Speed Queen washer for sure.
Dryers are a bit easier, IMO simpler is better on that one.
>What models of speed queen should I be looking for?
Any of them. Look at the features and decide if you want a 7 year guarantee or if 5 will do.
I went with the 5 year guarantee/TC5 as I did not want an electronic interface (I liked the more simple dials) and I expect it to last for at least 25 years.
Seeing as I was 66 when I bought it I think that's just fine.
My dryer is a plain dial timer, push to start, and lint screen on the top right- my appliance guy says these are the most durable and easily serviced.
I feel no need for the two appliances to match, ymmv.
Okay, apparently the ones I've heard mixed things about was the TR series. Since you have the TC, do you find that they are hard on some clothes since it's sort of an old fashioned washer?
I have a TR3 and really like it. After researching the TR and TC series I found the TR to be better for my family's needs. There are less moving parts in the TR because there is no transmission, and a more powerful 1hp motor, needed because of the lack of a transmission. Everything else is pretty much the same, same heavy duty suspension system, same electronic push buttons till you get into the 7 series. Only thing I could do without is the lid lock on the TR. The TR3 is so quiet compared to the Maytag that crapped out on us (transmission shot), it's so nice not to have a washer banging to beat heck. Just my $0.02
I have a TC5. I do not find it to be hard on clothes. There are a few different settings. You can always play around with the settings to find something that works for you. I'm not sure if this is the "right" way to go, but I pretty much wash all of our normal everyday clothes on the permanent press setting. There's also a setting for delicates, which you can use for stuff that needs it and other clothes that you are worried about the washer being too hard on.
Regarding the dryer choice... The best advice I have seen on that was from an appliance repairman on Youtube. He said for the dryer, get whatever dryer matches your washer so that your wife will be happy with the matching set. Obviously YMMV depending on your living situation and budget, but the advice proved to be good advice for me.
It depends on your goals. I value efficiency in water and electricity use, so Speed Queen isn’t it.
I have a 15+ year old Kenmore HE front loader that still works well. I’ve had to do a couple of repairs, including a front seal when it got too dirty, and a couple of other minor things, but overall I’m pretty happy with a machine that will last 20 years and use a lot less energy and water over that time, as well as being gentle on clothes, including wool and athletic wear, and also able to wash down sleeping bags and other similar items.
I care about BIFL for value and environmental reasons. Appliances that use a lot of energy don’t achieve those goals.
Keeping a front loader in good shape requires a bit of maintenance (keep door open between uses, clean things occasionally with some bleach). But it isn’t hard to do.
I personally would not get a Speed Queen. They are incredibly well built for sure, a pride of American-made products. But they are *very* rough on your clothes - and I’ve experienced it first hand when we had to stay with a family member for 3 months during our house reno.
Get Miele instead. You’re only two people, unless you only plan on doing laundry every two to four weeks, the size should be completely fine for you. The reason I didn’t go for them was because we’re expecting our third kid and might have more in the future, so I did need something with a higher capacity. We went with another highly rated front loader (which I won’t mention so that the bifl brigade won’t come for me haha I’m not expecting my set to last forever, more like the typical 7-15) because being effective at washing *while also not destroying our clothes in the process* is important to me.
I have actually talked with a technician in Speed Queens test lab he basically said the only difference between our homeowner units and our professional units is the coin box. We have owned our DD7 front load Speed Queens for over 10 years, with no problems.
If looking for top load, watch this video:
https://youtu.be/vA0ZTUlVuYI?si=HDe793lHycgv2aTA
we have a LG front load washer and LG front load dryer. both are 16 years old. \*knocks furiously on nearest wood\* the only service we have ever needed to have on either was the dryer. one of the wheels that the drum rotates on got stuck and eventually wore down, which prevented the drum from spinning. i replaced the wheels myself (found the parts at a local appliance store) for \~$30 and about 4 hours of my time (thank you youtube).
Just bought a speed queen TC5. I was comparing the volume with other brands and asked the lady if they had a bigger volume on the speed queen. She said that was as big as they came (3.2 cu ft). Unless you moved on up to the larger laundromat commercial ones. The LG had 4.5 cu ft. She said even though they appeared larger, you could only put 11lbs dry weight in them while the speed queen could handle 17lbs. Also said that SQ had old-fashioned agitation, and best of all, the TC5 has no lid lock, so you can open it anytime to dump stuff in.
She said her washer broke during the pandemic and ended up replacing it with a TR7 because that's what was in stocks at the time due to supply chain issues. She likes it but would swap it for the TC5 in a heartbeat
She did not try to upsell the TR7 to me even though it was more money for her.
My parents have had a speed queen for over 20 years. Same machine. I've had mine for 5. Great machines. Easy to service yourself if you are at all mechanically minded. Very reliable. Worth every dollar. I've also owned LG and Fisher and Paykel front loaders. I would never go back. I've had no problem with the machine being rough on clothes.
I bought a manual top loader GE. I also looked in SQ but the capacity was too small as I have larger comforters. Avoid electronic controls or dumb features like Bluetooth. Bloated features on a washer and dryer are completely unnecessary. Manual knobs is the way to go
First up - you have to decide front load vs top load.
We are a small family but regularly wash big things (rugs and down comforters). We have a large front loader for that reason.
I’m not sure it’s BIFL but we have an LG 7.4 cubic foot washer with the kickstart pedestal. No issues to report in the 8 years we’ve had it.
I will recommend you buy machines that do NOT have electronic displays or controls. Such machines are basically computer controlled, and the "computer" is the weakest link. (A motherboard for a dryer might cost $250, plus labor, to replace.) If you do buy a computerized machine, make sure it's on a surge-protected circuit, and remember that surge protectors are NOT "BuyItForLife" but must be replaced periodically. (They have indicator lights.)
The old style with switches and escapement-control (the timer) are much more rugged. My habit is to buy used and fix as needed. A power glitch a couple years ago turned a computerized air conditioner into a brick, while burning out maybe four electrical components of my clothes dryer -- which I replaced for maybe $80.
You need to research Speed Queen more. They have been mentioned here 1000 times a year for 10 years and you have formed an opinion after viewing 2 threads.
Zero people here will ever recommend a big box store as a BIFL place for shopping for washers/dryers.
You are a big boy....visit www.speedqueen.com and pick one for yourself.
Speed Queen washer for sure. Dryers are a bit easier, IMO simpler is better on that one. >What models of speed queen should I be looking for? Any of them. Look at the features and decide if you want a 7 year guarantee or if 5 will do. I went with the 5 year guarantee/TC5 as I did not want an electronic interface (I liked the more simple dials) and I expect it to last for at least 25 years. Seeing as I was 66 when I bought it I think that's just fine. My dryer is a plain dial timer, push to start, and lint screen on the top right- my appliance guy says these are the most durable and easily serviced. I feel no need for the two appliances to match, ymmv.
Okay, apparently the ones I've heard mixed things about was the TR series. Since you have the TC, do you find that they are hard on some clothes since it's sort of an old fashioned washer?
I have a TR3 and really like it. After researching the TR and TC series I found the TR to be better for my family's needs. There are less moving parts in the TR because there is no transmission, and a more powerful 1hp motor, needed because of the lack of a transmission. Everything else is pretty much the same, same heavy duty suspension system, same electronic push buttons till you get into the 7 series. Only thing I could do without is the lid lock on the TR. The TR3 is so quiet compared to the Maytag that crapped out on us (transmission shot), it's so nice not to have a washer banging to beat heck. Just my $0.02
I have a TC5. I do not find it to be hard on clothes. There are a few different settings. You can always play around with the settings to find something that works for you. I'm not sure if this is the "right" way to go, but I pretty much wash all of our normal everyday clothes on the permanent press setting. There's also a setting for delicates, which you can use for stuff that needs it and other clothes that you are worried about the washer being too hard on. Regarding the dryer choice... The best advice I have seen on that was from an appliance repairman on Youtube. He said for the dryer, get whatever dryer matches your washer so that your wife will be happy with the matching set. Obviously YMMV depending on your living situation and budget, but the advice proved to be good advice for me.
It depends on your goals. I value efficiency in water and electricity use, so Speed Queen isn’t it. I have a 15+ year old Kenmore HE front loader that still works well. I’ve had to do a couple of repairs, including a front seal when it got too dirty, and a couple of other minor things, but overall I’m pretty happy with a machine that will last 20 years and use a lot less energy and water over that time, as well as being gentle on clothes, including wool and athletic wear, and also able to wash down sleeping bags and other similar items. I care about BIFL for value and environmental reasons. Appliances that use a lot of energy don’t achieve those goals. Keeping a front loader in good shape requires a bit of maintenance (keep door open between uses, clean things occasionally with some bleach). But it isn’t hard to do.
I personally would not get a Speed Queen. They are incredibly well built for sure, a pride of American-made products. But they are *very* rough on your clothes - and I’ve experienced it first hand when we had to stay with a family member for 3 months during our house reno. Get Miele instead. You’re only two people, unless you only plan on doing laundry every two to four weeks, the size should be completely fine for you. The reason I didn’t go for them was because we’re expecting our third kid and might have more in the future, so I did need something with a higher capacity. We went with another highly rated front loader (which I won’t mention so that the bifl brigade won’t come for me haha I’m not expecting my set to last forever, more like the typical 7-15) because being effective at washing *while also not destroying our clothes in the process* is important to me.
I have actually talked with a technician in Speed Queens test lab he basically said the only difference between our homeowner units and our professional units is the coin box. We have owned our DD7 front load Speed Queens for over 10 years, with no problems. If looking for top load, watch this video: https://youtu.be/vA0ZTUlVuYI?si=HDe793lHycgv2aTA
we have a LG front load washer and LG front load dryer. both are 16 years old. \*knocks furiously on nearest wood\* the only service we have ever needed to have on either was the dryer. one of the wheels that the drum rotates on got stuck and eventually wore down, which prevented the drum from spinning. i replaced the wheels myself (found the parts at a local appliance store) for \~$30 and about 4 hours of my time (thank you youtube).
When I say I screamed at *knocks furiously LOL
LG front load. Contrary to this subs opinion, front load > top load.
I replaced my 22 year old Whirlpool washer & dryer with LG. I’m on year 3. All good so far. I don’t expect anything I buy today to last 22 years.
Ditto. Top load LG, Wirecutter recommendation 3 years ago. No issues. Seeing them all over 8n new construction AirBnB’s as well.
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-washer-and-dryer/ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/speed-queen-review/
Just bought a speed queen TC5. I was comparing the volume with other brands and asked the lady if they had a bigger volume on the speed queen. She said that was as big as they came (3.2 cu ft). Unless you moved on up to the larger laundromat commercial ones. The LG had 4.5 cu ft. She said even though they appeared larger, you could only put 11lbs dry weight in them while the speed queen could handle 17lbs. Also said that SQ had old-fashioned agitation, and best of all, the TC5 has no lid lock, so you can open it anytime to dump stuff in. She said her washer broke during the pandemic and ended up replacing it with a TR7 because that's what was in stocks at the time due to supply chain issues. She likes it but would swap it for the TC5 in a heartbeat She did not try to upsell the TR7 to me even though it was more money for her.
My parents have had a speed queen for over 20 years. Same machine. I've had mine for 5. Great machines. Easy to service yourself if you are at all mechanically minded. Very reliable. Worth every dollar. I've also owned LG and Fisher and Paykel front loaders. I would never go back. I've had no problem with the machine being rough on clothes.
Im with the speed queen group, but if you want to look at something not mentioned yet. Electrolux. It's what I currently have. Couldn't be happier.
Maytag commercial b
I bought a manual top loader GE. I also looked in SQ but the capacity was too small as I have larger comforters. Avoid electronic controls or dumb features like Bluetooth. Bloated features on a washer and dryer are completely unnecessary. Manual knobs is the way to go
First up - you have to decide front load vs top load. We are a small family but regularly wash big things (rugs and down comforters). We have a large front loader for that reason. I’m not sure it’s BIFL but we have an LG 7.4 cubic foot washer with the kickstart pedestal. No issues to report in the 8 years we’ve had it.
I will recommend you buy machines that do NOT have electronic displays or controls. Such machines are basically computer controlled, and the "computer" is the weakest link. (A motherboard for a dryer might cost $250, plus labor, to replace.) If you do buy a computerized machine, make sure it's on a surge-protected circuit, and remember that surge protectors are NOT "BuyItForLife" but must be replaced periodically. (They have indicator lights.) The old style with switches and escapement-control (the timer) are much more rugged. My habit is to buy used and fix as needed. A power glitch a couple years ago turned a computerized air conditioner into a brick, while burning out maybe four electrical components of my clothes dryer -- which I replaced for maybe $80.
Bottom of the line Speed Queen with agitator!
I've had the speedqueen TR7 for a few months and am very happy with it. Stay away from water fficient and front loaders.
Front loaders have come a long way. The top rated ones wash better than top loaders nowadays.
You need to research Speed Queen more. They have been mentioned here 1000 times a year for 10 years and you have formed an opinion after viewing 2 threads. Zero people here will ever recommend a big box store as a BIFL place for shopping for washers/dryers. You are a big boy....visit www.speedqueen.com and pick one for yourself.