I've owned my SQ washer for 3 years. I do have to pre-treat some stains, but I don't view that as a big deal. We have the equivalent of a TR7, mine looks a little different than the current model. In any case, we love it!

We love our AWN432 model. 3 years old now. Best purchase we've made in years. If we ever move house, even cross-country, it's coming with us. I saved the bracing bracket for that unlikely event. If it lives longer than us, the youngest offspring has said she wants it and will transport it anywhere within the continent to ensure she gets it. I do feel guilty about the water usage though...but then the *really* clean laundry pops out and I feel better again.

Thanks. I believe both of those are pre-2018, when the remodels started. I would buy the AWN432 in an instant if it were still available.

I think the TR series is close to the AWN in how it washes from what I've read. Has a computer board now and less water level choices, but at least on mine, the differences in water levels is hardly worth moving the dial for. The price has gone up substantially since I bought mine, but what are you going to do? You can't get another washer like your old Kenmore unless you buy a used one from a reputable independent appliance dealer. Best of luck to you in your decision. Keep an eye out on Craigslist and facebook marketplace. Sometimes a used AWN will show up--usually a renovation in progress.

My SQ, though purchased in 2016, has never had a problem with cleaning anything. Wash cycle takes 1/2 of the time of a front loader. With a FL, you have to plan your day around washing a load or two. I can wash dry two loads in less that two hours. I’ve saved my SQ packing materials too!

Have you seen the Lorain Appliance blog. It goes into detail about the difference in the TC5000 and the “TR” models.

https://lorainfurniture.com/blog/

This talks about the updates, longer cycle and using more water, that SQ did to bring the cleaning up to fair from poor as rated by Consumer Reports for the “TR” models

https://www.consumerreports.org/top-load-agitator-washers/speed-queen-tr7-washer-review/

I did see it, thanks. The problems with the TR series, according to SQ, are present only when it's run on "Normal/Eco"--which reduces the amount of water--rather than on the Heavy-Duty setting. This recent review of the updated TR5000 is a bit more reassuring:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7s4v8kHJGY

Even so, I think I'd go for the TC5000 if only it had a "small load" setting . . . .

The TC5 has similar wash action as your Kenmore and is the closest thing to an old fashioned washer. Buy it before the end of the year and you'll get a full 10 year parts and labor warranty. Your dealer may be more willing to negotiate the price on the SQ. There is certainly no harm in asking for their best price.

Here's a link to some info on the Maytag Commercial top loader, MVWP575GW. I'd also consider a used SQ off Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace because of the way SQ is currently pricing their units.

I've bought three sets of SQ top load washer and dryer for myself and various family members. We are all satisfied. It cleans just fine. I'm satisfied enough to recommend it over any front load that I have ever owned. Recommended without reservation.

I have a Toploader purchased in 2015. Model is AWNE+. It often defaults to “normal eco” so I have to watch that if it’s not what I want. I can’t get warm or hot water on normal eco so I have to fill it on another setting and then switch to normal eco if I want to save water but use warm or hot. Maybe that is something to do with the tankless water heater, I don’t know. Clothes do seem adequately rinsed on normal eco and I like that water saving feature. We have also had trouble with overflow when draining, but that could be more connected with our drain pipes than a machine problem. I know this is an older machine than being discussed here but thought I would share anyway.

I have the 2017 version of SEAS SEA's SQ and the TOL electronic dryer. They just turned 2 years old. I am satisfied with the washer-like it infinitely more than the LG FL I replaced it with. The only problem I have with it is in order to meet the energy standards, its default EX Lg water level setting is too low. It will easily wash 9 or so large thick towels, but not at the default setting. I have to manually hold it to reset to fill the tub up to the top row of holes. There is a fix for it but I have yet to attempt it. Still, I am very pleased with it. I am not as happy with the dryer, but the set overall I am pleased with.

Socks,

Using the Normal-Eco cycle will give you what you describe in your post above. It is designed to do just that, so I don't think it's your tankless water heater, though I do understand how you might think it's possible. I've been at houses where the tankless water heater does odd things. Normal-Eco is the cycle put on the machine to pass regulations to meet energy standards. I don't use that cycle because it will not let you get true warm or hot and has a spray rinse only. I use Heavy Duty. This cycle gives true temps and a full fill rinse.

I do want to make sure I've mentioned the correct current model series for SQ, as one series appears to be rather lackluster, unless you desire a gentle swish to wash your laundry. (which some households definitely would want) I hope I have not mis-mentioned the vigorous model series....

We never ever use the Eco mode. It’s there for political reasons....

SEA SEA: Which "correct current model series" did you mean to specify?!

My apologies Marty, I was mistaken above. If you want vigorous wash action with a top load SQ, you do NOT want the TR series. You want the TC models. I'm sorry. I hope this clears things up for you. Now, if you desire a gentle wash not intended for scrubbing your laundry clean, but rather more of a swishy soak, then yes, you want the TR series.

My mistake, but really, they could have left well enough alone in 2018 and no one would be confused. Or disappointed. Grr.

Best of luck to you.

There's currently only one TC model ... TC5, aka the "Classic." It is a recent reintroduction of the classic design with transmission and separately-oscillating agitator. The knobs are rotary dials but it is fully electronic (the dials are just selectors to program the control board).

There are three TR models ... TR7, TR5, and TR3. They are a redesign introduced in 2018, without a transmission and the agitator is locked to the drum so the drum and agitator oscillate together (sometimes referred to as "agi-tub"). They also are fully electronic. 7 has a touchpanel. 5 and 3 have rotary knobs.

Thanks, everyone. I'm still at odds, though, on choosing between the TR5 and the TC5. The only downsides with the TC5, far as I can tell, are: (i) that it doesn't have a setting for smaller loads (which means occasionally wasting water); and (ii) that its independent agitator is harsher on clothes--something that seems to be a double-edged sword, since it also means more effective cleaning.

Unless some of you feel strongly that I should opt one way or the other, I might just flip a coin to get it over with!

Why do you prefer it, Dan?

The TC5000WN is the model you want. Forget the others.

I recently purchased a TC-5. I like to buy things made in USA, wanted a top loader without a million bells and whistles, and something that will last and is easy to get serviced. I live in Philadelphia and they sell tons of SQ here because the fit up and down very narrow staircases and can be dismantled and reassembled easily if they won't fit through the doorway. (Old, narrow historic houses around here.) I usually belabor the hell out of purchases but didn't with the SQ, it just easily fit so many of my needs I went with it.

I don't love it. I hate not being able to select the water size of the loads. Yes, I often do larger loads, but I hate not having control to do a smaller load when I want, and I wonder if it is really gauging correctly the needed water level. I want to be the decider not the machine.

I don't think it agitates well. I often have clothes that come out with swaths of dry fabric where it looks like water never even hit the clothes. I tried troubleshooting it and had service come out to look at it. They told me it was because of the power of the spin cycle that those clothing parts got wet but were dried by centrifugal force. I don't buy it.

I do a lot of delicate loads in mesh bags and they all float to the top and I have to open the lid to submerge them otherwise they don't get wet. I never had this problem with my 17 year old GE. My clothes don't seem horribly dirty. Just not as clean as I would like and I'm disappointed hoping this old school machine would have great performance.

Kendrah,

Do you perhaps means TR5 instead of TC-5? You make reference to the machine "gauging correctly the needed water level." TC5 does not have any type of automatic water level sensing. The TR7, TR5, and TR3 models have auto-sensing.

TC5 has four levels but each cycle fills to one of two fixed levels depending on whether Deep Wash is selected ... so each cycle is hard-wired for only two levels.

9" (13 gallons)
10" (14.5 gallons)
11" (16 gallons)
13" (19 gallons)

The lowest fill level is the Normal Eco cycle without Deep Wash selected.

The same level is used for both wash and rinse in the selected cycle, except Normal Eco which does spin-sprays instead of a filled/agitated rinse (unless Extra Rinse is selected)

Normal Eco = 9" (13 gals) or 11" (16 gals)
Heavy Duty = 10" (14.5 gals) or 13" (19 gals)
Perm Press = 10" (14.5 gals) or 13" (19 gals)
Delicate = 10" (14.5 gals) or 13" (19 gals)
Bulky/Sheets = 11" (16 gals) or 13" (19 gals)

Kendrah, as dadoes pointed out, it sounds like you have the TR series machine, which is the unit some of us are recommending against in this thread.

The TC is the most similar to the 2017.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9u5KO09Sow

I would shop for a used AWN SQ washer. I have a bottom of the line AWN412 that is about 8 yrs old. Perfectly satisfied with it.

Alternately, see if you can find a place that provides commercial SQ products and try to get them to sell one to you.

I double checked and I do have the TC5. I was told when I purchased it and when the repair person came that there is a sensor in the machine that determines the level of the water. How disappointing to learn that this isn't so according to your information above. What a huge waste of water. Thanks for the heads up.

We bought the TC5 late last month and I love it so much! It replaced a GE front loader that was only 3 years old. I love doing laundry now - our clothes and towels are a lot softer and smell cleaner, even without using a detergent with any fragrance. It washes so quickly and things have just come out really clean. I love it and won't go back to anything else. We also got the 10yr warranty with it through the end of the year. The 2018 TR models got terrible reviews, I'd definitely stay away from those. For the TC5, if you have it on Normal Eco it only washes on cold and with less water. The other cycles use more water and any temp. We wash almost everything on the bulky cycle with warm water and it fills up about 3/4 with water. We've used the deep fill option a handful of times. I do about 8-10 loads or more a week. I recommend!

I love my SQ TR 7, the one everyone else loves to hate. Been using it since July 2018 without issue. Normal, dirty clothes, sheets and towels. I can’t speak to agitation, centrifugal force, 3/4 fill l, gallons/inches, etc... It washes what I put into it and everything comes out clean, and if it doesn’t it’s user error. I avoid the Eco setting and bypass the auto fill when I feel it’s necessary.

What a great thread. Just found out on the other thread that my new SQ is a tc5. Found on this thread lots of great info including the fact that I’ve been using it wrong. I’ve been using the eco mode and deep fill on basically everything....even towels. Yuck. The awesome post by dadoes above and several others here gave me lots of info to help me take better advantage of my SQ.

i had no idea the eco mode did not fill the machine with water on the rinse cycle. I suppose that’s what you mean by sprays water only.

so, if most of my loads are fairly large..should I choose the appropriate water temperature and then

-heavy duty and deep fill

what does choosing “heavy soil” do to the wash cycle?

TR5 - I just got one and it doesn't work. Maybe a lemon, don't know. On 3rd service call to replace or fix the electronics and switches. Had a month and it has never worked. Frustrated, looks like another trip to laundry mat. If they cant get it to work for 3rd time its going in the garage and I will try to get money back and I will get something else. $1100 you would expect better. Where was the quality control on this one?? Very disappointing.

REPLY

I bet you are frustrated with that new appliance. A brand new washer should not be having so many issues. Dadoes has made it clear that these new models are not like the analog models SEA SEA and I have. They are electronic controls masquerading as analog. I would make your dealer bring you a brand new washer, and if that does not work properly request your money back and return it. The problem with any of those non-analog models is you will never be able to get them to fill with a full tub of water without you yourself using a hose or pouring in buckets of water. That is unacceptable to me, and why I chose the analog in the first place.

ILoveRed Heavy duty on a typical SQ TL usually means it is a longer wash time; the action does not change. Dadoes, littlegreeny or george can weigh in if I am wrong.

HU-...4985

That's terrible! If this was me I'd be making a stink and be the squeaky wheel to drive them to refund my money and take the defective washer back to their warehouse. Then buy something else, maybe an LG front loader, or even a bottom of the line Miele as they are close in price to what you just paid. You are likely sour on Speed Queen now. For note, if I had to buy a new washer today, I would not buy a SQ top loader as they are not the same as the 432 I currently own, which is a very good washing machine for what it is. I might consider a SQ FL, but like you've experienced, IF something goes wrong, the SQ customer, for some reason is not treated well from what I've read, and to me, that is unacceptable. I hope you get a refund or they send you a new-in-box washer to replace this one.