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Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,738
Registered: ‎03-16-2010

Re: What is a trustworthy washing machine brand these days?

I like Whirlpool. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,000
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: What is a trustworthy washing machine brand these days?

My fifteen year old Maytag is still going strong and is the best machine I've had in my entire life.  It is a front loader and gets everything clean.  I pre-treat things like salad dressing and that's all.  

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,158
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: What is a trustworthy washing machine brand these days?


@Twins Mom wrote:

There was a poster who bought new SQ a few months back and I wonder how that is working out.

 

Speed Queen lovers, can you let us know what year you purchased?  I am really wanting to know if users of machines made in last few years are still as pleased as owners of older machines.  I am another individual trying to prepare for purchase.


@Twins Mom 

Not sure if it's me you were thinking of, but I bought a Speed Queen washer in early January 2022 to replace my beloved Kenmore Elite that finally died after about 25 years. 

 

I had read many posts on this forum about washers and knew what features I wanted to avoid.  I also read so many posters recommending SQ.  So when I asked my repairman what he recommended and he said Speed Queen, too, I was ready to buy. 

 

Luckily there was a store nearby that stocked SQ and I was able to look at them on the sales floor.  There was a lower level model with dials, which are supposed to be less likely to break, but it didn't have all of the features I was used to on my Kenmore Elite.  So I went with the next level up, which does have a touch panel for everything - no dials.  It has multiple wash cycles and all of the features I need, especially the ability to set water level at low, medium or high.  There is an autofill choice, but I never use it. Warranty is 7 years.

 

So far I'm very happy with one exception, and I think it's an environmental regulation thing that is probably the case with all new washers now.  Things get wrung out much dryer than I was used to, which is great for towels but not so good for wash and wear type items.  Clothing on the permanent press cycle comes out more wrinkled than before because it has been spun longer.  In my old Kenmore, things came out wetter and that meant fewer wrinkles. But things don't take as long in the dryer now, so that saves electricity which is why I think it might be an energy saving thing. My model # is TR7003WN and I do highly recommend it.

 

"Breathe in, breathe out, move on." Jimmy Buffett
Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,268
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: What is a trustworthy washing machine brand these days?

The problem is when you have a washer so long, like me things change. My Maytag is 30 years old . Never a problem, a true work horse.  Now a days the brands were all sold, mainly to Whirlpool. I know Whirlpool owns Maytag, Bosh, Jen-air, Amanda and many others. Parts have been replaced with cheaper materials  and are basically made to last about 7-8 years.   So when I am due for anew appliances I will have to start a new researching, looking at Consumer Reports and reading reviews and ratings.  I wanted a Speed Queen but I heard they changed them and their rating slipped.   It's such a hard choice!!

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,173
Registered: ‎04-03-2016

Re: What is a trustworthy washing machine brand these days?

@shoesnbags 

 

Great detailed report on your new Speed Queen.  Going to take a look in near future.  Just wondering, do you feel water level covers clothes well?  I have a GE that is probably 7 years old where I can set water level.  I hate seeing clothes not circulating well.

 

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,158
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: What is a trustworthy washing machine brand these days?


@shoekitty wrote:

The problem is when you have a washer so long, like me things change. My Maytag is 30 years old . Never a problem, a true work horse.  Now a days the brands were all sold, mainly to Whirlpool. I know Whirlpool owns Maytag, Bosh, Jen-air, Amanda and many others. Parts have been replaced with cheaper materials  and are basically made to last about 7-8 years.   So when I am due for anew appliances I will have to start a new researching, looking at Consumer Reports and reading reviews and ratings.  I wanted a Speed Queen but I heard they changed them and their rating slipped.   It's such a hard choice!!


@shoekitty 

I was reading about this last night because this discussion got me interested.  Apparently they changed something in 2017 which resulted in a lot of bad reviews.  so after a couple of years they changed it back.  So those negative reviews don't reflect the current models. 

 

Of course, there are environmental federal regulations that went into effect a couple of years ago that affect ALL brands of washers.  Speed Queen had to meet those regulations just like everyone else, and that changed some features.  I don't know what those features were, because my SQ is only 9 months old.  The main thing I was concerned about was being able to choose the water levels myself, and my SQ definitely has that feature.

"Breathe in, breathe out, move on." Jimmy Buffett
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,158
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: What is a trustworthy washing machine brand these days?


@Twins Mom wrote:

@shoesnbags 

 

Great detailed report on your new Speed Queen.  Going to take a look in near future.  Just wondering, do you feel water level covers clothes well?  I have a GE that is probably 7 years old where I can set water level.  I hate seeing clothes not circulating well.

 


@Twins Mom 

Well, I can choose the water level and everything definitely gets wet and gets clean.  You can open the lid while the machine is filling, but it locks once the washing begins.  I think that's a safety feature that's required now.  The lid is solid, not transparent, so I can't look in while it's washing.  But nothing has ever come out with a dry spot in 9 months.

"Breathe in, breathe out, move on." Jimmy Buffett
Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,268
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: What is a trustworthy washing machine brand these days?


@shoesnbags wrote:

@shoekitty wrote:

The problem is when you have a washer so long, like me things change. My Maytag is 30 years old . Never a problem, a true work horse.  Now a days the brands were all sold, mainly to Whirlpool. I know Whirlpool owns Maytag, Bosh, Jen-air, Amanda and many others. Parts have been replaced with cheaper materials  and are basically made to last about 7-8 years.   So when I am due for anew appliances I will have to start a new researching, looking at Consumer Reports and reading reviews and ratings.  I wanted a Speed Queen but I heard they changed them and their rating slipped.   It's such a hard choice!!


@shoekitty 

I was reading about this last night because this discussion got me interested.  Apparently they changed something in 2017 which resulted in a lot of bad reviews.  so after a couple of years they changed it back.  So those negative reviews don't reflect the current models. 

 

Of course, there are environmental federal regulations that went into effect a couple of years ago that affect ALL brands of washers.  Speed Queen had to meet those regulations just like everyone else, and that changed some features.  I don't know what those features were, because my SQ is only 9 months old.  The main thing I was concerned about was being able to choose the water levels myself, and my SQ definitely has that feature.


@shoesnbags   Thank you. I didn't know that as I haven't been in the market  I had wanted a Speed Queen so bad as a future purchase but the reviews were so bad, even on this forum. I am so glad they changed back. Thanks for the research!

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,135
Registered: ‎10-23-2015

Re: What is a trustworthy washing machine brand these days?

I bought my Speed Queen washer/dryer in 2016 and so far so good.  I really love it. It does have the electronic display, but it doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles. Just a basic washer with small/medium/large loads and heavy duty/eco wash/perm press/delicate settings.  Nothing crazy, pretty basic, but it suits me.  This replaced a Samsung which almost sent me to therapy.  When we moved, I left it.  I didn't care. The only thing that I would deduct a point for on the Speed Queen, is the tub is a little small. But again, it's fine for me.  I'm one person. When I have a comforter to wash I take it to the laundromat. But I've always done that so no big deal.  

I love that my clothes are clean and bright again (I sound like a commercial).  That Samsung made my clothes so dingy looking and I swear they were dry when I'd take them out of the tub. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 11,329
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: What is a trustworthy washing machine brand these days?


@shoekitty wrote:

The problem is when you have a washer so long, like me things change. My Maytag is 30 years old . Never a problem, a true work horse.  Now a days the brands were all sold, mainly to Whirlpool. I know Whirlpool owns Maytag, Bosh, Jen-air, Amanda and many others. Parts have been replaced with cheaper materials  and are basically made to last about 7-8 years.   So when I am due for anew appliances I will have to start a new researching, looking at Consumer Reports and reading reviews and ratings.  I wanted a Speed Queen but I heard they changed them and their rating slipped.   It's such a hard choice!!


@shoekitty - Whirlpool does not own Bosch.  They are competitors; separate companies.

 

Bosch used to be owned jointly by Bosch and Siemens, but Bosch took over total ownership in 2016.  (This is a condensed version!)