They are the same company, just different brands. Take a look at automaticwasher.org for some discussion of the feature differences between the brands.

ETA Here is a thread (scroll down quite a ways) that discusses the differences (Post# 1018384 , Reply# 45 is the one you want to start at)

I read somewhere that Whirlpool makes both Whirlpool and Maytag washers, but that the Maytags are better made, higher quality machines.

Whirlpool-family laundry brands include KitchenAid (since 1986), Roper, Estate, Inglis, and Maytag (since 2006). Their purchase of Maytag included Admiral, Amana, and Crosley. Possibly others that aren't coming to mind. Some Kenmore models are sourced from Whirlpool. Whirlpool was the primary source of Kenmore laundry for many years from the 1950s into the 2000s.

I just bought a Maytag frontload washer and dryer (5500 series) from a sears hometown store that was going out of business and I love them. Mine has an onboard heater which works great and an extra hot water setting which gets true hot water. My hot water heater is set at 140. They had a whirlpool set there but it didn’t have an on board heater which was important to me. It also looked like it was made with more plastic. I know they are built by the same company but the Maytag is very sturdy and washes well. Came with a one year warranty and Maytag offered another three year warranty for the washer and dryer for under 200 bucks. I couldn’t get a warranty from sears as they were closing so went directly to Maytag for the warranty. You have 14 days after purchase to do so. Hope that helps.

The Maytag MHW5500FW, MHW6630HW, MHW5630HW are all recommended by Consumer Report with the 5500 the highest. As prices decrease, cycle times increase: 70, 95, 100 minutes, respectively. At Home Depot.

I will say if you choose the power wash cycle on the 5500 series and select heavy soil it’s over 3 hours. If the load is dirty it will take every min of that three hours. If it’s not as bad it adjusts down to 2 hours. The sanitize cycle takes 1 hour 40 min. It cleans very well though.