See my response under another thread - 12 year old appliances. I don't believe there are any good new washers, at least top-loading. We, after two attempts, ended up buying an older Maytag which didn't even need refurbishing and is in "like new" condition, after our 29 year old Maytag gave up. The repairman told us then (3 years ago) that if it was any other brand, he would recommend ditching it but the old Maytags were worth repairing. How we wish we had spent the hundreds of dollars we wasted on newer washers on repair. But now, we have a Maytag that I believe will out last us. The appliances made today, be it in China or the U.S. are junk.

Consumer Reports top-rated HE top-load washer: LG Electronics WT7100CW 4.5 cu. ft. Mega Capacity Top Load Washer ($719) Also Lowes.

I have had the 2018 SQ top loader for one year and have had zero problems cleaning clothes. Seven year warranty. Mine does have auto fill and varying size load settings and I always use auto fill.

“I don't believe there are any good new washers, at least top-loading. ”

We own about a dozen SQ TLs (residential models) of various ages. The oldest maybe 12-13 years old and the newest maybe a few years old. They are used and abused in a commercial setting. The oldest one goes all day/evening 5 days a week and on weekends some. Never a repair on any of them. Mine at home had to be repaired because someone left a handful of nails in their pocket. We have our water heaters at work jacked up to 170°F and they deliver water at that temperature.

Hopefully they will realize what they had and go back to all of their older pre 2018 designs but at least they have the classic now.

If you read the blog from Loraine appliances, he talks about the build on SQ, an LG and a Maytag commercial machine. Of course you can’t go wrong with a older Maytag machine, but I would probably want to get it cleaned on the inside parts.

“I have had the 2018 SQ top loader for one year and have had zero problems cleaning clothes.“

I’m sure it works for some. I think you mentioned on another thread that you didn’t have heavy soiling. Some will have heavy cleaning needs. Consumer Reports does testing on cleaning abilities and the new design tanked. Lorain appliances also did a comparative wash between the 2017 AWN model and a 2018 TR model. He used a fill full in the TR to provide the best movement of the towels and optimized it as much as possible. This was what the 2018, top looked like compared to the 2017, bottom.

https://youtu.be/I6U2ehnaPbI

A few of you have mentioned older Maytags. Where do you find them? I assume since you are being them used there is no warrantee? Does Maytag make new machines? Are they just as junky as most other new appliances that are made to break and don't work very well?

Thanks all for your input. Really helpful. Going to read more about the newest SQ.

Anne Duke: you wrote that you : “ have had the 2018 SQ top loader for one year and have had zero problems cleaning clothes. Seven year warranty. Mine does have auto fill and varying size load settings and I always use auto fill” Loraine appliances did note that those who didn’t need to do much, if any, heavy washing, could have okay results with the 2018 Model.

However, if you look at buyer reviews for the 3018 model , many raise concerns, especially when compared to the 2017 models ( which regularly had very high ratings). I watched the YouTube review by Loraine appliances. I kept in mind the fact that not only was he a Speed Queen distributor, selling them and proud to sell them , but a long time fan of Speed Queens. He wrote an honest review. That took guts. He lost his Speed distributor option and the company allegedly pressured him to retract his review.

He didn’t back down.

I just looked up the new SQ "classic" TC5000. It only has 3.1-3.6 cu ft. That sounds really small to me. Does it to anyone else? We are a household of two adults but we do a ton of laundry because of work clothes, workout clothes, and my night sweats. I don't need industrial size but want to make sure it is decent sized.

Kendrah,

I have a 2016 Speed Queen top load washer, which is the capacity you state above. The capacity is smaller than what is considered "usual" for today, whether FL or TL.

We are a household of 2-4, fluctuates, and we do very well with it in regards to size. I generate many lbs of dirty laundry related to work each week too, and it's fine. Whereas the newer washers take longer to run a thorough cycle (not a quick wash), the SQ is fast and gets our laundry nice and clean. I do more loads per week than if I had a "usual" capacity washer of today, but they are speedy wash cycles and my wash water temps are what I've set my water heater to, not dumbed down by the washing machine. I wait on the dryer...that takes longer to dry than the SQ takes to wash. My dryer is the same age as the washer btw.

If you should find a gently used AWN model, you'd be wise to act on it if you were inclined to go the used route. I have no experience with the newest offerings from SQ and I'm glad I'm not in need of a new washing machine at this time. Maybe the new SQ top loaders would suit your needs? I really don't know since they went and messed up a very good thing. I'll never figure out why they did that. Perhaps they've tried to save face by introducing their Classic Line.

If you were able to use a front load washer, I've read good things about the front load washers from SQ., and I sometimes wish I had bought that instead, but that's another story ;)

I wish you good luck.

The Speed Queen TC5000WN is 3.2 cf because it's narrow (25-5/8") which limits its tub size, and has an agitator (yes, it's old school) which takes up room. It's considerably smaller than the 27" wide LG WT7100CW and LG WT7500CW at 4.5 cf and 5.2 cf, respectively. Price: $1029 or so.

MVWB865GC I just purchased one of these about 2 months ago. So far I have been very pleased. We chose a model with an agitator on purpose as it does clean much better than a top load with no agitator. I was doing three loads vs the 1 in this. It's tub is 5.2 cf, plenty of room. I believe they have one that is 6.0 cf if that is not enough room. We do a decent amount of laundry I am hoping this will hold up to the test of time. The LG it replaced is still quite functional, but again too many loads. If you fill it up the clothes simply don't come clean, although they may smell clean.

We bought our Maytag thru a guy on Craigslist that buys older appliances and refurbishes them. The one we bought looks like new. He took it apart and was astonished at how clean it was. The original rubber hoses and rubber feet had no wear. In addition, he warrants them for 90 days. We feel extremely lucky. The Model and Serial number on the machine says it was made in Newton, Iowa, so that was before Whirlpool bought Maytag and closed the plant.

“Does Maytag make new machines?”

The blog I posted above talks about the Maytag commercial. scroll down about three articles.

https://lorainfurniture.com/blog/

We have 2 adults but did have more. I’m a sorter so I would not like a huge washer. When the kids were here, they did their own laundry, so we didn’t need huge loads.

Just looked up the specs on my 17 year old GE:

GE profile super plus 3.2 cu ft

27 in w x 42 in h x 25 1/2 in d

The 3.2 cu ft doesn't bother me so I obviously don't need as big of a machine as I thought. One problem though is our laundry closet is not very deep at all. We could maybe push it to a depth of 27.75" but I'd rather be safe and get something closer to 27". I suspect this too will limit us.

Curious why nobody has mentioned Whirlpool top loaders.

Regarding refurbished Maytags, is there an ideal age to look for - is there a certain year at which they became no longer reliable?

"Classic" Maytag toploaders have two belts. Look under the base of the machine. The small motor pulley is at the left/front. One belt runs from it to the large transmission pulley at the center, another from the motor to the small pump pulley at the right/front.

Toward the last 15-ish years of Maytag's existence as separate company some Maytag toploaders were based on the Norge and Amana mechanical designs (which are similar to each other) and have only one belt that wraps around all three pulleys (motor, transmission, and pump).

Whirlpool bought Maytag in 2006. Maytag toploaders shortly thereafter are the same as Whirlpool ... either direct-drive, or the VMW redesign circa 2010 to present.

Our washer (SQ) went to the dealer for repairs. They brought us an Amana top loader to use in the meantime. It had a big drum and cleaned our clothes well. Our family of 4 used it daily, I wouldn't hesitate to get one, I think the price point is towards the low side, too.

Would put a front loader on pedestal.

I hang dry a tremendous amount of clothing and my only available drying space is on the rod running above my top loader and dryer. Of I were to use raisers with a front loader, they would have to be so high for.my back that I would then not have any room for my clothes to hang dry.

“Curious why nobody has mentioned Whirlpool top loaders.”

My son just moved into an apartment and they put this machine in brand new.

Here are some reviews.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/reviews/whirlpool-3-5-cu-ft-12-cycle-top-loading-washer-white/5310701

Some even though rated highly are still pretty telling. I might bring a load of white shirts and some Persil with me next time I go.

Thanks for all of the SQ recommendations. Here is what I learned today:

SQ is the only collapsable washer that can be reassembled on site in narrow, historic Philly homes. Not a need of mine, but it makes them very popular here and I visited the store that does the largest sales of SQ on the east coast. It is a small corner store and SQ is their bread and butter - three people came in and bought them while I was there. They had a new classic and the three TR machines on the floor and keep all models stocked for same day delivery. A store up the street had just the TR in store but could order any model.

Both stores do installation and service and said they have had no increase in repair calls on the "TR" machines that came out last year. The high volume store said some shopper have come in with scare stories they've read online about the new machines but neither store has had a problem with them.

I like that the middle line TR has a 7 year warrantee as opposed to the Classic's 3 year warrantee. There is little price difference between any of them. Trying to decide if I believe the hype online or not about the new ones being terrible machines.

It is not hype, but there is a strong YMMV aspect.

The criticism of the agi-tub TR models is mostly not service and reliability. Most criticism has focused on heavier duty cleaning tasks. Those may or may not correspond with your washing needs. Ann Duke and others here have found the TR washers are fine for their needs. Others have not. Doesn't mean Anne is wrong and walking around unclean. Doesn't mean the critics are rabid fanboys with no grounding in reality. It just means that the TR machines work acceptably in some situations and not others where prior Speed Queens were thought to excell.

If you look at the series of videos by Eugene Pallas (d/b/a Lorain Furniture), you will see in some of the earlier videos that he found the TR did an acceptable cleaning job on lighter cleaning tasks. It was in the later testing videos, where he tried cleaning very heavily soiled and rather thick work clothing, that he found the TR design ineffective. He found it lacking in relation to how previous Speed Queen TL models had handled such tasks.

ETA: Forgot to post a link -- for anybody researching washers and interested in video reviews, here is the Lorain Furniture You Tube catalog page on which you can find his many demonstrative tests of a bunch of washer models: LINK

OTOH, the testing by Consumer Reports and Reviewed.com uses standardized fabric sheets with particularly tough-to-remove stains and then runs those sheets through scanners after washing. That provides a relatively objective way to compare washing performance but, those gradations will matter a lot to some and not so much to those who rarely need much in the way of such strong stain removal.

Do either of your local stores have one of the TR units hooked up that you could demo? Maybe you could try a run to see what you think? How about a return policy? What would restocking fees be if the washer turned out to not work for you the way you want?

Consumer Reports published a video that documents the poor performance of the TR7 washing machine: Watch.

Here's a video from a former Speed Queen dealer describing what happened after he reviewed the poor-performing TR7 model: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8H8vFd2ONg. He then reviewed the 2019 "classic" model: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk2P5_7g_jg which performed better.

Thanks all for your help and insights, especially the reviewed.com, which I'd never heard of before. I ordered a Classic SQ today and it will be installed tomorrow AM.

I am very sensitive to dyes, perfumes, and like to use organic detergent. I use the Whole Foods organic liquid concentrate currently. Is there anything that you think can better work in an SQ that is organic? Does powder vs liquid work? Any tips for getting the most out of my machine?

CR highest-rated such detergent: Persil ProClean Liquid Laundry Detergent, Sensitive Skin

I just returned from over a week on the East Coast helping take care of my very ill Mother. I own a 2017 Analog Speed Queen TL washer which I am very happy with. My Dad replaced their previous 15 year old Maytag with a Maytag Bravo XT last August/September. Having done at least a dozen loads in it last week, I can now share experience rather than just anecdote. What a miserable machine. Using the bulky cycle, it fills with a full tub of water, so the argument that it is a true HE compared to my SQ I disagree with. Sheets-which I washed plenty of as you can imagine-came out balled up more than once. One load when the machine went into a spin had the tub banging against the cabinet. When I went down later to dry the load, it had never properly spun the load and it was soaking wet, necessitating me to do a drain/spin cycle. I watched the wash action for a variety of loads-bedding, bathroom rugs, and clothes. Anemic. Very little turn over. And watching how the wash plate operates leads me to believe it is extremely rough on clothes on a normal cycle. This is all my own opinion and observation. A TL HE machine would never work for me and my needs. I recommend anyone considering a TL machine to explore them carefully. Just because the lid is on the top of the machine does not mean they are all similar in how they function.

Tide ultra stain release (only able to buy at target) i think works better than Persil sensitive. All free and clear powder is a great budget friendly detergent that works well too. Tidefree and gentle pods works great and target has them in the ultra stain release version too.

ArmJim,

All TL HE / impeller washers aren't necessarily equal. I have a (10yo) Fisher & Paykel AquaSmart that I bought used, cleaned it up and did a couple repairs (it was sold with advisory of needing a repair). It does an excellent job. Some of the cycles operate only in HE mode, others only in deep-fill mode, some are selectable for both modes. The designated Sheets cycle runs an agitation pattern that it doesn't tangle -- video of two sets of sheets. It hasn't yet (in 9+ months of use) gone off-balance during spin. Regards to turn-over, this machine surely does, check the deep-fill Whites cycle and HE-fill 14 shirts.

What's interesting is that the original Bravos (and Oasis and Cabrio) design was based on F&P but have changed a couple times since then, apparently to the worse.

Interesting. Definitely more turnover than what I noticed in my parents' Bravo. When I looked at the video for the shirts (Looks like you have some nice shirts buddy) it seems a bit rougher than I would want on some nice shirts. You don't have trouble with it ripping them or wearing on them? I did notice a comment someone had made on one of the videos that the FP was by and far the best of the HE machines in his view. Side note-where in Texas are you?

The impeller "fins" are curved and smooth, edges aren't as sharp as a typical agitator. There's also the Delicate cycle choice which runs in deep-fill mode by default but HE can be selected. Wharton County.

Dadoes, I don't remember seeing a delicate cycle on the Maytag. I just googled a control panel and it showed a Hand Wash cycle, so there must be one. I believe I got the model wrong. My folks' machine must be an XL. Next time I am there I will try the Handwash cycle. Unfortunately, my Dad is doing the laundry now and the concept of careful cycle usage is lost on a 90 year old man who only started using washers in the last year. I try to set the controls so all he has to do is load the clothes, dump in the Tide pods he is using and hope for the best. I will not attempt to get him to use powder at this point.

(You are about 2.5 hours east of me-I am in Bexar County.)

Kendrah - I hope you check back into this thread. Your comment about the SQ being 'collapsable' really caught my eye.

I've always liked SQ and now my DD needs to replace her W/D. She lives in a small condo in Philly and her idea of shopping for appliances is to go to Sears or a big box store. I really like the idea of a local store that sells, installs and services.

Would you be willing to share the name of the place where you found yours? If you don't want to mention it online you can send me an email through this site.

I'd really appreciate it.

Now if only she could find a repairman to fix the AC unit on her roof she'd be in great shape. She's scheduled 3 different companies and took vacation time to stay home - the first was a no show, the second said he was afraid of heights and the third looked at it and said he'd call her back and never did.

Thanks,

Maire

Kendrah --

Right about the time you ordered and took delivery, Speed Queen announced a free 10 year factory warranty promo. This applies to washers purchased and delivered from an authorized Speed Queen dealer between July 15 and September 30. There is a promo code to enter when registering your new washer: SQ10YEARS

@marie_cate - Sorry I saw this two months after you posted. In case this can be of help to you or someone in the future:

Dominic's Appliances on Passyunk, not AJ Appliances is up the street, more expensive, and doesn't focus as much on SQ as Dominic's, though they do still carry all of the models.

My AC died a month ago. We used Goodman Plumbing. Expensive but pretty reliable.