What do the experts on this site have to say about this.
Best washers and dryers
- Thread starter agiflow
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my vote goes to...
Speed Queen Classic Clean!
Speed Queen Classic Clean!
Is Whirlpool really in that bad of shape ? He doesn't even recommend them now. Does every VMAX or VMW machine have a bad board in it?
I know about Speed Queen being the best or longest lasting. Had one of their machines and they are workhorses. Is that really the only American brand to choose from now?
What a horrible shame. Whirlpool deserves to be bought out if they don't rectify their situation from within. Why are they allowing themselves to lose to foreign competition?
I just don't understand that. What a shame. A country, the size of ours and the last full-on American appliance manufacturer can't even make decent washers anymore.
Is this all just some kind of bull
to bring down Whirlpool ?
What is going on with that company?.
It really is sad to see that company getting all the hate that they are getting now.
Purchased an Amana gas range and top freezer Whirlpool refrigerator 3 years ago and they're both running fine. No problems yet.
I would still buy from Whirlpool before LG or Samsung.
I know about Speed Queen being the best or longest lasting. Had one of their machines and they are workhorses. Is that really the only American brand to choose from now?
What a horrible shame. Whirlpool deserves to be bought out if they don't rectify their situation from within. Why are they allowing themselves to lose to foreign competition?
I just don't understand that. What a shame. A country, the size of ours and the last full-on American appliance manufacturer can't even make decent washers anymore.
Is this all just some kind of bull
to bring down Whirlpool ?What is going on with that company?.
It really is sad to see that company getting all the hate that they are getting now.
Purchased an Amana gas range and top freezer Whirlpool refrigerator 3 years ago and they're both running fine. No problems yet.
I would still buy from Whirlpool before LG or Samsung.
I mean, it's not something new that any version of the VMW can fail early. They did from day one, for one reason or another.
I don't think they do so more now than they did then. And there's still like a pretty large number of people who have their machines 5+ years without an issue.
You just have to keep in kind you get the same base machine design - just with different controls and tub size - from anywhere near 300$ up to 600$ or 700$.
And: Whirlpool is doing just fine as a company. They made certain moves which might play out good or bad.
But they hit all the targets they wanted and set.
So as a publicly traded company, there is no reason to change what they are doing.
It's one of the things MANY have to understand here: Those are companies that make washers, not washer fans that own a company.
He's honestly not that good of a YouTuber in general IMO.
It might just be me, but he makes big claims, and just doesn't bring his reasoning across well.
That makes him appear pretty opinionated.
The whole "I repair appliances for a living so I know what I'm saying" point has been done on here before.
I think we all know enough people who have a job that they are terrible at but still think they are the best.
Not saying he's bad at it - just using it as a point in arguing annoys me. There's enough empirical data out there to make any point he wants to make without going with "I know because I do".
I don't think they do so more now than they did then. And there's still like a pretty large number of people who have their machines 5+ years without an issue.
You just have to keep in kind you get the same base machine design - just with different controls and tub size - from anywhere near 300$ up to 600$ or 700$.
And: Whirlpool is doing just fine as a company. They made certain moves which might play out good or bad.
But they hit all the targets they wanted and set.
So as a publicly traded company, there is no reason to change what they are doing.
It's one of the things MANY have to understand here: Those are companies that make washers, not washer fans that own a company.
He's honestly not that good of a YouTuber in general IMO.
It might just be me, but he makes big claims, and just doesn't bring his reasoning across well.
That makes him appear pretty opinionated.
The whole "I repair appliances for a living so I know what I'm saying" point has been done on here before.
I think we all know enough people who have a job that they are terrible at but still think they are the best.
Not saying he's bad at it - just using it as a point in arguing annoys me. There's enough empirical data out there to make any point he wants to make without going with "I know because I do".
Appreciate the thoughtful response Henrik. I have three classic washers and I'm looking to get a new machine to play around with.
I could go with Speed Queen, but then have to pay a debt.. it's not in my budget. Forget Miele...to rich for my blood.
GE is really Haier but they still make decent ranges from what I have heard. I do have an electric dryer from GE that was in the house that I bought. Looks like it might have went to a hydrowave.
Whirlpool for me has generally been my go-to. I've had lots of products from them and they've all been good except for one and that was the Maytag bravos X back in 2011.
At this point I'm looking to either get the Maytag MVWP586GW or go again with the Whirlpool CAE2795FQ which was a good machine for my needs.
If Whirlpool washers are to be avoided as Ben says because of these issues,then I'll just stick with the refurbed market at this point.
I would still take a chance with the Maytag commercial though because of the 5-year parts and labor warranty.
I could go with Speed Queen, but then have to pay a debt.. it's not in my budget. Forget Miele...to rich for my blood.
GE is really Haier but they still make decent ranges from what I have heard. I do have an electric dryer from GE that was in the house that I bought. Looks like it might have went to a hydrowave.
Whirlpool for me has generally been my go-to. I've had lots of products from them and they've all been good except for one and that was the Maytag bravos X back in 2011.
At this point I'm looking to either get the Maytag MVWP586GW or go again with the Whirlpool CAE2795FQ which was a good machine for my needs.
If Whirlpool washers are to be avoided as Ben says because of these issues,then I'll just stick with the refurbed market at this point.
I would still take a chance with the Maytag commercial though because of the 5-year parts and labor warranty.
Watched that last night.
I was very shocked about WP MT.
He used to recommend them as recently as a few years ago.
But this is not the first time I’ve heard recently, a tech or repair man NO longer recommend WP MT.
They must be really in the dumps.
Enshitification as they say.
Even GE top loaders are seemingly more “durable” than many of the VMW units apparently.
I was very shocked about WP MT.
He used to recommend them as recently as a few years ago.
But this is not the first time I’ve heard recently, a tech or repair man NO longer recommend WP MT.
They must be really in the dumps.
Enshitification as they say.
Even GE top loaders are seemingly more “durable” than many of the VMW units apparently.
panasonicvac
Well-known member
I've come to a conclusion myself that while there are some nice features and upgrades on newer machines, they just don't make them like they used to anymore. The best top loader I've used they don't make anymore and the one that'd be as close to it today would be SQ. And the best front loader I've used they don't make anymore so the closest machine I've used so far to it would be LG. But I wouldn't be too concerned on the market, I can easily find a used DD or SQ set if I'm set on a top loader. I don't think I'd buy one new anymore except for the dryers, I like that Whirlpool is still offering the same type of dryers they've been selling for years under the budget. Front loaders I'd be a little more picky on buying used depending on the model, but there is however one I'd buy new today and that'd be the LG WM3470CW as I think it's a reasonable offer. Recently I was very close to purchasing a new LG Washtower for my grandfather's cabin due to budget until the insurance company offered to pay for whatever the amount the new set would be so I went with SQ instead.
The main reason I would be careful to trust a repair persons point of view on which machines need the most repairs is observation bias.
They know which are easy and cost effective to repair and where getting parts is easy.
They might even know what breaks in which machine.
But there's a very specific reason the number of repairs gets misreported a lot by them: They only see the broken ones.
Fell into that trap myself. There is a very specific Siemens bean to cup coffee maker.
That was the model that was on sale every time, at the typical price point, from a known brand with all the features the average consumer needs.
One day I had 5 of them coming in for warranty repairs when I worked in retail.
But we sold like 20 that day.
Whirlpool is tied 3rd for sales amounts.
And I would wager a guess especially in the low price TL range, they are probably leading in sales.
You can't really get a LG or Samsung TL for under 600$ from my impression. Whirlpool has several options in that range.
And 500$ is a very critical price point.
I would still assume the VMW and its derivatives and revisions have a slightly higher failure rate than LGs and Samsungs TL versions - those never really got beaten down for longevity, but performance.
They know which are easy and cost effective to repair and where getting parts is easy.
They might even know what breaks in which machine.
But there's a very specific reason the number of repairs gets misreported a lot by them: They only see the broken ones.
Fell into that trap myself. There is a very specific Siemens bean to cup coffee maker.
That was the model that was on sale every time, at the typical price point, from a known brand with all the features the average consumer needs.
One day I had 5 of them coming in for warranty repairs when I worked in retail.
But we sold like 20 that day.
Whirlpool is tied 3rd for sales amounts.
And I would wager a guess especially in the low price TL range, they are probably leading in sales.
You can't really get a LG or Samsung TL for under 600$ from my impression. Whirlpool has several options in that range.
And 500$ is a very critical price point.
I would still assume the VMW and its derivatives and revisions have a slightly higher failure rate than LGs and Samsungs TL versions - those never really got beaten down for longevity, but performance.
"Even GE top loaders are seemingly more “durable” than many of the VMW units apparently."
That's not saying much, I saw a rather new GE top load washer at the curb last night walking the dogs. Those washers are still selling in big box stores.
That's not saying much, I saw a rather new GE top load washer at the curb last night walking the dogs. Those washers are still selling in big box stores.
I've watched some of those newer GE machines with the dual action agitators, even when the thing doesn't have a big load, it sounds like the motor is straining more so than the VMW design Whirlpool has.IMO the VMW "commercial" models from Whirlpool and Maytag have better agitation than ANY thing GE offers at the moment. Though GE does have monstrous capacity for the comforter crowd.
Best new washers and dryers
There are many great choices out there.
I do not agree with most of the stuff Ben says in his videos yes he has some limited experience. I’ve never seen him with dirty hands yet he likes to be more of a camera personality.
It’s pretty disgusting to think that he lives in Ohio and yet he doesn’t even recommend products That are made in his great state. He really ought to try to learn a little bit more about the good products that are made here, he also should go out and get his hands dirty repairing some stuff that’s a little older instead of standing in the donut line so long, lol
That said there is no great problem with boards at whirlpool. I was talking to two other repairman yesterday and none of us can even remember recently changing a board on a whirlpool Dishwasher front load washer, dryer, and a host of other whirlpool products in a long time. Yes, some manufacturers have had trouble here and there whirlpool has been having a problem with boards on their basic vmw machines which incidentally are covered by a warranty. If you happen to get one of these machines, you can get a free board for it from whirlpool.
Whirlpool hands-down has the best clothes dryers made currently they make excellent front load washers and dryers under the Maytag and whirlpool names, their top load machines are not bad, especially the nicer ones but they’re not as durable as front loading machines in general.
Everything that’s coming from Speed Queen is Very reliable and easy to repair in as well worth the money if you can afford them.
For the longest lived laundry and best performance we still recommend a Speed Queen front load washer you can skip the dryer if you like and get a good whirlpool or Maytag.
John L
There are many great choices out there.
I do not agree with most of the stuff Ben says in his videos yes he has some limited experience. I’ve never seen him with dirty hands yet he likes to be more of a camera personality.
It’s pretty disgusting to think that he lives in Ohio and yet he doesn’t even recommend products That are made in his great state. He really ought to try to learn a little bit more about the good products that are made here, he also should go out and get his hands dirty repairing some stuff that’s a little older instead of standing in the donut line so long, lol
That said there is no great problem with boards at whirlpool. I was talking to two other repairman yesterday and none of us can even remember recently changing a board on a whirlpool Dishwasher front load washer, dryer, and a host of other whirlpool products in a long time. Yes, some manufacturers have had trouble here and there whirlpool has been having a problem with boards on their basic vmw machines which incidentally are covered by a warranty. If you happen to get one of these machines, you can get a free board for it from whirlpool.
Whirlpool hands-down has the best clothes dryers made currently they make excellent front load washers and dryers under the Maytag and whirlpool names, their top load machines are not bad, especially the nicer ones but they’re not as durable as front loading machines in general.
Everything that’s coming from Speed Queen is Very reliable and easy to repair in as well worth the money if you can afford them.
For the longest lived laundry and best performance we still recommend a Speed Queen front load washer you can skip the dryer if you like and get a good whirlpool or Maytag.
John L
matching dryer
I'd prefer to get a matching dryer. That's just my preference, and that's what my family has done and still does. I just feel that things perform better in my opinion.
I'd prefer to get a matching dryer. That's just my preference, and that's what my family has done and still does. I just feel that things perform better in my opinion.
agiflow
It baffles me how GE washers claim to have a 1/2 horsepower motor with steel drive transmission. It doesn't sound like it to me. It sounds and behaves like their residential counterparts. I expected the washer agitation behavior to be more aggressive on deep clean.
It baffles me how GE washers claim to have a 1/2 horsepower motor with steel drive transmission. It doesn't sound like it to me. It sounds and behaves like their residential counterparts. I expected the washer agitation behavior to be more aggressive on deep clean.
maytaga806
Well-known member
Real applaince techs don’t recommend new whirlpool washers because they’re simply and utterly junk. Poor performance, built awfully, they take way too long to complete a cycle, and they waste a lot of time “sensing” and doing all kinds of stupid crap, not to mention they sound awful and they are so unreliable but that kinda goes without saying around here. There is not a true appliance tech or enthusiast that would ever recommend one unless their outright stupid and have a major lack of understanding of these machines in how they operate and are built in comparison to how they were built 20 years ago.
Whirlpool ruined their company many years ago when they launched their first HE top load in the late 2000s, and it’s been a downfall ever since. The only somewhat good washer they still sell are those VMW models that I think you had pat, and those Maytag commercials too which certainly outperform their front loaders.
The GE “agitator” washers are total garbage as well. Watch this review about how it tangles the clothes into knots, every cycle, no matter how it’s loaded. She literally was so pissed with this washer she returned it and they sent her a new one of the same model and it still did the same thing and her loading was precise. I don’t know who could stand having a washer that sounds like this either. It’s atrocious. The way they designed it to agitate back and fourth in such long strokes causes the tangling. She also had made several videos about this terrible washer. She got rid of her Kenmore direct drive for this, and she’s very regretful.
Whirlpool ruined their company many years ago when they launched their first HE top load in the late 2000s, and it’s been a downfall ever since. The only somewhat good washer they still sell are those VMW models that I think you had pat, and those Maytag commercials too which certainly outperform their front loaders.
The GE “agitator” washers are total garbage as well. Watch this review about how it tangles the clothes into knots, every cycle, no matter how it’s loaded. She literally was so pissed with this washer she returned it and they sent her a new one of the same model and it still did the same thing and her loading was precise. I don’t know who could stand having a washer that sounds like this either. It’s atrocious. The way they designed it to agitate back and fourth in such long strokes causes the tangling. She also had made several videos about this terrible washer. She got rid of her Kenmore direct drive for this, and she’s very regretful.
GE video
She also noted that it didn't fill with enough water. Yes, the washer sounds like a dying animal. It is stupid.
She also noted that it didn't fill with enough water. Yes, the washer sounds like a dying animal. It is stupid.
Jerome, what model # do you have in mind? The GE washer's I am finding have a 0.33 HP motor.
The only thing I like about GE washers is that the motor run capacitor is elevated on a pedestal. Other than that, the rest is flimsy.
Personally I'd like to see 1HP to 1.25HP high torque PSC motors in washing machines. Its how I've envisioned washers for years. In my world people would literally spend more if it meant longevity, eliminating potential failure modes and making repair easier.
The only thing I like about GE washers is that the motor run capacitor is elevated on a pedestal. Other than that, the rest is flimsy.
Personally I'd like to see 1HP to 1.25HP high torque PSC motors in washing machines. Its how I've envisioned washers for years. In my world people would literally spend more if it meant longevity, eliminating potential failure modes and making repair easier.
Whirlpool VMWs
Where the general public needs to wake up is to the fact that the VMW mechanism was originally created for and used exclusively in compact portable washers (which in of themselves had horrible reliability) about two decades prior. Whirlpool then took the undersized mechanism, took out the brake and common sense mode shifter, and mindlessly adapted the rest of it to a full size washing machine. Every single VMW has an undersized motor, splutch, belt, shifter, gear case, and drive mechanism. Every single one made, sold and used. How this has not triggered buyer's outrage is beyond me.
I'm well aware that the South American market was the first to experience the full size VMW experiment, and if anything that has proven that VMWs are not equal to the direct drives a decade before Whirlpool shamelessly released full size VMWs in North America.
Where the general public needs to wake up is to the fact that the VMW mechanism was originally created for and used exclusively in compact portable washers (which in of themselves had horrible reliability) about two decades prior. Whirlpool then took the undersized mechanism, took out the brake and common sense mode shifter, and mindlessly adapted the rest of it to a full size washing machine. Every single VMW has an undersized motor, splutch, belt, shifter, gear case, and drive mechanism. Every single one made, sold and used. How this has not triggered buyer's outrage is beyond me.
I'm well aware that the South American market was the first to experience the full size VMW experiment, and if anything that has proven that VMWs are not equal to the direct drives a decade before Whirlpool shamelessly released full size VMWs in North America.
Reply number 13
Dan, that’s a ridiculous statement. Whirlpool /Maytag is the most recommended and best selling brand in the United States currently, only Speed Queen is giving them a run for the money at all when it comes to quality laundry appliances.
I know of six service professionals three roughly my age one about 45 one in their 30s and one in their late 20s we all recommend whirlpool and Maytag laundry products first it’s ridiculous to say that professionals don’t recommend them coming from someone that is not in the field and has not been professionally trained in this field.
Dan, maybe you should get yourself a hat and a YouTube channel and see how many people you can convince to buy goodness knows what.
John L
Dan, that’s a ridiculous statement. Whirlpool /Maytag is the most recommended and best selling brand in the United States currently, only Speed Queen is giving them a run for the money at all when it comes to quality laundry appliances.
I know of six service professionals three roughly my age one about 45 one in their 30s and one in their late 20s we all recommend whirlpool and Maytag laundry products first it’s ridiculous to say that professionals don’t recommend them coming from someone that is not in the field and has not been professionally trained in this field.
Dan, maybe you should get yourself a hat and a YouTube channel and see how many people you can convince to buy goodness knows what.
John L
maytaga806
Well-known member
Why don’t you John? You’re the only “appliance tech” that recommends consumers to buy cheap garbage. You’re an absolute joke. Nobody takes anything you say seriously here anyway.
Your entire statement was absolutely ridiculous and you’ve defended the worst machines made yet criticize the best ones made, time to snap into reality Johnny
Your entire statement was absolutely ridiculous and you’ve defended the worst machines made yet criticize the best ones made, time to snap into reality Johnny
