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crenchy

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Joined
Jul 20, 2024
Messages
20
Location
USA
Hello!
Right now, I'm looking at three washing machines to replace my grandma's old Maytag A606S.

Speed Queen AWN432SP113TW01

KitchenAid KAWS750JQ3

Whirlpool LSQ8543JQ0

Of the three, which would you all recommend?

Thanks!

Speed Queen:
1752177235933.png



KitchenAid:
1752177128897.png



Whirlpool:
1752177074320.png
 
That Speed Queen is a commercial model. 3 years warranty PARTS only, no labor.
Look at the TC5 or TR5 for a 5 year parts and labor warranty.
 
william8 said:
That Speed Queen is a commercial model. 3 years warranty PARTS only, no labor.
Look at the TC5 or TR5 for a 5 year parts and labor warranty.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. The TC5 was recommended to me when my grandma's machine started having problems. These washers are the ones I was able to find on Marketplace. They're being sold by two different scratch and dent/refurbished stores, not individual sellers.

Speed Queen $500
KitchenAid $300
Whirlpool $300
 
gelaundry4ever said:
I'd go with the speed queen if you want modern, but the whirlpool if you want the best all around quality.
Click to expand...
The machine will primarily be used by my mom and aunt (both a spry 75+) who love my grandma's Maytag A606S. Unfortunately, the A606S is depositing oily black spots on clean clothes that are impossible to remove.
 
That SQ was a residential model they don't make anymore. But, I wished they were still selling it today. Thankfully they can pop up from time to time on Marketplace which if I'm going to be honest, that's where I'd look for a top loader anyways. Nowadays there's no new top loader I'd recommend anymore. That being said, the SQ is as close to the Maytag as for example it has similar wash action and turnover. The other two are a different which I find cleans better than the SQ but are older. Overall, I don't think it's worth the extra on the SQ so I would go for one of the other two. If it were up to me, I'd get the KitchenAid. As what one user pointed out, it's a step up over the Whirlpool so for the same price why not go for the KitchenAid.
 
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Does anyone know if any of these machines have the suds saver feature? We have a laundry sink right next to the machine where we can attach a hose to the A606S, pump the water into the sink, then pump it back into the machine.
 
crenchy said:
The machine will primarily be used by my mom and aunt (both a spry 75+) who love my grandma's Maytag A606S. Unfortunately, the A606S is depositing oily black spots on clean clothes that are impossible to remove.
Click to expand...
Sorry, thought they were new. SQ no longer makes a residential model with mechanical timer.
If these are used, how old are they?
 
william8 said:
Sorry, thought they were new. SQ no longer makes a residential model with mechanical timer.
If these are used, how old are they?
Click to expand...
I'm not sure how to determine their age from their tags, but here they are:

KitchenAid
1752243888842.png


Whirlpool
1752243919508.png


Speed Queen
1752244185534.png
 
SQ added the normal eco cycle back in 2015 to meet with government regulations, it was eventually discontinued in 2017. Personally, I really like this version the best because of how the water flows out at an angle and it uses a mechanical board. I will say though that because SQ is newer than the other two, it may have a longer life left on the machine but all three are durable and reliable. And also because the SQ is newer, you'd have a better chance of finding brand new parts. In case you're interested, here's a video of one in action. If I could have a second laundry set in my house that's a top loader, I think this would be it along with a matching gas dryer.

 
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DADoES said:
KAWS750JQ0 = 2000 model-year (J)
CL3705001 = 2001 manufacture year (L), 37th week

LSQ8543JQ0 = 2000 model-year (J)
CK2589160 = 2000 manufacture year (K), 25th week

AWN432SP113TW01
1508031743 = 2015 manufacture year (15), August (08)
Click to expand...
Thanks! That's very helpful.
 
panasonicvac said:
SQ added the normal eco cycle back in 2015 to meet with government regulations, it was eventually discontinued in 2017. Personally, I really like this version the best because of how the water flows out at an angle and it uses a mechanical board. I will say though that because SQ is newer than the other two, it may have a longer life left on the machine but all three are durable and reliable. And also because the SQ is newer, you'd have a better chance of finding brand new parts. In case you're interested, here's a video of one in action. If I could have a second laundry set in my house that's a top loader, I think this would be it along with a matching gas dryer.

Click to expand...

Thank you! Does the KitchenAid have any functions you like better than the Speed Queen, or is the Speed Queen just the superior machine in your opinion?
 
Several people have suggested the KitchenAid since it's listed for $300 and the Speed Queen is $500. However -- if the store's 25% off online coupon is valid -- the Speed Queen could be $375.

If I am able to bring our old Maytag to the store selling the KitchenAid, they would take $25 off the KitchenAid, making it $275.

Knowing the features of the KitchenAid (cycle vs. rinse temperatures, etc.) and the features of the Speed Queen, would you all still recommend the KitchenAid over the Speed Queen if the Speed Queen is $375 instead of $500?
 
crenchy said:
Several people have suggested the KitchenAid since it's listed for $300 and the Speed Queen is $500. However -- if the store's 25% off online coupon is valid -- the Speed Queen could be $375.

If I am able to bring our old Maytag to the store selling the KitchenAid, they would take $25 off the KitchenAid, making it $275.

Knowing the features of the KitchenAid (cycle vs. rinse temperatures, etc.) and the features of the Speed Queen, would you all still recommend the KitchenAid over the Speed Queen if the Speed Queen is $375 instead of $500?
Click to expand...
I wouldn't pay $275-$300 for any 24 year old machine. Too old.
You can get new machines for just a little more., and it will be delivered.
 
william8 said:
I wouldn't pay $275-$300 for any 24 year old machine. Too old.
You can get new machines for just a little more., and it will be delivered.
Click to expand...
As panasonicvac (and others) have told me, "Nowadays there's no new top loader I'd recommend anymore."
I would rather get an older machine that's more durable and effective than a new machine that won't last. I'm not sure I've met anyone who has said, "My new washing machine is better than the old one we had!"

Keep in mind, the washing machine being replaced is a Maytag A606S that has lasted FOREVER. It still runs perfectly, it's just depositing oily spots that are impossible to remove on clean clothes. If it weren't doing that, we wouldn't consider replacing it.
 
That's the speed Queen I had for 7 years and a great performer especially with unbalance load handling.

The KitchenAid though older has many more features. Warm rinsing if that is important to you. It has a porcelain top and lid which is better against chipping and scratching. The KitchenAid will also handle bulky items better. It will have thorough gentler wash action too.
 
I personally own a Kenmore that's made by the same company as the KitchenAid (Whirlpool). What I like about my Kenmore over the SQ is that it has a more aggressive agitator that I find does better on turnovers especially on the delicate setting when the load is completely full and cleans more thoroughly. I also like that the tubs are plastic. And they don't use a belt which in my opinion is an extra thing to wear on the SQ but I think any machine should get a tune up every five years or so. My Kenmore has never had a break down or even a tune up, though it should get one. But I think any machine you can't go wrong with. The reason why I said I'd get a SQ as a second set is because I'd rather not get something that's the same thing as my Kenmore which in my opinion is a bit boring to have, I like switching things around that makes it more interesting. Even if the KitchenAid breaks, you should still be able to find parts and have it fixed because these machines which are known as direct drive, were the most popular top loaders sold back in the day so not only parts are easy to get but they're also inexpensive as well. I think I'm gonna have that Kenmore for the rest of my life. Here's a video of what a direct drive washer is and why they were so great. You can skip over to 5:23 if you'd like so you can hear what this user has to say about them.

 
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crenchy said:
Keep in mind, the washing machine being replaced is a Maytag A606S that has lasted FOREVER. It still runs perfectly, it's just depositing oily spots that are impossible to remove on clean clothes. If it weren't doing that, we wouldn't consider replacing it.
Click to expand...
Then that kinda means it isn't running perfectly. :)
 
stan said:
The Kitchen Aid has a selector switch for agitation & spin speed. I personally like having a separate control.
Click to expand...
Wait, do you like having a separate agitation switch and a separate spin speed switch, or do you like the way the KitchenAid is with the one combined switch separate of the cycle switch?
 
If I’m reading the control panel correctly from the pic of the Kitchen Aid.. it looks like it has a selector switch to chose agitation speed
My Kenmore had this feature and I liked it.
 
The KitchenAid compared to the Whirlpool .... KA has larger lower fins on the agitator and a 3-speed motor. KA runs the medium motor speed for high agitation. Ex-Low motor speed for low agitation. The larger fins on the KA agitator provide water action at medium and ex-low motor speeds equivalent to high speed and low on a WP with a smaller agitator ... but the KA is considered to produce less stress on fabrics.

Note that there are some WP models with 3-speed motors but the machine you're considering appears to be 2-speed (the model number would help clarify).
 

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