No TL is going to be particularly quiet at different phases of the cycle, so you sort of have to accept that. We have a Speed Queen which on the Delicate cycle, is very delicate. Very short periods of slow agitation followed by longer periods of soaking. It is not a quiet machine, but nor is it thunderous. It is located in our Laundry Room, and if I were to close the door it would be barely heard elsewhere in the house.

Speed Queen.

The newer Speed Queen DR3,5 or 7 would be the best IMO. The wash motion is easy on clothing yet do a good job cleaning. The agitation cycle is very quiet, less than 43 db and wash cycles are less than 35 minutes.

For top load the TC5 is the most like the older models. 2 speed 1/2hp motor 210* agitation as in the previous models. It has a delicate cycle. It has been kept in production by customer demand, It also fills the tub all the way. TR uses a variable speed larger motor and less agitation range. But $1400 is a lot. I'd get a 5yr or older model off CL or Facebook Market. 5 years ago, they were all $750 new.

CR's top-rated HE washer (HE washers don't have old-style agitators) is the LG WT7150CW ($700) which has a delicate cycle.

I read so much about how great speed queens are so I got one in our last house. I failed to see what all the hype was about and wouldn't get one again. I loved that there weren't many electronic bells and whistles, but it didn't get our clothes particularly clean and it was loud.

Love our Whirlpool Cabrio, though some reviews suggest they may have slipped in reliability since we got ours.

The best Speed Queen is the older analog model, such as what myself and SEA SEA have. The action is strong enough to do a great job of cleaning. The TC5 would be the only new SQ TL I would consider. The newer models with the different transmission has very poor turnover. I would not have one of them. I also do not like the TL HE models with an impeller rather than an agitator. We have two in our family-one a Maytag, the other either a LG or Samsung. Dismal to use. If you select a deep fill option/cycle to accommodate bedding or a very full load of other laundry, it will fill the tub with water but then the linens just sort of float because there is not enough action to properly submerge and clean them. It is hard these days to find just the right TL. There seems to be much more flexibility and choice with a FL.

@armjim: "If you select a deep fill option/cycle to accommodate bedding or a very full load of other laundry, it will fill the tub with water but then the linens just sort of float because there is not enough action to properly submerge and clean them."

Correct. The impeller at the bottom of the tub is not the same as an agitator. Solution: don't use the deep fill option. -- Owner of GE HE washer

@SEA SEA: "But today's offerings for TL washers are not likely to give you what it is you are looking for..."

Well-performing top load agitator and HE washers are available See: https://www.consumerreports.org/products/washing-machines-28983/top-load-he-washer-37107/view2/ ($10/month digital)

"Sea Sea: Top load 2016 AWN432 Speed Queen owner here. ... Given that SQ no longer manufactures this model I would not buy a top load washer if I had to replace our machine."

The Speed Queen TC5 model, aka the Classic Clean, is the same mechanism and wash action as your machine. The older design was discontinued when a new design (known as Perfect Wash) was introduced in 2018. The older design was brought back in 2019, apparently due to consumer demand for it.

"armjim: The TC5 would be the only new SQ TL I would consider. The newer models with the different transmission has very poor turnover."

The TR series (aka Perfect Wash) doesn't have a transmission. The mechanism is basically a frontloader turned vertical. The basket (with integral agitator) has a simple pulley on the drive shaft, driven by a belt directly to the motor pulley. The variable speed motor (said to be 1 HP) repeatedly reverses direction to provide agitation.

Thanks for the clarification dadoes. It is a terrible wash action. As SEA SEA said, I am not sure I would buy another TL. The flexibility I have with my 2017 is just not available on current TL machines, at any price or by any manufacturer, I keep hoping that SQ will increase the capacity of their FL's a bit and begin offering a heater for the washer. Just in case I need to go that route in a few years.

Why only a top loader? You'll have many more options (and lower utility bills) if you go for a front loader.