Best advice I’ve received is to just shop for the features and price that fit you best and not a certain brand. There are pro and cons all over the place for every brand. Also, know the quality of today just isn’t the same as it once was. That being said, people here on Houzz seem to have good feedback for Speed Queen. We had to replace a 4-yr-old Whirlpool washer and I looked at SQ. However, the choices were slim and I couldn’t find one I thought was a good fit. I narrowed it down to a couple choices and ended up with LG (top load). It had nothing to do with that brand; it just seemed best for my needs. That was almost 6 years ago and it’s been fine. I had a couple sales people tell me to expect 5-10 years from brands these days. One person told me to cross my fingers and toes if I hit the 5-year mark.

One more thing…I had a repair tech tell me to be cautious using the ”bulky/bedding” cycle for things like comforters. He explained it can be hard on machines you get these days. Who knows…that was his just his opinion.

"Architectural Notice: It can be top loading or front loading but I don't want to leave the door open on a front loader."

It's not ncessary to leave the door gaping wide-open .. just don't latch it shut, or hang a towel over it so there's a bit of a gap. Seems best either way on that point that you not get a frontloader but finding a toploader nowadays that can properly wash a comforter is tricky (you didn't say what size comforter).

Consumer Reports Washer Dryer Pairs ($10/month digital)

I have GE front loaders and you do not have to leave the door to the washer open. It has a venting system. I think the days of leaving the door open to prevent mildew are gone. My set is blue and I love it. Got it at Lowes. A lot of W/D machines are over priced and over rated. That's my opinion.

It's a misconception that frontloaders seal air-tight when the door closes. The tub is always vented. The ill-fated Maytag Neptune circa 1997 that led the push on HE frontloaders, and complaints about moldy-stink to the point of a class-action lawsuit? It had vents through the door.

Some GE models (and a few specific models of other brands) have a small built-in fan that exhausts out of the rear tub vent port. There are after-market fans that can be added at the vent port on models that don't have a fan. Leaving the door unlatched or slightly ajar without a fan promotes evaporation of residual moisture and provides a flow-through ventilation path.

Speed Queen. Top load. The E.N..D

No, there is really nothing better.

Why do you never see any other brands in a laundromat : ) ( Yes the residential top loader. )

No client I have who has this would ever go back to front load anything and that is NO kidding.

I have had a LG washer and dryer for several years now, that I love. No issues. Great performance! I love my LG’s so much, that I since purchased an LG free standing air conditioner, an LG dishwasher (so quiet), and an LG TV. They all perform wonderfully too, no issues.

I much prefer front load washers they hold larger loads and are much easier on your clothes that any agitator. I have Bosch Nextt model and the matching dryer I do loads of alundrty almost every day have had on service call a warranty issue thta was 11 yrs ago they are now 15 yrs old and still going strong. I used to out a facecloth in the door because of the stuff I read , have not dome that for 10 yrs either . Go to good appliance store and ask questions BTW I do huge loads of towels and bedding since we have international students so lots of laundry .

@kculbers, that’s the exact set we bought. So nice!

About six months ago I bought the LG top loader recommended by Consumer Reports. I love it. It has a huge capacity and many settings, is very quiet, Is very gentle on clothes, and uses much less water than my old Maytag. It has a clear top, so it is interesting to watch the washing. The only downside is that it is so deep that I sometimes need to use a reacher to grab the last sock (I'm 5'3"). I drain the detergent dispenser after using the machine and leave the top open until everything is dry to prevent smells.

@Yvonne Martin, I can understand since I’m almost 5’10” and it can even be a reach for me with our LG. Like you, I do leave the top open for a few hours after finishing.

Chloebud and Yvonne: so glad you love your LG’s!! I agree that the washer is a bit deep.

Please come back and review your Speed Queen set ... details on what you do and don't like about them.

Architectural,

Congrats.

Did you purchase Top Load or Front Load?

I purchased top load. My husband didn't want front load; the place where he works has them and he saId they have problems with them.

Looking for a self cleaning, large capacity, top load washer and dryer. The old washer broke down. We were advised by a technician to shop for something that didn't have all the elaborate computerized electronics/accessories. Keep it simple. It's just adds more stuff that can fail.

We do want something that is good quality. Don't care if it's a matching set. Function over form. Didn't realize there were so many things to consider, including energy efficient, which some don't offer.

I like what's been mentioned about Speed Queen. Which model best fits my description?

thanks

"NolanVoide: We were advised by a technician to shop for something that didn't have all the elaborate computerized electronics/accessories. Keep it simple. It's just adds more stuff that can fail. I like what's been mentioned about Speed Queen. Which model best fits my description?"

None if a key factor is absence of electronics. All Speed Queen washers have electronic controls. A machine controller board in the console and a motor/power controller board in the base. The models with rotary knobs are the same, the knobs are programmers for the machine controller board ... although they lack the touchbutton panel which may count as a 3rd board.

There isn't an appliance on earth that isn't digital in some regard : )

Speed queen is still the best of any out there. Why else would a client take her own SQ's down the entire length of the east coast when the Pandemic slowed any possibility of replacing hers in a new locale in time for a move in?

My daughter talked to the technician and relayed the info to me. Wish I was there at the time. I'm certainly not expecting an absence of electronics. I think the main point was keep it as spartan as possible. From your post, SQ seemed like a excellent candidate, with durability in the forefront of their priorities.

Problem is, she doesn't want to spend that kind of money,

So I'm considering the LG WT7900HWA, or WT7400CW.

She has a step stool :)

What do you think?

I have to replace a 14 yo Bosch Nexxt 800 washing machine that I loved for as long as parts were availablel to keep it going. NOW I have to rip out a lot of my laundry room bc the Bosch washer is less than 38" tall (close to 37") and I stupidly thought that height would be standard when I had our Caesarstone counters installed over both front loading washer and dryer. Live and learn. Anyway, I was all set to replace with $peedqueen, but when I went to their website to check out the options, I read a bunch of 1 and 2 star reviews that have pretty much decided against them. Such a bummer. I guess all washers will have their issues, but I can't spend over $2K unless the reliability (and repairability if something goes wrong) isn't super solid.

PS - If anyone knows of a decent washer/dryer that are under 37.5" tall I'd buy them instantly to avoid ripping out my countertop!

38 inches........Raise the top ? Any fabricator can do that. Most contractors could as well

Great reviews

https://www.lowes.com/collections/Electrolux-Smartboost-Front-Load-Washer-Electric-Dryer-Set-in-White/GR_3118?irclickid=XIMzItym8xyNWADW-MxoQWoVUkAzxVXRUXGR0A0&irgwc=1&cm_mmc=aff--c--prd--mdv--gdy--all--0--3006986--0

I'd love to raise the top, but the contractors I've spoken with either don't want to try or are not the right people. I suspect they'd rather have me redo the entire laundry room. The current counter is pretty much attached to a rear wall and two sides. A tall cabinet (CA Closets) to the right of the counter, sits on top of lower cabinets and runs into a wall on the left side. They foresee ruining the cabinetry at a minimum - I'll attach a photo later, but am a bit concerned about hijacking this thread. Should I start a new one?

Meanwhile, back to the topic of this thread, I think I have settled on a pair of LGs, assuming I can get them into my laundry room. Probably would go for the washer with steam feature? WM8100HVA