer and dryer. Nor have we have not experienced any issues in the 6 years we have owned our set.”

“Speed Queen washers have 2 different "models" (wash actions) One is more aggressive but the other one (the one I have) is very gentle.”

“Appliance repairman I had diagnose my old washing machine highly recommended LG (or Speed Queen if you could afford it) and warned NEVER to get Samsung, as well as GE and Whirlpool. Needless to say I got an LG and love it so far.”

“Nope. It has no internal heater :( Love the machine and the brand (at least the front loaders otherwise.”

“If you're on a budget, I love my Amana HE washer (Model: NTW4516FW). It's simple but works great. It has an old school agitator and a deep wash option, made by Whirlpool in the USA, parts are cheap (I've never had to work on it in the last 5 years of hard use), and it has simple controls. It's called the Poor Mans Speed Queen. If you're not on a tight budget; you can't beat Speed Queen. Run, don't walk when you see Samsung or LG.”

“I used to swear by Miele as the best washer and dryer on the market – they were incredibly reliable and a fantastic investment. In fact, I'd have recommended them without hesitation just six years ago. But unfortunately, I can't in good conscience recommend Miele washers and dryers anymore. It's truly disappointing coming from someone who has been a lifelong fan and has owned multiple Miele machines. The latest models, including the W1 and Little Giant, do a very medicore job of rinsing laundry. In fact, they're so ineffective that I can't recommend them for fabric care or skin sensitivity reasons. At this point, the only machines I feel comfortable recommending are conventional deep-fill washers, like Speed Queen. They actually rinse out all the detergent from your fabrics, ensuring that you don’t end up wearing soap. If you're lucky enough to find an older, new-stock Miele TouchTronic or another older model, I’d say go for it and don’t look back. I even convinced a friend to buy one before they disappeared from retailers. But, sadly, the current Miele lineup is a recipe for disappointment.”

“If you live in a place with city water and not well water, basically if you don’t worry about conserving water, go with a Speed Queen!”

“I have not had anymore clothes ruined in the 8 or 9 years I have had my mid range Speed Queen than I had when I had a front loading Kenmore washer for about 8 years. I grew up with only agitator washers (GE or Maytag….I don’t really remember) and I don’t recall my clothes being any worse for wear then either. I also absolutely love that I can get a wash done in less than an hour; it was close to 90 minutes with my front loading machine.”

“I think standard is speed queen...but I could be wrong”

“LG is currently one of the best washers and dryers you can buy, other than Speed Queen. That said, I highly recommend a front load unit over any top load impeller unit. They clean better, faster, are less harsh on clothing, and actually have been lasting longer than many top load units too.”

“Speed queen units that last forever are the top loaders tho”

“They are all garbage, except for Speed Queen and Miele. LG, etc will last 3-4 years, failing just as the warranty ends.”

“Only speed queen, period.. lg + Samsung are garbage now.. of u have a 20 year old appliance, you are lucky, e or t failure within 2 years”

“So Speedqueen is it's own brand??? I've never even heard of this one, but now it looks like it will be my next purchase. What is the consensus on the stackable models?”

“Speed Queen for reliability, repairability. But they don't make pretty colors, front loaders or water-saving machines. They make old fashioned workhorse washers and dryers.”

“This is my answer. 8 years of appliance repair. Speed Queen is the only washer and dryer worth buying.”

“Thank you so much...your reviews helped me want to buy a Speed Queen!!! Can you tell me...can the top loader wash a king comforter? I don't have a very puffy one. We have a Maytag right now and I didn't know that Whirlpool bought them...we have had problems with it spinning and had a tech come put a new part in it only 6 months ago and it is doing the same dang thing again!!! Pisses me off because if we knew Whirlpool made Maytag, I would of NEVER bought the Maytag a few years ago!!! We had problems with our Whirlpool all the time. I want a washer that's gonna last..sick of this crap with washers!!!”

“Can confirm speed queen is awesome”

“Speed Queen, Electrolux, LG, GE.”

“I don’t use a super puffy comforter but my king quilted comforter and king blanket both go trough my speed queen just fine! Separately of course :) detergent in first, then comforter, then hit the button for deep fill and you’re good to go.”

“Speed Queen”

“Speed Queen and it’s not even close.”

“According to all reviews, everywhere, Speed Queen is obviously the best constructed washer on the market. I see a lot of reviews that say Speed Queen will last forever but don't do a great job actually washing.”

“I bought a LG washer. I hate it. Was rated 4.8 lowes. So can't depend on reviews. It takes me a day to wash one load. Plus don't buy any major appliance from Lowes u only have 48 hours to return appliances if you hate it. It worked fine the first 56 hours. Thought I did my due diligence it seems I should of bought a speed queen. They are the washers and dryers in landrymates. Of course they are double the price of any other brand but all the appliance repair people stated that's the only dependable brand and they would never buy any other for their own use. I have a 900 dollar boat anchor. I'm saving for a speed queen. Gone are the days when companies are proud of the products and care for their customers. Big box store aren't worried about return customers they are recovering their losses from shoplifters. Perhaps if they invested into a better loss prevention department they wouldn't be dealing with these thefts. Easier to penalize customers for your incompetence. Sorry didn't realize how angry I was. But please look into speed queen.”

“I hear Miele and Speed Queen are the best. We currently have a Whirlpool Duet washer and gas dryer pair. They are about 12 years old. I have repaired the front seal and the door hinge. Otherwise still going strong”

“My next will be a top leader at a minimum. I'll get a Speed Queen washer. I'll only swap out the dryer if it shoots craps the same time as the washer. They don't have to match.”

“Speed Queen”

“Speed Queen. Hands down the best. That said, my 22 year old Whirlpool washer and dryer have never given me a minutes trouble but if and when I get a new set, it'll be Speed Queen.”

“Speed queen and never look back”

“Speed queen washer and dryer”

“I’ve bought the pretty front loaders. My appliance salesman, dryer duct guy, and someone who owns a laundromat all said speed Queen top loader. It’s what I’m buying for the new house.”

“Get a speed queen washer and whatever dryer Costco has in stock install dryer yourself you’ll be at 1600 with a quality washing machine.”

“I’ve had my SQ TC5 for almost 4yrs. I was going to suggest a used appliance store. Get a washer that uses water & most places give a 90 warranty.”

“Speed queens will last the longest, but you’ll pay upfront for that (because they’re not made of cheap components like all the others). Best way to get them cheaper if cost is a concern, is to buy used.”

“LG is crap. Samsung is crap…lots of brands are crap. I’ve owned far too many washer dryer units over the years, and I’m convinced that Speed Queen will be my next unit. They are expensive, but repair people say they hardly have to fix them. That’s good enough for me.”

“My GE barely made it 3 years. I bought a speed queen and I love it.”

“Miele, speed queen, Electrolux”

“LG, speedqueen Everything else is kinda ass. The duet was a solid machine for years but whirlpool had done everything in its power to ruin their product. Whirlpool can get fucked for removing the drain access panel from many models. I no longer recommend them”

“You didn’t say which SQ model you had..The TC5 is the one to get..They’re old school and clean really well.”

“It is unreal how low quality these products are now. They are expensive, large, hard to move, and in the case of a refrigerator or freezer will destroy hundreds of dollars worth of food when they break down. I perceive that companies have stopped spending enough on quality control. So they incorporate components that break well before the expected lifespan of the same product with all high quality components. And as a consumer it's just a gamble on buying one. I'm not sure what else to do besides play "new appliance roulette" and then if you have one that lasts more than a few years do everything possible to keep it running. I'm willing and able to make extensive and complex repairs. But sometimes diagnosis is extremely difficult. And often parts (like electronics control boards) are a substantial portion of a new appliance. So it's very hard to justify parts replacement if I'm not 100% sure what part is at fault. In terms of washers the internet/consumer reports consensus is LG is the most reliable normal consumer brand. Speed queen is supposedly even better. I recently got a whirlpool front loader when my old washer died. I chose whirlpool because a local repairman recommended it. I'll see how that goes.”

“I’d get an agitator (WT8405) but either way, youre making a great choice. Anyone who tells you anything other than LG or speed queen for top load has no idea what they’re talking about.”

“Speed queen tc5 and a used dryer”

“Do a Facebook marketplace search for Speed Queen and buy a used set.”

“Washer: Speed Queen, top loader with agitator 🤌🏻 We bought it a few years ago after our Maytag (also top loader) died after like 6-7 years. Dryer: Maytag is probably 11 years old now and running strong but when it kicks the bucket, I'll get a Speed Queen dryer too.”

“Speed Queen is where it's at.”

“I tested appliances for nearly 30 years. While Samsung and LG seem to be favored brands, their reliability is terrible, parts are difficult to come by and expensive. If you just need something basic, buy Maytag. If you can afford it, buy Speed Queen. They are commercial, a bit more expensive, but will last for decades. I have mine since 1980. Aside from having them proactively serviced every few years, I’ve never had a single issue with the washer or the dryer”

“You may want to look at a Speed Queen. They are supposed to be a workhorse and very dependable. They are a bit pricey. I’m looking at getting one as well, as my (relatively) new washer that came with my house has once again failed to work. This is the 3rd time in 2 years and I’m so mad.”

“High capacity is misleading. While the drum may be 5 cu/f, the actual usable capacity is only 66-70% of that number. See this video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrpbbYwwUY4&t=1s The only top load to get is the Speed Queen TC5. As for dryer, you can just get the cheapest Amana dryer you can find with a long lint filter on the top.”

“You can’t go wrong with a speed queen. Made right here by the sconnies over in Wisconsin. Cant beat it.”

“Speed Queen. If too $$, LG front load. No Samsung and Maytag is now an overpriced Whirlpool and probably won’t last 3-4 years without breakdown. I just got out of the 5yr extended warranty by a week and need a new gearbox. Not covered by the fancy 10 year ‘commercial grade’ warranty. Go light on detergent. Don’t use and if you must, cut fabric softener 50/50 with water. Also use sparingly. Both will gum up these HE machines and your clothes.”

“Speed Queen”

“Speed queen washer. Basic Whirlpool dryer. Gas dryer if you can .”

“Depending on your budget, the most reliable top load agitator machines are Amana, LG and Speed Queen. But keep in mind that a Speed Queen is three times the price of a basic Amana. If you don’t care about matching, check a used dealer for a dryer built before 2010 that has mechanical knobs.”

“Speed Queen are the best machines for your $. Built like a tank, great warranty. Only brand on the market that you can expect 10 to 20 years of solid work out of anymore. If you buy a Samsung get an expert repairman who speaks Korean.”

“Be careful on large capacity washers. Most newer HEs are half fill. More important is the load weight in lbs. For example, my DD7 front load Speed Queen is only 3.2 cuft, but will easily wash king-size bedding and has an 18 lb load capacity, while most of the competition is only 10 lbs. This video may help. https://youtu.be/jmtLeB4ZplU?si=aszyrWR3G3LG-4tQ”

“She said she was looking for a larger capacity. Speed Queen is a 3.2. It sounds small, but honestly I don’t think it is. However LG makes a top load 5.5. It’s huge. I think LG makes a good line of laundry. I sell appliances I personally have the Speed Queen TC5003WN”

“10 years Sears in home appliance repair. My next washer will be a Speed Queen.”

“Speed Queen”

“Speed queen and not even close. Worth every penny.”

“Speed Queen is the absolute best washer and dryer. Especially the commercial line. And no, you do not need a coin to use it.”

“If you have the money to spend, I'd check out the Speed Queen TV2000WN top load. Built similar to the older Whirlpool direct drives, manual timer and all. Samsung appliances are garbage.”

“Speed queen. I got the one with no digital display whatsoever. It’s awesome. And honestly for dryers go to a used store and just get an oldschool one with no bells and whistles. They just work”

“Buy from a local appliance dealer lowes is the largest appliance supplier in the country, they hire inexperienced people to install your appliances and most of their installers have no regard for your home. As far as best washer i have a speed queen, for a dryer you can get a cheap one like a cheap whirlpool, because a dryer has less moving parts. My speed queen washer is their TR7 with a 7 year warranty. In fact i could not even get an extended warranty it wasn’t offered.”

“Speed Queen, Bosch, Maytag Commercial, Whirlpool (Whirlpool more for the fact they're easy to fix and get parts more than reliability). Samsung is probably the worse, made in China, really flimsy construction to keep shipping down parts are hard to get, and expensive when you can find them. Asian brands (and GE is now one of them, part of Haier) have really poor parts availability, they're motto is to "replace" rather than fix.”

“Speed Queen”

“Honestly I’d skip Samsung for washers/dryers. Lots of tech but way too many reliability complaints and expensive repairs. GE is a bit better but Speed Queen is pretty much the gold standard for reliability and longevity (they’re built like tanks and last 15+ years). Downside is they’re more expensive and don’t have all the fancy features but you rarely hear about major breakdowns. If that’s out of budget, Whirlpool and Maytag are also solid choices. Easier to get parts and service, and they generally hold up well for 8-10 years if you stick to their basic models. Front loaders usually clean better and are gentler on clothes, but good top loaders like GE or Whirlpool are still a safe bet. This list has some decent options from other brands as well.”

“Man I did deep dive on this last year when our old one died. Ended up with a Speed Queen front loader and it's built like a tank, no fancy electronics to break. Most people here push Miele but the repair costs in Australia are insane if something goes wrong. Whatever you get just avoid anything with wifi or touch screens, that stuff always fails first”

“Go to a staffed laundromat and ask the person there where they got their machine and if they anyone does secondhand. I got a used Speed Queen front loader this way. Cost me about $1,000 a decade ago, still going strong. It’s extremely repairable and there are online tutorials on how to do everything. It will continue to work so long as I can keep getting parts for it. (So far, only needed to change a drain hose.)”

“Speed queen, from Harvey Norman, bought for $2,000, 25 year warranty. Now going for $4KSame as the machines in a commercial laundromat.Had it 8 years now.ZERO ISSUES. https://www.appliancesonline.com.au/product/75kg-top-load-speed-queen-washing-machine-awna62/?origin=product-search&kwd=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23818842614&gbraid=0aaaaadzoixdrfr1dkrkyr2htheac4x7lp&gclid=CjwKCAjwrbfWBhAeEiwAc2e6Pr95Vg8v7u1n35Jdu01FL6AbXZDW3RvwqL6t9q3c1BTNbH9OYpnCyRoCAPYQAvD_BwE”

“I really like the Frigidaire top load washer (haven't tried the dryer, although they are all pretty much the same), and I've heard LG makes pretty good laundry machines too. Kenmore will probably be similar to the Frigidaire or LG, depending on what model you get. For front loaders specifically, I've heard good things about Electrolux. Everyone here always says to get Speed Queen, and yes, they are built well, but they are priced above what a lot of people are willing/able to pay. Ones to stay away from are Samsung, GE, and Whirlpool built brands including Maytag, Amana, Roper (those being exceptionally cheap and nasty).”

“Speed Queen TC5 washer with a Maytag commercial dryer”

“I am a huge fan of speed queen! They are built to last far longer than other brands.”

“SpeedQueen”

“SpeedQueen and LG. Pick one.”

“Old LG washer, new Speed Queen dryer”

“Our last Maytag set lasted 10+ years. That being said, we just replaced them with a set from Speed Queen. They’re probably twice as expensive as other brands, but they’re supposed to be the best ones available.”

“The answer to any question about washers and dryers is Speedqueen, always Speedqueen”

“My Speed Queen is excellent so far.”

“Speed Queen is the answer…bought one and no issues after going through multiple other brands”

“Had major Samsung trauma, so I wanted something I wouldn’t have to worry about. Splurged on a Speed Queen and it is the best money I’ve ever spent! I bought the smallest tub, but was told I can fill it all the way to the brim, and I do. No balance issues and I have not noticed any excess noise. I have read (not sure of the accuracy), that driers are all relatively the same, and that brand doesn’t matter as much. It’s washers where it really matters.”

“BEYOND love my new TR7 Speed Queen washer. It is so GENTLE and whisper quiet and fast!! The matching DR7 dryer is beautiful, but I would not recommend it! SQ dryers are HOT, but slow and not a single sensing cycle works. It will either run for 4+ hours (or all day), or it will shut off in 20 mins and say the cycle is done!”

“I have had an Electrolux since 2018. Had a few repairs on it and now the last few months it’s been one thing after another with them. First the washer and now the dryer is making a loud humming noise and the repair man can’t figure it out. I decided to get a new set and went with speed queen. Expensive but hopefully will last! And also my Electrolux washer has stunk since the first year of purchase even with monthly cleaning.”

“As a repair tech I recommend LG, Electrolux & Speed Queen as the top 3, not necessarily in that order. If we’re talking top load, the speed queen wins hands down, it will last twice as long as the LG. The main complaint on top load speed queens is the noise, and small tub. Speed queens are the most service able laundry out here in my opinion. Electrolux is easily serviced if you know what you’re doing, and LG has terrible support, but easy enough with some experience, I wouldn’t recommend DIY on LG”

“Speed Queen all the way. A can’t miss!”

“Speed Queen or Maytag top load agitator washer. Simple and will last 20-30 years if not more. I had a maytag last 50 years (handed down from grandma)”

“Miele and SQ seems to be everyone's fav”

“Across the board the quality has just gone down but generally the simpler the washer the better and also regardless of what washer you choose a good principle is always underload it rather then overload it. I honestly think just underloading your washer will already make a big difference in how long it lasts. I cant speak to quality besides obviously mentioning speed queen.”

“Capacity of the tank is smaller but is rated to be mostly loaded during the wash compared to other brands that only recommend half loaded. We wash our king size bedding (we have a duvet not a comforter). We went with the TC5 and it doesn’t beat up our clothing. We noticed our clothes came out much cleaner compared to our last cheap set and the cycle times are so much faster. In the end we researched a bunch and saw the warnings you mentioned but took the leap anyway. Very happy with the purchase.”

“We love ours. You get used to capacity.”

“The tubs are smaller but on the non eco settings they fill all the way too. No issue with ours in about 5 years. Clothes don't seem to be wearing any more then the previous basic top loader. Remember too that clothes have changed in quality too with most brands as the more to more fast fashion, synthetic/performance materials and the push to lower prices.”

“I had a Samsung with a giant drum, you were supposed to fill it 1/2-2/3. The speed queen is a smaller drum but I can fill it to the top and everything is clean. Haven’t noticed any fabric wear and tear over a year.”

“We wash our king size bedding all the time. I don't buy clothes often so I don't know if it beats the hell out of them or not but they have said that forever about top load machines with regular agitators. I know my clothes are cleaner then they were in the craptastic Samsung front loader machine we had that constantly broke down.”

“They're small but seem to last. TR5 is more gentle on clothes but more parts in the powertrain. TC5 is more simple but beats the hell out of clothes. Good for people with dirty jobs. We went with TR5.”

“Speed Queen, Miele, Bosch, LG with linear drive motor.”

“Speed Queen TC5 washer and DC5 dryer. 5 year warranty in home, parts and labor. Has a transmission, will fill all the way up with water and no locking lid. Typical wash cycle last around 35 minutes.”

“It’s a top loader. I kid. What prompted the purchase… Speed Queen’s history. Time tested technology. Met our needs for something sturdy (my partner is a large man who where’s tac pants 5-7 days/week) but gentle enough to wash my fancy tops. Doesn’t have a lid lock. Many recommendations online and from our local guy. What I love… leaving the lid open to dry (and all the other top vs front load things.) How quick the cycles are. That it doesn’t “walk” regardless of what I’m washing. Clothes actually get clean. Things to be aware of… it is loud. Not “wake the kids” loud but may have the turn the TV up a click depending on the size of your house. There is a cycle end beep that can’t be disabled (It’s a 2-3 second single tone that isn’t terribly loud.) It is harder on our clothes than our old crappy front loader. Nothing ruined but I can see things wearing more quickly (towels with pulls, T-shirt graphics… but I’ve never tried the delicate cycle either). So I wouldn’t recommend it for everyone but it’s working dang well for us. Partner’s gear gets clean, blankets are fresh and the damn washer didn’t smell like mildew!”

“Saw this online... Speed Queen front loading machine is quiet and efficient, leaving clothes clean and well-rinsed. However, in a comparison with the LG WM3900H front-loader, the Speed Queen TC5 was rougher on fabric and had a higher service rate, making it the most repair-prone brand sold by Yale Appliance.”

“Yes, I keep hearing that Speed Queen is the one to buy. It’s far too expensive for what it offers. They are just capitalizing on the fact that they have that basic machine everyone wants. Everyone is a shark these days.”

“I've heard that most Speed Queens besides the Classic model are crap now too...”

“Agree with this assessment. We have them in my condo (shared laundry) where I live part time. Very hard on the clothes and my kids clothes just do not get clean. At my other place we have a front load LG and it’s fantastic. We’ve had it for about 8 years now, knock wood no issues. Even at our vacation home we put a cheap no name washer/dryer bc renters are hard on everything, and it still washes better than the SQ.”

“My experience with (older) Speed Queen has been that they are the best machine for someone who just does not want their washer to break. I lived in a house that came with a Speed Queen W/D pair for several years and never had a single maintenance issue. That could have been luck, or it could have been the appliances. In spite of that, I didn't really like them. It was rough on clothes, but the quality of the wash was poor. I noticed that my new clothes looked new for longer after I moved out of there. I tried varying cycles and detergents, and just couldn't get a result I was happy with. As products, they are well built. As appliances, they didn't really serve my needs. I have heard good things about Electrolux, but don't have a ton of personal experience with them.”

“I bought a TR5003WN about 2.5 years ago, and it just had its first issue. The machine won’t start. The tech said there is a short on the board and now we are waiting 10 business days for the part to come in. I’m really disappointed honestly after spending $1200+. I’ve had whirlpool top load washers that have done better than this. We are a big family- from first call to the washer actually getting fixed- we are looking at an entire month without a washer. That is a huge inconvenience and not worth the big price tag. If I had to do it over again, I’d go with something different.”

“No it's not a good choice Brought a black Speed Queen set last year, been a nightmare. The washer is putting holes in anything put into it - blankets, sheets, clothes, towels, annihilated undergarments, agitator on tc5 model black is completely different from white model. You can easily get fabric between agitator & drum in black model. Lint trap is so small it throws up lint on each load, mind you I always empty it every load & now have started emptying it even mid load & lint is STILL getting out of trap & onto clothes. They come with 5 year warranty, but dealer refuses to service it & Speed Queen has so many hoops to jump through to go 3rd party, which is reason we went with dealer & brand so it would be hassle free, but it's a nonstop headache! Plus Speed Queen will only reimburse up to $250 through visual credit & if you use a 3rd party & they will only okay 1 person for the entire warranty period. Look up Speed Queen headquarters in Wisconsin, reviews are awful & echoes our experience of no help from dealer, no help from manufacture despite 5 year warranty.”

“We bought a speed queen TC5 washer in June 2025 to replace our 20+ yo washer and it ended up breaking after 3 months and flooding our entire 1000sqft basement (intake valve broke and it just dumped water into the drum and then all over the floor for 3 hours while I was on back to back calls, didn't notice till I went down to change the laundry over!!) The worst part is that Speed Queen will not refund us or help us in any way. Our insurance company paid for our floors to be replaced and damages we lost to the water, but no one will replace / refund our washing machine so we're out $1400 cuz we bought a broken washer. So beware! If their product is good, comes at the cost of their customer service being awful. Also tbh I wasn't even that impressed with how well it cleaned. We had a fridigeaire washing machine from 2006 that the motor ended up frying out, but it washed stuff so much better than the speed queen :( I could put a whole 6x9 ruggable rug in there and it was great. We ended up getting a Maytag set from Lowes on sale and they're fine, but still not great. I miss old washing machines!!”

“Ugh. That's when we bought ours and it's a lemon. Just barely out of warranty and it needed a new control board. Still randomly beeps like a drunk R2-D2.”

“Speed queen doesn’t let scratch and dent exist, the company demands they get sent back to the factory. It’s how they hold the quality and price hostage. Go ask any scratch and dent place, and they’ll tell you that. Found out about it today.”

“Unfortunately, all behind that appears mechanical is now tied 2 a motherboard”

“I regret purchasing our Speed Queen TC5. For context, we work from home and have 2 small children, who have tiny clothing that needs to be washed after every wear. We wash 10,000 tiny socks a week (it seems). We've had our speed queen for 2 weeks and the first load I did of my children's clothes, it sprung a leak out of the front bottom right. We got a repairman out who found a tiny sock that got sucked up into the (drain pipe?). He said he sees small socks, underwear and lingerie constantly stuck in the Speed Queen. Top loaders and suggested we use a mesh bag for these items. Our 18 year old front loader that we replaced this with never had this issue (maybe it just sucked up the socks but they never got stuck?) We replaced our front loader because it was getting loud and walking itself around the hallway, but now I miss it.”

“Never had a front loader, but have had HE top loaders for the last 18 years. effectively two - and one in between that was defective that we tossed right away. front loading and super high end washers seem to be designed with the BMW and mercedes principles in mind - that is, if you bought it, you can afford to spend a lot to service and replace it. My parents are bordering on wealthy, but they are sparing with money and always buy plain stuff. their plain stuff always lasts. they're on their third washer in 50 years and still have their second dryer. with several years under their belts, my stingy dad found a "roper" washer on sale - not sure how long ago - five years? No issues so far. About the same capacity as a speed queen, less than 1/3rd the price. BIL has had a speed queen over the same time period but also bought an extended warranty. He's had to have it repaired twice so far in five years. I think the boast about SQ's reliability is overdone if it's compared to basic consumer machines and not complicated overwrought overpriced digital screen junk.”

“Yep, they are not made like they use to be. People need to stop recommending them.”

“My washer started smoking last night after one year. Dryer has already had multiple services. I will probably end up tossing the washer or trying to sell it because SQ so far is refusing to authorize a return.”

“Yeah this was a big negative. It tears up clothes.”

“I completely agree. Lasting forever does not make something better. I would add that most homeowners would be better served getting a water softener and not a speed queen for the same price or less than a speed queen.”

“They will last a million years. But they don't do anything as good as modern front loaders do. Personally, I switched to front loaders so my clothes last longer. Even with having to replace machines more often I'm saving faaaaar more by my clothing lasting 2-3x longer.”

“In Australia I've only ever seen Speed Queens in shared laundries (eg in public housing, dorms or old apartment blocks) or coin-operated laundromats, until joining this subreddit I didn't think anyone had these at home. Aren't they huge? How do you even get it in your door? Advantages of a normal modern front-loader over a Speed Queen: uses less energy uses less water gentler on your clothes smaller stackable (I don't use a dryer anyway but you can mount a dryer on top) useful functions I definitely don't use all the functions on my washing machine but I use delay start all the time (put the laundry in at night, have it ready to hang up by the time I get up) as well as quick wash, wool and delicates cycles. I've had a few different washing machines, all modern front loaders less than a third of the price of a Speed Queen, and they've all lasted more than 5 years, in some cases more than 10 without repairs. So I don't think the durability advantage is that great, especially given a SQ wouldn't have fit into most of the places I've lived so I wouldn't have been able to keep it for that long anyway. I think a SQ might make sense if you have a large family and you're washing cloth nappies, sports uniforms, etc, but for a couple or a single adult, it seems really impractical.”

“Speed Queens are tanks. Sturdy, straightforward, reparable tanks. Septic tanks perhaps. My two Speed Queens are both expensive disappointments.”

“Speed queen sucks at actually getting clothes clean. 1/3 of loads have to be re washed with an extra rinse because it doesn’t rinse all of the detergent. I use less than recommended detergent”

“I’ve spent $1,000+ on my 6 year old speed Queen washer in the last 3 months. Not a happy camper.”

“My point was SQ quality is not worth the premium. I'm not saying SQ is not good. Same like Rolls Royce, Mercedes, BMW, Bentley you name it. Are they good? Most likely. Are they worth the premium? Not to a peasant like me.”

“Speed Queen dryers are no-way worth the premium. We bought a DR300WE to replace our LG after it's main control board failed. The LG lasted 10+ yrs with minimum maintenance The DR3 cost a $1000, it lacks a Pause,Stop button, end of cycle alert...now it doesn't work correctly in auto dry mode. Big disappointment!!”

“I have had so many issues with my speed queen”

“I bought a ge combo and extended the warranty through 5 years through ge for less than the price of 1 speed queen unit. I’ve had one issue in the year I’ve had them. I’ve been honestly quite pleased and don’t understand why anyone would pay so much when these are fine, extended warranty is cheap and covers everything.”

“My experience would support his advice. My SQ dryer needs another drum replacement for the second time in 4 years. It also leaves dark stains on my linens and light clothing. Not under warranty anymore. I don’t trust its’ reliability. Not fixing it. Moving on.”

“I called them about a brand new machine that simply needed a heat sensor. They guy refused to give me the updated part number and said he was going to void my warranty (blacklist the serial) if I kept asking to replace the sensor myself. He insisted I schedule an appointment with CS .. once he transferred me I hung up. I was less than impressed.”

“Just an FYI, the 2018 Speed Queen is the one you referring to. It was redesigned for the new energy regulations... It was not well received. For 2019 Speed Queen found a loophole and went back to the original top loader design and the machines have remained unchanged sisince. If you do have the 2018 model there is an easy hack by removing the back of the machine and physically raising the water level sensor by two inches to improve cleaning.”

“Most appliances in my house our Miele. I have owned two w/d sets the both lasting 23 and 25 years respectively. SQ does not compare to both Miele sets. The reason I didn’t buy a third was the capacity. Can king size sheet (one) fit in the smaller Miele unit. I had the Miele Touchtronic W4842 front loader 4cf capacity. I am thinking of selling the 5month old SQ set and replacing with the smaller Miele unit If it can handle one king size sheet.”

“We used them for three months while staying with family because of a kitchen reno, and they did beat our clothes to crap. Some old t-shirts that were slowly getting worn down, and multiple sweaters (washed on delicate and cold water etc) got holes the very first wash, where I previously had no problem machine washing them. So we ended up going with a pair of well reviewed LGs that I love so far. Yeah I know this is bifl and people hate them over here. I’m sure they won’t last 20 years, specially not without needing repairs. But we couldn’t afford Miele (and as a family of five I had my doubts the size was enough), so that’s what we went with. I’d rather have my jeans last 5 years longer than they would otherwise.”

“I absolutely love our Miele. I say this a lot but people really lament the fact that clothes don’t last like they used to - after throwing clothes into their agitator speed queen machine then cooking the same clothes in the huge rudimentary dryer. I’m here wearing 15 year old Calvin Klein knockoff underwear I bought from china and they look like the day I bought them.”

“It’s why I talked my wife out of speed queens. I can’t have them beat everything we wash. So many sweaters or other delicates that may end up needing replacement too soon. I’d spend more on replacing clothing than repairs to other brands of machines.”

“What did you get, and do you like them? I bought speed queens a year ago due to people's recommendations. I e owned 5 different sets of wr 25 years and SQ is the absolute fucking worst. I hate them so much.”

“I have a speed queen TR 7and it has ripped our clothing from day one. I have tried various settings and water levels with no luck. Sheets and towels look like they are 20 years old. The edges are frayed and ripped. Other clothing has rips and small holes. The drum and agitator have been replaced but problem continues.”

“https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/speed-queen-review/ TlDr - somehow this brand has convinced everyone they are much better than they really are”

“Does Speed Queen have a troll farm just for this thread? Had to hunt them down to see if anyone sells them and I find the lowest cost coming in at $1400 each, vs about $600 each for other brands. That's with a top load washer, not a fan of front load. For reference I just replaced a 30 year old Whirlpool set with a Maytag entry level (4.5cu ft washer and matching gas dryer). Got a Maytag set for my Mom 11 years ago which is working fine and my brother has a 15 year old set, although for that one I had to replace the dryer fuse last year, it was a major deal, $14 for a set of six, so now I'm ready for any of the others to act up. Youtube has a decent video of what to check when it acts up. I didn't bother to check the fuse first so I replaced the igniter, temp sensor and gas coil, $40 kit, so that's all brand new and I have the old ones as spares if another acts up. And for reference, Whirlpool and Maytag are the same company so parts are interchangeable and easily available on Amazon. You'd be surprised how easy it is to fix name branded appliances, stoves, washers, dryers, dishwashers. Fridges are hit or miss, and since not poisoning the family is kinda a priority I eventually just replace those. I did reseal a broken freon line and recharged my beer fridge, just to see if I could.”

“My husband and I purchased a Speed Queen 3 years ago. It was the second one. The first one lasted 20 years; this one lasted 3. We are looking for another top load washer and dryer but can't believe any. recommendations since Speed Queen is considered to be one of the best.”

“Speed Queen front loaders have one of the smallest capacity drums, probably smaller than their old Samsung. Also, no heating element. At that price, it should definitely come with a heating element.”

“However their dryers are extremely overpriced”

“Mine does the exact same thing. Going to get new ones tomorrow. Had these 4 years and thermostat and other things been repaired 6 times”

“I also spend a lot of money on the most retro looking, featureless, dryer of all time because I thought it would be the best at what it needed to do... dry clothes. From the jump, it took multiple 70 minute cycles to dry a single load of laundry that my cheap electrolux dried in one. Unfortunately, the electrolux circuit board fried and it was way too expensive to fix. The SQ was under warranty so we had a tech come out and he blamed it on airflow. So we paid $200 to have the vent cleaned out but the issue persists. Now we are being told the loads must be too heavy bc it is working fine. In addition, there is a black mesh screen in the back of the dryer that melts and leaves beautiful black waffle designs on your clothing and white bedding. This screen, now deformed, is great at putting snags in your clothing too. We will also be cutting our losses on the SQ.”

“What is your speed queen doing? I am also not happy with this brand. I have a 3 month old front load washer that squeals and now smokes after a cycle. I’ve had a technician come out twice for the noise issue and now it’s also smoking after the repair. I wish I could return it but speed queen is not allowing the and keeps sending out probably an inept technician because it’s not getting better, only worse.”

“I hate my new speed queen and getting ready to sell it at a loss to get a new washer that doesn't regularly infuriate me.”

“LG for the washer and a whirlpool dryer with the lint screen on the top panel is what I would recommend. Don't waste your money on the Speed Queen, they're not as good as they used to be, they're living off of their old reputation, they're not good anymore 🤷”

“Completely agree. I bought a set of Speed Queens back in 2020, they were very disappointing and the washer was the biggest POS appliance I have ever owned. The Samsung washer I picked up at Costco after dropping off the fairly new Speed Queen at the recycling center has been fine for the last 3 years and cleans much better. Appliances are junk, but are priced according. If I can get 5 years out a $500 washer, I would consider it to be a fair value.”

“I just got rid of my LG after 2 years and replaced it with an Electrolux. (By the way, this was my second time buying an LG washer and dryer based on consumer reports and now I really question their legitimacy.) the first set I had, my clothes smelled terrible and musty. And it took like three dry cycles to dry anything. I just thought it was the house I was living in. So stupid me bought them again for my new house (because of consumer reports… they can’t be wrong, right?). Same musty smell. Same not clean clothes. Oh and my dryer almost caught on fire and everything smelled burned. And still took like 3 hours to dry anything. So I just replaced those with Electrolux. I only got them 2 weeks ago but clothes smell clean and good. And it dries in a normal amount of time. Cut my laundry time in a third. I’m still so pissed at myself that I ordered the LG twice. The appliance guy I talked to who recommended the Electrolux (or whirlpool) said speed queen was overpriced and overrated. Which tracks with the research I did on those.”

“Only people who have problems with appliances talk about appliances. I have never required a single service call in the 10 years Ive lived by myself on any appliance, and as far as I can remember we have never required a service call on any appliance at my parents house either. We have a tech every two years come out and clean out coils, vents, filters, etc., and every time we moved we always just conveyed the appliances so granted it hasnt been the same set for 30 years. There are reasons to buy one brand over another, ie GE uses a mold-proof material for their gaskets on the front loaders. Huge reason to pick it over Samsung or LG if you cant leave the washer door open. The price you pay for a Speed Queen is not worth the longevity it might provide. Not only do you spend more in water and replacing clothes, but the main line brands laating half or even 1/4 as long comes out significantly cheaper than the SQ”

“Will double this. I have a 20+ year old GE washer, the dryer was fixable but I was too lazy to fix it. Got a speed queen dryer (not a commercial one) and was definitely disappointed. Apparently the commercial ones are the good ones but they're tough to find and expensive.”

“Yes. I had a speed queen and it lasted a little over seven years. The drum rusted out and no, the company would not honor the warranty. Never again. And yes, the capacity is very small. Not good for families.”

“Speed Queen was considered the best but lately seem to be declining in reliability. Plus their washer capacity is really small compared to LG's.”

“Reddit has a weird fetish for speed queen, but they absolutely destroy clothes. Great if you prioritize ridiculously hard agitation over your clothes lasting as long as they should, but I'm never buying one again. They even recognize this and suggest washing your clothes in laundry bags..”

“Width. 27"w is tight, but only SQ and Frigidaire seem to make anything under that. The reason is, my Maytag dryer is 29" wide, I didn't realize that was oversize until I got it home. I do like it, so plan on keeping it until it has issues. I can squeeze in another 27 incher if I have to.”

“I got a top loading lg+dryer from Costco for $1500. After reading all of these reviews and initially planning on speed queen, I realized the old school "it just works" mentality doesn't really apply when even those have quality issues now. I'm simply putting money in my budget for the next time I need to replace them and that's that.”

“I just bought a new washer/dryer and spent a bunch of time researching it. I ultimately got the LG WM3400CW and matching dryer. That model had the best reviews and Consumer Reports ratings and is about $750 per machine. Higher model levels just add features no one needs like wireless (I can't move clothes in or out of the machine unless I'm physically present, so why would I need to access the machine remotely?) From my research, I was surprised to learn that front loaders tend to function better and be more reliable these days. However, virtually all machines are expected to die in 10-15 years. The most reliable design is a direct drive (motor is attached directly to the drum instead of via a belt), but almost no one makes them. I think Speedqueen's top loaders are direct drive, and they are supposed to last 25+ years, but I had read complaints that they are rough on clothes, and I needed a front loader for my space (they're also quite expensive - maybe you recoup the cost down the line if you can repair your machine instead of replace, and I think they're better at handling a lot of use, but I don't do that much laundry).”

“Not all people are rich and theres alternative to speed queen and lg is top 3 still and dont break like whirlpool and if you said lg break easier because of digital pars then miele and akso will not last since they have led screens and wifi and etc”

“Best to worst laundry centers: 1: LG 2: Bosch 3: miele 4: Electrolux 5: Speed Queen 6: old school frigidaire 7: whirlpool 8: GE (op's pic) 9: Modern Frigidaire”

“Good advice. One thing is, though, Speed Queen is designed for laundromats. There, it's all about revenue per machine per hour, so they are designed to get the cycle done quick. Nothing gentle about them. They will wear out your clothes faster. So, be aware of that. If you are OK with that, Speed Queen is probably the best washer and dryer you can buy. As for the inlet hose, get braided stainless steel. It's not worth it to get anything cheaper, given the cost of water damage from a leak. Also, a trick a plumber taught me: for the water valves going to a permanently installed appliance, like a washing machine or dishwasher, these valves will essentially be open all the time during normal operation. Instead of setting them to wide open, close them just a little, such as a quarter turn (on a valve that takes about 10 full turns to close). This is such a small amount that it won't restrict the flow of water, so it will not make any difference in the water flow you get. The reason for this is that you're hopefully not going to be turning these valves again until your washing machine conks out, which could be years from now (decades if you have a Speed Queen). By that time, the valve could have frozen, since it has remained untouched for all this time. Having some unused room to rotate the valve in both directions, not just one direction, really helps to free up a stuck valve. You can rock it back and forth until freed, instead of having only one direction to turn the knob, if you left it fully wide open. This can be a huge help when you are trying to stop a water leak at a distant point in the future!”

“I just returned a Maytag front load set to Costco after three months of just weird stuff. The electronics are just a bad UI, slow etc. Also my washer would get unbalanced if you looked at it wrong and get stuck in an endless rinse loop. I went back to LG. If I were to do a top loader there is still a Maytag Commercial one that is made on a special line, GE also makes one as well. Speed Queen seems nice but is so pricey.”

“Everyone always says speed queen. Are the consumer models they are now making still up to the old quality? Or are they just going off the brand name? I assume the more commercial styles of SpeedQueen are still the same quality.”

“I really wanted Speed Queen but the price was just more than I could afford at the time so I got a basic Amana top load agitator washer that seemed to be of old school design, no fancy features, and it works great, no issues so far in 6 years. I also recommend adding a little borax to the wash basin, it really helps.”

“Your assessment is spot on with mine. Both my mom and my sister have Speed Queens (front load and agitator). The agitator is quite hard on clothes, But it does clean well. Whereas the front load, does just an okay job at cleaning. Most consumer magazines that rate washer and dryers say the same thing... Consumer reports, Wire cutter.”

“All these people commented on your post about how long their LG lasted… well mine failed after 18 months, and the part was already discontinued. Considering replacing with a Speedqueen”

“Every product on the planet has 200 Boomers who will say, sans evidence, that quality has gone down hill these last years. Question zero for you to buy one is do you have king size bedding?”

“i hope so, cause after seeing this, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gvd5AHet8BU and googling i'm wondering if SQ finally broke and water down their line with computers or poor QA as the demand has begun spiking OR big Planned Obsolescence is running an Astro Turf to put SQ under”

“My GE dryer SUCKS and it's only 5 years old. The main board went out, the thing that read temperatures was faulty and would kick off thinking that it was overheating. Whatever senses the moisture level is, and has been for a year at least, messed up so the only option is setting for a timed dry. This wasn't the entry level w/d either. I'm looking at speed queens now because i just want something that works.”

“For a washer I'd say yes...but for a dryer no. You don't need to spend the extra money. We had a LG dryer give us 10+ years of service, with only minor service.”

“I don't own one but I've heard good things about MOST of the Speed Queen line. But the top load models do a decent job of cleaning but for the price their are other brands that do a better job and cost less. It's just that ALL of Speed Queens are built like tanks and will last a long time. If you can afford the extra cost going to a front load Speed queen will give you a better cleaning than the top load models. But they are twice as expensive.”

“Are they nice and heavy? I have a Whirlpool that has performed well but it's so light it moves around”

“Besides being 'bulletproof' I am looking for the old school, simple design with settings that allow you to have real control over the cycle. I want rinse, spin only and auto fill options and these are hard to find. My POS Maytag has a rinsen and spin cycle but it literally takes 45 minutes to run......and that's if it actually makes it through the entire cycle without balance issues, what the ELF!”

“Ours is great but it is sort of tough on clothes. Tho we suspect there's some rough screw edges causing the issue.”

“Speed Queen makes both front loaders and top loaders: https://speedqueen.com/products/all-products/#front-load-washers”

“You'll be missing some features. The biggest ones being Dront loaders clean laundry better than top loaders with an agitators They use less water They use less detergent They they are less harsh on your clothes as instead of rubbing against a sharp plastic agitator, but instead other clothes And they're more power efficient Now don't get me wrong, there's absolutely downsides to using front loaders. They have a seal that usually needs to be replaced every 1-2 years at earliest (mines lasted a lot longer but I've heard of 1-2 years for some models). It's harder to find one with simpler controls and less electronics, but it's by no means impossible. You can absolutely find ones that have right to repair in mind just as much as speed queen. They're more complicated to repair though. Keep in mind though, Modern "analog" speed queens still use the same hardware inside as the fancy speed queens, it just has knobs instead. A speed queen can absolutely last you a long time, so can front loaders, but it's probably true unless you're willing to repair them yourself, they probably have a short lifespan than speed queens, whether the trade off is worth it is definitely personal preference.”

“Speed queen sells front load washers, they are basically comercal machines.”

“OP please go measure your laundry space assuming it’s not a wide open area. Speed queens are great at washing and drying but typically are 3.2-3.5 cu ft space for the washer while modern front loaders are 4.5+ cu ft capacity where you can wash a king size comforter. When I used to sell appliances I used to tell people the best appliance is whatever physically fits since most people are not willing to do a remodel just to make something fit, and what fits your lifestyle. Got a big family and the space? A modern front loader might make it easier for everyone on their own laundry day.”

“There’s a shop in Philly that disassembles speed queens to get them down the basements. Not sure if they’re authorized to do this and maintain the warranty. I got the basic home commercial Maytag model and it’s been great. Barely fit down the basement stairway”

“My parents have Maytag Dependable’s going on 20 years. They are dreading the day they need to be replaced because the door to the basement is extremely small. The reason they ended up with the dependable’s is because they could be taken apart and reassembled. I suppose any machine can technically be taken apart and put back together but it seems like that could be done with speed queen? They aren’t in the market yet, but it would be google to know.”

“The only issue I had was with the dryer. One morning one of the hot legs for the heating element came loose at the connector. Took 30 minutes to fix.”

“This sub bangs on about them. Overall - They're good. They're overrated, but good.”

“When we bought ours the sales guy suggested getting the SQ washer and then the most basic dryer in the store. It's a small shop and he also does some of the repairing if his tech is out. He wasn't impressed enough with the SQ dryers to recommend them at price premium they charge over a very basic Amana or GE. His honesty has kept us coming back for all our appliance purchases”

“This is actually pretty sound advice. I have an 20+ year old Whirlpool dryer that looks like crap (scratches all over the top) but it still works great. Except the control dial goes backwards most of the time. But it works/dries and I can still get parts because they sold a bajillon of them. Next to it sits a Speed Queen TR7003BN we bought 2 years ago. When the matching Whirlpool washer to the dryer died many moons ago - we went through 3 HE top/side load no auger machines. Yeah they use less water and electricity - but they die after a few years and repairs will set you back the cost of a new machine. We got so pissed off at HE machines we bought a Roper washer recommended by our repair guy. They are essentially the old barebones Whirlpool washer (top load) with a 10 year warranty on the transmission. It lasted longer than 10 years. But - we moved to a location that doesn't sell Roper when we needed to replace it. So.....we wanted a top loader and don't care about efficiency....Speed Queen is about the only option and they are built like a tank. I see complaints about how it cleans from other owners but ours is great. DO NOT use the Eco setting and USE the pre-wash or soak options if you really want to dirty things get clean. CR trying to use a top loader like an HE washer makes NO sense - but they do it every time they evaluate Speed Queen. I do think you need to match which SQ washer fits your needs best. If you do manual labor the TR5/TR3 are probably the better option given how they clean. I work in an office - so making my clothes last is my priority. So far - I love how it cleans.”

“I was looking at getting a Miele (or Bosch), but they have one drawback for a family: the SpeedQueen has a much larger capacity then the Miele. The SpeedQueen can handle a lot more laundry per load than the Miele. I prefer a front load as they use less water and are gentler on clothes, so I got the LG that CR/Wirecutter recommends for this one reason.”

“Ive done a lot of research on this topic and I bought a Miele washer and dryer. I've had them for a few years now and absolutely love them. They are probably the nicest appliances in my house. To answer some of your questions - The Miele will be much gentler on your clothes than the SQ - If you need repairs the SQ will be easier to fix than the Miele. If you get the Miele make sure in advance that there is someone in your area who can service it. Miele does sell extended warranties, not sure about SQ - You can use any detergent/bleach/fabric softener you want in a Miele, you don't need to use TwinDos. However I think Twindos cleans great and is worth the insane price. - Yeah, the SQ looks like a 1980s Amana, because that is essentially what it is - Both the SQ and Miele are not made with the same materials or to the same standards as they were, say, 20 years ago. But either are built better than anything else out there now. Either should still last 20 years if you properly maintain them (and the Miele will require more maintenance because it's a front loader) - The SQ dosen't have ANY bells or whistles. The Miele is ALL bells and whistles Other considerations: both the SQ and Miele have smaller drums than the LGs or GEs or whatever. You wouldn't be able to wash a king size comforter in either. The Miele can heat water, the SQ is limited by whatever your hot water heater is set at. Finally, if you are going to buy a Miele do it now. Next year they are switching production from Germany to Poland Hope this helps”

“Yes, you certainly don’t have to use the Twindos system. You can use whatever detergent you like. In my opinion the only main cons to Miele is they are a bit expensive, and if you are used to typical jumbo N. American sized washing machines then it will feel a bit small to you. They also take a somewhat long time to run through a regular wash cycle. Otherwise though, they get clothes very clean, are efficient and quiet, are very well-engineered, and are gentle on clothes. The dryer uses a heat pump and is also very efficient and gentle on clothes. If Miele fits your budget I wholeheartedly recommend them for 90% of people. They are very different Speed Queen which can be repaired easily and large capacity, but are a very rudimentary design that wears down clothes and wastes water and energy compared to modern systems.”

“Yeah speed queens are pretty up there as far as I know. But more so durability than anything else. They’re not particularly known for being gentle on clothes, and I believe they’re said to use a ton of water. But I could be wrong.”

“Just spent close to 2 months researching and talking to my local appliance store. We are a family of 4 with a 5th on the way, function is much more important to us than fancy options. Speed queen was the obvious choice but they are just so small. I'm not sure how people say they fit a king comforter in them, but no shot. We ultimately went with GE's commercial offering. 1/2 horsepower motor like the speed queen, no frills, larger than the speed queen, and a 5 year warranty like the speed queen. No they are not built to last as long as a speed queen but it was the next best option for us. Very happy with the set so far”

“Absolutely great response about the Speed Queen. I have a Speed Queen top loader out in the shop. It does a phenomenal job at cleaning clothes. But, with a maximum fill and an extra rinse it uses 60 gallons of water. It does a fantastic job at cleaning. However, it will absolutely tear up your clothes over time. I would never use it as an everyday washing machine. In fact, the reason I have one is because it was my mom's. She complained that it was hard on her clothes. I put it out in the shop and bought her a new Speed Queen front loader. However, I wouldn't buy the Speed Queen front loader today as the new ones no longer have a built-in heater. If my washing machine broke today I would buy the front load LG that's on sale at Costco right now for $699 without even thinking about it....”

“LG makes great machines. Especially front loaders. They wash well, gently, and spin very fast. They aren't likely to give you trouble during their usual 10 year lifespan, but repairs/parts are often more complicated. Speed queen is rated to last 25 years and are built to be repaired and maintained. They are generally pretty rough on your clothing and do not spin as fast. This means you spend more time in the dryer, more energy expended, and your fabrics take some additional heat damage. Do you mind a ten year life cycle and a better wash or do you want a 25 year work horse that you can fix?”

“Yeah Speed Queens are special cases for sure. They will be as durable as an old Maytag in the 1960s thru 90s, but they will also wash like one. Just ok. Stains will need to be pretreated for sure.”

“I clean homes and wash my clients’ laundry for a living. Been at it for about 15 years now. LG’s have always impressed me the most for their cleaning performance. I also have clients with LG washers that are approaching 20 years old without any problems. I have seen one LG that bit the bullet at 11 years because the control panel gave up. A Speed Queen does an OK job, but I have not understood what all the fuss is about - and Consumer Reports supports that as well. GE washes fine. Maytags and Whirlpools do a fair cleaning, but I’ve seen plenty of them die by around 10 years. The only machines I would strongly discourage are Samsung. I have seen so many of my clients’ Samsung washers and dryers break, the washers also are bad at time management (keep taking far more time than initially shown on the screen), the dryers take forever, and the cleaning isn’t all that great.”

“I got the same CR-recommended set two years ago or so and they’ve been flawless. So quiet, it’s a little weird, but they work great. I think you’re 100% correct about Speed Queen. They’re fine, they’re well made, but they do break and they guzzle water (and energy if that water isn’t cold). I didn’t know about how gentle they are or aren’t, but that’s also a consideration. They’re also super expensive!”